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Results for “STRUCTURAL BEAM”

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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Mast flight system beam structure and beam structural performance

An overall understanding of the beam assembly and data with which potential experimenters can begin to conduct analyses relevant to their experiments is given. Data is given on the beam structural concept, the tip remote station layout, the intermediate remote station layout with and without actuators, beam element materials, equivalent beam characteristics, beam element properties, remote station mass properties, and MAST Flight System modal characteristics.

Lenzi, David C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Observations of electron beam structure in space experiments

Observations of a 100-mA, 1-keV electron beam were made with a low light level TV system and other instruments aboard the space shuttle STS 3 in March 1982. When fired at a moderate pitch angle with respect to the magnetic field, the beam electrons initially moved outward along a classical helical trajectory. Within a short distance, however, the beam electrons were deflected away from the helical trajectory into paths parallel to magnetic field lines threading the primary helix. This resulted in the formation of a thin-walled, cylindrical electron beam structure having a radius equal to the primary beam gyroradius. This structure, which is consistent with earlier laboratory vacuum chamber observations and recent two-dimensional computer electrostatic plasma simulations, has important implications for determining the extent to which pulsed electron beams can radiate electromagnetic energy in the ionosphere.

Banks, Peter M.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Optimization of composite box-beam structures including effects of subcomponent interactions

Minimum mass designs are obtained for a simple box beam structure subject to bending, torque and combined bending/torque load cases. These designs are obtained subject to point strain and linear buckling constraints. The present work differs from previous efforts in that special attention is payed to including the effects of subcomponent panel interaction in the optimal design process. Two different approaches are used to impose the buckling constraints. When the global approach is used, buckling constraints are imposed on the global structure via a linear eigenvalue analysis. This approach allows the subcomponent panels to interact in a realistic manner. The results obtained using this approach are compared to results obtained using a traditional, less expensive approach, called the local approach. When the local approach is used, in-plane loads are extracted from the global model and used to impose buckling constraints on each subcomponent panel individually. In the global cases, it is found that there can be significant interaction between skin, spar, and rib design variables. This coupling is weak or nonexistent in the local designs. It is determined that weight savings of up to 7% may be obtained by using the global approach instead of the local approach to design these structures. Several of the designs obtained using the linear buckling analysis are subjected to a geometrically nonlinear analysis. For the designs which were subjected to bending loads, the innermost rib panel begins to collapse at less than half the intended design load and in a mode different from that predicted by linear analysis. The discrepancy between the predicted linear and nonlinear responses is attributed to the effects of the nonlinear rib crushing load, and the parameter which controls this rib collapse failure mode is shown to be the rib thickness. The rib collapse failure mode may be avoided by increasing the rib thickness above the value obtained from the (linear analysis based) optimizer. It is concluded that it would be necessary to include geometric nonlinearities in the design optimization process if the true optimum in this case were to be found.

Ragon, Scott A.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Band Gaps for Elastic Wave Propagation in a Periodic Composite Beam Structure Incorporating Microstructure and Surface Energy Effects

Here, a new model for determining band gaps for elastic wave propagation in a periodic composite beam structure is developed using a non-classical Bernoulli–Euler beam model that incorporates the microstructure, surface energy and rotational inertia effects. The Bloch theorem and transfer matrix method for periodic structures are employed in the formulation. The new model reduces to the classical elasticity-based model when both the microstructure and surface energy effects are not considered. The band gaps predicted by the new model depend on the microstructure and surface elasticity of each constituent material, the unit cell size, the rotational inertia, and the volume fraction. To quantitatively illustrate the effects of these factors, a parametric study is conducted. The numerical results reveal that the band gap predicted by the current non-classical model is always larger than that predicted by the classical model when the beam thickness is very small, but the difference is diminishing as the thickness becomes large. Also, it is found that the first frequency for producing the band gap and the band gap size decrease with the increase of the unit cell length according to both the current and classical models. In addition, it is observed that the effect of the rotational inertia is larger when the exciting frequency is higher and the unit cell length is smaller. Furthermore, it is seen that the volume fraction has a significant effect on the band gap size, and large band gaps can be obtained by tailoring the volume fraction and material parameters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1982

Fabricating Structural Beams

Automatic machine described in new report has demonstrated on Earth feasibility of machine fabricating beams for huge structures in space. Such structures include solar mirrors, radiometer reflectors, microwave power transmitters, solar-thermal power generators, and solar photoelectric generators, ranging in size from few hundred meters long to tens of kilometers long.

