Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

A Non-Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Study Of The Effects Of Helium Bubbles On The Thermal Conductivity Of Zrc, Tate Shorthill

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Zirconium carbide (ZrC) has been proposed as a potential improvement to nuclear fuel cladding. As such, it is important to characterize its physical properties, particularly those relating to thermal energy transport. Reactor conditions are known to damage fuel microstructure over time. While research has been conducted on undamaged and damaged ZrC, some areas of interest remain. Fission products, such as helium, can accumulate in pores within the fuel microstructure. Such a case has yet to be characterized in ZrC fuel cladding.

A non-equilibrium molecular dynamics model was developed to characterize the thermal properties of ZrC. Fourier’s Law allows the thermal …

Design Survey Of Laminated Composite I-Beam, Mrinmoy Saha

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Composite I-beams are popular for high-strength low-weight applications. Learning the macro-mechanics and designing the composite I-beam properly are necessary. In this report, a design overview of the composite I-beam is discussed which is based on classical lamination theory where it includes the homogenization approach, the plane stress assumption and the Kirchhoff hypothesis. Using these assumptions, a method was developed to come up with the effective material properties of a beam. Formulas to calculate maximum deflection and maximum bending stress and shear stress and the stress concentration at the connection of web-flange are discussed which describe ways for designing and manufacturing …

Plume Contamination Measurements Of An Additively-Printed Gox/Abs Hybrid Thruster, David A. Brewer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis examines the impact of the physical contamination on optical surfaces of spacecraft by an ABS/GOX thruster. Plume contamination presents a significant operational hazard for spacecraft solar arrays and thermal control surfaces can lead to decreased power production and increased spacecraft temperatures. Historically, due to the lack of a reliable, on-demand, and multiple-use ignition methodology, hybrid rockets have never been previously considered for in-space propulsion. Recent advancements in hybrid rocket technologies, have made hybrid systems feasible for in space propulsion. However, prior to this study no research had ever been performed with regard to plume contamination effects due to …

Characterization Of A Turbulent Boundary Layer In Open Channel Flow Using Particle Image Velocimetry, Mathew James Stanek

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Turbulent boundary layers are influential in numerous applications (e.g. naval architecture, ocean engineering, sediment transport, etc.), yet considerable knowledge gaps still exist. Boundary layers are regions where transfer of mass, momentum, energy, and heat occur within the interface between a fluid and a solid, or between two fluids. Utilization of optical flow measurement techniques to measure the velocity field with high spatial resolution enables non-intrusive investigation of the complex fluid dynamics of boundary layers. In this study two-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry was employed to investigate, primarily, the overlap layer of a turbulent boundary layer developed in the recirculating flume facility …

Fuel Flow Reduction Impact Analysis Of Drag Reducing Film Applied To Aircraft Wings, Damon Resnick, Chris Donlan, Nimish Sakalle, Cody Pinkerman

SMU Data Science Review

In this paper, we present an analysis of flight data in order to determine whether the application of the Edge Aerodynamix Conformal Vortex Generator (CVG), applied to the wings of aircraft, reduces fuel flow during cruising conditions of flight. The CVG is a special treatment and film applied to the wings of an aircraft to protect the wings and reduce the non-laminar flow of air around the wings during flight. It is thought that by reducing the non-laminar flow or vortices around and directly behind the wings that an aircraft will move more smoothly through the air and provide a …

U.S. Government Aviation Safety Information Resources, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

Presentation covering U.S. Government aviation safety information resources. Topics addressed include U.S. laws,legislation, regulations, court cases, information resources from agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, congressional aviation oversight committees and congressional support agencies including the Congressional Budget Office, Congressional Research Service, and Government Accountability Office.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study On The Possible Factors Affecting Stability Of Ods Steel, M. Mustafa Azeem, Zhongyu Li, Qingyu Wang, Abid Hussian

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Oxide-dispersed-strengthened (ODS) steel has excellent mechanical, thermodynamic and radiation resistant properties, which makes it an important candidate material for high-Temperature reactors applications. Radiation stability of oxide is very important to study at the atomic level. In present case molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is used to study stabilities of Y₂O₃ particles in ODS steel as a function of particle sizes. The size dependence is obvious for particle sizes larger than 2.8 nm. Furthermore, the stabilities depend on charges of Y and O atoms.

