Engineering Commons^™

Extrinsic Influence Of Environment On The Corrosion Behavior Of Enamel-Coated Steel Dowel Bars, Srikanth Bajaj, Anil Patnaik, Joe Payer, Robert Liang, K. Manigandan, Tirumalai Srivatsan

Robert Y. Liang

A new type of enamel coated dowel bars for use as concrete pavements has been recently developed and implemented. A gradual deterioration of such bars can occur due to corrosion occurring at locations of the fine microscopic cracks and other defects in the coating. The results of a study aimed at evaluating and understanding the corrosion resistance of such dowel bars is presented and comparisons made with corresponding epoxy-coated dowel bars. Identical defects were introduced onto the surface of the dowel bars with the two types of coatings. The extrinsic influence of environment and resultant corrosion based on type, location …

Importance Sampling Based Algorithm For Efficient Reliability Analysis Of Axially Loaded Piles, Haijian Fan, Robert Liang

Robert Y. Liang

In reliability analysis, the crude Monte Carlo method is known to be computationally demanding. To improve computational efficiency, this paper presents an importance sampling based algorithm that can be applied to conduct efficient reliability evaluation for axially loaded piles. The spatial variability of soil properties along the pile length is considered by random field modeling, in which a mean, a variance, and a correlation length are used to statistically characterize a random field. The local averaging subdivision technique is employed to generate random fields. In each realization, the random fields are used as inputs to the well-established load transfer method …

System Reliability Analysis For Anchor-Stabilised Slopes Considering Stochastic Corrosion Of Anchors, Lin Li, Robert Liang, Hanlong Liu

Robert Y. Liang

In this paper, a methodology using Monte Carlo simulation method was developed in conjunction with the modified limiting equilibrium method of slices. Additionally, the time-dependent deterioration of bond capacity of corroding soil anchors was developed in this methodology due to the attack of chlorides. Uncertainties of anchor-related variables and soil parameters were considered using pertinent statistical descriptors. Furthermore, the inherent stochastic nature of the corrosion and degradation process for the anchor/slope system was identified and incorporated in the simulation. A PC-based software, C-UASLOPE, has been coded to allow for handling of complex slope geometry, soil profile and groundwater conditions. An …

Compressive Sensing For Feedback Reduction In Mimo Broadcast Channels, Mohammed Eltayeb, Tareq Al-Naffour, Hamid Bahrami

Hamid Bahrami

In multi-antenna broadcast networks, the base sta-tions (BSs) rely on the channel state information (CSI) of the users to perform user scheduling and downlink transmission. However, in networks with large number of users, obtaining CSI from all users is arduous, if not impossible, in practice. This paper proposes channel feedback reduction techniques based on the theory of compressive sensing (CS), which permits the BS to obtain CSI with acceptable recovery guarantees under substantially reduced feedback overhead. Additionally, assuming noisy CS measurements at the BS, inexpensive ways for improving post-CS detection are explored. The proposed techniques are shown to reduce the …

Condition Based Maintenance Optimization Of Wind Turbine System Using Degradation Prediction, Elham Pazouki, Hamid Bahrami, Seungdeog Choi

Hamid Bahrami

This paper proposes an optimal Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) policy for a multi-component system. Especially, multicomponent wind turbine has been analyzed to investigate cost relationship between maintenance and energy production schedule. Wind turbine consists of numerous mechanical and electrical components, and each of which shows independent stochastic deterioration process. The fundamental of proposed strategy is derived based on the statistically modeled aging and deterioration of each critical component in the wind turbine system to optimally schedule CBM task. Scheduling the CBM task is variably and iteratively performed through optimizing joint failure probability threshold and inspection/maintenance interval to minimize the total …

Dr. Britt - Wins 2015 Robins Award For Teaching | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Dr. David Britt won the Robins Award for Teacher of the year. If you are unaware the Robins award is the most prestigious award at USU. In our department Dr. Tim Taylor is the only other person to have one.

