Engineering Commons^™

Preliminary Report On December 22, 2003 San Simeon Earthquake, Rakesh K. Goel

Civil and Environmental Engineering

A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.5 ( M_w) struck the Central Coast of California at 11:15:56 AM PST (19:15:56 UTC) on Monday, December 22, 2003. The epicenter (Figure 1) was 11 km (7 mile) NE of San Simeon, at a depth of about 8 km (5 mile). Two people were killed and about 40 buildings collapsed or severely damaged at Paso Robles which is located about 39 km (24 mile) from the epicenter. At least 40 people were reported to be injured in the Paso Robles-Templeton area. This preliminary report presents basic information on the epicenter location, intensity …

Optical System With 1xn Interleaver And Methods Of Making And Using Same, Michael A. Scobey, Lucien P. Ghislain, Dennis J. Derickson, Loren F. Stokes

Electrical Engineering

An optical system and method are disclosed for multiplexing or de-multiplexing channels within a wavelength band. The optical signals carried on the system comprise separate channels 1 through n, each having a unique passband and a center wavelength spaced from the center wavelength of adjacent channels by d nm. The signals are semi-multiplexed, demultiplexed, or semi-demultiplexed by an interleaver comprising optically matched and directly optically coupled etalons. Periodic spectral passbands of width less than d nm, spaced from each other a distance of zd, where z is an integer greater than or equal to 3, are substantially transmitted through the …

California Agricultural Water Electrical Energy Requirements, Charles M. Burt, Daniel J. Howes, Gary Wilson

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Irrigation Training and Research Center, working under agreement with the California Energy Commission as part of its Public Interest Energy Research Program, conducted an analysis of the energy used to supply water to California's agriculture and examined potential future trends in the agriculture water community to predict future energy requirements.

Water Level Sensor Testing, Stuart Styles, Sarah Herman, Marcus Yasutake, Chuck Keezer

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The findings presented here are the continuation of a series of studies begun in 1998 by the Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, California, on behalf of the Mid-Pacific Region of the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to test water level sensors under a variety of hydraulic conditions. This report is intended as a supplement to the original 1999 report, entitled “Water Level Sensor and Datalogger Testing and Demonstration” (ITRC Report No. R-01010), which describes the testing processes in detail and presents detailed results for the first 17 sensors …

Canal Velocity Indexing At Colorado River Indian Tribes (Crit) Irrigation Project In Parker, Arizona Using The Sontek Argonaut Sl, Stuart W. Styles, Mark Niblack, Beau J. Freeman

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

An index velocity rating was developed for a SonTek/YSI Argonaut Side-Looking (SL) ultrasonic Doppler flow meter installed in the Main Canal of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Irrigation Project in Parker, Arizona. Velocity data collected concurrently with the ultrasonic flow meter and conventional current meter were compared using linear regression techniques. The rating equation for this installation provides a reasonably accurate means of computing discharge. This project was completed by the Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC), California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, working under a technical assistance contract for the Water Conservation Office, United States Bureau of …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Academic Dishonesty And Professional Behavior, Trevor S. Harding, Honor J. Passow, Donald D. Carpenter, Cynthia J. Finelli

Materials Engineering

A number of recent studies have found correlations between academic dishonesty in higher education and unethical behavior in the work settings. However, these studies have not explored the causal relationship between the underlying factors that lead to this dishonesty. This realization, and apparently high levels of cheating among engineering students, has lead us to a research hypothesis that decision making patterns about academic cheating among engineering students are positively correlated with those individuals' decision making patterns about work place ethics and responsibility. To test our hypothesis, we have developed an exploratory survey that asks questions about the respondent's decisions during …

Preliminary Assessment Of Experimental Sophomore Ee Courses, James G. Harris, Kena Burke

Electrical Engineering

In academic year 2001-2002, an experimental yearlong sequence of courses was taught to EE and CPE majors that replaced the traditional circuits and electronics sequence of required courses. The experimental sequence consisted of three quarters, with the first quarter devoted to digital signal processing, and the next two quarters formed from an integrated approach to circuits and electronics. The two sections of students who took the experimental course now are taking the junior year required courses in their major. An assessment is being made to compare the experimental students with a cohort of traditional students. Preliminary results are given for …

Effects Of Intermetallic Morphology At The Metallic Particle/Solder Interface On Mechanical Properties Of Sn-Ag-Based Solder Joints, H. Rhee, F. Guo, J. G. Lee, Katherine C. Chen, K. N. Subramanian

