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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9

A terrain-dependent reference atmosphere determination method for available potential energy calculations

An iterative technique that determines the reference atmosphere which incorporates the effects of uneven surface topography is presented. This method has been successfully applied in several available potential energy studies. An alternative method due to Taylor is also evaluated. While Taylor presented excellent continuous formulations of the available potential energy that include topography, his method for determining the reference atmosphere distributions failed to provide the accuracy needed to produce reliable available potential energy estimates. Since topography has a significant influence on the general circulation, it is important to employ techniques that incorporate its effects in the determination of available potential energy.

Koehler, T. L.↗

Analytical-numerical methods of calculations of energy and three-dimensional particle distributions in electromagnetic cascades

Analytical and numerical methods of calculation of the energy and three dimensional EPS characteristics are reported. The angular and lateral functions of electrons in EPS have been obtained by the Landau and small angle approximations A and B and compared with earlier data. A numerical method of solution of cascade equations for the EPS distribution function moments has been constructed. Considering the equilibrium rms angle as an example, errors appearing when approximating the elementary process cross sections by their asymptotic expressions are analyzed.

Ivanenko, I. P.↗

Optimization of Stability Constrained Geometrically Nonlinear Shallow Trusses Using an Arc Length Sparse Method with a Strain Energy Density Approach

A technique for the optimization of stability constrained geometrically nonlinear shallow trusses with snap through behavior is demonstrated using the arc length method and a strain energy density approach within a discrete finite element formulation. The optimization method uses an iterative scheme that evaluates the design variables' performance and then updates them according to a recursive formula controlled by the arc length method. A minimum weight design is achieved when a uniform nonlinear strain energy density is found in all members. This minimal condition places the design load just below the critical limit load causing snap through of the structure. The optimization scheme is programmed into a nonlinear finite element algorithm to find the large strain energy at critical limit loads. Examples of highly nonlinear trusses found in literature are presented to verify the method.

Hrinda, Glenn A.↗

Drag reduction in channel flow using nonlinear control

Two nonlinear control schemes have been applied to the problem of drag reduction in channel flow. Both schemes have been tested using numerical simulations at a mass flux Reynolds numbers of 4408, utilizing 2D nonlinear neutral modes for goal dynamics. The OGY-method, which requires feedback, reduces drag to 60-80 percent of the turbulent value at the same Reynolds number, and employs forcing only within a thin region near the wall. The H-method, or model-based control, fails to achieve any drag reduction when starting from a fully turbulent initial condition, but shows potential for suppressing or retarding laminar-to-turbulent transition by imposing instead a transition to a low drag, nonlinear traveling wave solution to the Navier-Stokes equation. The drag in this state corresponds to that achieved by the OGY-method. Model-based control requires no feedback, but in experiments to date has required the forcing be imposed within a thicker layer than the OGY-method. Control energy expenditures in both methods are small, representing less than 0.1 percent of the uncontrolled flow's energy.

Keefe, Laurence R.↗

An ab initio study of the C3(+) cation using multireference methods

The energy difference between the linear 2 sigma(sup +, sub u) and cyclic 2B(sub 2) structures of C3(+) has been investigated using large (5s3p2d1f) basis sets and multireference electron correlation treatments, including complete active space self consistent fields (CASSCF), multireference configuration interaction (MRCI), and averaged coupled-pair functional (ACPF) methods, as well as the single-reference quadratic configuration interaction (QCISD(T)) method. Our best estimate, including a correction for basis set incompleteness, is that the linear form lies above the cyclic from by 5.2(+1.5 to -1.0) kcal/mol. The 2 sigma(sup +, sub u) state is probably not a transition state, but a local minimum. Reliable computation of the cyclic/linear energy difference in C3(+) is extremely demanding of the electron correlation treatment used: of the single-reference methods previously considered, CCSD(T) and QCISD(T) perform best. The MRCI + Q(0.01)/(4s2p1d) energy separation of 1.68 kcal/mol should provide a comparison standard for other electron correlation methods applied to this system.