Engler, E. E.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Modeling of Local BEAM Structure for Evaluation of MMOD Impacts to Support Development of a Health Monitoring System

This report summarizes initial modeling of the local response of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) to micrometeorite and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts using a structural, non-linear, transient dynamic finite element code. Complementary test results for a local BEAM structure are presented for both hammer and projectile impacts. Review of these data provided guidance for the transient dynamic model development. The local model is intended to support predictions using the global BEAM model, described in a companion report. Two types of local models were developed. One mimics the simplified Soft-Goods (fabric envelop) part of the BEAM NASTRAN model delivered by the project. The second investigates through-the-thickness modeling challenges for MMOD-type impacts. Both the testing and the analysis summaries contain lessons learned and areas for future efforts.

Lyle, Karen H.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy with structured beams

Filament-induced ablation represents an attractive scheme for long-range material identification via optical spectroscopy. However, the delivery of laser energy to the target can be severely hindered by the stochastic nature of multiple-filamentation, ionization of ambient gas, and atmospheric turbulence. In order to mitigate some of these adverse effects, we examine the utility of beam shaping for femtosecond filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy with Gaussian and structured (Laguerre-Gaussian, Airy, and Bessel-Gaussian) beams in the nonlinear regime. Interaction of filaments with copper, zinc, and brass targets was studied by recording axially-resolved broadband emission from the filament-induced plasma. The laser-solid coupling efficacy was assessed by inferring thermodynamic parameters such as excitation temperature and electron density. While under our experimental conditions the ablation rate with Gaussian- and Laguerre-Gaussian beams is found to be similar, the Airy and Bessel-Gaussian beams offer the advantage of longitudinally extended working zones. These results provide insights into potential benefits of structuring ultrafast laser beams for standoff sensing applications.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Estimation of full-field dynamic strains from digital video measurements of output-only beam structures by video motion processing and modal superposition

Strain is an necessary quantity to characterize local structural behaviors and directly correlates with structural damage initiation and development that is within local regions. Strain measurement at high spatial resolution (density) locations is thus required to characterize local structural behaviors and detect potential local damage. Traditional contact-type strain gauges are mostly discrete point-wise sensors that can only be placed in a limited number of positions. Distributed optical fiber sensing techniques can measure strains at spatially dense measurement points, but their instrumentation is a time- and labor-intensive process associated with the issue of the fragility of fibers. Noncontact optical measurement techniques, such as a family of interferometry techniques using laser beams (e.g., laser Doppler vibrometers), can provide vibration measurement at high density spatial points without the need to install sensors on the structure. Yet, these measurement devices are active sensing methods that are relatively expensive and vulnerable to ambient motion. Photogrammetry is an alternative noncontact optical measurement method using (passive) white-light imaging of digital video cameras that are relatively low-cost, agile, and provides simultaneous measurements at high spatial density locations where every pixel becomes a measurement point. Among others, digital image correlation can achieve full-field deformation measurements and subsequently estimate the full-field strains. However, it is computationally extensive. This research develops a new efficient approach to estimate the full-field (as many measurement points as the pixel number of the video frame on the structure) dynamic strains at high-spatial (pixel)-resolution/density location points from the digital video measurement of output-only vibrating structures. The developed approach is based on phase-based video motion estimation and modal superposition of structural dynamic response. Moreover, the method is augmented by a high-fidelity finite element model, which is updated with the full-field experimental modal parameters “blindly” identified from the video measurement of the output-only structure. Laboratory experiments are conducted to validate the method on a bench-scale cantilever beam structure. Results demonstrate that the full-field dynamic strain estimated by the developed approach from the video measurement of the output-only vibrating beam match very well those directly measured by the strain gauges (at discrete measurement points). Some factors associated with the effectiveness of the method are experimentally studied and discussed.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1993

Effects of geometric nonlinearities on the response of optimized box beam structures

The present minimum-mass designs for a two-spar rectangular box beam were derived on the basis of linear-buckling FEM analysis constraints. In order to ascertain the effects of any geometric nonlinearities on these designs, each was subjected to a geometrically nonlinear FEM analysis. In all cases, the structure collapses below the design load, and does so in a mode which differs from that of linear theory. This discrepancy is attributable to such nonlinear panel-interaction mechanisms as rib-crusing loads. The optimized design is highly sensitive to crushing loads, relative to the nonoptimal design.

