Structural analysis of low-speed composite propfan blades for the LRCSW wind tunnel model

The Naval Weapons Center at China Lake, CA, is currently in the process of evaluating propulsion systems for the Long Range Conventional Standoff Weapons (LRCSW). At present, the Advanced Counter-Rotating Propfan system is being considered. The methodologies are documented which were used to structurally analyze the 0.55 scale CM1 composite propfan blades for the LRCSW with COBSTRAN and MSC/NASTRAN. Significant results are also reported

Analysis of rotating flexible blades using MSC/NASTRAN

An overview is given of the use of MSC/NASTRAN in the analysis of rotating flexible blades. The geometrically nonlinear analysis using NASTRAN Solution Sequence 64 is discussed along with the determination of frequencies and mode shapes using Solution Sequence 63. Items unique to rotating blade analysis, such as setting angle, centrifugal softening effects, and hub flexibility, are emphasized

Hub flexibility effects on propfan vibration

The significance of hub flexibility in the nonlinear static and dynamic analyses of advanced turboprop blades is assessed. The chosen blade is the 0.175 scale model of the GE-A7-B4 unducted fan blade. A procedure for coupling the effective hub stiffness matrix to an MSC/NASTRAN finite element model is defined and verified. A series of nonlinear static and dynamic analyses are conducted on the blade for both rigid and flexible hug configurations. Results indicate that hub flexibility is significant in the nonlinear static and dynamic analyses of the GE-A7-B4. In order to insure accuracy in analyses of other blades, hub flexibility should always be considered

Evaluation of MARC for the analysis of rotating composite blades

The suitability of the MARC code for the analysis of rotating composite blades was evaluated using a four-task process. A nonlinear displacement analysis and subsequent eigenvalue analysis were performed on a rotating spring mass system to ensure that displacement-dependent centrifugal forces were accounted for in the eigenvalue analysis. Normal modes analyses were conducted on isotropic plates with various degrees of twist to evaluate MARC's ability to handle blade twist. Normal modes analyses were conducted on flat composite plates to validate the newly developed coupled COBSTRAN-MARC methodology. Finally, normal modes analyses were conducted on four composite propfan blades that were designed, analyzed, and fabricated at NASA Lewis Research Center. Results were compared with experimental data. The research documented herein presents MARC as a viable tool for the analysis of rotating composite blades

A NASTRAN primer for the analysis of rotating flexible blades

This primer provides documentation for using MSC NASTRAN in analyzing rotating flexible blades. The analysis of these blades includes geometrically nonlinear (large displacement) analysis under centrifugal loading, and frequency and mode shape (normal modes) determination. The geometrically nonlinear analysis using NASTRAN Solution sequence 64 is discussed along with the determination of frequencies and mode shapes using Solution Sequence 63. A sample problem with the complete NASTRAN input data is included. Items unique to rotating blade analyses, such as setting angle and centrifugal softening effects are emphasized

Evaluation of trends in derived snowfall and rainfall across Eurasia and linkages with discharge to the Arctic Ocean

To more fully understand the role of precipitation in observed increases in freshwater discharge to the Arctic Ocean, data from a new archive of bias-adjusted precipitation records for the former USSR (TD9813), along with the CRU and Willmott-Matsuura data sets, were examined for the period 1936–1999. Across the six largest Eurasian river basins, snowfall derived from TD9813 exhibits a strongly significant increase until the late 1950s and a moderately significant decrease thereafter. A strongly significant decline in derived rainfall is also noted. Spatially, snowfall increases are found primarily across north-central Eurasia, an area where the rainfall decreases are most prominent. Although no significant change is determined in Eurasian-basin snowfall over the entire 64 year period, we note that interpolation from early, uneven station networks causes an overestimation of spatial precipitation, and that the local snowfall trends determined from gridded TD9813 data are likely underestimated. Yet, numerous uncertainties in historical Arctic climate data and the sparse, irregular nature of Arctic station networks preclude a confident assessment of precipitation-discharge linkages during the period of reported discharge trends

Does suprascapular nerve block reduce shoulder pain following stroke: a double-blind randomised controlled trial with masked outcome assessment

© 2010 Allen et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Background Shoulder pain is a common complication of a stroke which can impede participation in rehabilitation programs and has been associated with poorer outcomes. The evidence base for current medical and therapeutic management options of hemiplegic shoulder pain is limited. This study will evaluate the use of suprascapular nerve block injection as part of an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of shoulder pain following stroke. The technique has previously been proven safe and effective in the treatment of shoulder pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative shoulder conditions but its usefulness in a stroke population is unclear. Methods/Design A double blind randomised placebo controlled trial will assess the effect of a suprascapular nerve block compared with placebo in a population of 66 stroke patients. The trial will measure effect of injection on the primary outcome of pain, and secondary outcomes of function and quality of life. Measurements will take place at baseline, and 1, 4 and 12 weeks post intervention. Both groups will continue to receive routine physiotherapy and standard ward care. Discussion The results of this study could reduce pain symptoms in persons with mechanical shoulder pain post stroke and provide improvement in upper limb function

Global perspective of nitrate flux in ice cores

The relationships between the concentration and the flux of chemical species (Cl-, NO3 - , SO42-, Na +, K + , NH4 + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+) versus snow accumulation rate were examined at GISP2 and 20D in Greenland, Mount Logan from the St. Elias Range, Yukon Territory, Canada, and Sentik Glacier from the northwest end of the Zanskar Range in the Indian Himalayas. At all sites, only nitrate flux is significantly (a = 0.05) related to snow accumulation rate. Of all the chemical series, only nitrate concentration data are normally distributed. Therefore we suggest that nitrate concentration in snow is affected by postdepositionaJ exchange with the atmosphere over a broad range of environmental conditions. The persistent summer maxima in nitrate observed in Greenland snow over the entire range of record studied (the last 800 years) may be mainly due to NO• released from peroxyacetyl nitrate by thermal decomposition in the presence of higher OH concentrations in summer. The late winter/early spring nitrate peak observed in modern Greenland snow may be related to the buildup of anthropogenically derived N Oy in the Arctic troposphere during the long polar winter