Spacesuit Range Of Motion Investigations Using Video And Motion Capture Systems At Spaceflight Analogue Expeditions And Within The Erau S.U.I.T. Lab, Ryan L. Kobrick, Nicholas Lopac, Jenifer Schuman, Chase Covello, John French, Angelica Gould, Maximilian Meyer, Theodore Southern, Jazmyne Lones, Joshua W. Ehrlich

Publications

The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Spacesuit Utilization of Innovative Technology Laboratory (S.U.I.T. Lab) is dedicated to the pursuit of advancing human spaceflight by contributing to spacesuit and operations research with experiential programs for students. A significant portion of the S.U.I.T. Lab’s portfolio is dedicated to the design and execution of spacesuit range of motion (ROM) investigations using video and motion capture systems. ROM biomechanical angles were measured using these techniques in conjunction with developing protocols for both simulated extravehicular activity suits at spaceflight analogue expeditions, and on ERAU campus with Final Frontier Design (FFD) intravehicular activity pressure suits. Designing protocols …

Increasing Spaceflight Analogue Mission Fidelity By Standardization Of Extravehicular Activity Metrics Tracking And Analysis, Ryan L. Kobrick, Nicholas Lopac, Jenifer Schuman, John French, Tatsunari Tomiyama

Publications

Spaceflight analogues include human simulations that attempt to match as many variables of a real mission as possible, but here on Earth and at a fraction of the cost each having limitations. The goal of this Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Spacesuit Utilization of Innovative Technology Laboratory (S.U.I.T. Lab) research is to improve simulation fidelity through Extravehicular Activity (EVA) data collection, analysis, and feedback, which will help humanity prepare for destinations such as the Moon or Mars. Investigated EVA metrics, physical and biomedical, are based on the identified NASA Human Research Roadmap research gaps related to the risk of injury and …

Breaking Down Traditional Classroom Walls And Studying Spacesuits Abroad, Ryan L. Kobrick, Jessica Mckee Ph.D., Sue A. Macchiarella, Angelica Gould

Publications

The spacesuit curriculum under development by the Spacesuit Utilization of Innovative Technology Laboratory (S.U.I.T. Lab) in the Spaceflight Operations program of the Applied Aviation Sciences Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has the unique challenge of educating non-engineering students about extremely technical space systems, highlighted by spacesuits. CSO 399: “Spacesuits and Human Spaceflight Operations” course, taught in Greece each summer, introduces students to human spaceflight topics. This unique offering takes advantage of the clear water visibility in the Aegean Sea with practical underwater demonstrations of space operations. Students live in confined quarters on a sailboat for two weeks to simulate operations …

A Comparison Of The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Small-Format Aerial Photography Platforms, Jeremy W. Aber, Tyler A. Babb, Douglas E. Campbell, Kevin M. Corns

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The demand for small-format aerial photography continues to grow in large part due to the rapid adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Prior to the explosion of UAV use, this kind of photography was collected using older technologies such as tethered kites and blimps. Due to the increased demand for aerial imagery, this article looks at four platforms commonly used to collect small-format aerial imagery: multi-rotor UAVs, fixed-wing UAVs, kites, and blimps. Practical use considerations are explored, including characteristics of flight and operation, atmospheric and site factors, imaging sensors and costs, and regulatory limitations.