Materials Engineering

Mechanical incorporation of metallic particles in the Sn-Ag-based solder resulted in various intermetallic compound (IMC) morphologies around these particles during reflow. Unlike with the Ni particles, the IMCs formed around Cu and Ag particles are relatively insensitive to reflow profiles employed. The IMC formed around the Ni particles ranges from “sunflower” morphology to “blocky” morphology with increasing time and temperature above liquidus during the heating part of the reflow profile. Mechanical properties, such as simple shear strength and creep behavior, of these composite solders were affected by the IMC morphologies in the composite solders investigated. Sunflower-shaped IMC formed around an …

Formation And Growth Of Intermetallics Around Metallic Particles In Eutectic Sn-Ag Solder, J. G. Lee, Katherine C. Chen, K. N. Subrmanian

Materials Engineering

Incorporation of metallic particulate reinforcements in eutectic Sn-Ag solder results in the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) along particulate/ solder interfaces with different morphologies. For instance, “sunflower” and “blocky faceted” IMC shapes have been observed around Ni particle reinforcements incorporated in the eutectic Sn-Ag solder matrix. The time and temperature above solder liquidus during the heating stage of the reflow process has been found to play a significant role in determining the IMC morphology in these Ni particulate-reinforced solders. Similar studies were carried out with Cu and Ag particulate reinforcements using the same solder matrix. The amount of heat input …

Soil Salinity Accumulation In Orchards With Drip And Micro-Spray Irrigation In Arid Areas Of California, Charles M. Burt, Brett Isbell

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A soil salinity accumulation study was conducted by ITRC during the summer of 2002 to examine the long-term impact of drip and micro irrigation on salinity build-up in orchards, focusing on the salinity concentration pattern across a soil profile. This study assessed the current level of salinity accumulation in orchards irrigated with drip/micro systems and provided information to support recommendations on the most effective and efficient leaching techniques.

There is a concern that soil salinity accumulation in orchards, which comprise large acreages in the Central Valley of California, will eventually require reclamation leaching. Not only would this consume large quantities …

Reclamation Leaching For Salinity Buildup Under Drip/Micro Irrigation Of Trees, Charles M. Burt, Brett Isbell

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

ITRC conducted a reclamation leaching experiment in a pistachio orchard in order to quantify the leaching water required to remove salts from the effective root zone of trees. This experiment tested a new reclamation leaching technique - multiple lines of low-flow drip tape were used to apply water to the area of salinity accumulation along a tree row.

Salinity Patterns: On Row Crops Under Subsurface Drip Irrigation (Sdi) On The Westside Of The San Joaquin Valley Of California, Charles M. Burt, Othman Al-Amoudi, Alejandro Paolini

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The objectives of this study were to identify if there was detrimental salinity buildup in the upper layers of soil caused by the usage of SDI on row crops, identify the extent of any detrimental salinity buildup, and identify successful and/or essential practices used by farmers who use SDI.

Soil Salinity Accumalation In Orchards With Drip And Micro-Spray Irrigation In Arid Areas Of California, Charles M. Burt, Brett Isbell

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A soil salinity accumulation study was conducted to examine the long-term impact of drip and micro irrigation on salinity build-up in orchards, focusing on the salinity concentration pattern across a soil profile. The study assessed the current level of salinity accumulation in orchards irrigated with drip/micro systems and provided information to support recommendations on the most effective and efficient leaching techniques.

Long-Term Salinity Buildup On Drip/Micro Irrigated Trees In California, Charles M. Burt, Brett Isbell, Lisa Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

The Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) of Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, hypothesized that there is salinity accumulation in the root zone of tree crops that have been irrigated with drip or micro-spray irrigation systems, located in arid and semi-arid regions. Therefore, a study was conducted by ITRC during the summer of 2002 to examine the long-term impact of drip and micro irrigation on salinity accumulation in orchards, focusing on the salinity concentration pattern across a soil profile. The project also provided information to support recommendations on the most effective and efficient leaching techniques.

During the …

Polyphase Filter With Low-Pass Response, Vladimir I. Prodanov, Peter Kiss, Mihai Banu

Electrical Engineering

A complex low-pass filter that reduces the influence of component mismatch. The filter includes a first filter section for effecting a first single pole transfer function and a second filter section for effecting a second single pole transfer function, where the first and the second single pole transfer functions collectively define a conjugate pair of poles. In higher order low-pass filters, an optimal cascade order follows a shoestring pattern.

Neural Electronic Signal Detection Fidelity And Membrane Conductance, Robert B. Szlavik

Biomedical Engineering

Abstract of paper presented at conference.

