Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

A Formal Definition Of The Object-Oriented Paradigm For Requirements Analysis, Andrew D. Boyd

Theses and Dissertations

This paper develops a formal definition of the Object-Oriented paradigm for requirements analysis. The literature was surveyed for both formal and informal methods for conducting an Object-Oriented Requirements Analysis (OORA). The informal methods reviewed are: Bailin's, Shlaer and Mellor's, Booch's, and Coad and Yourdon's. The formal methods reviewed are: Bralick's, Z, and REFINE. None of the methods were found to be adequate for doing an OORA. A formal definition of an OORA, based on the concept of classes, is developed. The definition itself is presented as set and relation theory. A supporting graphical representation is also developed and presented. The …

Computation Of Planar Store Trajectories Using An Adaptive Grid Procedure, William D. Hack

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to compare a quasi-analytical, potential flow/three-degree-of-freedom model to an implicit-Euler algorithm for the calculation of store trajectories. The implicity algorithm uses a cell- centered, finite-volume, spatial discretization applied to the Euler equations, written in time-dependent, curvilinear-coordinates. A flux-differencing Roe scheme is employed to find the split-fluxes and the Steger/Warming flux-vector method is used to calculate the flux-Jacobians. The potential flow and implicit- Euler algorithm are combined with a three-degree-of-freedom algorithm to evaluate the planar, freefall trajectories of a simple store shape. The research uses two different grid-modification techniques in the implicit algorithm evaluation. Data …

An Algorithm For Robust Eigenstructure Assignment Using The Linear Quadratic Regulator, Thomas C. Huckabone

Theses and Dissertations

The Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) can guarantee a robust closed loop eigenstructure for full state feedback. The algorithm developed here takes advantage of the stability guarantees of LQR to achieve an eigenstructure close to desired but within the allowable region of LQR. The algorithm selects the LQR weighting matrices, Q and R, that minimize the distance between the elements of the desired and LQR achievable eigenstructures. The minimization is accomplished by using a simplex based optimization routine. Specific weightings placed on the elements of the desired eigenstructure define the relative importance of each element. The algorithm is programmed in FORTRAN …

The Solution Of A Singular Integral Equation Arising From A Lifting Surface Theory For Rotating Blades, Mark H. Dunn

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

A technique is presented for the solution of a linear, two dimensional, singular, Volterra integral equation of the first kind. The integral equation, originally developed by Farassat and Myers, is derived from the basic equations of linearized acoustics and models the lifting force experienced by an infinitesimally thin surface moving tangent to itself. As a particular application, the motion of modern high speed aircraft propellers (Advanced Technology Propellers) is considered. The unknown propeller blade surface pressure distribution is approximated by a piecewise constant function and the integral equation is solved numerically by the method of collocation. Certain simplifying assumptions applied …

Application Of Sensitivity Analysis To The Euler Equations, Vamshi Mohan Korivi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

An approximation method is presented for efficiently predicting the changes which occur in a steady-state numerical solution of the Euler equations as a consequence of a small change in the geometric shape of the domain. The method is extended to develop a general procedure for calculating aerodynamic sensitivity derivatives with respect to variations of geometric shape. The techniques are implemented using an upwind cell centered finite volume formulation, and are applied to two test cases, (1) a subsonic nozzle (M_∞ = 0.85), and (2) a supersonic inlet (M_∞ = 2.0). Conventional numerical solutions are first obtained for flow …

Fourier Transform Infrared (Ftir) Spectroscopy Analysis Of Combustion Aerosol, Gary Jacquin

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

In conjunction with my co-op program at McDonnell-Douglas, my current OURE project is the analysis of combustion aerosols using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Aerosol science is a very important field as it is concerned with atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric physics, climate, public health, and environmental issues.

