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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 19 records

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NASA NTRS1988

Failure of compression-loaded multi-directional composite laminates

An analytical and experimental investigation of the failure of selected compression-loaded composite laminates is described. A general nonlinear theory is presented for predicting a laminate's compressive strength and failure mode. The theory includes the effects of out-of-plane ply waviness, inplane fiber waviness, and fiber scissoring. A simple compressive test technique is used to obtain the experimental data. The analytical and experimental results show good agreement for theta less than 45 deg and show excellent agreement for theta not less than 45 deg. The dominant compression failure modes for the laminates in this study were found to be interlaminar shearing, inplane matrix shearing, and matrix compression.

Shuart, Mark J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A model for inferring canopy and underlying soil temperatures from multi-directional measurements

A model is presented of thermal emission from a canopy/soil surface, where the soil and the leaves are at different temperatures, Tg and Tc, respectively. The temperature Tm corresponding to a radiometer reading is given by B sub lambda(Tm) = chi-B sub lambda(Tg) + (1-chi)B sub lambda(Tc), where B sub lambda denotes the Planck blackbody function at wavelength lambda, chi specifies the fraction of the field of view occupied by the soil at a given view direction, and an emissivity of 1.0 is assumed for the plants and the soil. It is observed that at large view zenith angles, only the plants are effectively seen, and therefore Tc can be determined from the observations a large zenith angles, to the extent that such observations are practical. Water stress can produce an increase of chi and thus tends to produce an exaggerated increase in the observed temperature compared to the actual increase in canopy temperature. These effects are analyzed for a simulated soybean canopy.

Otterman, J.↗

NASA NTRS1971

A study of human performance in a rotating environment

Consideration is given to the lack of sufficient data relative to the response of man to the attendant oculovestibular stimulations induced by multi-directional movement of an individual within the rotating environment to provide the required design criteria. This was done to determine the overall impact of artificial gravity simulations on potential design configurations and crew operational procedures. Gross locomotion and fine motor performance were evaluated. Results indicate that crew orientation, rotational rates, vehicle design configurations, and operational procedures may be used to reduce the severity of the adverse effects of the Coriolis and cross-coupled angular accelerations acting on masses moving within a rotating environment. Results further indicate that crew selection, motivation, and short-term exposures to the rotating environment may be important considerations for future crew indoctrination and training programs.

Green, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

An investigation of the failure and fracture behavior of graphite/epoxy laminates

A fundamental investigation of the fracture behavior of fiber reinforced composites is discussed. It is suggested that experimental and analytical investigations should compliment each other. Further, it is suggested that in order to understand and mathematically model composite fracture it is necessary to explore, understand and characterize the stress-strain behavior of each type of laminate tested from initial loading to incipient fracture. That is, it is not only necessary to perform fracture studies but it is necessary to perform stress-strain characterization and failure studies as well. For this reason a literature survey is presented in which these three elements are discussed. An experimental program to determine tensile properties of unnotched and notched unidirectional and multi-directional laminates composed of Hercules AS Fiber and 3501 Resin is described. Experimental unnotched moduli and strengths are presented, discussed and compared to lamination theory predictions. It is shown that rate effects are small and that lamination theory gives good results for moduli but not for strengths.

Brinson, H. F.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Toughening of graphite-epoxy composites by interlaminar perforated Mylar films

Fracture and notch strength tests of graphite-epoxy composites showed that unidirectional lay-ups generally exhibit longitudinal cracking before failure, whereas multidirectional lay-ups fail transversely with little longitudinal cracking. A simple qualitative analysis suggested that the higher matrix shear stresses in unidirectional materials cause the longitudinal cracking, and that this cracking was responsible for the high toughness of unidirectional composites. In a series of comparative tests, the interlaminar strength of multi-directional composites was reduced by placing perforated Mylar films between laminae; tests on notched and slotted specimens showed that the interlaminar films promoted delamination and longitudinal cracking near the notches and that, as a result, toughness, notch strength, and impact strength were substantially increased.

