The Study Of Natural Composite I-Beam In A Three Point Bending Test, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
The Study Of Natural Composite I-Beam In A Three Point Bending Test, Abdel Shabbar
Aerospace Engineering
The objective of this experiment is to conduct a series of unidirectional tensile test on several samples of natural occurring plant fibers. Among the materials tested, hemp has proven to be the most promising candidate as the base material in creating an all-natural composite I-Beam. This I-Beam will be entered into the annual SAMPE 2012 competition to compete against other schools and universities nationwide. These I-Beams will undergo a three point bending test, and must withstand the greatest load whilst remaining in the parameters set by SAMPE. This I-Beam will go on to take third place internationally. In addition, the …
Comprehensive Matlab Gui For Determining Barycentric Orbital Trajectories, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Comprehensive Matlab Gui For Determining Barycentric Orbital Trajectories, Steve Katzman
Aerospace Engineering
When a 3-body gravitational system is modeled using a rotating coordinate frame, interesting applications become apparent. This frame, otherwise known as a barycentric coordinate system, rotates about the system’s center of mass. Five unique points known as Lagrange points rotate with the system and have numerous applications for spacecraft operations. The goal of the Matlab GUI was to allow easy manipulation of trajectories in a barycentric coordinate system to achieve one of two end goals: a free-return trajectory or a Lagrange point rendezvous. Through graphical user input and an iterative solver, the GUI is capable of calculating and optimizing both …
A Study On Organic Epoxy And Hemp Composite Plates With An Emphasis On Mechanical And Finite Element Analysis, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
A Study On Organic Epoxy And Hemp Composite Plates With An Emphasis On Mechanical And Finite Element Analysis, Alma Melendez
Aerospace Engineering
Several vibration and tensile tests were conducted for four natural fiber hemp composites in order to observe its behavior and acquire the material properties of hemp. Two plates were made on the Cal Poly press table, while the other two plates were made on the Cal Poly vacuum table. All four plates are made of 100% hemp under three different types of weave. The first plate is called CTPT-12, has a thickness of 0.053 inches, and was made on the press table. The second plate is called CTL4 with a thickness of 0.152 inches and made on the press table. …
Effect Of Multifunctional Material On The Mechanical Behavior Of Composite Structure Using Finite Element Analysis, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Effect Of Multifunctional Material On The Mechanical Behavior Of Composite Structure Using Finite Element Analysis, Nicholas A. Romonoski
Aerospace Engineering
No abstract provided.
De-Orbiting Upper Stage Rocket Bodies Using A Deployable High Altitude Drag Sail, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
De-Orbiting Upper Stage Rocket Bodies Using A Deployable High Altitude Drag Sail, Robert A. Hawkins Jr., Joseph A. Palomares
Aerospace Engineering
This report examines the effectiveness of a drag sail to de-orbit upper stage rocket bodies. Many other perturbations contribute to the de-orbiting of these rocket bodies, and these perturbations will also be discussed briefly. This paper will show the length of time needed to force the altitudes of various launch vehicle stages with varying drag area sizes to less than 100 km. The upper stage of the Delta IV launch vehicle in an orbit with an altitude of 500 km will naturally de-orbit in 720 days but when equipped with a 20 m2 drag sail, it will de-orbit in …
Degradation Of Solar Cells Due To Arcing In A Vacuum Chamber, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Degradation Of Solar Cells Due To Arcing In A Vacuum Chamber, Christina Gonzalez
Aerospace Engineering
This report summarizes the senior project entitled Degradation of Solar Cells Due to Arcing in a Vacuum Chamber. The goal of this experiment was to show electrical and physical degradation of silicon solar cells in a vacuum chamber. The cells were characterized and then placed in a vacuum chamber. Under vacuum, a potential was created to induce arcing to the cell. The cell was characterized again after arcing to determine the change in efficiency. This document details the process for designing the circuit to create the arcing, and the different setups used to degrade the cells electrically and physically. It …
Development Of A Pyrotechnic Shock Simulation Apparatus For Spacecraft Applications, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Development Of A Pyrotechnic Shock Simulation Apparatus For Spacecraft Applications, Joseph Binder, Matthew Mccarty, Chris Rasmussen