Taylor, Peter R.↗

The Doubly Labeled Water Method for Measuring Human Energy Expenditure: Adaptations for Spaceflight

It is essential to determine human energy requirements in space, and the doubly labeled water method has been identified as the most appropriate means of indirect calorimetry to meet this need. The method employs naturally occurring, stable isotopes of hydrogen (H-2, deuterium) and oxygen (O-18) which, after dosing, mix with body water. The deuterium is lost from the body as water while the O-18 is eliminated as both water and CO2. The difference between the two isotope elimination rates is therefore a measure of CO2 production and hence energy expenditure. Spaceflight will present a unique challenge to the application of the doubly labeled water method. Specifically, interpretation of doubly labeled water results assumes that the natural abundance or 'background' levels of the isotopes remain constant during the measurement interval. To address this issue, an equilibration model will be developed in an ongoing ground-based study. As energy requirements of women matched to counterparts in the Astronauts Corps are being determined by doubly labeled water, the baseline isotope concentration will be changed by consumption of 'simulated Shuttle water' which is artificially enriched. One group of subjects will be equilibrated on simulated Shuttle water prior to energy determinations by doubly labeled water while the others will consume simulated Shuttle water after dosing. This process will allow us to derive a prediction equation to mathematically model the effect of changing background isotope concentrations.

Schulz, Leslie O.↗

A Semi-Analytical Method for Determining the Energy Release Rate of Cracks in Adhesively-Bonded Single-Lap Composite Joints

A semi-analytical method for determining the strain energy release rate due to a prescribed interface crack in an adhesively-bonded, single-lap composite joint subjected to axial tension is presented. The field equations in terms of displacements within the joint are formulated by using first-order shear deformable, laminated plate theory together with kinematic relations and force equilibrium conditions. The stress distributions for the adherends and adhesive are determined after the appropriate boundary and loading conditions are applied and the equations for the field displacements are solved. Based on the adhesive stress distributions, the forces at the crack tip are obtained and the strain energy release rate of the crack is determined by using the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT). Additionally, the test specimen geometry from both the ASTM D3165 and D1002 test standards are utilized during the derivation of the field equations in order to correlate analytical models with future test results. The system of second-order differential field equations is solved to provide the adherend and adhesive stress response using the symbolic computation tool, Maple 9. Finite element analyses using J-integral as well as VCCT were performed to verify the developed analytical model. The finite element analyses were conducted using the commercial finite element analysis software ABAQUS. The results determined using the analytical method correlated well with the results from the finite element analyses.

Yang, Charles↗

Analysis of temperature-dependent neutron transmission and self-indication measurements on tantalum at 2-keV neutron energy

The method of pseudo-resonance cross sections is used to analyze published temperature-dependent neutron transmission and self-indication measurements on tantalum in the unresolved region. In the energy region analyzed, 1825.0 to 2017.0 eV, a direct application of the pseudo-resonance approach using a customary average strength function will not provide effective cross sections which fit the measured cross section behavior. Rather a local value of the strength function is required, and a set of resonances which model the measured behavior of the effective cross sections is derived. This derived set of resonance parameters adequately represents the observed resonance hehavior in this local energy region. Similar analyses for the measurements in other unresolved energy regions are necessary to obtain local resonance parameters for improved reactor calculations. This study suggests that Doppler coefficients calculated by sampling from grand average statistical distributions over the entire unresolved resonance region can be in error, since significant local variations in the statistical distributions are not taken into consideration.

Semler, T. T.↗

A method of predicting the energy-absorption capability of composite subfloor beams

A simple method of predicting the energy-absorption capability of composite subfloor beam structure was developed. The method is based upon the weighted sum of the energy-absorption capability of constituent elements of a subfloor beam. An empirical data base of energy absorption results from circular and square cross section tube specimens were used in the prediction capability. The procedure is applicable to a wide range of subfloor beam structure. The procedure was demonstrated on three subfloor beam concepts. Agreement between test and prediction was within seven percent for all three cases.