Elber, W.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Buckling of a sublaminate in a quasi-isotropic composite laminate

The buckling of an elliptic delamination embedded near the surface of a thick quasi-isotropic laminate was predicted. The thickness of the delaminated ply group (the sublaminate) was assumed to be small compared to the total laminate thickness. Finite-element and Rayleigh-Ritz methods were used for the analyses. The Rayleigh-Ritz method was found to be simple, inexpensive, and accurate, except for highly anisotropic delaminated regions. Effects of delamination shape and orientation, material anisotropy, and layup on buckling strains were examined. Results show that: (1) the stress state around the delaminated region is biaxial, which may lead to buckling when the laminate is loaded in tension; (2) buckling strains for multi-directional fiber sublaminates generally are bounded by those for the 0 deg and 90 deg unidirectional sublaminates; and (3) the direction of elongation of the sublaminate that has the lowest buckling strain correlates with the delamination growth direction.

Shivakumar, K. N.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Buckling of a sublaminate in a quasi-isotropic composite laminate

Shivakumar, K. N.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Short-wavelength buckling and shear failures for compression-loaded composite laminates

The short-wavelength buckling (or the microbuckling) and the interlaminar and inplane shear failures of multi-directional composite laminates loaded in uniaxial compression are investigated. A laminate model is presented that idealizes each lamina. The fibers in the lamina are modeled as a plate, and the matrix in the lamina is modeled as an elastic foundation. The out-of-plane w displacement for each plate is expressed as a trigonometric series in the half-wavelength of the mode shape for laminate short-wavelength buckling. Nonlinear strain-displacement relations are used. The model is applied to symmetric laminates having linear material behavior. The laminates are loaded in uniform end shortening and are simply supported. A linear analysis is used to determine the laminate stress, strain, and mode shape when short-wavelength buckling occurs. The equations for the laminate compressive stress at short-wavelength buckling are dominated by matrix contributions.

Shuart, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Compression creep of filamentary composites

Axial and transverse strain fields induced in composite laminates subjected to compressive creep loading were compared for several types of laminate layups. Unidirectional graphite/epoxy as well as multi-directional graphite/epoxy and graphite/PEEK layups were studied. Specimens with and without holes were tested. The specimens were subjected to compressive creep loading for a 10-hour period. In-plane displacements were measured using moire interferometry. A computer based data reduction scheme was developed which reduces the whole-field displacement fields obtained using moire to whole-field strain contour maps. Only slight viscoelastic response was observed in matrix-dominated laminates, except for one test in which catastrophic specimen failure occurred after a 16-hour period. In this case the specimen response was a complex combination of both viscoelastic and fracture mechanisms. No viscoelastic effects were observed for fiber-dominated laminates over the 10-hour creep time used. The experimental results for specimens with holes were compared with results obtained using a finite-element analysis. The comparison between experiment and theory was generally good. Overall strain distributions were very well predicted. The finite element analysis typically predicted slightly higher strain values at the edge of the hole, and slightly lower strain values at positions removed from the hole, than were observed experimentally. It is hypothesized that these discrepancies are due to nonlinear material behavior at the hole edge, which were not accounted for during the finite-element analysis.

Graesser, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Progress in multi-dimensional upwind differencing

Multi-dimensional upwind-differencing schemes for the Euler equations are reviewed. On the basis of the first-order upwind scheme for a one-dimensional convection equation, the two approaches to upwind differencing are discussed: the fluctuation approach and the finite-volume approach. The usual extension of the finite-volume method to the multi-dimensional Euler equations is not entirely satisfactory, because the direction of wave propagation is always assumed to be normal to the cell faces. This leads to smearing of shock and shear waves when these are not grid-aligned. Multi-directional methods, in which upwind-biased fluxes are computed in a frame aligned with a dominant wave, overcome this problem, but at the expense of robustness. The same is true for the schemes incorporating a multi-dimensional wave model not based on multi-dimensional data but on an 'educated guess' of what they could be. The fluctuation approach offers the best possibilities for the development of genuinely multi-dimensional upwind schemes. Three building blocks are needed for such schemes: a wave model, a way to achieve conservation, and a compact convection scheme. Recent advances in each of these components are discussed; putting them all together is the present focus of a worldwide research effort. Some numerical results are presented, illustrating the potential of the new multi-dimensional schemes.

