2,574 research outputs found
Frequency based localization of structural discrepancies
The intent of modal analysis is to develop a reliable model of a structure by working with the analytical and experimental modal properties of frequency, damping and mode shape. In addition to identifying these modal properties, it would be desirable to determine spatially which parts of the structure are modelled poorly or well. It is shown how the pattern of discrepancies in the analytical and experimental test values for the pole and the driving point zero frequencies of a structure can be linked to discrepancies in the mass or stiffness of the structural elements. The success of the procedure depends on the numerical conditioning of a modal reference matrix. Strategies to insure adequate numerical conditioning require a formulation which avoids geometric and energy storage symmetries of the structure, and ignores structural elements which contribute negligibly small potential or kinetic energy to the excited modes. Physical insight into the numerical conditioning problem is provided by a numerical example and by localization of a mass discrepancy in a real structure based on lab tests
Orbit determination of space objects based on sparse optical data
While building up a catalog of Earth orbiting objects, if the available
optical observations are sparse, not deliberate follow ups of specific objects,
no orbit determination is possible without previous correlation of observations
obtained at different times. This correlation step is the most computationally
intensive, and becomes more and more difficult as the number of objects to be
discovered increases. In this paper we tested two different algorithms (and the
related prototype software) recently developed to solve the correlation problem
for objects in geostationary orbit (GEO), including the accurate orbit
determination by full least squares solutions with all six orbital elements.
Because of the presence in the GEO region of a significant subpopulation of
high area to mass objects, strongly affected by non-gravitational
perturbations, it was actually necessary to solve also for dynamical parameters
describing these effects, that is to fit between 6 and 8 free parameters for
each orbit. The validation was based upon a set of real data, acquired from the
ESA Space Debris Telescope (ESASDT) at the Teide observatory (Canary Islands).
We proved that it is possible to assemble a set of sparse observations into a
set of objects with orbits, starting from a sparse time distribution of
observations, which would be compatible with a survey capable of covering the
region of interest in the sky just once per night. This could result in a
significant reduction of the requirements for a future telescope network, with
respect to what would have been required with the previously known algorithm
for correlation and orbit determination.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figure
Innovative methods of correlation and orbit determination for space debris
We propose two algorithms to provide a full preliminary orbit of an
Earth-orbiting object with a number of observations lower than the classical
methods, such as those by Laplace and Gauss. The first one is the Virtual
debris algorithm, based upon the admissible region, that is the set of the
unknown quantities corresponding to possible orbits for objects in Earth orbit
(as opposed to both interplanetary orbits and ballistic ones). A similar method
has already been successfully used in recent years for the asteroidal case. The
second algorithm uses the integrals of the geocentric 2-body motion, which must
have the same values at the times of the different observations for a common
orbit to exist. We also discuss how to account for the perturbations of the
2-body motion, e.g., the effect.Comment: 18 page
Vulcanization degree influence on the mechanical properties of Fiber Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators made with reactivated EPDM
Rubber is well known as the basic material for some structural devices, such as seaport fenders and seismic isolators. In practice, to seismically isolate a structure it is necessary to interpose between the foundation and the superstructure a rubber device that increases the period of the superstructure, a feature that allows the structure to be “transparent” to the seismic excitation. A seismic isolator is constituted typically by a package of several rubber pads 1–2 cm thick vertically interspersed with either steel laminas or FRP dry textiles suitably treated. In this latter case the isolator is called FREI (Fiber Reinforced Elastomeric Isolator). FREIs exhibit light weight, easy installation and low cost. In this study, recycled rubber in the form of reactivated EPDM has been used to produce very low cost FREIs, combined with glass fiber reinforcement. To be ready for structural application, the rubber used must be vulcanized correctly to properly create the polymer crosslinking. However, all rubber mechanical properties are strongly affected by curing temperature and curing time. Here, the mechanical properties of a typology of FREI conceived and produced by the authors in prototypes are evaluated through a series of experimental tests and numerical computations, taking into account the different levels of vulcanization degree. Shore A hardness test, uniaxial tensile test, and relaxation test have been conducted and verified through Finite Element (FE) modeling. All collected data allow to precisely determine the curing time and temperature to use in the industrial production to obtain optimal output mechanical properties for FREIs
Nanofriction behavior of cluster-assembled carbon films
We have characterized the frictional properties of nanostructured (ns) carbon
films grown by Supersonic Cluster Beam Deposition (SCBD) via an Atomic
Force-Friction Force Microscope (AFM-FFM). The experimental data are discussed
on the basis of a modified Amonton's law for friction, stating a linear
dependence of friction on load plus an adhesive offset accounting for a finite
friction force in the limit of null total applied load. Molecular Dynamics
simulations of the interaction of the AFM tip with the nanostructured carbon
confirm the validity of the friction model used for this system. Experimental
results show that the friction coefficient is not influenced by the
nanostructure of the films nor by the relative humidity. On the other hand the
adhesion coefficient depends on these parameters.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figures, RevTex
Light-time computations for the BepiColombo radioscience experiment
The radioscience experiment is one of the on board experiment of the Mercury
ESA mission BepiColombo that will be launched in 2014. The goals of the
experiment are to determine the gravity field of Mercury and its rotation
state, to determine the orbit of Mercury, to constrain the possible theories of
gravitation (for example by determining the post-Newtonian (PN) parameters), to
provide the spacecraft position for geodesy experiments and to contribute to
planetary ephemerides improvement. This is possible thanks to a new technology
which allows to reach great accuracies in the observables range and range rate;
it is well known that a similar level of accuracy requires studying a suitable
model taking into account numerous relativistic effects. In this paper we deal
with the modelling of the space-time coordinate transformations needed for the
light-time computations and the numerical methods adopted to avoid rounding-off
errors in such computations.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, corrected reference
Low-frequency modes in the Raman spectrum of sp-sp2 nanostructured carbon
A novel form of amorphous carbon with sp-sp2 hybridization has been recently
produced by supersonic cluster beam deposition showing the presence in the film
of both polyynic and cumulenic species [L. Ravagnan et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 98,
216103 (2007)]. Here we present a in situ Raman characterization of the low
frequency vibrational region (400-800 cm-1) of sp-sp2 films at different
temperatures. We report the presence of two peaks at 450 cm-1 and 720 cm-1. The
lower frequency peak shows an evolution with the variation of the sp content
and it can be attributed, with the support of density functional theory (DFT)
simulations, to bending modes of sp linear structures. The peak at 720 cm-1
does not vary with the sp content and it can be attributed to a feature in the
vibrational density of states activated by the disorder of the sp2 phase.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl
Orbit Determination with the two-body Integrals. II
The first integrals of the Kepler problem are used to compute preliminary
orbits starting from two short observed arcs of a celestial body, which may be
obtained either by optical or radar observations. We write polynomial equations
for this problem, that we can solve using the powerful tools of computational
Algebra. An algorithm to decide if the linkage of two short arcs is successful,
i.e. if they belong to the same observed body, is proposed and tested
numerically. In this paper we continue the research started in [Gronchi,
Dimare, Milani, 'Orbit determination with the two-body intergrals', CMDA (2010)
107/3, 299-318], where the angular momentum and the energy integrals were used.
A suitable component of the Laplace-Lenz vector in place of the energy turns
out to be convenient, in fact the degree of the resulting system is reduced to
less than half.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure
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