NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
The effect of nonlinearities on the dynamic response of a large shuttle payloadThe STS Centaur was designed to be a high energy upper stage for use with the Space Shuttle. Two versions were designed under development when the program was cancelled. The first version, designated G-prime, was for planetary missions. The second version, designated G, was to place spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. As a part of the STS Centaur finite-element model verification effort, test articles of both versions were subjected to a series of static tests. In addition the Centaur G-prime test article was subjected to a series of dynamic tests including a modal survey. Both the static and dynamic tests showed that nonlinearities existed in the Centaur and its support system. The support system included flight-like latches. The nonlinearities were particularly apparent in tests that loaded the forward support structure of the Centaur. These test results were used to aid in the development of two improved finite-element models. The first was a linear model, while the second contained nonlinear elements at the boundaries. Results from both models were compared with the transient response obtained from a step-relaxation or twang test. The linear model was able to accurately match the low frequency response found in the test data. However, only the nonlinear model was able to match higher frequency response that was present in some of the test data. In addition the nonlinear model was able to predict other nonlinear behavior such as the dynamic jump that occurs in systems with nonlinear stiffness.
Document ID
19870008679
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sullivan, Timothy L.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Carney, Kelly S.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1987
Subject Category
Structural Mechanics
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.15:88941
NASA-TM-88941
E-3387
Accession Number
87N18112
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 927-60-00
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available