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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

A New Preloaded Beam Geometric Stiffness Matrix With Full Rigid Body Capabilities, Paul A. Bosela, D. G. Fertis, F. J. Shaker Sep 1992

A New Preloaded Beam Geometric Stiffness Matrix With Full Rigid Body Capabilities, Paul A. Bosela, D. G. Fertis, F. J. Shaker

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Space structures, such as the Space Station solar arrays, must be extremely light-weight, flexible structures. Accurate prediction of the natural frequencies and mode shapes is essential for determining the structural adequacy of components, and designing a controls system. The tension pre-load in the 'blanket' of photovoltaic solar collectors, and the free/free boundary conditions of a structure in space, causes serious reservations on the use of standard finite element techniques of solution. In particular, a phenomenon known as 'grounding, or false stiffening, of the stiffness matrix occurs during rigid body rotation. The authors have previously shown that the grounding phenomenon is …


Grounding Of Space Structures, Paul A. Bosela, D. G. Fertis, F. J. Shaker Sep 1992

Grounding Of Space Structures, Paul A. Bosela, D. G. Fertis, F. J. Shaker

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Space structures, such as the Space Station solar arrays, must be extremely light-weight, flexible structures. Accurate prediction of the natural frequencies and mode shapes is essential for determining the structural adequacy of components, and designing a controls system. The tension pre-load in the 'blanket' of photovoltaic solar collectors, and the free/free boundary conditions of a structure in space, causes serious reservations on the use of standard finite element techniques of solution. In particular, a phenomenon known as 'grounding', or false stiffening, of the stiffness matrix occurs during rigid body rotation. This paper examines the grounding phenomenon in detail. Numerous stiffness …


Dynamic Analysis Of Space-Related Linear And Nonlinear Structures, Paul A. Bosela, F. J. Shaker, D. G. Ertis Aug 1992

Dynamic Analysis Of Space-Related Linear And Nonlinear Structures, Paul A. Bosela, F. J. Shaker, D. G. Ertis

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

In order to be cost-effective, space structures must be extremely light-weight, and subsequently, very flexible structures, The power system for Space Station 'Freedom' is such a structure. Each array consists of a deployable truss mast and a split 'blanket' of photo-voltaic solar collectors. The solar arrays are deployed in orbit, and the blanket is stretched into position as the mast is extended. Geometric stiffness due to the preload make this an interesting non-linear problem. The space station will be subjected to various dynamic loads, during shuttle docking, solar tracking, attitude adjustment, etc. Accurate prediction of the natural frequencies and mode …


Ground-Water Policy-Making Support: Usem Optimization Modelling Plus Gis And Graphics, Richard C. Peralta, Christopher M. U. Neale, Ali Gharbi, Mazibur Khan, Oscar Daza, Douglas Ramsey, Kurt Vest Aug 1992

Ground-Water Policy-Making Support: Usem Optimization Modelling Plus Gis And Graphics, Richard C. Peralta, Christopher M. U. Neale, Ali Gharbi, Mazibur Khan, Oscar Daza, Douglas Ramsey, Kurt Vest

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A support tool for ground-water management decision making involves integration of a multiobjective optimization model, GIS and graphics software. Two results are improved consideration of spatial data within the optimization model and improved conversion of optimal strategies to real-world application. Another result is improved visualization of the trade-offs involved between conflicting management goals.


Us/Wells Vs. 1.05 User's Manual, Alaa H. Aly, Richard C. Peralta Aug 1992

Us/Wells Vs. 1.05 User's Manual, Alaa H. Aly, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Presented is a computer program, US/WELLS, that is designed to solve several types of groundwater management problems. The acronym US/WELLS stands for Utah State WELL System. This decision-support tool is usable by persons slightly familiar with groundwater hydraulics. It can be valuable for practical management of groundwater systems that satisfy certain criteria.


Reliability Analysis Of Structural Ceramic Components Using A Three-Parameter Weibull Distribution, Stephen F. Duffy, Lynn M. Powers, Alois Starlinger Jun 1992

Reliability Analysis Of Structural Ceramic Components Using A Three-Parameter Weibull Distribution, Stephen F. Duffy, Lynn M. Powers, Alois Starlinger

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper describes nonlinear regression estimators for the three-parameter Weibull distribution. Issues relating to the bias and invariance associated with these estimators are examined numerically using Monte Carlo simulation methods. The estimators were used to extract parameters from sintered silicon nitride failure data. A reliability analysis was performed on a turbopump blade utilizing the three-parameter Weibull distribution and the estimates from the sintered silicon nitride data.