Vanleer, Bram↗

NASA NTRS1992

Advanced stitching technology

In the design of textile composites, the selection of materials and constructional techniques must be matched with product performance, productivity, and cost requirements. Constructional techniques vary. A classification of various textile composite systems is given. In general, the chopped fiber system is not suitable for structural composite applications because of fiber discontinuity, uncontrolled fiber orientation and a lack of fiber integration or entanglement. Linear filament yarn systems are acceptable for structural components which are exposed to simple tension in their applications. To qualify for more general use as structural components, filament yarn systems must be multi-directionally positioned. With the most sophisticated filament winding and laying techniques, however, the Type 2 systems have limited potential for general load-bearing applications because of a lack of filament integration or entanglement, which means vulnerability to splitting and delamination among filament layers. The laminar systems (Type 3) represented by a variety of simple fabrics (woven, knitted, braided and nonwoven) are especially suitable for load-bearing panels in flat form and for beams in a roled up to wound form. The totally integrated, advanced fabric system (Type 4) are thought to be the most reliable for general load-bearing applications because of fiber continuity and because of controlled multiaxial fiber orientation and entanglement. Consequently, the risk of splitting and delamination is minimized and practically omitted. Type 4 systems can be woven, knitted, braided or stitched through with very special equipment. Multiaxial fabric technologies are discussed.

Scardino, Frank L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

An investigation of constraint-based component-modeling for knowledge representation in computer-aided conceptual design

Originally, computer programs for engineering design focused on detailed geometric design. Later, computer programs for algorithmically performing the preliminary design of specific well-defined classes of objects became commonplace. However, due to the need for extreme flexibility, it appears unlikely that conventional programming techniques will prove fruitful in developing computer aids for engineering conceptual design. The use of symbolic processing techniques, such as object-oriented programming and constraint propagation, facilitate such flexibility. Object-oriented programming allows programs to be organized around the objects and behavior to be simulated, rather than around fixed sequences of function- and subroutine-calls. Constraint propagation allows declarative statements to be understood as designating multi-directional mathematical relationships among all the variables of an equation, rather than as unidirectional assignments to the variable on the left-hand side of the equation, as in conventional computer programs. The research has concentrated on applying these two techniques to the development of a general-purpose computer aid for engineering conceptual design. Object-oriented programming techniques are utilized to implement a user-extensible database of design components. The mathematical relationships which model both geometry and physics of these components are managed via constraint propagation. In addition, to this component-based hierarchy, special-purpose data structures are provided for describing component interactions and supporting state-dependent parameters. In order to investigate the utility of this approach, a number of sample design problems from the field of aerospace engineering were implemented using the prototype design tool, Rubber Airplane. The additional level of organizational structure obtained by representing design knowledge in terms of components is observed to provide greater convenience to the program user, and to result in a database of engineering information which is easier both to maintain and to extend.

Kolb, Mark A.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Navy Omni-Directional Vehicle (ODV) development program

The Omni-Directional Vehicle (ODV) development program sponsored by the Office of Naval Research at the Coastal Systems Station has investigated the application of ODV technology for use in the Navy shipboard environment. ODV technology as originally received by the Navy in the form of the Cadillac-Gage Side Mover Vehicle was applicable to the shipboard environment with the potential to overcome conditions of reduced traction, ship motion, decks heeled at high angles, obstacles, and confined spaces. Under the Navy program, ODV technology was investigated and a series of experimental vehicles were built and successfully tested under extremely demanding conditions. The ODV drive system has been found to be applicable to autonomous, remotely, or manually operated vehicles. Potential commercial applications include multi-directional forklift trucks, automatic guided vehicles employed in manufacturing environments, and remotely controlled platforms used in nuclear facilities or for hazardous waste clean up tasks.

