3-DIMENSIONAL THERMAL-ANALYSIS FOR LASER-STRUCTURAL INTERACTIONS

A THREE-DIMENSIONAL thermal analysis method with direct application to laser-structural interactions has been developed. This robust, implic it finite-volume technique solves the enthalpic form of the heat condu ction equation for laser radiation interacting with three-dimensional aerospace structures. It utilizes finite elements derived from the str uctural analysis and accommodates arbitrary beam profiles to compute t he ablative material response. Computed results for a composite hat-st iffened panel are illustrated. This method has also treated laser-stru ctural problems involving oblique beam incidence, complex structures, multiple materials, and beam slewing.