Sprinkler Irrigation-Pesticide Best Management Systems, A. Y. Ranjha, Richard C. Peralta, Robert W. Hill, A. M. Requena, Howard M. Deer, M. Ehteshami May 1992

Sprinkler Irrigation-Pesticide Best Management Systems, A. Y. Ranjha, Richard C. Peralta, Robert W. Hill, A. M. Requena, Howard M. Deer, M. Ehteshami

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The relative reduction in potential groundwater contamination due to pesticides at several sites in Utah was determined by comparing alternative irrigation system designs, water management practices, and pesticides. Alternative sprinkler irrigation distribution coefficients were used to estimate irrigation application depths. The movement of pesticides through soils following sprinkler irrigations was simulated with a one-dimensional model. Pesticide contamination of groundwater can be reduced by careful selection of pesticides, using properly designed irrigation systems, and improved water management techniques. Procedures for selecting an appropriate sprinkler system design and pesticide are presented. KEYWORDS. Pesticides, Leaching, Sprinkler irrigation, Irrigation depth, Irrigation system design, Soil, …


Fate And Transport Of Tce-Petroleum Hydrocarbon Mixture At Uttr, G. Nash Quashiga, Richard C. Peralta Jan 1992

Fate And Transport Of Tce-Petroleum Hydrocarbon Mixture At Uttr, G. Nash Quashiga, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

In 1988 a preliminary assessment (PA) study was conducted at Chemical Disposal Pit No. 4 to address several concerns of Hill Air Force Base (HAFB), the facility operators. The objectives of the PA were; i) to assess the potential for organic chemical releases to the subsurface environment, and ii) to determine the need for any immediate control measures, if the subsurface environment were threatened.


Optimizing Perennial Groundwater Yield Planning For Nonlinear Systems: Approach Comparison, Shu Takahashi, Richard C. Peralta Jan 1992

Optimizing Perennial Groundwater Yield Planning For Nonlinear Systems: Approach Comparison, Shu Takahashi, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Four alternative simulation/optimization models useful for computing optimal sustained-yield (steady-state) groundwater pumping strategies are compared in terms of formulation, solution procedure, accuracy, and computational efficiency. The different models require different computer processing time and memory. For the aquifer tested system, if more than 10% of the cells have pumping as a decision variable, a fully linearized embedding model will require less computer memory than any other model. All the models address linear and nonlinear steady-state flow in multilayer, unconfined/confined aquifers. They also address several types of nonsmooth external flows. Newly presented are a response matrix model solving external flows described …


Optimal Linear/Nonlinear, Quantity/Quality Management Of Complex Multilayer Aquifers By Embedding, Ali Gharbi, Richard C. Peralta Jan 1992

Optimal Linear/Nonlinear, Quantity/Quality Management Of Complex Multilayer Aquifers By Embedding, Ali Gharbi, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The embedding optimization modelling approach is adapted to aid long-term groundwater quality and quantity management of complex nonlinear multilayer aquifers. Implicit block-centered finite-difference approximations of the quasi-three-dimensional unsteady flow equation, and Galerkin finite-element approximations of the twodimensional advection-dispersion transport equation are embedded as constraints in the model. Other hydrological processes are also included as constraints. Cyclical linear differencing permits representation of nonlinear transport, even when contaminant is extracted by unsteady pumping (a decision variable). Also used are nonlinear (discontinuous derivative) constraints describing drainage, stream-aquifer interflow and evapotranspiration. The use of both linear and nonlinear formulations of the entire flow and …


Optimizing Ground Water Planning And Management, Richard C. Peralta, L. S. Willardson Jan 1992

Optimizing Ground Water Planning And Management, Richard C. Peralta, L. S. Willardson

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Simulation/optimization (S/0) models can be used to speed the process of computing long term groundwater pumping strategies. These combined models can also greatly ease the planning tasks of water management agencies. They make the process of computing optimal perennial yield groundwater management strategies fairly straightforward. S/0 models dramatically improve conjunctive water management and can help minimize the cost of groundwater contaminant clean-up. The differences between S/0 models and the simulation (S) models currently used by over 98 % of practitioners are illustrated with recent applications of S/0 models in regional planning.


Optimal Management Of Irrigation And Vadose Zone Pesticide Transport, M. A. Hegazy, Richard C. Peralta Jan 1992

Optimal Management Of Irrigation And Vadose Zone Pesticide Transport, M. A. Hegazy, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A management model is developed for maximizing crop yield while avoiding unacceptable pesticide leaching. Utilized constraint equations: maintain a soil moisture volume balance, describe downward pesticide transport, and limit the amount of pesticide reaching groundwater. The reported optimization model is the first which includes unsaturated zone pesticide transport. It is designed to help prevent nonpoint-source contamination of shallow groundwater aquifers. The model computes optimal irrigation amounts for given soil, crop, chemical, and climate data and irrigation frequencies. The model is tested for different irrigation scenarios. The modeling approach is promising as a tool to aid developing environmentally sound agricultural production …


Maximizing Sustainable Ground-Water Withdrawals: Comparing Accuracy And Computational Requirements For Steady-State And Transient Digital Modeling Approaches, Richard C. Peralta, R. R.A. Cantiller, Gary L. Mahon Jan 1992

Maximizing Sustainable Ground-Water Withdrawals: Comparing Accuracy And Computational Requirements For Steady-State And Transient Digital Modeling Approaches, Richard C. Peralta, R. R.A. Cantiller, Gary L. Mahon

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Rigorous models for maximizing sustainable groundwater withdrawals may require more computer memory for their constraint set than is available. In some situations, alternative constraint formulations yield similar or identical answers resulting in great saving in computer memory requirements. In order to evaluate the efficiency of using alternative constraints1 maximum ground-water withdrawal pumping strategies were computed by three digital models for a hypothetical area for a five-decade period. Model A maximized steady ground-water withdrawal. Model B maximized unsteady ground-water mining. Model C maximized unsteady ground-water mining subject to a constraint that final pumping be sustainable after the end of the 50-year …


Best Management Practices (Bmps) To Minimize Nitrate Leaching From Irrigated Potatoes, Ahmad Yar Ranjha, Richard C. Peralta, Robert W. Hill Jan 1992

Best Management Practices (Bmps) To Minimize Nitrate Leaching From Irrigated Potatoes, Ahmad Yar Ranjha, Richard C. Peralta, Robert W. Hill

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Numerous preliminary simulations are again performed to determine the smallest fertilizer amount, applied througii sprinkler irrigations (chemigation), that should still yield 15.3 tons of potatoes per acre. Applying only 68 lbs/ac of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in the first irrigation on June 28, should be sufficient. Again, total crop N uptake equals potential crop N uptake throughout the growing season. Except for the net income and applied fertilizer N uptake efficiency, all the other results computed by NLEAP (Figure 4 and Table 1) are very similar to results of scenario II. Applied fertilizer N uptake efficiency is the highest (91%) in …


Optimal Perennial Groundwater Yield Planning For The East Shore Area, Utah, Shu Takahashi, Richard C. Peralta Jan 1992

Optimal Perennial Groundwater Yield Planning For The East Shore Area, Utah, Shu Takahashi, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Computer models are developed for computing optimal perennial groundwater withdrawal strategies for the East Shore Area of Utah's Great Salt Lake. The underlying aquifer has three confined or unconfined layers. Both embedding and response matrix (RM) approaches are tested and compared. Historically, it has been difficult to incorporate simulation of an unconfined aquifer and many external flow equations described by nonsmooth functions within linear programming models. RM models normally assume system linearity. The presented RM model overcomes this difficulty using cycling and influence coefficients generated with a modified MODFLOW model. In this groundwater flow simulation model, the above nonlinear terms …


Optimal Groundwater Quantity/Quality Planning For Salt Lake Valley, Ali Gharbi, Richard C. Peralta Jan 1992

Optimal Groundwater Quantity/Quality Planning For Salt Lake Valley, Ali Gharbi, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Generally, the embedding technique for optimizing groundwater management has been limited to small scale or steady-state groundwater flow management cases. The embedding approach causes sparse, highly structured constraint matrices which have been sometimes difficult to solve. Embedding applications have been limited by lack of: optimization algorithms able to easily address such matrices for large scale problems, and efficient methods for addressing common nonlinearities and converging to a solution. Computer software, USUEM, addresses these issues by: creation of alternative linear, nonlinear, combined and partitioned formulations of the same problem, implemention of an efficient cycling procedure, and good selection of optimization algorithm …


Pluman, Decision Support System For Groundwater Contaminant Plume Simulation/Optimization Management Model, Herminio H. Suguino, Richard C. Peralta Jan 1992

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.