In the Cloud and Aerosol Sciences Laboratory (CASL) at UMR, combustion aerosols are generated by an in-house designed torch or burner. The fuels, JP4 and JP5, are provided by McDonnell-Douglas. Some other commercial fuels are also used. The primary objective of my OURE project was to generate and collect combustion aerosols for chemical analysis. …

A Computer Graphics Program For Displaying Water Molecules On A Dn3500 Apollo Workstation, Michael A. Stuller

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

A computer graphics program is developed for displaying water molecule configurations on the screen of a DN3500 Apollo workstation. The motivation was to generate a fast display of output from molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo computer simulations. Input to the program consists of a listing of the Cartesian coordinates of the atomic constituents of the molecules. Options in the program include: 1) number of molecules; 2) plot size; 3) atomic radii; 4) superposition of substrate atomic positions; 5) viewing angle; and 6) color-coded and/or numbered atoms. The program is written in Fortran.

Computer Visualization Of Irrotational Flow Over Bluff And Streamlined Bodies, Nora Okong' O

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

Computer programs were developed to visualize irrotational flow over bluff bodies (circular cylinders and half-bodies) and streamlined bodies (elliptical cylinders and airfoils). The method of superposition of flows was used, with stream functions or complex velocity potentials for fundamental flows being added to obtain the flows over the bodies. For the flow over the circular cylinders, half-bodies and elliptical cylinders, the stream function was calculated directly. The flow over the airfoil was obtained by Joukowski mapping of the imaginary part of the complex velocity potential for flow over a circular cylinder.

The programs developed will be valuable learning tools for …

An Erasable Optical Memory Based On Stimulated Electronic Transition Concept, James D. Satira

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Erasable optical memory systems with a high storage density and a large data transfer rate are required for many real time data acquisition systems such as those placed aboard NASA's space born platforms. A new concept for erasable optical memory involving stimulated electronic transitions (SET) will meet these requirements. The SET concept useful in erasable optical storage systems was demonstrated in MgS and SrS doped with Eu and Sm. The optical properties of these materials were studied. The reading and writing wavelengths for these samples were determined to be 950 and 514 nm respectively. The peaks of the emission spectra …

Kinematic Synthesis Of Deployable-Foldable Truss Structures Using Graph Theory, Dirk B. Warnaar

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A graph theoretic approach is applied to the conceptual design of deployable truss structures. The characteristics that relate to the inter-connectivity of the elements of a deployable truss structure can be captured in a schematic representation, called a graph. A procedure is presented that enables the exhaustive generation of these graphs for structures of any given number of nodes and links and which are foldable onto a plane or onto a line.

A special type of truss structures, called truss modules, is presented. Graphs of this class of structures form a subset of the graphs of truss structures. Two procedures …

Effect Of Passive Flow-Control Devices On The Drug Of A Tractor-Trailer Model, Jagjit K. Ahuja

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The aerodynamic drag of tractor trailers is responsible for approximately half of the fuel consumption at highway speeds (55m.p.h.). Thus, it is important that vehicle drag be reduced in order to reduce operating costs and to conserve fuel. The purpose of the subject research conducted in the Old Dominion University Low-Speed Wind Tunnel was to determine the effect of various add-on flow-control devices, such as a cab-mounted flow deflector and gap seals between the tractor and the trailer. In addition, the effect of trailer rear-edge shaping has been studied. This was accomplished by contouring the trailer's rear end. It has …

Realistic Orbits About The Martian Moons, Samuel R. Bryant

Theses and Dissertations

Orbits about the Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, previously found to be stable by the Poincare surface of section technique in a restricted three- body system, were investigated with non-zero eccentricity of the moons added to the dynamics of the planar four-body system (Mars, moon sun, artificial satellite). Although not strictly applicable to this case, the surface of section technique was used to verify whether or not the previously found stable orbits were realistic when a real world perturbation was added to the system dynamics. The surface of section technique involves the numerical integration of several orbits with the same …

Use Of Grasp Force Focus Positioning To Enhance The Torque Resistance Capability Of Robotic Grasps, Stephen G. Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

Three-point-contact grasps are unique in that the homogeneous solution for the contact forces always produces a grasp force focus. Careful positioning of this focus point in the grasp plane can help avoid two things; slipping at the contact points, and violation of joint torque limits. The focus placement method is explored theoretically by examining two types of grasps on cylinders; 1) fingertip grasps using three independently operated fingers, and 2) single-finger power grasps with one contact point on each of three links. Constraint maps are generated for various fingertip grasps in order to show how proper placement of the grasp …