Each of the four categories of …

Considerations For Atmospheric Measurements With Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Jamey D. Jacob, Phillip B. Chilson, Adam L. Houston, Suzanne Weaver Smith

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper discusses results of the CLOUD-MAP (Collaboration Leading Operational UAS Development for Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics) project dedicated to developing, fielding, and evaluating integrated small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for enhanced atmospheric physics measurements. The project team includes atmospheric scientists, meteorologists, engineers, computer scientists, geographers, and chemists necessary to evaluate the needs and develop the advanced sensing and imaging, robust autonomous navigation, enhanced data communication, and data management capabilities required to use sUAS in atmospheric physics. Annual integrated evaluation of the systems in coordinated field tests are being used to validate sensor performance while integrated into various sUAS platforms. …

Design And Performance Estimation Of A Low-Reynolds Number Unmanned Aircraft System, Sean Lauderdale King

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to conceptually design a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with a higher flight-time and top stable speed than comparable systems. The vehicle adheres to specifications derived from the client, the market, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To broadly meet these requirements, the vehicle must fly for a minimum of three hours, return to the original flight path quickly if perturbed, and must be hand-launched. The vehicle designed must also have a large potential center of gravity movement to allow for customization of the planform and client customization.

An iterative design process was used …

Electro-Drop Bouncing In Low-Gravity, Erin Stivers Schmidt

Dissertations and Theses

We investigate the dynamics of spontaneous jumps of water drops from electrically charged superhydrophobic dielectric substrates during a sudden step reduction in gravity level. In the brief free-fall environment of a drop tower, with a non-homogeneous external electric field arising due to dielectric surface charges (with surface potentials 0.4-1.8 kV), body forces acting on the jumped drops are primarily supplied by polarization stress and Coulombic attraction instead of gravity. This electric body force leads to a drop bouncing behavior similar to well-known phenomena in 1-g₀, though occurring for much larger drops (~0.5 mL). We show a simple …

A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study On The Aerodynamic Performance Of Ram-Air Parachutes, Angelo A. Fonseca Pazmiño

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The modeling of a ram-air parachute presents challenges in the prediction of the inflight geometry, as there is a strong interaction between the flow field and parachute structure. This thesis presents the development of a CAD design and CFD methodology to the simulation of ram-air parachutes in steady-state conditions. Starting from a 2D rib drawing, methods were developed to approximate the 3D geometry and efficiently model the parachute as a rigid and impermeable body. The use of distortions was implemented on a 2D, pseudo-2D, and 3D model to enhance their behavior during a real flight. The SST turbulence model was …

A Computational Analysis Of The Aerodynamics And Aeroacoustics Of Jets With Fluid Injection, Marco Coderoni

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

A detailed numerical analysis of fluidic injection as a tool to reduce noise emission is presented here. The noise reduction strategy, developed at the Pennsylvania State University, is based on injectors that blow air into the diverging section of the nozzle to emulate the effect of interior corrugation on the jet plume. The advantage is that the injection can be activated during takeoff and turned o_ during other phases of flight so that performance is not affected. Numerical simulations are performed on a military-style nozzle based on the GE F400-series engines, with a design Mach number of 1:65, for over-expanded …

Surgical And Medical Applications Of Drones: A Comprehensive Review, James C. Rosser, Vudatha Vignesh, Brent A. Terwilliger, Brett C. Parker

Publications

Background: Drones have the ability to gather real time data cost effectively, to deliver payloads and have initiated the rapid evolution of many industrial, commercial, and recreational applications. Unfortunately, there has been a slower expansion in the field of medicine. This article provides a comprehensive review of current and future drone applications in medicine, in hopes of empowering and inspiring more aggressive investigation. Database: A literature search was performed by EBSCO (Elton B. Stephens Company) Discovery Service, searching the phrases "drones," "UAV," "unmanned aerial vehicles," "UAS," and "unmanned aerial systems." A second search was used to identify sources that contained …

Surgical And Medical Applications Of Drones: A Comprehensive Review, Brent Terwilliger, James C. Rosser Jr., Vudatha Vignesh, Brett C. Parker

Publications

Drones have the ability to gather real time data cost effectively, to deliver payloads and have initiated the rapid evolution of many industrial, commercial, and recreational applications. Unfortunately, there has been a slower expansion in the field of medicine. This article provides a comprehensive review of current and future drone applications in medicine, in hopes of empowering and inspiring more aggressive investigation.

