Simulation Of Vega Dynamic environment By Using Propellant Complex Characterization
- Paper number
IAC-12,C2,1,1,x14239
- Coauthor
Mrs. Claudia Di Trapani, AVIO Propulsione Aerospaziale, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Emanuele Mastrella, AVIO S.p.A., Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Josè Luis Leofanti, ELV S.p.A., Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Daniele Bartoccini, AVIO Propulsione Aerospaziale, Italy
- Year
2012
- Abstract
VEGA launcher configuration foreseen 3 solid stages.The first VEGA qualification flight has been performed with success on the 13th of February 2012. During the launcher development 8 firing tests have been performed at Salto di Quirra (Italy) and Kourou (Guyana) with the objective to characterize and qualify of the Zefiros and P80 Solid Rocket Motors. One of the primary objects of the firing test is to correctly characterize the dynamic response of the SRM in order to apply such a characterization to the predictions and simulations of the launcher dynamic environment. Considering that the solid propellant is around 90% of the SRM mass, is very important to dynamically characterize it, to increase the confidence in the simulation of the dynamic levels transmitted to the LV upper part from the SRMs. For this reason an experimental activity aimed to found the best, correct and easy way to dynamically characterize the complex dynamic modulus of elasticity of a visco-elastic materials over a wide frequency range has been addressed. The visco-elastic characterization of the material can be generally performed identifying local and/or modal parameters which are typically time or, alternatively, frequency dependent quantities. The first kind of local description is performed in terms of frequency dependent visco-elastic parameters like complex Young modulus or shear modulus, or loss factor. The second kind of description typically utilizes global frequency-dependent quantities like the modal damping coefficient. The activity is articulated in four parts: - consolidation of a method for the dynamic characterization of the complex dynamic modulus of elasticity of visco-elastic materials applicable to the SRM propellant operative conditions - application of the selected method to the VEGA solid propellant at local and global level - analysis of the effect of the introduction of the complex dynamic modulus of elasticity in the Zefiros firing test numerical simulations solver and experimental data reproduction - analysis of the effect of the introduction of the complex dynamic modulus of elasticity in the VEGA flight simulations and flight data reproduction After giving an overview of the experimental approaches, this work reports the propellant complex dynamic modulus of elasticity characterization and the numerical model used to introduce it in a FEM simulation. The validation process is performed at SRM level comparing numerical and experimental measurements for the VEGA Zefiros firing test. Finally its application on VEGA launcher demonstrated the increase in prediction accuracy induced by the complex propellant characterization implementation.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-12,C2,1,1,x14239.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.