Examining How International Experiences Promote Global Competency Among Engineering Graduate Students, Lauren B. Denney, Joyce B. Main, Matilde Sanchez-Pena

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Employers across the globe are seeking engineers that possess more “soft skills”: leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. In addition to these characteristics as well as the traditional engineering problem solving skills, engineers are required to have attributes of global competency which would help them thrive in the global workforce. A plethora of information and studies exist on undergraduate students and their global competency development. Despite these efforts, there is little information on engineering doctoral students and methods for increasing their levels of global competency. Doctoral students are at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation and discoveries, so it is …

Bs News July/August

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Management And Documentation Systems For The Bowling Green State University American Society For Quality Student Branch, Sara Murphy

Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology Plan II Graduate Projects

The Bowling Green State University (BGSU) American Society for Quality (ASQ) student branch seeks to provide current and prospective students the opportunity to expand or build upon current and evolving quality principles. This project seeks to provide the ASQ student branch the opportunity to develop documented systems of daily operations and other activities in relation to the defined BGSU ASQ student branch organizational objectives. The research associated with this project will provide detailed information related to the organizational requirements to aid in the development of documented systemic procedures. The information also indicates what practices should be in place to ensure …

Wakeboard Winch, Eric Christensen

Mechanical Engineering and Technology Senior Projects

A wakeboard winch is a stationary device used to tow wakeboard riders through a body of water allowing riders to access locations that may be too shallow for boats or where motorboat restrictions apply. For this instance, the device will be intended to use on a small lake where motorized boats are prohibited but will also possess a transportable design so it may be used in other locations. Winches that can be purchased from manufacturers tend to be expensive and unaffordable for most people while many homemade winches tend to lack the same performance capabilities as manufactured winches. The principal …

Industrial Engineering Consulting, Blake J. Ahrold, Torrey M. Plana

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This paper documents the senior project of Blake Ahrold and Torrey Plana. This project was created to provide a solution to the problem of small to medium Sized enterprises (SMEs) being under represented by lean consulting companies. The project was at first intended to be a lean consulting startup and then pivoted to The Systems Optimization Club. A project charter, Gantt chart, and business model canvas were created for the startup and used as guidelines in the creation of the Systems Optimization club. The club is to be run like a lean consulting company. The club will provide teams of …

Work Integrated Learning In Stem In Australian Universities: Final Report: Submitted To The Office Of The Chief Scientist, Daniel Edwards, Kate Perkins, Jacob Pearce, Jennifer Hong

Higher education research

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) undertook this study for the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS). It explores the practice and application of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in STEM, with a particular focus on natural and physical sciences, information technology, and agriculture departments in Australian universities. The project involved a detailed ‘stocktake’ of WIL in practice in these disciplines, with collection of information by interview, survey instruments, consultation with stakeholders and literature reviews. Every university in Australia was visited as part of this project, with interviews and consultation sessions gathering insight from more than 120 academics and support …

Hand Operated Tabletop Letterpress Assembly Instructions 1.0, George Chiu, Brendan Domos, Spencer Herzog, Nathan Sandidge, Kevin Weinstein

Theses

A group of RIT Mechanical Engineering students spent the 2014-2015 academic year in their senior design class collaborating with the RIT Cary Graphic Arts Collection to design and fabricate a 21st century hand-operated platen press.

The press that was designed during this engineering exercise met several requirements:

• be under 30 lbs
• fit in a 24 inch square table top space
• be manufactured with a majority of components which could be purchased from a standard parts supplier
• be able to print with commonly manufactured ink rollers, ink, letterpress chases, spacing and furniture
• the platen and packing had to be adjustable to …

Infant Eye Disease Research At Usu Gets Funding From Knights Templar | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

6/1/2015 - TJ Robertson, right, Grand Commander, Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Utah, presents Dr. Elizabeth Vargis with eye health research funding alongside College of Engineering Dean Christine Hailey and Robert Bennett, left, Deputy Grand Commander, Knights Templar of Utah.

Utah State Signs 2-Year Research Deal With Korean Bio Medical Institute | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

May 20, 2015 – It was a meeting of East and West on Wednesday morning at the Innovation Campus where a new deal was signed by USU researchers that could help bring fresh answers in the fight against cancer, diabetes and other diseases.

New Design Of Nasogastric Decompression Tube That Incorporates A Self-Cleaning Brushing Mechanism, Nichole Abla, Lindsay Rucker, Paige Schroder

Senior Theses

Many hospitalized patients require the removal of secretions that accumulate in the stomach and must be removed by a nasogastric tube, which unfortunately clogs often. This project outlines the redesign of the nasogastric tube that will ideally prevent nasogastric tube clogging by incorporating a brush mechanism and a contracting tip mechanism, to act as preventative measures against clogging.

The School Of Engineering And Computer Science Class Of 2015 Computer Science And Computer And Electrical Engineering Academic Celebration Program, Cedarville University

Engineering and Computer Science Academic Celebrations

No abstract provided.

