Multi-Physics Computational Modeling Tool for Materials Damage Assessment, Phase I

The innovation proposed here is to provide a multi-physics modeling tool for materials damage assessment for application to future aircraft design. The software compute engine is based on an existing state-of-art multi-physics solver using first principles of mechanical engineering. Phase I will solve two significant NASA cases using this solver: 1) Coupled fluid-structure simulation of an aircraft wing with aeroelastic behavior and possible fragmentation of the wing, and 2) Simulation of a fuel tank rupture at a ground test facility including trajectory computation of the large fragments. Upon successful demonstration on these two problems, Phase II will proceed to enhance the Multi-Physics, fluid-structure-thermal, compute engine with: 1) a Graphical User Interface (GUI) wrapper to control the simulation, 2) The addition of continuum damage models, 3) a library of models for current NASA materials damage assessment cases, and 4) documentation of the GUI, delivery of the software and on-site training classes. The GUI will allow non-expert users to import existing models from commercial CAD packages and Finite Element codes. Using a desktop Personal Computer, engineers can quickly make accurate and reliable damage assessment decisions for future aircraft structures.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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