Evaluation Of Nonlinear Static Procedures Using Strong-Motion Records Of Buildings, Rakesh K. Goel

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the FEMA-356 Nonlinear Static Procedure (NSP) and a recently developed Modal Pushover Analysis (MPA) procedure using recorded motions of four buildings that were damaged during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. For this purpose, the motions at non-instrumented floors are “derived” from the motions at instrumented floors by using cubic spline interpolation procedure. Analytical models of the four buildings are developed using the computer program D2DX and calibrated by matching the computed vibration periods and the “elastic” periods identified form the recorded motions. Accuracy of the computer model is evaluated by comparing the computed …

Underground Pipe Locating Demonstration At Arvin-Edison Water Storage District, Stuart Styles

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

A presentation/demonstration of some of the latest underground pipe locating equipment was conducted on August 13, 2003 at the Arvin-Edison Water Storage District. All the techniques shown were non-destructive pipe locating procedures that provide approximations to the depth and location of underground-buried pipe.

3 types of technology were shown at the demonstration:

1. Acoustic pipe locators
2. Leak detectors
3. Ground penetrating radar

Each form of technology has its own merits and advantages. Acoustic technology is effective in locating single, small diameter pipes with pressurized flow located within about 500-ft of the sound (sonde) units. Leak detection technology is more accurate in locating …

Deterministic Surface Registration At 10hz Based On Landmark Graphs With Prediction, Fred W. Depiero

Electrical Engineering

Landmark graphs provide a means for surface registration, based on determining subgraph isomorphism to find scene-to-scene correspondences. Surface data used herein included both range and colour imagery. Images were acquired of a static scene from a moving sensor. The continuous motion allowed the sensor position to be predicted, which helped stabilize graph formation. Landmarks were determined using the KLT corner detector. Graph structure was established using nodes (landmarks) and edges that agreed well with predicted locations. Subgraph matching was approximated using the LeRP algorithm. A 6 DOF rigid transformation including translation and rotation was found via Horn’s method. Test results …

Surface Registration At 10hz Based On Landmark-Graphs: Benefits For A Scalable Remote Viewing System, Fred W. Depiero

Electrical Engineering

Real-time surface registration is a key technology for the development of future remote viewing systems. An architecture for a video distribution system supporting multiple users, with individual viewpoint selection, is suggested. The approach would provide a transmission bandwidth independent of the number of users, for scalability. The proposed architecture uses a method of surface registration based on landmark-graphs. Results from 141 test trials on synthetic scenes indicate that a mean absolute positioning accuracy under 1% of the sensor field of view is possible. The mean rate for registration was 10Hz, with a standard deviation under 10%. Tests were benchmarked on …

Semiconductor Wafer Processing System With Vertically-Stacked Process Chambers And Single-Axis Dual-Wafer Transfer System, Richard N. Savage, Frank S. Menagh, Helder R. Carvalheira, Philip A. Troiani, Dan L. Cossentine, Eric R. Vaughan, Bruce E. Mayer

Materials Engineering

A semiconductor wafer processing system including a multi-chamber module having vertically-stacked semiconductor wafer process chambers and a loadlock chamber dedicated to each semiconductor wafer process chamber. Each process chamber includes a chuck for holding a wafer during wafer processing. The multi-chamber modules may be oriented in a linear array. The system further includes an apparatus having a dual-wafer single-axis transfer arm including a monolithic arm pivotally mounted within said loadlock chamber about a single pivot axis. The apparatus is adapted to carry two wafers, one unprocessed and one processed, simultaneously between the loadlock chamber and the process chamber. A method …

Volumetric Growth Of Thermoelastic Materials And Mixtures, Stephen M. Klisch, Anne Hoger

Mechanical Engineering

The proteoglycan and collagen constituents of cartilage serve distinct mechanical roles. Changes to the mechanical loading conditions during cartilage growth lead to changes in the concentrations of these molecules and, consequently, the mechanical properties. The main aim of this paper is to present a theory that can describe the mechanical aspects of cartilage growth. The model for cartilage growth is based on a general thermomechanical theory for a mixture of an arbitrary number of growing elastic constituents and an inviscid fluid. Our development of a growth mixture theory is accomplished in two steps. First, the thermodynamics of growing elastic materials …

A Modal Pushover Analysis Procedure To Estimate Seismic Demands For Unsymmetric-Plan Buildings: Theory And Preliminary Evaluation, Anil K. Chopra, Rakesh K. Goel

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Based on structural dynamics theory, the modal pushover analysis procedure (MPA) retains the conceptual simplicity of current procedures with invariant force distribution, now common in structural engineering practice. The MPA procedure for estimating seismic demands is extended to unsymmetric-plan buildings. In the MPA procedure, the seismic demand due to individual terms in the modal expansion of the effective earthquake forces is determined by nonlinear static analysis using the inertia force distribution for each mode, which for unsymmetric buildings includes two lateral forces and torque at each floor level. These “modal” demands due to the first few terms of the modal …

