Engineering Commons^™

Student Reliance On Simulations: The Extent That Engineering Students Rely On The Outcomes Of Their Simulations, Jonathan Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The purpose of this research was to investigate the factors that contributed to engineering education students’ reliance on technology while learning new concepts. The researcher hypothesized that students would give reliance to their technology, even in the face of evidence that the technology was not working as intended. This research used a mixed-methods approach to answer the research questions. Three questions guided the research: (1) How are the participant’s level of automation complacency and the correctness of the simulation that participant is using related?; (2) How is automation bias related to a participant’s ability to recognize errors in a simulation?; …

Estimated Aerodynamic Forces And Moments And Optimal Orientation Of The V-Bat Airframe During Vertical Landing In Gusty Conditions, Parker C. Carter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Ship based Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) are an important tool used by the United States Navy for situational awareness and short-range operations. Naval UAS are used to provide real-time intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and target-acquisition while being low cost, mission flexible, and safe. Unfortunately UAS suffer disadvantages with respect to adverse environmental conditions caused by the air being displaced by the ship. The accumulation of one or more adverse conditions is known as airwake. To counteract the effects of airwake, the objectives of this work are to first evaluate the effect of forces and moments during the vertical landing phase of …

A Cohesive Simulation And Testing Platform For Civil Autonomous Aerial Sensing And Operations, Stockton G. Slack

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Drones (also known as sUAS or small Uncrewed Aerial Systems) are often flown with cameras to take images of an area of land. These images can then be used to create a map by stitching these images together. This map can then be analyzed using scientific principles to learn things about the land and make decisions or take action based on the information.

The scientific application of drones is very advantageous, but flying a drone is inherently dangerous, impacting the safety of the airspace (particularly in the event of a crash), and drones are more dangerous the bigger they are. …

Sensitivity And Estimation Of Aerodynamic, Propulsion, And Inertial Parameters For Rudderless Aircraft Using Simulation, Jaden W. Thurgood

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A technique known as system identification is often used in aircraft design and testing to understand and validate the mathematical parameters that describe the aircrafts stability and handling characteristics. System identification can be thought of as the inverse of simulation. In the world of system identification, we have a physical system that we seek to understand in more detail by monitoring the system with an array of sensors. In short, we conduct tests of an aircraft while recording the inputs and response outputs. Then we take the input and output data and run it through an algorithm that seeks to …

Aircraft Input Files For Pylot And Machupx, Jaden Thurgood

Browse all Datasets

This data was used in an attempt at system identification for rudderless aircraft using simulation.

Thermal Modeling And Analysis Of Roadway Embedded Wireless Power Transfer Modules, Arden N. Barnes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wireless charging of electric vehicles is a developing technology which potentially increases efficiency and safety. It also allows for charging vehicles while they are moving by having charging stations embedded in the roadway. Because roadways are thermally insulating, it is important to know how the heat from the charging stations will move through the roadway, which will allow further research into whether the heat will cause damage to the components in the station or to the roadway. This thesis studies the way the heat moves through concrete with wireless charging coils embedded in it. This is accomplished by measuring the …

A Parameterized Simulation Of Doppler Lidar, David B. Chester

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Upcoming missions to explore planetary bodies in the solar system will require accurate position and velocity data during descent in order to land safely at a predesignated site. A Doppler lidar instrument could provide measurements of the altitude, attitude, and velocity of the landing vehicle to supplement the data collected by other instruments. A flexible simulation tool would aid the tasks of designing and testing the functionality of such an instrument.

LadarSIM is a robust parameterized simulation tool developed for time of flight lidar at Utah State University's Center for Advanced Imaging Ladar. This thesis outlines how LadarSIM was modified …

Introduction To Water Resources Systems - University Of Colorado Boulder, Joseph Kasprzyk

All ECSTATIC Materials

This is the introductory lecture to a Water Resource Systems and Management class from Spring 2017 at the University of Colorado Boulder, by Joseph Kasprzyk. Learning goals include (i) defining integrated water resources management, (ii) identifying Colorado water management issues (ii) identifying how RiverWare simulation and optimization can be used to develop water plans (iii) use the HyMod model to perform rainfall-runoff modeling (iv) generating random parameter samples and understanding how parameter uncertainty affects model results.