Catalytic Augmentation Of An Arc-Ignited Hydrogen Peroxide/Abs Hybrid Rocket System, Stephen A. Whitmore, Christopher J. Martinez

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The authors have collaborated with an industry partner to develop a prototype upper stage for a dedicated nano-launch vehicle. In addition to providing sufficient impulse for orbit insertion, the unique motor system also provides capability for multiple restarts; allowing operation as an orbital maneuvering thruster. The hybrid motor design uses 85%-90% hydrogen peroxide solution and 3-D printed ABS as propellants. In the original system design the peroxide catalyst bed was completely removed and a patented arc-ignition system thermally ignited the propellants. The thermal ignition system was effective but resulted in a combustion latency of approximately 1-second, reducing overall performance and …

Direct Numerical Simulations Of Incompressible Flow Through Porous Packs Over A Wide Range Of Reynolds Numbers, Antoine Michael Diego Jost

Theses and Dissertations

Direct numerical simulations of incompressible flow through periodic square/rectangular (two-dimensional; 2-D) and cubic (three-dimensional; 3-D) arrays of particles and periodic random packs of polydisperse spheres over a wide range of Reynolds numbers and at various porosities are performed. The unsteady Navier- Stokes equations are solved with either a 3-D parallel finite-difference (FD) inhouse research code on a collocated Cartesian grid and with an immersed boundary method (IBM) to treat the internal boundaries, or with the finite-volume (FV) solver OpenFOAM R⃝ on an unstructured grid and with an explicit treatment of the boundaries. The FD explicit solver is used for 2-D …

Flip-Chip (Fc) And Fine-Pitch-Ball-Grid-Array (Fpbga) Underfills For Application In Aerospace Electronics—Brief Review, Ephraim Suhir, Reza Ghaffarian

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this review, some major aspects of the current underfill technologies for flip-chip (FC) and fine-pitch-ball-grid-array (FPBGA), including chip-size packaging (CSP), are addressed, with an emphasis on applications, such as aerospace electronics, for which high reliability level is imperative. The following aspects of the FC and FPGGA technologies are considered: attributes of the FC and FPBGA structures and technologies; underfill-induced stresses; the roles of the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the underfill materials; some major attributes of the lead-free solder systems with underfill; reliability-related issues; thermal fatigue of the underfilled solder joints; warpage-related issues; attributes of accelerated life …

Effects Of Automated Fiber Placement On High Strain Rate Compressive Response Of Advanced Composites, Alexander Trochez

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) technology shows great promise in manufacturing carbon fiber composite structures. However, intermittent defects occur in the process that can affect the overall mechanical performance of the structure. The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of deliberately placed principal defects (Gap, Overlap, and Fold) on the compressive response under quasistatic (strain rate ~10^-3 s^-1) and dynamic (strain rate ~10³ s-1) loading conditions. The controlled defects were placed at the laminate level in different orientations and depths. High strain rate compression experiments were conducted using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) …

Control Laws For Autonomous Landing On Pitching Decks, Kendrick Buchala

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the problem of landing a quadcopter onto the pitching deck of a ship, as a partial simulation of a shipboard landing during high seas. The deck is modeled to pitch with a sinusoidal motion. While shipboard landing consists of many stages, only the final landing is simulated in this research. Other ship motions, such as roll and heave, are likewise not considered. The goal is to land the quadcopter in the center of the deck with minimal position and pitch error, where position error measures how far fore or aft of the center of the landing pad …

Aerothermodynamic Analysis Of A Mars Sample Return Earth-Entry Vehicle, Daniel A. Boyd

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Because of the severe quarantine constraints that must be imposed on any returned extraterrestrial samples, the Mars sample return Earth-entry vehicle must remain intact through sample recovery. Vehicles returning on a Mars-Earth trajectory will attain velocities exceeding any that have been experienced by prior space exploration missions, with velocities approaching 14 km/s. Velocities as high as these will encounter significant heating during atmospheric re-entry to Earth.

