Multi-Physics Based Thermo-Well Fatigue Design Tool, Year 1

SSC Advanced Technology and Technology Transfer Branch currently has a contract with Mississippi State University (MSU) through the Mississippi Research Consortium (MRC) for development of a computational tool that couples LOCI-CHEM Computational Fluid Dynamics software with Calculix Finite Element Structural and Thermal Analysis software and incorporates the MSU Plasticity-Damage and Multi-Stage Fatigue models into the Calculix Structural Solver. Once delivered, this multi-physics software package could be used to develop a design tool for thermo-well specification at SSC.\n\nThe SSC Mechanical Design and Analysis Branch feels that it would be a worthwhile and strategic investment to pursue development of an innovative thermo-well design tool based on the aforementioned Multi-Physics software package currently in development. To this end, we are proposing to execute a CIF project in concert with the current MRC contract and a planned follow-on MRC contract, which all together develop the Multi-Physics Based Thermo-Well Fatigue Design Tool, conducts verification and experimental validation studies using it, and in the end delivers a production ready tool for SSC's use.\n\nThe specific scope of this CIF project would consist of analytical and experimental work to be performed by SSC. The analytical work would be performed by NASA CS and will involve using the Loci-CHEM/Calculix multi-physics software package to develop and analyze thermo-well models and conduct verification studies. The experimental work would be performed by NASA CS and S3 contractor support and will consist of in-situ thermo-well fatigue testing, and would comprise the validation study for the design tool. \n

Thermo-wells are used extensively in the highly energetic process systems at SSC and a thermo-well fatigue failure has the potential to cause extensive damage. Thermo-wells are sized for the specific process flow conditions they are expected to be subject to and for a given service life. The thermo-well design method in use at SSC is an outdated method that is over-conservative and sometimes results in a required thermo-well size that adversely affects other design parameters. It would be beneficial for SSC to have a design method or design tool that is not over-conservative yet still gives a high confidence that a specified thermo-well will not fail during its service life. The thermo-well fatigue design tool will be used by SSC in process system design. Other RPT (Rocket Propulsion Test office) centers could likely be early infusion targets along with other centers or commercial entities that design process systems which operate at cryogenic temperatures.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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