Physics-based modeling of solid rocket motor propellant

ABSTRACT:The objective of the work proposed herein is to develop innovative physics-based models that facilitate the accurate prediction of solid rocket propellant behavior with varying environmental boundary conditions. Our objective is to integrate existing and new state-of-the-art physics-based models for solid rocket motor propellant and the associated propellant-liner insulation (PLI) system into the framework developed in Phase I. We will demonstrate the potential benefits of this integrated system, called the Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) Modeling Toolset, for solid rocket motors. We will also determine the required computational resources and will demonstrate how the models will interface with external structural analysis software (via Abaqus UMAT). The toolset comprises advanced capabilities to model all phenomena known to be important to theentire solid rocket motor lifecycle. Components of the toolset include models for viscoelastic stress-strain, polymer morphology, polymer mechanics, polymer fracture, particle pack microgeometry, and particle dewetting.The integration of these models into a comprehensive, robust, accessible, computationallytractable desktop tool is the principal product of this program.BENEFIT:The commercialization potential of the SRM Modeling Toolset will be realized through itsapplication as a predictive-analytics enabler for the management and life-cycle cost estimation for SRM-related system inventories. The commercialization itself will be achieved through the marketing of Veracitys analytical services (leveraging the SRM Modeling Toolset) to customers who have urgent need to understand the future readiness (reliability) and life-cycle costs of their SRM related inventories. The analytical services are the product that the customers will directly integrate into their planning processes for inventory management and future investments. Once integrated into the process, the customers will make additional research and development(R&D)investments into the SRM Modeling Toolset to improve its capabilities to service each of their unique requirements.