Water Resources Systems Analysis - University Of Texas San Antonio, Marcio Giacomoni

All ECSTATIC Materials

Systems Analysis methods use algorithmic and mathematical approaches for problem-solving. These are powerful methods that can be applied to solve complex design and management problems for water resources systems and other engineering areas. This class will focus on optimization methods, such as linear programming, integer programming, nonlinear programming, genetic algorithms, and dynamic programming, and their application to water resources systems. Advanced Systems Analysis methods, including sensitivity analysis, alternatives generation, and multi-objective optimization will be introduced to address the complexities associated with public sector decision-making. Course taught at University of Texas San Antonio.

Water Resources Systems Analysis - Colorado State University, Darrell Fontane

All ECSTATIC Materials

Applications of systems analysis, simulation and optimization techniques in water resources planning and management. Course taught at Colorado State University.

An Algorithm To Recognize Multi-Stable Behavior From An Ensemble Of Stochastic Simulation Runs, Eduardo Monzon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Synthetic biological designers are demanding tools to help with the design and verification process of new biological models. Some of the most common tools available aggregate multiple simulation results into one “clean” trajectory that hopefully is representative of the system’s behavior. However, for systems exhibiting multiple stable states, these techniques fail to show all the possible trajectories of the system. This work introduces a method capable of detecting the presence of more than one “typical” trajectory in a system, which can also be integrated with other available simulation tools.

Thermo-Piezo-Electro-Mechanical Simulation Of Algan (Aluminum Gallium Nitride) / Gan (Gallium Nitride) High Electron Mobility Transistor, Lorin E. Stevens

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Due to the current public demand of faster, more powerful, and more reliable electronic devices, research is prolific these days in the area of high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) devices. This is because of their usefulness in RF (radio frequency) and microwave power amplifier applications including microwave vacuum tubes, cellular and personal communications services, and widespread broadband access. Although electrical transistor research has been ongoing since its inception in 1947, the transistor itself continues to evolve and improve much in part because of the many driven researchers and scientists throughout the world who are pushing the limits of what modern …

Re-Configurable Putting Green, Matthew Ralphs

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This report discusses the design of a prototype transformable putting green that can be programmed to recreate the topography of any putting green. The goal of the design was to give a realistic putting experience with real topography in an indoor environment. This report discusses the design of a pair of 4’x4’ module prototypes; a commercial implementation of this design would utilize a number of modules to create putting greens on a more realistic scale (example 12’x32’). The design of a full size transformable putting green necessitates a topographical range of up to 30”. After initial concepts and preliminary designs …

Simulation Of Counterintuitive Pressure Drop In A Parallel Flow Design For A Specimen Basket For Use In The Advanced Test Reactor, Adam X. Zabriskie

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

To continue improving nuclear energy, new materials must be tested in testing reactors such as the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory. A new test cap section allowed coolant to contact specimens tested in the ATR. A parallel channel test cap section should reduce the pressure drop across this section compared to a single channel. A fluid experiment conducted by Idaho State University showed the pressure drop was actually greater. A Computation Fluid Dynamics simulation using STAR-CCM+ was conducted of the fluid experiment to explain the abnormal pressure drop. The simulation provided evidence of ow through the test …

Reliability-Based Underseepage Analysis In Levees Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Lourdes Polanco

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A new method for assessing the potential for unsatisfactory levee performance due to underseepage is presented. Specifically, the method assesses the potential for the initiation of piping (the internal backward erosion of the foundation or embankment caused by seepage). Current assessment methods consist of deterministic seepage analyses and simplified reliability methods. Deterministic methods produce either a maximum hydraulic exit gradient or a Factor of Safety against piping but they do not account for high levels of uncertainty in soil properties and subsurface geometry that are inherent to many levee analyses. The most common simplified reliability approaches that are currently being …

Simulation And Modeling Of Return Waveforms From A Ladar Beam Footprint In Usu Ladarsim, Scott E. Budge, B.C. Leishman, R.T. Pack

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Ladar systems are an emerging technology with applications in many fields. Consequently, simulations for these systems have become a valuable tool in the improvement of existing systems and the development of new ones. This paper discusses the theory and issues involved in reliably modeling the return waveform of a ladar beam footprint in the Utah State University LadarSIM simulation software. Emphasis is placed on modeling system-level effects that allow an investigation of engineering tradeoffs in preliminary designs, and validation of behaviors in fabricated designs. Efforts have been made to decrease the necessary computation time while still maintaining a usable model. …