Fifty Years Of Hypersonics: Where We've Been, Where We're Going, John J. Bertin, Russell M. Cummings

Aerospace Engineering

Hypersonic flight has been with us since 22 September 1963, when Robert M. White flew the North American X-15 at 4520 mph at an altitude of 354,200 ft—a Mach number of 6.7! This remarkable achievement was accomplished over six decades due to intensive research and development by a large number of scientists and engineers. In spite of that momentous achievement, designers have found the hypersonic environment to be harsh and non-forgiving. New programs since the 1960s have often uncovered the unknown unknowns, usually the hard way—early flights of new systems have often revealed problems of which the designers were …

Ultrasound Technique For Prediction Of Statistical Characteristics Of Grid-Generated Turbulence, Tatiana A. Andreeva, William W. Durgin

Office of the Provost Scholarship

Ultrasonic measurement techniques can be used to determine some characteristics of turbulent flows. In this work measurements of the difference in propagation times of ultrasonic waves along two paths are combined with the Kolmogorov (²/₃)-power law to study characteristics of grid-generated turbulence. The paper focuses on ultrasonic measurements of turbulent flow using the travel-time technique. The present research is of interest from two points of view. First, it demonstrates an ultrasonic method of investigation of turbulence, and second, it furthers understanding of the effect of turbulence on sound propagation.

Computational Challenges In High Angle Of Attack Flow Prediction, Russell M. Cummings, James R. Forsythe, Scott A. Morton, Kyle D. Squires

Aerospace Engineering

Aircraft aerodynamics have been predicted using computational fluid dynamics for a number of years. While viscous flow computations for cruise conditions have become commonplace, the non-linear effects that take place at high angles of attack are much more difficult to predict. A variety of difficulties arise when performing these computations, including challenges in properly modeling turbulence and transition for vortical and massively separated flows, the need to use appropriate numerical algorithms if flow asymmetry is possible, and the difficulties in creating grids that allow for accurate simulation of the flowfield. These issues are addressed and recommendations are made for further …

Actuator Fault Compensation For A Helicopter Model, Xiao-Hua Yu

Electrical Engineering

A fault-tolerant system is the one that can continue its operation without significant impact on performance in the presence of hardware and/or software errors. In this paper, the design of a fault-tolerant flight controller to control UH-60 helicopter is investigated. A 9th-order state space representation of the helicopter model operating at the forward mode with 80 knots is presented; then a fault-tolerant optimal feedback controller is designed and tested.

A Multiobjective Sdss For Management Of Urbanizing Watersheds: The Case Of The Lower Kaskaskia Basin, Illinois, Kyle O. Allred, John W. Nicklow, Misgana K. Muleta, Leslie A. Duram

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The conversion of natural and agriculturally dominated watersheds to industrial, commercial and residential developments leads to a cascade of adjustments in runoff quantity and stream quality at locations further downstream. The use of sophisticated hydrologic simulation models and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has become the standard for evaluating these impacts of urban sprawl on water resources systems. Simulation and GIS models alone, however, are incapable of directly revealing optimal land development patterns that meet specified objectives. This paper describes the development of a multi-objective Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) designed to overcome this limitation. The SDSS is created by integrating …

Engineering The World: Hands-On Experimentation For Civil Engineering K-12 Outreach, James L. Hanson, Donald D. Carpenter, Tarek Rizk

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This paper details the development and application of a community outreach program designed to teach children about math, science, and the world in which they live. The program was titled “Engineering the World” and emphasized civil engineering applications. The program was offered in an inner-city middle school in Detroit, Michigan. The program was developed by civil engineering professors at Lawrence Technological University with the assistance of undergraduate engineering students. The activities were categorized by civil engineering discipline including construction, environmental, geotechnical, hydraulics, structural, surveying, and transportation. The paper describes details of several of the hands-on experiments and provides an assessment …

Niti - Magic Or Phase Transformation?, Katherine C. Chen

Materials Engineering

NiTi alloys possess exciting properties and are staples in materials demonstrations. The shape memory effect and superelasticity property of NiTi fascinate people, but actually require significant materials knowledge to fully understand the phenomena. A laboratory dealing with phase transformations was thus developed to capitalize on the allure of NiTi for a junior/senior level “Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials” course. Students examine and characterize the shape memory and superelastic properties of NiTi wire, and then realize the difference is in the transformation temperature (i.e., Af - the austenitic finish temperature). They then use the phase diagram and TTT diagram to develop …