Analysis Of Periodic Orbits About The Martian Moons By Continuation Techniques, Frank Luria

Theses and Dissertations

From a few known periodic orbits of Phobos and Deimos, continuation techniques were used to find entire families of stable orbits. These techniques involved varying a parameter, the Hamiltonian, of the system and analyzing how the orbital behavior changed with the parameter. Floquet multipliers, for stability analysis, were also computed. AUTO86, a continuation/bifurcation software package, was used in this study. Artificial energy dissipation had to be added to the conservative Hamiltonian system to enable use of AUTO.

Grid Generation And Flow Computation About A Martian Entry Vehicle, John Edward Stewart

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A number of vehicles are currently being proposed for a manned mission to Mars. One of these vehicles has a modified blunt-nosed cone configuration. Experimental results have been obtained for this vehicle in 1968. These results show lift-over-drag ratios comparable to those needed for Mars entry. Computations are performed here to verify the earlier results and to further describe the flight characteristics of this vehicle.

An analytical method is used to define the surface of this vehicle. A single-block volume grid is generated around the vehicle using an algebraic Two-Boundary Grid Generation algorithm (TBGG) and transfinite interpolation. Euler solutions are …

Parallel Implementation Of A Recursive Least Squares Neural Network Training Method On The Intel Ipsc/2, James Edward Steck, Bruce M. Mcmillin, K. Krishnamurthy, M. Reza Ashouri, Gary G. Leininger

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

An algorithm based on the Marquardt-Levenberg least-square optimization method has been shown by S. Kollias and D. Anastassiou (IEEE Trans. on Circuits Syst. vol.36, no.8, p.1092-101, Aug. 1989) to be a much more efficient training method than gradient descent, when applied to some small feedforward neural networks. Yet, for many applications, the increase in computational complexity of the method outweighs any gain in learning rate obtained over current training methods. However, the least-squares method can be more efficiently implemented on parallel architectures than standard methods. This is demonstrated by comparing computation times and learning rates for the least-squares method implemented …

An Extension Of Essentially Non-Oscillatory Shock-Capturing Schemes To Multi-Dimensional Systems Of Conservation Laws, Jay Casper

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, a class of numerical schemes for solving hyperbolic partial differential equations has been developed which generalizes the first-order method of Godunov to arbitrary order of accuracy. High-order accuracy is obtained, wherever the solution is smooth, by an essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) piecewise polynomial reconstruction procedure, which yields high-order pointwise information from the cell averages of the solution at a given point in time. When applied to piecewise smooth initial data, this reconstruction enables a flux computation that provides a time update of the solution which is of high-order accuracy, wherever the function is smooth, and avoids a Gibbs …

A Study Of The Hydration Properties Of Selected Laser Dye Aerosols Including Continuous-Flow Parallel Plate And Alternating-Gradient Thermal Diffusion Cloud Chamber Measurements In The High Supersaturation Regime, Donald E. Hagen, Max B. Trueblood, Darryl J. Alofs

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Hydration Behavior of Aerosols made Up of Various Fluorescent Dyes when Exposed to Water Saturation or Supersaturated Conditions Has Been Studied. Critical Supersaturation Spectra Are Reported. the Dyes Are Found to Behave as High Molecular Weight Ionic Compounds that Obey Kohler Theory. their Relevant Kohler Parameters Are Measured. This Study Makes Use of and Compares Results from the Isothermal Hazecontinuous-Flowand Alternating-Gradient Thermal Diffusion Cloud Chambers. the Ability of the Continuous-Flow Thermal Diffusion Chamber to Operate Correctly at High Supersaturations is Shown. © 1990 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc.

