Thermal Stress Analysis of Reentry Vehicle Nosetips at Angle of Attack.
Abstract
The ASAAS (Asymmetric Stress Analysis of Axisymmetric Solids) computer program is applied to the prediction of thermal stresses in a reentry vehicle nosetip subjected to asymmetric temperature distributions and angle-of-attack loadings during reentry. This three-dimensional stress analysis computer program has the unique capability of properly accounting for the circumferential variation of temperature-dependent material properties. It is based on a meridional finite element discretization of an axisymmetric solid combined with a Fourier series representation of circumferentially dependent variables. In contrast with similar methods where material properties cannot be expressed as a function of temperature, this method requires that the large system on equations be solved simultaneously. This is handled efficiently in ASAAS by several newly developed approaches to stiffness matrix generation and simultaneous equation solution. The nosetip analyzed is fabricated from an orthotropic, temperature-dependent graphite material that is susceptible to thermal shock. (Author, modified-PL)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 12, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0743897
Entities
People
- James G. Crose
- Thomas K. Mckinley
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation