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Structural Investigation on Fuel Leakage of Cryogenic Fuel Tanks

Research Project

Project/Area Number 11450375
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Aerospace engineering
Research InstitutionThe University of Tokyo

Principal Investigator

AOKI Takahira  Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Associate Professor, 大学院・工学系研究科, 助教授 (00202466)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) ISHIKAWA Takashi  National Aerospace Laboratory, Structures Division, Seciton Head (Researcher), 航空宇宙技術研究所・構造研究部, 室長(研究職)
石川 隆司  航空宇宙技術研究所, 構造研究部, 室長(研究職)
Project Period (FY) 1999 – 2000
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2001)
Budget Amount *help
¥8,200,000 (Direct Cost: ¥8,200,000)
Fiscal Year 2000: ¥3,000,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,000,000)
Fiscal Year 1999: ¥5,200,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,200,000)
KeywordsFuel tank / Laminate / Fuel leakage / Transverse crack / Reusable launch vehicle / CFRP / Cryogenics / 極低温燃料 / 開口量
Research Abstract

The successful development of the Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV) depends on the drastic weight reduction of the vehicle based on the wide application of composite materials such as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP). The largest contribution to the structural weight reduction may be achieved by the utilization of composite tanks for cryogenic fuel that makes up more than 90 % of the gross launch weight. In the present study, the fuel leakage through the cascades of damages such as transverse cracks in the laminate is thoroughly investigated from the structural mechanics point of view. The experimental and analytical studies revealed the followings :
(1) The gas helium leakage was identified with the laminates containing transverse cracks in all of their layers, showing strong correlation between the applied load and leakage rate. The leakage was under negligible level with laminates with intact layers.
(2) Leakage was shown to be quantitatively predictable by employing the structural parameters including crack opening displacements and applied loads.
(3) Simple structural model for leakage paths construction was proposed and a scheme for accurate prediction of leakage under both mechanical and thermal loads was developed. The prediction method was then verified through the comparison with the experimental results employing biaxial cruciform laminate specimens and gas helium.
(4) The importance of using temperature dependent material properties for the predictions of mechanical or leakage behaviors was shown and emphasized.
With the results obtained herein, the fuel leakage through the laminates containing damages was shown to be predictable by the newly introduced structural model.

Report

(3 results)
  • 2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • 2000 Annual Research Report
  • 1999 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (17 results)

All Other

All Publications (17 results)

  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki, 他: "Mechanical Behavior of CF/Polymer Composite Laminates under Cryogenic Environment"Proc. of ICCM-12(12^<th> Int. Conf. on Compos. Mat.). Paper No.172. (1999)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki, 他: "Mechanical Performance of CF/Polymer Composite Laminates under Cryogenic Conditions"Proc. of 41^<st> AIAA SDM Conference. Paper AOO-24593. (2000)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki, 他: "Mechanical Properties of CF/Polymer Composite Laminates for Cryogenic Propellant Tanks"22^<nd> International Symposium on Space Technology and Science (ISTS 22). Paper 2000-c-10v. (2000)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Hisashi Kumazawa, 他: "Modeling of Propellant Leakage through Matrix Cracks in Composite Laminates"Proc. of 42^<nd> AIAA SDM Conference. Paper A01-25031. (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki, 他: "Overview of Basic Research Activities on Cryogenic Composite Propellant Tanks in Japan"Proc. AIAA/NAL-NASDA-ISAS 10^<th> Int. Space Planes and Hypersonic Sys. and Tech. Conf.. Paper A01-28069. (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki, et al.: "Mechanical Behavior of CF/Polymer Composite Laminates under Cryogenic Environment"Proc. of ICCM-12(12^<th> Int. Conf. on Compos. Mat.). Paper No.172. (1999)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki, et al.: "Mechanical Performance of CF/Polymer Composite Laminates under Cryogenic Conditions"Proc. of 41^<st> AIAA SDM Conf.. Paper A00-24593. (2000)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki, et al.: "Mechanical Properties of CF/Polymer Composite Laminates for Cryogenic Propellant Tanks"22^<nd> Int. Sympos. on Space Tech. and Sci. (ISTS 22). Paper 2000-c-10v. (2000)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Hisashi Kumazawa, et al.: "Modeling of Propellant Leakage through Matrix Cracks in Composite Laminates"Proc. of 42^<nd> AIAA SDM Conf.. Paper A01-25031. (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki, et al.: "Overview of Basic Research Activities on Cryogenic Composite Propellant Tanks in Japan"Proc. AIAA/NAL-NASDA-ISAS 10^<th> Int. Space Planes and Hypersonic Sys. and Tech. Conf.. Paper A01-28069. (2001)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2001 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki 他: "Mechanical Behavior of CF/Polymer Composite Laminates under Cryogenic Environment"Proc.of ICCM-12(12^<th>Int.Conf.on Compos.Mat.). Paper No.172. (1999)

    • Related Report
      2000 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki 他: "Mechanical Performance of CF/Polymer Composite Laminates under Cryogenic Conditions"Proc.of 41^<st>AIAA SDM Conference. Paper A00-24593. (2000)

    • Related Report
      2000 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Takahira Aoki 他: "Mechanical Properties of CF/Polymer Composite Laminates for Cryogenic Propellant Tanks"22nd International Symposium on Space Technology and Science (ISTS 22). Paper2000-c-10v. (2000)

    • Related Report
      2000 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] 熊澤寿 他: "再使用ロケット推進剤タンク用CFRP積層板における推進剤漏洩"第42回構造強度に関する講演会講演集. 237-240 (2000)

    • Related Report
      2000 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] 青木隆平 他: "極低温燃料タンクの基礎的研究課題"第44回宇宙科学技術連合講演会. 論文番号00-1A5. (2000)

    • Related Report
      2000 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Takahira AOKI 他: "Mechanical Behavior of CF/Polymer Composite Laminates under Cryogenic Enviromment"Proceedings of the ICCM-12. CD-ROM. (1999)

    • Related Report
      1999 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] 熊澤 寿 他: "再使用ロケット推進剤タンク用CFRP積層板における燃料漏れの熱ひずみ・荷重の影響"第41回構造強度に関する講演会講演栞. 77-80 (1999)

    • Related Report
      1999 Annual Research Report

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Published: 1999-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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