Aerospace Engineering
This report details the research, design, construction, and testing of a pyrotechnic shock simulation apparatus for spacecraft applications. The apparatus was developed to be used in the Space Environments Lab at California Polytechnic State University. It will be used for testing spacecraft components with dimensions up to 24”x12”x12” as well as CubeSats. Additionally, it may be used as an instructional or demonstrational tool in the Aerospace Department’s space environments course. The apparatus functions by way of mechanical impact of an approximately 20 lb stainless steel swinging hammer. Tests were performed to verify the simulator’s functionality. Suggestions for improvement and further …
The Synergistic Integration Of Computational Fluid Dynamics And Experimental Fluid Dynamics For Ground Effect Aerodynamics Studies, 2012 University of New South Wales
The Synergistic Integration Of Computational Fluid Dynamics And Experimental Fluid Dynamics For Ground Effect Aerodynamics Studies, Tj Barber, G Doig, C Beves, I Watson, S Diasinos
Aerospace Engineering
This article highlights the ‘synergistic’ use of experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), where the two sets of simulations are performed concurrently and by the same researcher. In particular, examples from the area of ground effect aerodynamics are discussed, where the major facility used was also designed through a combination of CFD and EFD. Three examples are than outlined, to demonstrate the insight that can be obtained from the integration of CFD and EFD studies. The case studies are the study of dimple flow (to enhance aerodynamic performance), the analysis of a Formula-style front wing and wheel, …
Aerodynamics Of An Aerofoil In Transonic Ground Effect: Methods For Blowdown Wind Tunnel Scale Testing, 2012 University of New South Wales
Aerodynamics Of An Aerofoil In Transonic Ground Effect: Methods For Blowdown Wind Tunnel Scale Testing, G. Doig, T. J. Barber, A. J. Neely, D. D. Myre
Aerospace Engineering
No abstract provided.
Thermal Vacuum Integration For Cal Poly's Space Environments Laboratory, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Thermal Vacuum Integration For Cal Poly's Space Environments Laboratory, Chelsea Barackman, Steven Jackowski
Aerospace Engineering
The purpose of the senior project is to construct a thermal vacuum by utilizing a preexisting vacuum chamber in the Space Environments Lab, and a donated Advanced Thermal Sciences (ATS) chiller. While a thermal vacuum is already available on campus, building one for the Space Environments Lab would grant undergraduates access to the equipment, allowing a much better understanding of testing methods and procedures in use by the aerospace industry. This paper explains the design and analysis of the thermal vacuum (T-VAC) project as well as the operation and procedures required for the ATS chiller and fill/drain tank. The thermal …
Multi-Dimensional Modeling Of Charring Ablators, 2012 University of Kentucky
Multi-Dimensional Modeling Of Charring Ablators, Haoyue Weng, Huaibao Zhang, Ovais U. Khan, Alexandre Martin
Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications
Re-entry of a spacecraft occurs at the hypersonic regime where the flow field is extremely complex: high temperature gradients occurring in the shock-layer region ionize and dissociate the air. Even if a large portion of heat generated during this process is convected away in the surrounding air, a fraction of it is still transferred to the vehicle. Therefore, it is important to protect the vehicle with a suitable kind of shielding. Of the many techniques available today, use of ablative material is gaining popularity. The basic idea behind an ablating heat shield is that the energy incident on the spacecraft …
Design Of A Human Powered Helicopter Airframe, 2012 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Design Of A Human Powered Helicopter Airframe, Sheen Kao, Daniel Layton, Philip Sobol
Mechanical Engineering
In 1989 Cal Poly’s Da Vinci III was the first human powered helicopter (HPH) to achieve flight; our goal is to research and develop a new airframe for the next generation Da Vinci. This report outlines a brief history of human powered flight and details a method of constructing for the airframe. An optimized airframe geometry was also researched and is explained in detail.
Human Powered Helicopter: Rotor Structure, 2012 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Human Powered Helicopter: Rotor Structure, Joseph Ram, Juan Carlos Olvera
Mechanical Engineering
The following report encompasses the Human Powered Helicopter Rotor Team’s conceptual models and ideas based on research and modeling analysis. The following gives an overview of material researched, concept generation, analyzation, manufacturing, and testing for a rotor structure to be installed in a Human Powered Helicopter.
