Shuttle Ground Operations Efficiencies/Technologies (SGOE/T) study. Volume 2: Ground Operations evaluation

The Ground Operations Evaluation describes the breath and depth of the various study elements selected as a result of an operational analysis conducted during the early part of the study. Analysis techniques used for the evaluation are described in detail. Elements selected for further evaluation are identified; the results of the analysis documented; and a follow-on course of action recommended. The background and rationale for developing recommendations for the current Shuttle or for future programs is presented

Automatic surrogate model type selection during the optimization of expensive black-box problems

The use of Surrogate Based Optimization (SBO) has become commonplace for optimizing expensive black-box simulation codes. A popular SBO method is the Efficient Global Optimization (EGO) approach. However, the performance of SBO methods critically depends on the quality of the guiding surrogate. In EGO the surrogate type is usually fixed to Kriging even though this may not be optimal for all problems. In this paper the authors propose to extend the well-known EGO method with an automatic surrogate model type selection framework that is able to dynamically select the best model type (including hybrid ensembles) depending on the data available so far. Hence, the expected improvement criterion will always be based on the best approximation available at each step of the optimization process. The approach is demonstrated on a structural optimization problem, i.e., reducing the stress on a truss-like structure. Results show that the proposed algorithm consequently finds better optimums than traditional kriging-based infill optimization

Aeronautical engineering: A continuing bibliography, supplement 122

This bibliography lists 303 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in April 1980

Effects of Steel and Polypropylene Fiber Addition on Interface Bond Strength between Normal Concrete Substrate andSelf-Compacting Concrete Topping

Based on facts that the composite action in semi-precast and strengthened structural system depends on the bond strength of the interface between concrete faces of different ages, this preliminary research is aimed to investigate effects of mixed polypropylene (PPF) and steel fiber (SF) addition on the hardened properties of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) and its bond strength when used as topping layer on normal concrete substrate. Effects of hybrid fiber addition on the hardened properties of SCC were investigated based on the compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strength of concrete specimens which is tested in 28 days of age. In the next step, the tensile and shear strength of the interface were evaluated using indirect splitting tensile and bi-surface shear test method. In this research, fiber addition were prepared using 1 kg/m PPF and various SF addition ranging from 15 kg/m3, 20 kg/m3, 25 kg/m3 and 30 kg/m3. Test results indicate that hybrid fiber addition does not affect the compressive strength significantly but it leads ositive improvement to the splitting tensile and flexural strength of hardened SCC and also improve the bond strength between SCC and normal concrete. Hybrid fiber addition of 1 kg/m3 PPF which is combined with 20 kg/m3 SF can be suggested as optimum composition for Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (HyFRSCC) that will be used as topping or overlay material based on its hardened properties and interface strength