Mcgowen, Hillery↗

NASA NTRS1994

Holographic interferometric tomography for reconstructing flow fields

Holographic interferometric tomography is a technique for instantaneously capturing and quantitatively reconstructing three-dimensional flow fields. It has a very useful application potential for high-speed aerodynamics. However, three major challenging tasks need to be accomplished before its practical applications. First, fluid flows are mostly unsteady or at least non repeatable. Consequently, a means for Instantaneously recording three-dimensional flow fields, that is, a simple holographic technique for simultaneously recording multi-directional projections, needs to be developed. Second, while holographic interferometry provides enormous data storage capabilities, expeditious data extraction from complicated interferograms is very important for timely near real-time applications. Third, unlike medical applications, flow tomography does not provide complete data sets but instead involves ill-posed reconstruction problems of incomplete projection and limited angular scanning. During this summer research period, new experimental techniques and corresponding hardware were developed and tested to address the above mentioned tasks. The first task was achieved by diffuser illumination. This concept allows instantaneous capture of many projections with a conventional setup for single-projection recording. For the second task, a phase-shifting technique was incorporated. This technique allows one to acquire multiple phase-stepped interferograms for a single projection and thus to extract phase information from intensity data almost at real-time. For the third task, the research that has been extensively conducted previously was utilized. In this research period, a complete experimental setup that provides the above three major capabilities was designed, built, and tested by integrating all the techniques. A simple laboratory experiment for simulating wind-tunnel testing was then conducted. A test flow was produced by employing a relatively simple device that generated a gravity-driven flow. The flow was then experimentally investigated to check the viability of the holographic interferometric tomographic technique before wind-tunnel application.

Cha, Soyoung S.↗

NASA NTRS1998

A Magnetic Suspension and Excitation System for Spin Vibration Testing of Turbomachinery Blades

The Dynamic Spin Rig (DSR) is used to perform vibration tests of turbomachinery blades and components under spinning conditions in a vacuum. A heteropolar radial active magnetic bearing was integrated into the DSR to provide non-contact magnetic suspension and mechanical excitation of the rotor to induce turbomachinery blade vibrations. The magnetic bearing replaces one of the two existing conventional radial ball bearings. Prior operation of the DSR used two voice-coil type linear electromagnetic shakers which provided axial excitation of the rotor. The new magnetic suspension and excitation system has provided enhanced testing capabilities. Tests were performed at high rotational speeds for longer duration and higher vibration amplitudes. Some characteristics of the system include magnetic bearing stiffness values up to 60,000 lb./in., closed loop control bandwidth around 500 Hz, and multi-directional radial excitation of the rotor. This paper reports on the implementation and operation of this system and presents some test results using this system.

Johnson, Dexter↗

NASA NTRS1998

Locating Biodiversity Data Through The Global Change Master Directory

The Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) presently holds descriptions for almost 7000 data sets held worldwide. The directory's primary purpose is for data discovery. The information provided through the GCMD's Directory Interchange Format (DIF) is the set of information that a researcher would need to determine if a particular data set could be of value. By offering data set descriptions worldwide in many scientific disciplines - including meteorology, oceanography, ecology, geology, hydrology, geophysics, remote sensing, paleoclimate, solar-terrestrial physics, and human dimensions of climate change - the GCMD simplifies the discovery of data sources. Direct linkages to many of the data sets are also provided. In addition, several data set registration tools are offered for populating the directory. To search the directory, one may choose the Guided Search or Free-Text Search. Two experimental interfaces were also made available with the latest software release - one based on a keyword search and another based on a graphical interface. The graphical interface was designed in collaboration with the Human Computer Interaction Laboratory at the University of Maryland. The latest version of the software, Version 6, was released in April, 1998. It features the implementation of a scheme to handle hierarchical data set collections (parent-child relationships); a hierarchical geospatial location search scheme; a Java-based geographic map for conducting geospatial searches; a Related-URL field for project-related data set collections, metadata extensions (such as more detailed inventory information), etc.; a new implementation of the Isite software; a new dataset language field; hyperlinked email addresses, and more. The key to the continued evolution of the GCMD is in the flexibility of the GCMD database, allowing modifications and additions to made relatively easily to maintain currency, thus providing the ability to capitalize on current technology while importing all existing records. Changes are discussed and approved through an online "interoperability" forum. The next major release of the GCMD is scheduled for early 1999 and will include the incorporation of a new matrix-based interface, a rapid valids-based query system; improvement in the operations facility - important for future distributed options; new streamlined code for greater performance and maintainability; improvements in the handling of seven current fields proposed through the interoperability forum (at no expense to the data providers); and the release of DOCmorph, a more robust version of DIFmorph to translate many 'standards' multi-directionally. Issues and actions will also be addressed.

