Methods for evaluating the predictive accuracy of structural dynamic models

Uncertainty of frequency response using the fuzzy set method and on-orbit response prediction using laboratory test data to refine an analytical model are emphasized with respect to large space structures. Two aspects of the fuzzy set approach were investigated relative to its application to large structural dynamics problems: (1) minimizing the number of parameters involved in computing possible intervals; and (2) the treatment of extrema which may occur in the parameter space enclosed by all possible combinations of the important parameters of the model. Extensive printer graphics were added to the SSID code to help facilitate model verification, and an application of this code to the LaRC Ten Bay Truss is included in the appendix to illustrate this graphics capability

A computer program for model verification of dynamic systems

Dynamic model verification is the process whereby an analytical model of a dynamic system is compared with experimental data, and then qualified for future use in predicting system response in a different dynamic environment. There are various ways to conduct model verification. The approach adopted in MOVER II employs Bayesian statistical parameter estimation. Unlike curve fitting whose objective is to minimize the difference between some analytical function and a given quantity of test data (or curve), Bayesian estimation attempts also to minimize the difference between the parameter values of that function (the model) and their initial estimates, in a least squares sense. The objectives of dynamic model verification, therefore, are to produce a model which: (1) is in agreement with test data, (2) will assist in the interpretation of test data, (3) can be used to help verify a design, (4) will reliably predict performance, and (5) in the case of space structures, facilitate dynamic control

Identification and analysis of factors affecting thermal shock resistance of ceramic materials in solar receivers

An analysis was conducted of the possible modes of thermal stress failure of brittle ceramics for potential use in point-focussing solar receivers. The pertinent materials properties which control thermal stress resistance were identified for conditions of steady-state and transient heat flow, convective and radiative heat transfer, thermal buckling and thermal fatigue as well as catastrophic crack propagation. Selection rules for materials with optimum thermal stress resistance for a particular thermal environment were identified. Recommendations for materials for particular components were made. The general requirements for a thermal shock testing program quantitatively meaningful for point-focussing solar receivers were outlined. Recommendations for follow-on theoretical analyses were made

Effect of Crystallization of the Grain-Boundary Phase on the Thermal Diffusivity of a Sialon Ceramic

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65865/1/j.1151-2916.1984.tb19519.x.pd

The thermal diffusivity and conductivity of transformation-toughened solid solutions of alumina and chromia

The thermal diffusivity of a series of solid solutions of alumina and chromia transformation toughened with a dispersed phase of unstabilized zirconia was measured by means of the laser-flash method from room temperature to 1400° C. It was found, in general, that the thermal diffusivity could be decreased significantly by the combined effects of solid solution alloying, microcracking and by the presence of the low conductivity dispersed phase of zirconia. The decrease in thermal diffusivity by microcracking was found to be present in the solid solution with low chromia content which underwent extensive grain growth. The effectiveness of solid solution formation and microcracking on thermal diffusivity was found to be greatest at the lower and intermediate ranges of temperature. The decrease in the thermal diffusivity due to the zirconia inclusions was found to be effective over the total temperature range. A numerical example is presented for the thermal conductivity calculated from the thermal diffusivity multiplied by the volumetric heat capacity.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44684/1/10853_2004_Article_BF00556087.pd

Thermal-Shock Resistance and Fracture-Strength Behavior of Two Tool Carbides

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66260/1/j.1151-2916.1976.tb09415.x.pd

Performance assessment of the database downscaled ocean waves (DOW) on Santa Catarina coast, South Brazil

ABSTRACT: This work presents a validation of wave parameters from the new sixty years Downscaled Ocean Waves (DOW) reanalysis database. This study compares quantiles of the Gumbel distribution of Hs (significant wave height) and Tp (peak period) from simulated data with an 11 months' time series obtained from a buoy moored seaward on the Santa Catarina coast. Analysis by means of Gumbel distribution quantiles allows more weight to be given to the highest values of the time series, which are especially important in design projects. The statistical parameters used to verify the fit between the measured and the modeled data included: RMSE, BIAS, Scatter Index and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Mean direction (9m) validation was conducted qualitatively. The database showed good fit of the mean conditions, especially Hs which was well Reproduced by the wave model. Underestimation of Tp, related mainly to the low spatial and temporal resolution of wind data used to generate waves, highlights this general modeling problem. Based on calculated statistical parameters, DOW data were considered comparable to the values obtained by measurements; however, such data must be cautiously used for extreme events analysis and in areas of bimodal sea conditions, where major deficiencies in the database were observed.The authors are also thankful to the Brazilian government through the Ministério do Meio Ambiente (MMA) and the Agência Brasileira de Cooperação (ABC) for the financial support of this research (within the project Transference of Methodologies and Tools to Support the Brazilian Coastal Management)

Thermal-stress resistance and fracture toughness of two tool ceramics

The thermal-stress resistance and fracture strength behaviour of two oxide ceramics (a hot-pressed pure Al 2 O 3 and a composite ceramic NTK-HC2) subjected to severe thermal shocks have been investigated. The damage resistance parameter ( K IC / σ f ) 2 for both ceramics is also determined for a wide range of temperatures (25° to 800° C) and cross-head rates (10 −2 cm min −1 ∼ 2.5 m sec −1 ). Fracture strength behaviour of these two oxide ceramics is shown to follow Hasselman's model where the instantaneous strength loss at the critical quenching temperature may be calculated using appropriate ( K IC / σ f ) 2 values to give good agreement with experimental results. Repeated shocks show some further degradation in the retained strength for both ceramics so that these materials are susceptible to thermal fatigue. It is found that both materials possess similar resistance to crack initiation (i.e. similar Δ T c and retained strength after shocking through Δ T c ) but the pure oxide ceramic has higher resistance to crack propagation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44673/1/10853_2004_Article_BF00540875.pd

Stress-Biased Anisotropic Microcracking in Zirconia Polycrystals

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65263/1/j.1151-2916.1990.tb05152.x.pd

Task-Dependent Inhomogeneous Muscle Activities within the Bi-Articular Human Rectus Femoris Muscle

The motor nerve of the bi-articular rectus femoris muscle is generally split from the femoral nerve trunk into two sub-branches just before it reaches the distal and proximal regions of the muscle. In this study, we examined whether the regional difference in muscle activities exists within the human rectus femoris muscle during maximal voluntary isometric contractions of knee extension and hip flexion. Surface electromyographic signals were recorded from the distal, middle, and proximal regions. In addition, twitch responses were evoked by stimulating the femoral nerve with supramaximal intensity. The root mean square value of electromyographic amplitude during each voluntary task was normalized to the maximal compound muscle action potential amplitude (M-wave) for each region. The electromyographic amplitudes were significantly smaller during hip flexion than during knee extension task for all regions. There was no significant difference in the normalized electromyographic amplitude during knee extension among regions within the rectus femoris muscle, whereas those were significantly smaller in the distal than in the middle and proximal regions during hip flexion task. These results indicate that the bi-articular rectus femoris muscle is differentially controlled along the longitudinal direction and that in particular the distal region of the muscle cannot be fully activated during hip flexion