Engineering Commons^™

Cloud Computing: Strategies For Cloud Computing Adoption, Faith J. Shimba

Faith Joel Shimba

The advent of cloud computing in recent years has sparked an interest from different IT stakeholders. This is a result of the new economic model for the IT department that cloud computing promises. The model promises to remove the need for heavy investment for limited IT resources towards renting IT resources and paying based on usage. Although, the adoption of cloud computing promises various benefits to organizations, a successful adoption requires an understanding of different dynamics and expertise in diverse domains. Currently there are inadequate guidelines for adoption and this book proposes a roadmap for cloud computing adoption called ROCCA. …

The Effect Of Intellidrive On The Efficiency Of Highway Transportation Systems, Mohammad Nekoui, Hossein Pishro-Nik, Daiheng Ni

Daiheng Ni

Recently, the IntelliDrive initiative has been proposed by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) to enhance on-road safety and efficiency. In this study, we provide a mathematical framework which predicts the effect of such technologies on the efficiency of multilane highway systems prior to their real-life deployment. Our study shall encompass mixed traffic conditions in which a variety of assisted, automated and unequipped vehicles coexist. We show that intervehicular communications improves the flow of vehicles by reducing the perception-reaction (P-R) times of drivers and, in some cases, allowing for more efficient lane-changing operations. As we shall see, unlike the latter, …

The Effect Of Intellidrive On The Efficiency Of Highway Transportation Systems, Mohammad Nekoui, Hossein Pishro-Nik, Daiheng Ni

Hossein Pishro-Nik

Recently, the IntelliDrive initiative has been proposed by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) to enhance on-road safety and efficiency. In this study, we provide a mathematical framework which predicts the effect of such technologies on the efficiency of multilane highway systems prior to their real-life deployment. Our study shall encompass mixed traffic conditions in which a variety of assisted, automated and unequipped vehicles coexist. We show that intervehicular communications improves the flow of vehicles by reducing the perception-reaction (P-R) times of drivers and, in some cases, allowing for more efficient lane-changing operations. As we shall see, unlike the latter, …

Numerical Simulation Of Underground Solar Thermal Energy Storage, Marshall Sweet

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Department of Energy indicates that 97% of all homes in the US use fossil fuels either directly or indirectly for space heating. In 2005, space heating in residential homes was responsible for releasing approximately 502 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Sun provides the Earth with 1000 watts per square meter of power everyday. This document discusses the research of modeling a system that will capture and store solar energy during the summer for use during the following winter. Specifically, flat plate solar thermal collectors attached to the roof of a single …

A Generalized Non-Parametric Approach For Uncertainty Evaluation In Travel Time Prediction Models, Bhaven Naik

Civil and Environmental Engineering Theses, Dissertations, and Student Research

A core component within Advanced Traveler Information Systems is travel time information because it is easily understood and perceived by travelers. However, the suggested travel time information should be based not only on historical and real-time conditions, but also on forecasted or “unknown” future conditions.

Existing research has focused primarily on developing models that forecast point estimates of the mean travel time that are in close comparison to their respective field values. There has been limited research on any insight into the reliability or uncertainty margin that exists around the forecasted point estimate. As well, these researches have a limitation …

Soil Behavior Under Blast Loading, Jichong An

Civil and Environmental Engineering Theses, Dissertations, and Student Research

Understanding the behavior of soil under blast loading is very important to engineers in mining, tunneling, and military construction. Due to the very complex structure of a soil mass it is very difficult to describe its constitutive relation, especially when it has different water contents and it is under blast loading conditions. New protective system designs subjected to blast loading need to be proved its validation prior to predict effect of explosive before implementation. Full-scale, buried explosive tests are costly. Finite element simulations play a significant role in the design of protective systems, for example a bottom platform of lightweight …

Digital Implementation Of A True Random Number Generator, Sam Mitchum

Theses and Dissertations

Random numbers are important for gaming, simulation and cryptography. Random numbers have been generated using analog circuitry. Two problems exist with using analog circuits in a digital design: (1) analog components require an analog circuit designer to insure proper structure and functionality and (2) analog components are not easily transmigrated into a different fabrication technology. This paper proposes a class of random number generators that are constructed using only digital components and typical digital design methodology. The proposed classification is called divergent path since the path of generated numbers through the range of possible values diverges at every sampling. One …

Integrating Balanced Scorecard And Simulation Modelling To Improve Emergency Department Performance In Irish Hospitals, Amr Arisha, Waleed Abo-Hamad, Khaled Ismail

Conference papers

In the healthcare sector, there is a requirement for innovative solutions in managing the high levels of complexity and uncertainty within Emergency Departments (EDs). Simulation modeling is currently seen as a competent means of analyzing EDs, which allows changes effects to be understood and predicted more easily. The Balanced Scorecard (BSC), well-known performance management concept, has become a steering method in approaching new improvement cycles. This paper presents a methodology that integrates BSC and simulation modeling to improve the performance of ED in a University Hospital in North Dublin. BSC design began with understanding patient's needs, ED activities, as well …

Embedded Radio Frequency Identification Device License Plates For Roadside Use In Nebraska, Dwight L. Mosby Jr

Civil and Environmental Engineering Theses, Dissertations, and Student Research

The transportation industry has many stakeholders with different needs that work with advanced technologies. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an emerging technology that is used to track inventory and it holds promise for the transportation industry. This research identifies how to evaluate transportation stakeholder requirements for RFID technologies using a tool described as the House of Quality (HOQ). This research investigates RFID’s ability to work in license plates and may provide infrastructure to support identifying RFID enabled commercial vehicles. This research considers variables that affect the performance of a RFID License Plate System that will use a scanner located at …

Collaborative Research: An Integrated Microstructure-Based Approach To Property Prediction For Cement-Based Materials, Eric N. Landis

University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports

The project is a collaborative effort between the research groups at the University of Maine and the University of California, Davis. It represents a convergence of 3D micro-structural imaging with discrete element computational modeling to address the need for quantitative links between salient micro-structural properties and bulk material performance. High-resolution 3D images of material microstructure will be produced using x-ray microtomography (XMT). These images will be used to examine the micromechanical response of cement composites to mechanical loading and drying shrinkage. 3D deformation fields and internal crack distributions will be measured at selected loading stages and correlated with the spatial …

Modelación Física De Sumideros Laterales Tipo Ventana Para Vías Urbanas, Miguel Ángel Barragán Ochica

Ingeniería Civil

El proyecto comprende dos partes principales. La primera de carácter teórico, en la cual se hizo un análisis del estado del arte con respecto al estudio de los sumideros laterales tipo ventana y se realizaron salidas de campo con el fin de recopilar un inventario sobre las características principales de los sumideros estudiados en este proyecto. La segunda parte enmarca el trabajo de laboratorio, en el cual se construyó un modelo a escala de una vía urbana (Ver Imagen 1), y con este modelo se 6 realizaron mediciones del caudal resumido por los sumideros laterales bajo diversas condiciones. Entre las …

The Development Of An Adaptive Control System For A Phase-Locked Excitation (Phlex) Method For Advanced Wind Turbine Blade Fatigue Testing, William Michael Haupfear

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) provides the means necessary for advanced wind turbine blade testing. To improve on the current testing methods, a new testing method is being developed using the existing dual-axis fatigue testing capabilities in conjunction with another actuator to provide a phase-locked excitation method with adaptive algorithms and advanced control system strategies. This testing method will provide a more representative loading of the blade for fatigue testing as compared to loading seen in the field. The control system will integrate the MTS software and controller with a supervisory controller, programmed in …

The Development Of A Phase Locked Wind Turbine Blade Finite Element Model To Predict Loads And Deflections During Fatigue Testing, Kyle Freeman

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

Full scale blade testing provides blade manufacturers with quantitative data in order to assess blade design, manufacturing and durability. Structural testing is a requirement in order to design reliable blades, and to develop a further understanding of the dynamics involved in a modern turbine blade. Blade tests can be conducted in either a single axis or dual axis configurations. Historically, fatigue testing has been performed by utilizing forced displacement systems. These systems do not allow for the load phase angle to be controlled, and the maximum load application in the edge and flap directions are allowed to vary. The PhLEX …

Development Of An Integrated Soil Properties Mapping System, Rajveer S. Dhillon

Biological Systems Engineering--Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

One of the main goals of precision agriculture (PA) is to define spatial variability in soil properties within an agricultural field to make decisions that can maximize profitability and reduce negative environmental impact. Various soil sensor systems have been developed over the years to map soil properties on-the-go. In this study, an Integrated Soil Mapping System (ISMS) was developed to predict soil water content, soil organic matter, and soil mechanical resistance on-the-go using a capacitance moisture sensor, an optical sensor, and a load cell sensor respectively. These sensors were mounted on the ISMS for acquiring three different data layers at …

Network Science: Using Information Technology To Enable Collaboration, Arden L. Bement Jr.