Olsen, Lola M.↗

NASA NTRS2000

HOTCFGM-2D: A Coupled Higher-Order Theory for Cylindrical Structural Components with Bi-Directionally Components with Bi-Directionally Graded Microstructures

The objective of this two-year project was to develop and deliver to the NASA-Glenn Research Center a two-dimensional higher-order theory, and related computer codes, for the analysis and design of cylindrical functionally graded materials/structural components for use in advanced aircraft engines (e.g., combustor linings, rotor disks, heat shields, brisk blades). To satisfy this objective, two-dimensional version of the higher-order theory, HOTCFGM-2D, and four computer codes based on this theory, for the analysis and design of structural components functionally graded in the radial and circumferential directions were developed in the cylindrical coordinate system r-Theta-z. This version of the higher-order theory is a significant generalization of the one-dimensional theory, HOTCFGM-1D, developed during the FY97 for the analysis and design of cylindrical structural components with radially graded microstructures. The generalized theory is applicable to thin multi-phased composite shells/cylinders subjected to steady-state thermomechanical, transient thermal and inertial loading applied uniformly along the axial direction such that the overall deformation is characterized by a constant average axial strain. The reinforcement phases are uniformly distributed in the axial direction, and arbitrarily distributed in the radial and circumferential direction, thereby allowing functional grading of the internal reinforcement in the r-Theta plane. The four computer codes fgmc3dq.cylindrical.f, fgmp3dq.cylindrical.f, fgmgvips3dq.cylindrical.f, and fgmc3dq.cylindrical.transient.f are research-oriented codes for investigating the effect of functionally graded architectures, as well as the properties of the multi-phase reinforcement, in thin shells subjected to thermomechanical and inertial loading, on the internal temperature, stress and (inelastic) strain fields. The reinforcement distribution in the radial and circumferential directions is specified by the user. The thermal and inelastic properties of the individual phases can vary with temperature. The inelastic phases are presently modeled by the power-law creep model generalized to multi-directional loading (within fgmc3dq.cylindrical.f and fgmc3dq.cylindrical.transient.f for steady-state and transient thermal loading, respectively), and incremental plasticity and GVIPS unified viscoplasticity theories (within the steady-state loading versions fgmp3dq.cylindrical.f and fgmgvips3dq.cylindrical.f).

Pindera, Marek-Jerzy↗

NASA NTRS2001

Multifunctional Carbon Foams for Aerospace Applications

Carbon foams produced by the controlled thermal decomposition of inexpensive coal extracts exhibit a combination of structural and thermal properties that make them attractive for aerospace applications. Their thermal conductivity can be tailored between 0.5 and 100 W/mK through precursor selection/modification and heat treatment conditions; thus, they can serve in either thermal protection or heat transfer systems such as heat exchangers. Because their structure is essentially a 3D random network of graphite-like members, they also can be considered low-cost, easily fabricated replacements for multi-directional structural carbon fiber preforms. Strengths of over 4000 psi in compression are common. Their density can be designed between 0.1 and 0.8 g/cc, and they can be impregnated with a variety of matrices or used, unfilled, in sandwich structures. These foams also exhibit intriguing electrochemical properties that offer potential in high-efficiency fuel cell and battery applications, mandrels and tooling for composite manufacture, ablative performance, and fire resistance. This paper presents the results of research conducted under NASA SBIR Topic 99.04.01, General Aviation Technology, supported from Langley Research Center. The potential of foam design through precursor selection, cell size and density control, density grading, and heat treatment is demonstrated.

Rogers, D. K.↗