Domain Decomposition For Multigrid, Finite Volume Flow Solvers, Victor Robert Lessard

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Computing the flow fields about three-dimensional complex configurations accurately becomes a difficult task, if it is attempted to generate a single, body fitted grid with proper clustering. The domain decomposition methods, which divide the computational domain into less complex subdomains, are extensively used to decrease the grid generation workload. A domain decomposition technique also allows the use of different solution methods for different subdomains. The objective of this work is to develop a domain decomposition method via overlapping/embedding the component grids, which is to be used by upwind, multigrid, finite volume solution algorithms. A computer code, given the name MaGGiE, …

Navier-Stokes Analysis Of Cold Gas Scramjet Nozzle-Afterbody Flowfields, Walter C. Engelund

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The recent renewal of interest in hypersonic aerodynamics, brought about largely in part due to the development of the National Aerospace Plane (NASP), is resulting in an increased reliance on computational fluid dynamics for flowfield data in this flight regime. The design of the nozzle-afterbody section for a hypersonic transport such as the NASP is currently underway, and is being conducted using both computational fluid dynamics and cold, non-reacting, simulant gas experimental models. In this study, a computational analysis is conducted for the flow through a scramjet nozzle-afterbody test section.

Computations have been performed for a cold gas simulation of …

Evaluation Of Equilibrium Turbulence For A Hypersonic Boundary Layer At Nonadiabatic Wall Conditions, Cindy W. Albertson

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This paper presents an experimental study to characterize the compressible turbulent boundary layer produced along a flat plate in the NASA Langley 8-Foot High Temperature Tunnel and determine the test conditions necessary to achieve equilibrium turbulence. In addition, the present study extends the data base for equilibrium compressible turbulent boundary layers over quasi-isothermal walls which are far from the adiabatic wall temperature. The measurements consist of pilot pressure, static pressure, and total temperature distributions in the boundary layer. A flat plate measuring 9.7 feet long and 4.3, feet wide was used for the study to provide a naturally turbulent boundary …

Data Reduction Procedure For An Experimental Method Of Measuring The Velocity-Coupled Response Function Of Solid Propellants, William H. Jarvis

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

A computer program has been developed for calculation of the velocity-coupled response function of solid-propellants from experimentally measured pressure data. The proposed velocity-coupled response function measurement apparatus consists of an end-burner combustor where the propellant sample is oscillated in a direction normal to the flow in the presence of a standing acoustic wave within the combustion chamber. The pressure measurements are made at select points along the length of the chamber.

The data reduction program consists of a Runge-Kutta routine driven by a BFGS multivariable search routine. The Runge-Kutta routine determines the pressure distribution within the chamber of the proposed …

Condensation Coefficient Measurement For Water In The Umr Cloud Simulation Chamber, Donald E. Hagen, John L. Schmitt, Max B. Trueblood, John C. Carstens, Daniel R. White, Darryl J. Alofs

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

A systematic series of condensation coefficient measurements of water have been made using the University of Missouri-Rolla cooled-wall expansion chamber which simulates the thermodynamics of cloud. This coefficient is seen to decrease from a value near unity, at the outset of simulation, to a value in the neighborhood of 0.01 toward the end of a simulation. Final values of this coefficient are sufficiently low as to contribute significantly to the broadening of the drop-size distribution in cloud.

Measured Spectra Of The Hygroscopic Fraction Of Atmospheric Aerosol Particles, Darryl J. Alofs, Donald E. Hagen, Max B. Trueblood

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The relation between dry diameter (X₀) and critical supersaturation (S_c) for atmospheric submicron aerosol particles is investigated using a long term air sampling program at Rolla, Missouri. The particles are passed through an electrostatic aerosol size classifier, and then through an isothermal haze chamber. Results are reported in terms of an apparent volume fraction of soluble material, ε_v defined such that for particles composed only of ammonium sulfate and water insoluble compounds, ε_v is the actual volume fraction of soluble material. The probability distribution of ε_v is found to be approximately Gaussian in …

Viscous Cross-Waves: An Analytical Treatment, Andrew J. Bernoff, L. P. Kwok, Seth Lichter

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

Viscous effects on the excitation of cross‐waves in a semi‐infinite box of finite depth and width are considered. A formalism using matched asymptotic expansions and an improved method of computing the solvability condition is used to derive the relative contributions of the free‐surface, sidewall, bottom, and wavemaker viscous boundary layers. This analysis yields an expression for the damping coefficient previously incorporated on heuristic grounds. In addition, three new contributions are found: a viscous detuning of the resonant frequency, a slow spatial variation in the coupling to the progressive wave, and a viscous correction to the wavemaker boundary condition. The wavemaker …

