A parametric shell analysis of the shuttle 51-L SRB AFT field joint

Following the Shuttle 51-L accident, an investigation was conducted to determine the cause of the failure. Investigators at the Langley Research Center focused attention on the structural behavior of the field joints with O-ring seals in the steel solid rocket booster (SRB) cases. The shell-of-revolution computer program BOSOR4 was used to model the aft field joint of the solid rocket booster case. The shell model consisted of the SRB wall and joint geometry present during the Shuttle 51-L flight. A parametric study of the joint was performed on the geometry, including joint clearances, contact between the joint components, and on the loads, induced and applied. In addition combinations of geometry and loads were evaluated. The analytical results from the parametric study showed that contact between the joint components was a primary contributor to allowing hot gases to blow by the O-rings. Based upon understanding the original joint behavior, various proposed joint modifications are shown and analyzed in order to provide additional insight and information. Finally, experimental results from a hydro-static pressurization of a test rocket booster case to study joint motion are presented and verified analytically

Shallow Foundations on a Diagenetic Limestone Formation in Qatar

The near surface limestones in Qatar have complex lithologies and have experienced diagenetic changes after deposition. A variety of weak limestones have been encountered in combination with matrix material (rock fragments and secondary fraction). The matrix, often clayey, sometimes cemented with gypsum, anhydrite or calcite grains, is not a rock nor does it qualify as a soil. These materials are: (i) difficult to sample in the undisturbed state. (ii) extremely variable m composition and proprieties, and (iii) appear susceptible to degradation, particularly when wet. This paper presents geotechnical information from selected sites where these materials (diagenetic limestone) have been encountered. Plate load test data carried out to predict settlements arc shown. Arrival at appropriate foundation geometries and allowable bearing capacity values, consistent with field conditions, are noted. For the present, design is largely empirical and dependent upon site-specific information aided by the plate load tests and on occasion, with field load tests

The differentiation operator on discrete function spaces of a tree

In this paper, we study the differentiation operator acting on discrete function spaces; that is spaces of functions defined on an infinite rooted tree. We discuss, through its connection with composition operators, the boundedness and compactness of this operator. In addition, we discuss the operator norm and spectrum, and consider when such an operator can be an isometry. We then apply these results to the operator acting on the discrete Lipschitz space and weighted Banach spaces, as well as the Hardy spaces defined on homogeneous trees

Extrapolation of Gas Reserve Growth Potential: Development of Examples from Macro Approaches

An analysis of infield completions and reserve growth potential was made in Tertiary non-associated gas reservoirs in South Texas. Infield well completions were defined from a concurrent GRI project involving macro-scale prediction of reserve growth. This report validates 78 percent, or 5.6 Tcf, of a high-end infill estimate of 7.2 Tcf for nine stratigraphic units in South Texas. This is a significant resource volume given the historical expectation that natural gas can be efficiently drained with widely spaced wells (1 or 2 per square mile) in conventional reservoirs. Groups of infield completions, or reservoir sections, from Frio, Vicksburg, Wilcox, and Miocene reservoirs were examined using geophysical well logs and production and pressure analyses. Seven reservoir-section types that contributed to the macro reserve growth estimate were evaluated. About 20 percent of the estimate consists of gas volumes extrapolated using consolidated reservoir groups, cycled reservoirs, and reservoirs with invalid data. Additional gas volumes in the estimate were extrapolated from reservoir sections representing rate acceleration. The estimate also includes reservoir volumes from the low-permeability Wilcox Lobo trend, where limited drainage radii lead to expected reserve growth. Volumes that represent within-reservoir reserve growth and volumes that represent shallower- or deeper-pool reservoirs determined not to be in pressure communication with preceding completions in a reservoir section formed most of the macro reserve growth estimate.Bureau of Economic Geolog

Chronicity and Mental Health Service Utilization for Anxiety, Mood, and Substance Use Disorders among Black Men in the United States; Ethnicity and Nativity Differences.

This study investigated ethnic and nativity differences in the chronicity and treatment of psychiatric disorders of African American and Caribbean Black men in the U.S. Data were analyzed from the National Survey of American Life, a population-based study which included 1859 self-identified Black men (1222 African American, 176 Caribbean Black men born within the U.S., and 461 Caribbean Black men born outside the U.S.). Lifetime and twelve-month prevalence of DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders (including Bipolar I and Dysthmia), disorder chronicity, and rate of mental health services use among those meeting criteria for a lifetime psychiatric disorder were examined. Logistic regression models were employed to determine ethnic differences in chronicity, and treatment utilization for disorders. While rates of DSM-IV disorders were generally low in this community sample of Black men, their disorders were chronic and remained untreated. Caribbean Black men born in the U.S. had higher prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Alcohol Abuse Disorder compared with African American men. Foreign born Caribbean Black men experienced greater chronicity in Social Phobia and Generalized Anxiety Disorder compared to other Black Men. Utilization of mental health service was low for all groups of Black Men, but lowest for the foreign born Caribbean Black men. Results underscore the large unmet needs of both African American and Caribbean Black men in the United States. Results also highlight the role of ethnicity and nativity in mental disorder chronicity and mental health service utilization patterns of Black men