Nonlinear structural dynamics via Newton and quasi-Newton methods

This paper is an attempt to compare Newton and quasi-Newton methods in nonlinear structural dynamics. After a review of the classical iterative methods, several quasi-Newton updates are presented and tested. Special attention is devoted to the solution of large sparse systems for which two original procedures are described: a substructure correction and a vectorial correction. The numerical examples presented include the dynamic analyses of geometrical, material and combined nonlinearities. All the results are assorted with a complete discussion of the different methods used, of the convergence rates and of the associated computer costs. From the present results, Newton's methods appear to exhibit the best convergence rates when an efficient computational strategy is adopted. Nevertheless computational costs for the solution of large systems can be reduced drastically by using convenient quasi-Newton updates

Computational strategies for the solution of large nonlinear problems via quasi-newton methods

The usefulness of quasi-Newton methods for the solution of nonlinear systems of equations is demonstrated. After a review of the Newton iterative method, several quasi-Newton updates are presented and tested. Special attention is devoted to the solution of large sparse systems of equations such as those issued from spatial discretization of continua by finite elements. The numerical examples presented comprise static and dynamic analyses of geometrical, material and combined nonlinear structural problems and a model fluid flow problem with different levels of nonlinearity. All the results are assorted with a complete discussion of the different methods used, of the convergence rates and of the associated computer costs. From the present studies, it can be concluded that computational costs for the solution of large nonlinear systems of equations can be reduced drastically by using convenient quasi-Newton updates or by adequate combined Newton/quasi-Newton strategies

A Model for Integrated Approach to Professional Development of Extension Educators: Implications of Adult Education Principles and Practices

Improving the quality of educational programs and the demand for accountability have put the professional development of Extension educators high on Cooperative Extension’s agenda. Effective professional development facilitates improved program design and implementation, which, in turn, translates into higher clientele satisfaction. The purpose of this article is to discuss the principles and practices of adult education and their application in designing professional development offerings with specific examples for Extension educators. Using the integrated approach of learning, the authors present a framework and share their experiences for the application of practice in designing professional development programs for Extension educators

Multimode calculation of frequency tunable gyrotrons for dynamic nuclear polarization applications

Multimode calculations of a low-power (above 10W) high-frequency (200 GHz -300 GHz) gyrotron for NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy applications have been performed. Six transverse modes (TE-7, 2; TE7, 2; TE-4, 3; TE4, 3; TE-2, 4; TE2, 4) whose coupling factors are above 30% and most probably excited in the cavity were included into the calculation. The frequency fine tuning was obtained via the excitation of a sequence of longitudinal modes of TE-7, 2, q by varying the beam voltage from 15kV upward and the magnetic field from 9.6T to 9.77T. The diffractive quality factor of the cavity equals to 9965 and the ohmic quality factor of the cavity equals to 6414. The results show that the main mode TE-7, 2 is quite stable against the possible transverse mode competitors within this magnetic field range and a continuous frequency tuning range more than 800MHz (263.43 GHz - 264.28 GHz) has been achieved with alpha equaling 1.3, the beam radius and current being 1.33 and 100mA respectively

Verification of Prognostic Algorithms to Predict Remaining Flying Time for Electric Unmanned Vehicles

This paper addresses the problem of building trust in the online prediction of a eUAVs remaining available flying time powered by lithium-ion polymer batteries. A series of ground tests are described that make use of an electric unmanned aerial vehicle (eUAV) to verify the performance of remaining flying time predictions. The algorithm verification procedure described is implemented on a fully functional vehicle that is restrained to a platform for repeated run-to-functional-failure (charge depletion) experiments. The vehicle under test is commanded to follow a predefined propeller RPM profile in order to create battery demand profiles similar to those expected during flight. The eUAV is repeatedly operated until the charge stored in powertrain batteries falls below a specified limit threshold. The time at which the limit threshold on battery charge is crossed is then used to measure the accuracy of the remaining flying time prediction. In our earlier work battery aging was not included. In this work we take into account aging of the batteries where the parameters were updated to make predictions. Accuracy requirements are considered for an alarm that warns operators when remaining flying time is estimated to fall below the specified limit threshold

Flight Tests of a Remaining Flying Time Prediction System for Small Electric Aircraft in the Presence of Faults

This paper addresses the problem of building trust in the online prediction of a battery powered aircraft's remaining flying time. A series of flight tests is described that make use of a small electric powered unmanned aerial vehicle (eUAV) to verify the performance of the remaining flying time prediction algorithm. The estimate of remaining flying time is used to activate an alarm when the predicted remaining time is two minutes. This notifies the pilot to transition to the landing phase of the flight. A second alarm is activated when the battery charge falls below a specified limit threshold. This threshold is the point at which the battery energy reserve would no longer safely support two repeated aborted landing attempts. During the test series, the motor system is operated with the same predefined timed airspeed profile for each test. To test the robustness of the prediction, half of the tests were performed with, and half were performed without, a simulated powertrain fault. The pilot remotely engages a resistor bank at a specified time during the test flight to simulate a partial powertrain fault. The flying time prediction system is agnostic of the pilot's activation of the fault and must adapt to the vehicle's state. The time at which the limit threshold on battery charge is reached is then used to measure the accuracy of the remaining flying time predictions. Accuracy requirements for the alarms are considered and the results discussed

Characterizing [C II] Line Emission In Massive Star Forming Clumps

Because the 157.74 micron [C II] line is the dominant coolant of star-forming regions, it is often used to infer the global star-formation rates of galaxies. By characterizing the [C II] and far-infrared emission from nearby Galactic star-forming molecular clumps, it is possible to determine whether extragalactic [C II] emission arises from a large ensemble of such clumps, and whether [C II] is indeed a robust indicator of global star formation. We describe [C II] and far-infrared observations using the FIFI-LS instrument on the SOFIA airborne observatory toward four dense, high-mass, Milky Way clumps. Despite similar far-infrared luminosities, the [C II] to far-infrared luminosity ratio, L([C II])/L(FIR) varies by a factor of at least 140 among these four clumps. In particular, for AGAL313.576+0.324, no [C II] line emission is detected despite a FIR luminosity of 24,000 L_sun. AGAL313.576+0.324 lies a factor of more than 100 below the empirical correlation curve between L([C II])/L(FIR) and S_\nu (63 micron)/S_\nu (158 micron) found for galaxies. AGAL313.576+0.324 may be in an early evolutionary "protostellar" phase with insufficient ultraviolet flux to ionize carbon, or in a deeply embedded ``hypercompact' H II region phase where dust attenuation of UV flux limits the region of ionized carbon to undetectably small volumes. Alternatively, its apparent lack of \cii\, emission may arise from deep absorption of the \cii\, line against the 158 micron continuum, or self-absorption of brighter line emission by foreground material, which might cancel or diminish any emission within the FIFI-LS instrument's broad spectral resolution element (~250 km/s