PPRI Digital Library

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Optimization Algorithms For Improvement Of A Transportation Companies (In-House) Vehicle Routing System, Jian Han

Industrial and Management Systems Engineering -- Dissertations and Student Research

Vehicle routing problem (VRP) is the main issue of the transportation. It is becoming more and more popular. Trucking companies play an important role in the transportation industry. Most trucking companies are developing their own software to make profit. Often, the software is used for routing optimization models to minimize cost because the first work is organized over the road.

Linear Programming and saving heuristics are traditional algorithms for solving the vehicle routing problems. However, none of the companies want to make a decision of routing by calculating with mathematics models in their companies. So the vehicle routing software is …

Innovating Continuous Review Policies With Rfid, Angela Garza

Industrial and Management Systems Engineering -- Dissertations and Student Research

Inventory accuracy is critical for NASA astronauts in space. In 2004, astronauts onboard the International Space Station (ISS) nearly had to de-man their outpost due to the fact the replenishment of consumables were uncertain. Automated Identification Technologies (AITs) such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) can be utilized to minimize the occurrence of situations like this one. RFID has been used to aid inventory management systems by providing real time availability of the item information including location and status. The benefit of RFID over barcodes is immense as it allows users to employ continuous review models. Barcodes are only capable of …

Evaluating Obselete Inventory Policies In A Hospital's Supply Chain, Maurice D. Cavitt

Industrial and Management Systems Engineering -- Dissertations and Student Research

Numerous organizations are currently facing inventory management problems including distributing inventory on time and maintaining the appropriate inventory level to satisfy the end user. Organizations understand the importance of inventory accuracy as any error will increase the purchasing and holding costs affecting investment decisions. Lack of information about effective measures that will allow management to make important business decisions motivated this research to identify a decision criterion for warehouse management. A feasible solution of calculating the carrying cost ratio from purchasing and holding cost is the main objective of this thesis. The carrying cost ratio will allow managers to make …

Note: Autonomous Pulsed Power Generator Based On Transverse Shock Wave Depolarization Of Ferroelectric Ceramics, S. I. Shkuratov, Jason Baird, E. F. Talantsev

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Autonomous pulsed generators utilizing transverse shock wave depolarization (shock front propagates across the polarization vector P₀) of Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ poled piezoelectric ceramics were designed, constructed, and experimentally tested. It was demonstrated that generators having total volume of 50 cm³ were capable of producing the output voltage pulses with amplitude up to 43 kV with pulse duration 4 µs. A comparison of high-voltage operation of transverse and longitudinal shock wave ferroelectric generators is given.

Geometry-Dependent Oxygen Diffusion Flux And Limiting Current Density Of The Cathode In A Cathode-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Kevin Huang, James L. Shull

Faculty Publications

An analysis is performed on the diffusion of oxygen through tubular porous cathode substrates having several different geometries. It is shown that the flux of oxygen as it diffuses through these different substrate geometries can be explicitly expressed by a general analytical form with a unique geometric factor for each type of substrate geometry. Experimental measurements of the geometry-independent term, oxygen diffusivity, were conducted for two representative geometries: cylindrical and triangular tubes. These measurements show good agreement between samples with similar porosities and thus favorably support the oxygen flux equations presented. Formulations for the limiting current density were also derived …

A Microfluidic Device To Establish Concentration Gradients Using Reagent Density Differences, Qingjun Kong, Richard A. Able, Jr., Veronica Dudu, Maribel Vazquez

Publications and Research

Microfabrication has become widely utilized to generate controlled microenvironments that establish chemical concentration gradients for a variety of engineering and life science applications. To establish microfluidic flow, the majority of existing devices rely upon additional facilities, equipment, and excessive reagent supplies, which together limit device portability as well as constrain device usage to individuals trained in technological disciplines. The current work presents our laboratory-developed bridged microLane system, which is a stand-alone device that runs via conventional pipette loading and can operate for several days without need of external machinery or additional reagent volumes. The bridged microLane is a two-layer polydimethylsiloxane …

A Predictive Modeling For Water Consumption And Wastewater Flow Management For A Food Processing Manufacturer, Jairo A. De Jesus

Industrial and Management Systems Engineering -- Dissertations and Student Research

The City of Cumming, GA, issues special permits for industrial users of sewer services, who meet one or more criteria of discharge regulations. The criteria includes discharge of 25,000 gallons per day or more of processed wastewater, the presence for the potential to inhibit the Advanced Water Reclamation Facility (AWRF) treatment processes, the potential to cause AWRF’s bio-solids to be contaminated, and other regulations. The Food Processing Manufacturer in this study is a meat processing facility (processes pork cooked sausage) and its operation and associated wastewater treatment plant meets at least one of the criteria requiring a special sewer service …

