Automotive Engine Crankshaft Reliability
Quantify the reliability and identify important design parameters of an automotive crankshaft subject to high-cycle fatigue

Probabilistic Assessment of Space Shuttle Debris Transport and Impact
Probabilistic assessment of the impact and damage to the space shuttle thermal protection system components.

Probabilistic Blast Containment Vessel Analysis
Evaluate the reliability of blast containment vessels subject to dynamic pressurization and fragment impact.

Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Analysis of Space Shuttle Flowliner
Develop deterministic and probabilistic fracture mechanics models to quantify the reliability of the space shuttle main engine flowliner.

Probabilistic Structural Analysis Methods for Space Propulsion Components
Develop probabilistic structural analysis methods and computational tools to evaluate the reliability and risk of space propulsion system components such as turbine blades, transfer ducts, and liquid oxygen posts.

Probabilistic Structural Analysis of Deep Tunnels
Develop probabilistic structural analysis methods and computational tools to assess the effect of uncertainties in loads, geologic properties, and initial conditions on the survivability and vulnerability of underground tunnels subject to near surface blast loading.

Probabilistic Tunnel Vulnerability Analysis
Develop a probabilistic hillside tunnel vulnerability model to identify the optimum targeting location considering functional failure due to rock commonition, airblast and fragmentation.

Space Shuttle External Tank Debris: Probabilistic Modeling & Analysis
The project objective is to convert existing analysis models and computer codes into an end-to-end probabilistic analysis tool for the assessment of external tank debris release, impact and damage to the orbiter. The tool was delivered to NESC and NASA.

Stochastic Crashworthiness Analysis
Develop a stochastic frontal car crash model and perform a reliability-based redesign to improve occupant safety due to a number of vehicle failure and occupant injury metrics.

Turbine Rotor Material Design
Develop a probabilistic-based damage tolerance design code to augment the current safe-life philosophy for life management of commercial aircraft gas turbine rotors and disks.

Contact Information

Carl F. Popelar, Ph.D.

Mechanics and Materials

(210) 522-4213

cpopelar@swri.org

Related Terminology

probabilistic analysis

reliability analysis

uncertainty quantification

life prediction

materials integrity

risk of failure

risk assessment

biomechanics

biomaterials

NESSUS

DARWIN

NASGRO

Materials Engineering Department

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Southwest Research Institute^®(SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions.

March 05, 2008

Mechanics and Materials Section SwRI Projects

Mechanics and Materials Section
SwRI Projects