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Elastic-Plastic Nonlinear Response of a Space Shuttle External Tank StringerElastic-plastic, large-deflection nonlinear thermo-mechanical stress analyses are performed for the Space Shuttle external tank s intertank stringers. Detailed threedimensional finite element models are developed and used to investigate the stringer s elastic-plastic response for different thermal and mechanical loading events from assembly through flight. Assembly strains caused by initial installation on an intertank panel are accounted for in the analyses. Thermal loading due to tanking was determined to be the bounding loading event. The cryogenic shrinkage caused by tanking resulted in a rotation of the intertank chord flange towards the center of the intertank, which in turn loaded the intertank stringer feet. The analyses suggest that the strain levels near the first three fasteners remain sufficiently high that a failure may occur. The analyses also confirmed that the installation of radius blocks on the stringer feet ends results in an increase in the stringer capability.
Document ID
20120008481
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Knight, Norman F., Jr.
(General Dynamics Information Technology Herndon, VA, United States)
Warren, Jerry E.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Elliott, Kenny B.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Song, Kyongchan
(ATK Space Hampton, VA, United States)
Raju, Ivatury S.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
April 23, 2012
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
NF1676L-13315
AIAA Paper 2012-1779
Meeting Information
Meeting: 53rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference
Location: Honolulu, HI
Country: United States
Start Date: April 23, 2012
End Date: April 26, 2012
Sponsors: American Society of Civil Engineers, American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Helicopter Society, Inc., American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society for Composites
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 869021.05.07.04.12
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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