Farley, Gary L.↗

A method of predicting the energy-absorption capability of composite subfloor beams

A simple method of predicting the energy-absorption capability of composite subfloor beam structure has been developed. The method is based upon the weighted sum of the energy-absorption capability of constituent elements of a subfloor beam. An empirical data base of energy absorption results from circular and square cross section tube specimens were used in the prediction capability. The procedure is applicable to a wide range of subfloor beam structure. The procedure was demonstrated on three subfloor beam concepts. Agreement between test and prediction was within seven percent for all three cases.

Farley, Gary L.↗

Predictions of thermal buckling strengths of hypersonic aircraft sandwich panels using minimum potential energy and finite element methods

Thermal buckling characteristics of hypersonic aircraft sandwich panels of various aspect ratios were investigated. The panel is fastened at its four edges to the substructures under four different edge conditions and is subjected to uniform temperature loading. Minimum potential energy theory and finite element methods were used to calculate the panel buckling temperatures. The two methods gave fairly close buckling temperatures. However, the finite element method gave slightly lower buckling temperatures than those given by the minimum potential energy theory. The reasons for this slight discrepancy in eigensolutions are discussed in detail. In addition, the effect of eigenshifting on the eigenvalue convergence rate is discussed.

Ko, William L.↗

The evaluation of evaporation by infrared thermography: A critical analysis of the measurements on the Crau test site

Evapotranspiration was calculated for both the dry and irrigated zone by four methods which were compared with the energy balance method serving as a reference. Two methods did not involve the surface temperature. They are ETR(n) = R(n), liable to be valid under wet conditions and ET(eq) = (delta/delta + gamma) R(n) i.e, the first term of Penman's equation, adapted to moderately dry conditions. The methods using surface temperature were the combined energy balance aerodynamic approach and a simplified approach proposed by Jackson et al. Tests show the surface temperature methods give relatively satisfactory results both in the dry and wet zone, with a precision of 10% to 15% compared with the reference method. As was to be expected, ET(eq) gave satisfactory results only in the dry zone and ET(Rn) in the irrigated zone. Thermography increased the precision in the estimate of ET relative to the most suitable classical method by 5% to 8% and is equally suitable for both dry and wet conditions. The Jackson method does not require extensive ground measurements and the evaluation of the surface roughness.

Seguin, B.↗

Crash-Energy Absorbing Composite Structure and Method of Fabrication

A stand-alone, crash-energy absorbing structure and fabrication method are provided. A plurality of adjoining rigid cells are each constructed of resin-cured fiber reinforcement and are arranged in a geometric configuration. The fiber reinforcement can be in the form of a fabric or braided fibers wrapped about a core that is either left in place or removed from the ultimate cured structure. The geometric configuration of cells is held together with more fiber reinforcement (in the form of fabric or braided fibers) in order to integrate the cells in the geometric configuration. The additional fiber reinforcement is resin-cured to the cells. Curing of the cells and ultimate structure can occur in a single step. In applications where post-crash integrity is necessary, ductile fibers can be used to integrate the cells in the geometric configuration. The novelty of the present invention is that simple fabrication techniques are used to create structures that can be formed in a variety of net stable shapes without additional reinforcement and can withstand combined loading while crushing in a desired direction.

Kellas, Sotiris↗

Crash-Energy Absorbing Composite Structure and Method of Fabrication

A stand-alone, crash-energy absorbing structure and fabrication method are provided. A plurality of adjoining rigid cells are each constructed of resin-cured fiber reinforcement and are arranged in a geometric configuration. The geometric configuration of cells is integrated by means of continuous fibers wrapped thereabout in order to maintain the cells in the geometric configuration. The cured part results in a net shape, stable structure that can function on its own with no additional reinforcement and can withstand combined loading while crushing in a desired direction.

Kellas, Sotiris↗