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| The above image shows the results of a full 3D solid rocket
grain analysis. The areas in red are the most highly strained areas. |
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| This above image is a 3D grain analysis of a large rocket
motor grain. The red areas along the slot valley and aft grain termination are the most highly strained
areas. |
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| The above image shows a 3D rezone model of the same grain as
the first image. Since 3D models are typically very large and require a lot of computer time to solve I
first usually make a coarse model of the full grain. Then once critical areas have been identified I make
refined rezone models made of the critical areas. These rezone models get boundary conditions applied to
the free surfaces from the coarse model to properly simulate the behavior of the full grain. |
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| The above image shows a rocket nozzle analysis. The nozzle is
a composite structure requiring sophisticated modeling techniques to properly simulate its behavior. The
model was used to ensure that the nozzle design could withstand the required pressure, thermal, and
acceleration loads during motor operation. |