Abstract
A finite-element approach for efficient thermal analysis of structures with thermal protection systems (TPS) is described. The elements are developed for applications to reusable surface insulation (RSI), but the approach is applicable to other TPS. New two-dimensional finite elements are developed to model conduction in the TPS and supporting structure. The performance of the TPS/structural element is demonstrated for a Shuttle wing truss subjected to re-entry heating. The results indicate that the approach predicts detailed structural temperature distributions with significant reductions in model size and computer time. The approach offers potential for extension to more complex three-dimensional structures.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics |
| Editors | Howard E. Collicott, Paul E. Bauer |
| Publisher | AIAA |
| Pages | 281-304 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Volume | 86 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0915928752 |
| State | Published - Dec 1 1983 |