Ragon, S.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Nonstationary Transient Vibroacoustic Response of a Beam Structure

This study consists of an investigation into the nonstationary transient response of the Verification Test Article (VETA) when subjected to random acoustic excitation. The goal is to assess excitation models that can be used in the design of structures and equipment when knowledge of the structure and the excitation is limited. The VETA is an instrumented cantilever beam that was exposed to acoustic loading during five Space Shuttle launches. The VETA analytical structural model response is estimated using the direct averaged power spectral density and the normalized pressure spectra methods. The estimated responses are compared to the measured response of the VETA. These comparisons are discussed with a focus on prediction conservatism and current design practice.

Caimi, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

ATM/cable arch and beam structural test program

The structural testing is described of an Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) cable arch and beam assembly, using static loads to simulate the critical conditions expected during transportation and launch of the ATM. All test objectives were met. Stress and deflection data show that the assembly is structurally adequate for use in the ATM.

Housley, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Modeling of Global BEAM Structure for Evaluation of MMOD Impacts to Support Development of a Health Monitoring System

This report summarizes the initial modeling of the global response of the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) to micrometeorite and orbital debris(MMOD) impacts using a structural, nonlinear, transient dynamic, finite element code. These models complement the on-orbit deployment of the Distributed Impact Detection System (DIDS) to support structural health monitoring studies. Two global models were developed. The first focused exclusively on impacts on the soft-goods (fabric-envelop) portion of BEAM. The second incorporates the bulkhead to support understanding of bulkhead impacts. These models were exercised for random impact locations and responses monitored at the on-orbit sensor locations. The report concludes with areas for future study.

Lyle, Karen H.↗
NASA NTRS1985

New concepts in deployable beam structures

The design of deployable structures involves a complicated tradeoff of packaging efficiency, the overall mechanism associated with deploying and latching beam joints, and the requirements and complexity of the beam deployer/repacker. Three longeron deployable beams, controllable geometry beams, and hybrid deployable/erectable beam concepts are evaluated.

Rhodes, M. D.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electrothermally Driven Reconfiguration of Microrobotic Beam Structures for the ChipSail System

Solar sailing enables efficient propellant-free attitude adjustment and orbital maneuvers of solar sail spacecraft with high area-to-mass ratios. However, the heavy supporting mass for large solar sails inevitably leads to low area-to-mass ratios. Inspired by chip-scale satellites, a chip-scale solar sail system named ChipSail, consisting of microrobotic solar sails and a chip-scale satellite, was proposed in this work. The structural design and reconfigurable mechanisms of an electrothermally driven microrobotic solar sail made of Al\Ni 50 Ti 50 bilayer beams were introduced, and the theoretical model of its electro-thermo-mechanical behaviors was established. The analytical solutions to the out-of-plane deformation of the solar sail structure appeared to be in good agreement with the finite element analysis (FEA) results. A representative prototype of such solar sail structures was fabricated on silicon wafers using surface and bulk microfabrication, followed by an in-situ experiment of its reconfigurable property under controlled electrothermal actuation. The experimental results demonstrated significant electro-thermo-mechanical deformation of such microrobotic bilayer solar sails, showing great potential in the development of the ChipSail system. Analytical solutions to the electro-thermo-mechanical model, as well as the fabrication process and characterization techniques, provided a rapid performance evaluation and optimization of such microrobotic bilayer solar sails for the ChipSail.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2016

Dealing with Beam Structure in PIXIE

Measuring the B-mode polarization of the CMB radiation requires a detailed understanding of the projection of the detector onto the sky. We show how the combination of scan strategy and processing generates a cylindrical beam for the spectrum measurement. Both the instrumental design and the scan strategy reduce the cross coupling between the temperature variations and the B-modes. As with other polarization measurements some post processing may be required to eliminate residual errors.

Fixsen, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Beam structure of Jupiter's decametric radiation

Data from concurrent Voyager and earth-based observations demonstrate that the Jovian source A radio emissions are not correlated with Io's position and have a distinct cross-sectional shape. The recordings were made simultaneously at 21.811 and 21.860 MHz in 1979. Voyager 1 and ground-data exhibited 13 highly correlated storms, unlike the Io-B events. Correlations were also identified among storms measured by both spacecraft and the ground station. Start and end times and flux densities for the highly correlated storms were used to calculate the projected beam shape. The data matched predictions of a model of a storm emission beam envelope in the form of a curved sheet that corotates with the planet.

Maeda, K.↗