Steady State Simulations Of A Mars Entry Vehicle, Daniel Guy Schauerhamer

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Using computational fluid dynamics, steady state simulations of a capsule like Mars entry vehicle at certain trajectory points was performed. Trajectory points were chosen incrementally from 90 to 11.5 kilometers altitude. The Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method and the Overflow 2 Navier-Stokes solver were used depending on Knudsen number values greater than or less than 0.1, respectively. To compare flow effects of the maximum angle of attack error margin of three degrees, axially symmetric cases were computed and compared to three dimensional cases demonstrating an attack angle (α) of three degrees. Lift and drag coefficients are reported and compared. The …

Somos Simulation/Optimization Modeling System, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

SOMOS (Simulation / Optimization Modeling System) is a family of simulation / optimization (S/O) modules to aid in optimally managing water resources. SOMOS results from twenty years experience developing optimization models and applying them to real-world problems, including 11 pump-and-treat (PAT) systems and numerous water supply problems. SOMOS significantly improves water management or designs and saves money. Its user’s manual provides excellent training in principles of applying optimization to managing aquifer and stream-aquifer systems. It is being incorporated with powerful groundwater modeling and visualization packages.

Practical Simulation /Optimization Modeling For Groundwater Quality And Quantity Management, Richard C. Peralta, Ineke M. Kalwij, Shengjun Wu

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Software for mathematically optimizing groundwater management has improved significantly in recent years. The SOMOS code can readily handle large complex plume and water management problems. Most recently, it developed a least-cost $40.82M 30-yr pumping strategy for the 6.58 mile long Blaine NAD plume. That strategy was 19 percent better than the strategy developed simultaneously by an experienced consultant using normal trial and error simulation procedures. The management problem involved 60 stress periods, and well installation and pumping rates that could change every 10 periods. The optimal strategy employed 10 new wells. At a simpler site, SOMOS helped select robust strategies …

Remediation Simulation/Optimization Demonstrations, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Applications of simulation/optimization (S/0) software to develop contamination remediation strategies include formal remediation optimization using heads and gradients (hydraulics-based) and concentrations (risk-based) constraints. The six reported cases involve pump and treat systems, or pump, treat and re-inject systems, together termed PAT systems. We used S/0 modeling to perform hydraulic optimization for two of the sites and transport optimization for four. For four of the six sites, other parties used normal simulation (S) modeling alone to develop pumping strategies. Comparing the S/0 model-developed strategies with the S model-developed strategies showed S/0 modeling benefits ranging up to: (a) 25 percent reduction in …

Simulation/Optimization Applications And Software For Optimal Ground-Water And Conjunctive Water Management, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Diverse water management simulation/optimization (S/O) experiences promoted the development of many S/O modeling approaches and models. Several of these are being incorporated within the Simulation/Optimization Modeling System (SOMOS). Non-modeler water scientists or engineers can apply one SOMOS module to optimize field-scale groundwater and conjunctive water management. Experienced groundwater modelers can apply other modules to optimally manage complex heterogeneous aquifer and stream-aquifer systems. SOMOS employs a variety of simulation models and approaches and optimization algorithms to optimize flow and contaminant management. SOMOS or its precursor modules have been well proven in real-world projects. Designed for use by consultants, students, academics, and …

Disaggregation Procedures For Stochastic Hydrology Based On Nonparametric Density Estimation, David G. Tarboton, Ashish Sharma, Upmanu L. Lall

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Synthetic simulation of streamflow sequences is important for the analysis of water supply reliability. Disaggregation models are an important component of the stochastic streamflow generation methodology. They provide the ability to simulate multiseason and multisite streamflow sequences that preserve statistical properties at multiple timescales or space scales. In recent papers we have suggested the use of nonparametric methods for streamflow simulation. These methods provide the capability to model time series dependence without a priori assumptions as to the probability distribution of streamflow. They remain faithful to the data and can approximate linear or nonlinear dependence. In this paper we extend …

Streamflow Simulation: A Nonparametric Approach, Ashish Sharma, David G. Tarboton, Upmanu L. Lall