The purpose of this study has been to systematically investigate the aerothermodynamic challenges that will result from a Mars sample return, Earth-entry vehicle design. The goal was to enable efficient estimation of maximum stagnation …

Dynamics Of Spacecraft Orbital Refueling, Casey Clark

Theses and Dissertations

A quantitative collation of relevant parameters for successfully completed experimental on-orbit fluid transfers and anticipated orbital refueling future missions is performed. The dynamics of connected satellites sustaining fuel transfer are derived by treating the connected spacecraft as a rigid body and including an internal mass flow rate. An orbital refueling results in a time-varying local center of mass related to the connected spacecraft. This is accounted for by incorporating a constant mass flow rate in the inertia tensor. Simulations of the equations of motion are performed using the values of the parameters of authentic missions in an endeavor to provide …

Simulation Of Radiation Flux From Thermal Fluid In Origami Tubes, Robert R. Bebeau

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Spacecraft in orbit experience temperature swings close to 240 K as the craft passes from the shadow of the Earth into direct sunlight. To regulate the craft’s internal energy, large radiators eject unwanted energy into space using radiation transfer. The amount of radiation emitted is directly related to the topology of the radiator design. Deformable structures such as those made with origami tessellation patterns offer a mechanism to control the quantity of energy being emitted by varying the radiator shape. Three such patterns, the Waterbomb, Huffman Waterbomb, and Huffman Stars-Triangles, can be folded into tubes. Origami tubes offer greater control …

Static Performance Results Of Propellers Used On Nano, Micro, And Mini Quadrotors, Robert W. Deters, D. Dantsker, S.C. Kleinke, Narcrisha Norman, Michael S. Selig

Publications

An increase in the number of small quadrotors has created the interest in having performance data on the propellers used by these aircraft. With an aircraft size less than 5 in and propellers diameters less than 3 in, these quadrotors are typically referred to mini, micro, or nano by hobbyists and manufacturers. The size of the propellers used on these aircraft operate at low Reynolds numbers that are typically less than 50,000 for diameters up to 3 in and less than 20,000 for diameters up to 2 in. Static performance testing of the propellers used on 11 small quadrotors was …

Book Review: Fundamentals Of International Aviation, Alan Bender

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Not applicable.

Creep Of Hi-Nicalon™ S Ceramic Fiber Tows At 1100°C In Air And In Silicic Acid-Saturated Steam, Logan M. Gumucio

Theses and Dissertations

Innovations in SiC based ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) have yielded exceptional high-temperature properties and performance in aggressive oxidizing environments. These material characteristics provide potential avenues for future advancements in many applications where current metallic alloys perform near their operating temperature limits in a harsh environment. As steam (typically present in these environments) enters through cracks in the matrix of a SiC/SiC composite, it leaches Si and becomes saturated with silicic acid, Si(OH)₄, prior to attacking the reinforcing SiC fibers. Therefore, it is paramount that a thorough understanding of the performance and durability of SiC fibers be obtained under …

Mitigating Interference With Knowledge-Aided Subarray Pattern Synthesis And Space Time Adaptive Processing, Yongjun Yoon

Theses and Dissertations

Phased arrays are essential to airborne ground moving target indication (GMTI), as they measure the spatial angle-of-arrival of the target, clutter, and interference signals. The spatial and Doppler (temporal) frequency is utilized by space-time adaptive processing (STAP) to separate and filter out the interference from the moving target returns. Achieving acceptable airborne GMTI performance often requires fairly large arrays, but the size, weight and power (SWAP) requirements, cost and complexity considerations often result in the use of subarrays. This yields an acceptable balance between cost and performance while lowering the system’s robustness to interference. This thesis proposes the use of …