Measured Spectra Of The Hygroscopic Fraction Of Atmospheric Aerosol Particles, Darryl J. Alofs, Donald E. Hagen, Max B. Trueblood

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Relation between Dry Diameter (Xo) and Critical Supersaturation (Sc) for Atmospheric Submicron Aerosol Particles is Investigated. the Particles Are Passed through an Electrostatic Aerosol Size Classifier, and Then through an Isothermal Haze Chamber. Results Are Reported in Terms of an Apparent Volume Fraction of Soluble Material, Εv, Defined Such that for Particles Composed Only of Ammonium Sulfate and Water Insoluble Compounds, Εv is the Actual Volume Fraction of Soluble Material. the Probability Distribution of Εv is Found to Be Approximately Gaussian in the Εv Range 0.2 to 1.3. the Mean Εv is 0.5, for Electrostatic Aerosol Classifier Settings of …

Calculations Of Three-Dimensional Transonic Flows Using The Implicit Formulation Of The Isenthalpic Euler Equations With Flux Vector Splitting, Frank E. Cannizzaro

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A numerical method for solving three-dimensional transonic flows using the isenthalpic formulation of the Euler equations is developed. The method uses van Leer's flux vector splitting to solve the implicit formulation of the governing equations, which are applied to a cell centered finite-volume scheme. A three factor spatial approximate factorization is implemented in solving the implicit part of the governing equations. Time marching to a steady state solution requires short computational times due to the relative efficiency of the basic method. Computational times are further reduced by the implementation of the multigrid acceleration technique, which provided converged solutions in approximately …

Stability Of Steady Cross-Waves: Theory And Experiment, Seth Lichter, Andrew J. Bernoff

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

A bifurcation analysis is performed in the neighborhood of neutral stability for cross waves as a function of forcing, detuning, and viscous damping. A transition is seen from a subcritical to a supercritical bifurcation at a critical value of the detuning. The predicted hysteretic behavior is observed experimentally. A similarity scaling in the inviscid limit is also predicted. The experimentally observed bifurcation curves agree with this scaling.

Condensation Method For Humidity Measurement In The Umr Cloud Simulation Chamber., Donald E. Hagen, Daniel R. White, Darryl J. Alofs

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A Cloud Simulation Facility Has Been Developed for the Study of Various Atmospheric Cloud Processes. the Initial Relative Humidity of the Air Sample Put into the Cloud Chamber is a Key Parameter in Virtually Any Experiment and Needs to Be Known Accurately. This Report Describes How the Cloud Simulation Chamber itself Has Been Used as a Condensation Type Hygrometer to Calibrate the System's Humidifier. Two Distinct and Physically Different Methods for Inferring Mixing Ratio Are Used, One Exploiting the Sensitivity of Aerosol Activation to Humidity, and the Other Exploiting the Sensitivity of the Rate of Growth of Cloud Droplets to …

University Of Missouri-Rolla Cloud Simulation Facility: Proto Ii Chamber, Daniel R. White, James L. Kassner, John C. Carstens, Donald E. Hagen, John L. Schmitt, Darryl J. Alofs, Alfred R. Hopkins, Max B. Trueblood, Max W. Alcorn, William L. Walker

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Graduate Center for Cloud Physics Research at UMR Has Developed a Cloud Simulation Facility to Study Phenomena Occurring in Terrestrial Clouds and Fogs. the Facility Consists of a Pair of Precision Cooled-Wall Expansion Chambers Along with Extensive Supporting Equipment. the Smaller of These Chambers, Described in This Article, is Fully Operational, and is Capable of Simulating a Broad Range of In-Cloud Thermodynamic Conditions. It is Currently Being Used to Study Water Drop Growth and Evaporation for Drops Nucleated (Activated) on Well-Characterized Aerosol Particles. Measurements Have Been Made Not Only for Continuous Expansions (Simulated Updraft) But Also for Cyclic Conditions, …