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

In this paper kernel estimates of the joint and conditional probability density functions are used to generate synthetic streamflow sequences. Streamflow is assumed to be a Markov process with time dependence characterized by a multivariate probability density function. Kernel methods are used to estimate this multivariate density function. Simulation proceeds by sequentially resampling from the conditional density function derived from the kernel estimate of the underlying multivariate probability density function. This is a nonparametric method for the synthesis of streamflow that is data-driven and avoids prior assumptions as to the form of dependence (e.g., linear or nonlinear) and the form …

Introduction To Simulation/Optimization Modeling For Groundwater Containment Remediation And (B) Ramifications Of Applying S/O Modeling To Groundwater Containment Remediation, With Case Study Examples, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Normal use of a simulation model to develop a groundwater extraction/injection strategy employs the following process: (1) specify management goals, (2) assume a pumping strategy, (3) simulate system response to the pumping strategy, (4) evaluate acceptability of the system responses, (5) repeat steps (2-4) as required. This is a trial and error approach that is unlikely to actually yield the best pumping strategy for complicated problems

Pluman, Decision Support System For Groundwater Contaminant Plume Simulation/Optimization Management Model, Herminio H. Suguino, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Use Of Simplex Algorithm For Optimizing Simulation Models, M. Ehteshami, L. S. Willardson, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A methodology and computer model is developed to determine economically optimum closed subsurface drainage systems in irrigated areas. The mode 1 maximizes net benefits, by comparing profit driven by crop yields to drain system cost and selects an optimum drain layout. The optimization methodology used is the SIMPLEX method (Nelder and Mead, 1965). The SIMPLEX model was linked to the subsurface drainage model DRAINMOD (Skaggs, 1982) and to the surface hydraulic model KINE (Walker and Skogerboe 1987). The selected optimum drainage system maximizes the difference between total revenue, and the total cost of installation, operation and management of a particular …

Evaluating Water Policy Options By Simulation, Ann W. Peralta, Richard C. Peralta, Keyvan Asghari

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Computer simulation models are used to predict the effects of three sample water policy decisions on selected conjunctive water use/sustained groundwater yield strategies for the Arkansas Grand Prairie. The three applications illustrate the facility of the target objective approach in providing an interface for legal, economic and engineering analysis. The approach is used to evaluate potential water management decisions at the judicial, legislative and water management district levels

Development And Preliminary Application Of Mathematical Models To The Weber Basin, W. J. Grenney, D. S. Bowles, M. D. Chambers, J. P. Riley

Reports

The adoption of stream standards, whether for direct application or for the establishment of realistic effluent standards, creates a need to predict the impact of pollution loads on river water quality during critical flow periods or as the result of future user demands. Because of the complexity of aquatic systems, mathematical models are an excellent medium for bringing together the state-of-the-art knowledge from a variety of disciplines into a form which can be readily applied to practical problems. Applying a mathematical model to a river system has the added advantage of providing a structure for the systematic consideration of the …

Computer Simulation Of Urban Runoff Characteristics Within Salt Lake County, Robert Newman Parnell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A hybrid computer program is developed to simulate the outflow hydrographs of two urban watersheds located within Salt Lake County, Utah. The gaged outflow of the watersheds provided a checkpoint for comparing the observed and the simulated final outflow hydrographs.

The outflow hydrographs for each subzone of the two watersheds were obtained by abstracting interception, infiltration and depression storage from each subzone hyetograph. The outflow of the subzones were routed to the Jordan River, the final outflow point of the two watersheds. The final hydrographs of the watersheds were combined and compared with the gaged flow.

The uniquenesses of this …

Electronic Analog Computer Hydrologic Simulation Of The Upper Bear River Basin, Mohammed A. Basha

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

OF the total precipitation falling on watersheds throughout the world, an average of approximately 85 percent returns directly to the atmosphere through evaporation and use by mountain vegetation. The remaining 15 percent moves from the watersheds as runoff and becomes available in the valleys to be used by man for irrigation, industry, recreation, and many other requirements in recent years has led to an increasing need for efficient management of available water resources, and in this regard computer modeling or simulation has proved to be a powerful tool.

The study described herein involves simulation of the hydrologic system of the …