Design Of Assembly Lines With The Concurrent Consideration Of Productivity And Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders Using Linear Models, Zhan Xu

Industrial and Management Systems Engineering -- Dissertations and Student Research

The productivity of assembly lines is considerably affected by the health condition of assembly workers, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common occupational diseases among assembly workers due to repetitive motions or heavy working loads. The conventional approaches to decreasing WMSD risks in the assembly lines include slowing the work-pace or applying job rotations. These adjustments usually focus on individual assembly workers at the station level but not the work allocation among the workers at the whole assembly line level, and thus may decrease the line productivity. To avoid these negative effects, some research started considering ergonomic characteristics at the …

Cross-Layer Optimized Wireless Multimedia Networking, Dalei Wu

Theses, Dissertations, & Student Research in Computer Electronics & Engineering

Multimedia communications, especially real-time video communications, is expected to be the major application of the next-generation wireless networks. However, bringing delay-sensitive and loss-tolerant multimedia services based on the current wireless Internet is a very challenging task. In this dissertation, we address cross-layer optimized wireless multimedia networking from both theoretical and practical perspectives. In the first part of the dissertation, we propose cross-layer optimization frameworks for real-time video communications over wireless networks, where the expected received video quality is adopted as the objective function. With the user-centric objective function, we first study content-aware video communications in single-hop wireless networks by exploring …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of Lte Physical Layer, Fahimeh Rezaei

Theses, Dissertations, & Student Research in Computer Electronics & Engineering

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) introduced Long Term Evolution (LTE) as the 3rd generation of mobile communication standards. LTE Release 8 describes a mobile communication standard which supports up to 300 Mbps of data transmission in downlink using the OFDM scheme as well as up to 75 Mbps throughput for uplink using the SC-FDMA modulation. In this thesis, an in-depth study of LTE performance based on Release 8 is conducted for uplink and downlink under different scenarios. The main objective of this study is to investigate a comprehensive analysis of physical layer throughput of LTE Release8 based on standard …

Optimal Allocation Of Tcsc Devices Using Genetic Algorithms, Almoataz Youssef Abdelaziz

Almoataz Youssef Abdelaziz

This paper presents an approach to find the optimal location of thyristor-controlled series compensators (TCSC) in a power system to improve the loadability of its lines and minimize its total loss. Also the proposed approach aims to find the optimal number of devices and their optimal ratings by using genetic algorithm (GA) with taking into consideration the thermal and voltage limits. Examination of the proposed approach is carried out on the IEEE 9-bus system.

A Classification Technique For Protection Coordination Assessment Of Distribution Systems With Distributed Generation, Almoataz Youssef Abdelaziz

Almoataz Youssef Abdelaziz

In this paper a novel approach is presented to study the impact of distributed generation on recloser-fuse coordination. This approach is based on the assessment of the recloser-fuse coordination due to the penetration of distributed generation with specified location and capacity for a given fault location. This assessment process acts as a classifier, based on finding the operating sequence of all reclosers and fuses in the path from the faulted node to the substation. This sequence is compared with a pre-required sequence obtained from the protection coordination philosophy, and then provides the distribution system operator with a result indicating whether …

Development Of Support Vector Regression Based Soft Sensor, Sunil Kumar Sawke Mr.

Sunil Kumar Sawke

This article describes a systematic approach to the inferential measurement developments of carbonate and bicarbonate ratio, using support vector regression (SVR) analysis. Given historic process data, a simple SVR based soft sensor model is found capable of identifying and capturing the cause and effect relationship between operating variables (model input) and QC variables so that the final correlation and regression coefficient was understood by process engineers.

Fractional Factorial Design Optimization Of Nontraditional Completion Fluid For Perforation With Underbalance, Abdul Aziz Abdul Raman

Abdul Aziz Abdul Raman

Optimal well performance is always associated with the creation of a clean and undamaged connection between wellbore and reservoir. However, it is apparent that the use of shaped-charge perforating tends to produce perforation-induced formation damage. This damage impairs fluid flow and decreases well productivity. To minimize and eliminate this damage, underbalance perforating should be considered. Underbalance perforating has been considered as one of the best means of providing a transient surge flow for tunnel cleanup. This paper introduces the formulation of super lightweight completion to achieve underbalance condition. The formulation was optimized using fractional factorial design. The result indicates that …

15 - معيارهاي نوين طراحي سيستمهاي سرمايش و گرمايش در ساختمانها بر مبناي ايجاد شرايط آسايش حرارتي, Alireza Zolfaghari, Mehdi Maerefat

Dr Alireza Zolfaghari

No abstract provided.