Aerodynamic Test Platform For Human Powered Vehicle (Hpv), 2012 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Aerodynamic Test Platform For Human Powered Vehicle (Hpv), Spencer Wangerin, Spencer Lillywhite, Colburn Davis
Mechanical Engineering
The Aerodynamic Test Platform (ATP) for the Cal Poly HPV Club is a system that was designed by Cal Poly mechanical engineering students to measure aerodynamic characteristics of a human-powered vehicle (HPV). The HPV team desired a system that could quantify the lift, drag, and other aerodynamic qualities of a full scale HPV at various orientations in oncoming airflow. Established methods for determining aerodynamic characteristics include computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel testing of scaled models. The ATP was devised to simulate the test results given by a full-scale wind tunnel without requiring a wind tunnel large enough to …
The North Dakota Space Robotics Program: Teaching Spacecraft Development Skills To Students Statewide With High Altitude Ballooning, 2012 SelectedWorks
The North Dakota Space Robotics Program: Teaching Spacecraft Development Skills To Students Statewide With High Altitude Ballooning, Jeremy Straub, Ronald Fevig
Jeremy Straub
The University of North Dakota is serving as the lead institution in a statewide effort to develop student spacecraft engineering skills. This effort, which is part of the North Dakota Space Robotics Program (NDSRP), provides students the ability to participate in the design, development and fabrication of a small satellite analog that is launched by a high altitude balloon. The first iteration of the NDSRP Near-Spacecraft Project is generating a functional prototype of a remote sensing payload, which will perform onboard image processing. This project included undergraduate and graduate students from two institutions and five different academic departments. The students …
Formalizing Mission Analysis And Design Techniques For High Altitude Ballooning, 2012 SelectedWorks
Formalizing Mission Analysis And Design Techniques For High Altitude Ballooning, Jeremy Straub, Ronald Fevig
Jeremy Straub
High altitude balloon (HAB) missions can be and are used to teach concepts related to spacecraft and satellite design. A HAB mission, however, presents unique characteristics, which must be understood and respected to produce a desirable outcome. Because of this, flying an unaltered satellite design as a HAB payload would be as undesirable as utilizing an unaltered HAB design as a satellite. A well-defined process for HAB mission design is thus needed. The process presented mirrors commonly used space mission design processes to facilitate easy transition between the two. It is also comparatively simple, due to the smaller scale of …
Development Of A Ground Based Atomic Oxygen And Vacuum Ultraviolet Radiation Simulation Apparatus, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Development Of A Ground Based Atomic Oxygen And Vacuum Ultraviolet Radiation Simulation Apparatus, Max Jay Glicklin
Master's Theses
The space environment possesses numerous unique and unusual attributes, creating challenges that must be considered in order to accomplish a successful space mission. Two of the detrimental aspects of the space environment include Atomic Oxygen, AO, and Ultraviolet, UV, radiation. UV radiation becomes more severe in space as there is no atmosphere to attenuate incoming photons, thereby exposing spacecraft to radiation that never reaches the surface of the Earth. Overall, space vehicles are exposed to a total of 107.4 Watts/m2 of light shorter than 400 nm. AO is created by the photo disassociation of molecular oxygen by UV radiation …
Day/Night Band Imager For A Cubesat, 2012 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Day/Night Band Imager For A Cubesat, Eric Stanton
Electrical Engineering
Day/Night Band (DNB) earth sensing and meteorological systems like the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) provide visible wavelength imagery 24 hours a day that is used primarily for cloud imaging in support of weather forecasting. This paper describes a compact push-broom imager that meets low light imaging requirements for DMSP OLS and the NOAA/NASA Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) as documented in the Integrated Operational Requirements Document [1] (IORD) including the imager design, system level concepts of operation for data collection, radiometric and spatial calibration, and data transmission to Earth. This small, lightweight imager complies with …
An Experimental Investigation Of Glare And Restructured Fiber Metal Laminates, 2012 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
An Experimental Investigation Of Glare And Restructured Fiber Metal Laminates, Adelina Vanessa Benedict
Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses
Fiber Metal Laminates (FMLs) are a group of materials fabricated by bonding glass/epoxy layers within metal layers. This class of materials can provide good mechanical properties, as well as weight savings. An FML known as Glass Laminate Aluminum Reinforced Epoxy (GLARE) was studied. An experimental investigation comprising of microscopy and tensile testing was carried out using different grades of GLARE. Microscopy revealed the construction details of GLARE, while tensile testing provided means of measuring and analyzing its stress-strain responses. Next, different metal surface pretreatment methods were explored. These included sandblasting, Phosphoric Acid Anodizing (PAA), and AC-130 Sol-Gel treatment. Woven S-2 …
Modal Analysis Of Composite Structures With Damping Material, 2012 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Modal Analysis Of Composite Structures With Damping Material, Kellie Michelle Tremaine
Master's Theses
The purpose of this study is to develop an analytical solution for modal analysis of actively damped orthotropic composite plates in bending and to verify it with experimental analysis.
The analytical modal analysis solution for composite plate dynamics is derived using Euler theory. This analysis applies to structures with orthotropic lamina of uniform material properties at any lamination angle. The bending-extensional coupling can be neglected for plates that are symmetric or approximately symmetric, which allows an exact solution for natural frequency and mode shape to be obtained. An exact solution can be found for natural vibration and in general.
The …