Reliability and Readiness Improvements for High
Temperature Structures & Systems

Period of Performance:  9 May 2002 - 9 November 2003

Principal Investigator: Steven Olsen
University of Dayton Research Institute
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469-0110
Phone: 937-229-3022
Email: olsen@udri.udayton.edu

Thermal protection systems (TPS) are critical for controlling the extreme thermal and acoustic loads during launch and re-entry of the current Space Shuttle and future hypersonic vehicles, such as the Space Operations Vehicle (SOV).  Operational experience with the Space Shuttle reveals that one of the most time- and cost-consuming operations in preparing the vehicle for the next launch is inspection and verification of the TPS.  It is critical that all damage be identified and remedied to guarantee safe operation.  However, it is highly desirable to reduce the inspection and maintenance time in order to improve readiness and reduce overall vehicle supportability costs.  In fact, readiness and affordability is the key to making hypersonic atmospheric and space flight practical and routine.

Structural health monitoring is one technique with the potential to reduce downtime and costs.  The Analytical Structural Mechanics Branch (AFRL/VASM) of the Air Vehicles Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory has tasked UDRI with guiding the development of structural health monitoring for TPS and other life-critical hot structures.  UDRI's efforts will include performing linear and nonlinear static, thermal, and natural frequency finite element analyses to identify locations of high stress, strain, or deflection under given loads and boundary conditions.  Results from the analyses will be correlated with laboratory test data.  Ultimately a methodology will be developed that will use sensor locations and readings to accurately predict the location and duration of lowest life in the structure including fasteners.

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This website is maintained by: Gloria Hardy
Last Update: July 25, 2003