12th Annual Symposium Of The School Of Science, Engineering And Health, Messiah College

School of Science, Engineering & Health (SEH) Symposium

Welcome to the 12th Annual Symposium of the School of Science, Engineering and Health! This event continues a strong tradition showcasing student an faculty innovation, creativity and productivity in academic departments largely from within the School of Science, Engineering and Health.

Bs News May/June

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Position Announcement And Job Description Head | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Utah State University seeks applications from candidates for the Head of the Biological Engineering Department. Applicants must have earned a PhD or equivalent in Biological Engineering or a related engineering discipline, have academic experience in a teaching and research institution, and a record of research excellence in the broad area of biological engineering or a related field. Applicants must also be eligible for the rank of tenured full professor. Research excellence can be demonstrated through a combination of scholarly publications, extramural funding, and recognition through professional activities. The successful applicant will be expected to provide strong leadership and a vision …

Persistence Of Engineering Undergraduates At A Public Research University, Matthew Meyer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This mixed-methodological study determined which factors contributed to undergraduate student attrition, and evaluated reasons ten undergraduate engineering students failed to complete their engineering degree at a major western research university. Institutional data were collected on engineering students over a multi-year period. These data were separated into groups of engineering students who persisted to the Junior year of their undergraduate engineering program (persisters), and those students who left their engineering program before their Junior year (nonpersisters). A quantitative analysis comparing these two groups of students uncovered significant predictors of persistence/nonpersistence in the engineering program. Qualitative inquiry was used to identify factors …

African American Female Engineering Students' Persistence In Stereotype-Threatening Environments: A Critical Race Theory Perspective, Stacie Lesure Gregory

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

African American women are grossly underrepresented in engineering. Despite their low representation in engineering colleges, some are able to persist and earn their degrees. This qualitative study sought to better understand the strategies 10 African American women employed to help them remain resilient in engineering degree programs. For this investigation, there was an underlying assumption that African American women who persist in engineering must contend with stereotype threat. Stereotype threat is a psychosocial phenomenon in which people in stigmatized social categories fear confirming negative stereotypes about their group.

Ten African American female women who have persisted in engineering degree programs …

The School Of Engineering And Computer Science Class Of 2015 Mechanical Engineering Academic Celebration Program, Cedarville University

Engineering and Computer Science Academic Celebrations

No abstract provided.

Non-Linear Interactions Of Acoustic Fields With Plates Under Harmonic Excitations, A. Nayfeh, S. Kelly

Dr. S. Graham Kelly

The method of renormalization is used to determine a uniformly valid expansion for the problem of non-linear interactions of acoustic fields with plates under harmonic excitations. The expansion obtained is in agreement with that obtained by Ginsberg, who used the method of strained co-ordinates to render the potential uniform and then used the method of renormalization to render the non-uniform pressure and velocity components calculated from the resulting potential uniform.

Stress Response Of A Rubber Block With Frictional Contact Under Axial Loading, J. Suh, S. Kelly

Dr. S. Graham Kelly

Rubber blocks (or springs) are structural components widely used in many applications. Design characteristics of a rubber block under axial loading are an apparent modulus (or compression modulus) and normal and shear stresses on contact surfaces. These are affected by a contact condition of the rubber block in contact with two rigid plates and the shape of the block. The problem of a rubber block bonded to two rigid plates has been solved using various approaches. In contrast, for a rubber block whose one surface is bonded to a rigid plate and the other surface in contact with a frictional …

Development Of Normal Mode Theory For Multi-Degree-Of-Freedom Systems Using An Energy Inner Product, S. Kelly

Dr. S. Graham Kelly

No abstract provided.

Fundamentals Of Mechanical Vibrations, S. Kelly

Dr. S. Graham Kelly

This text is designed for undergraduate courses in vibrations taught in departments of mechanical engineering. It provides detailed explanations of fundamental aspects of vibrations such as the derivation of differential equations, covers physical interpretation of phenomena using energy methods, and includes chapters on vibration control and nonlinear vibrations. Detailed coverage of the equivalent systems method allows modelling of all one-degree-of-freedom linear systems by a mass-spring-dashpot system.

Non-Linear Propagation Of Directional Spherical Waves, S. Kelly, A. Nayfeh

Dr. S. Graham Kelly

The method of renormalization is used to determine a uniformly valid expansion for the problem of non-linear waves produced in a fluid by spatially non-uniform simple harmonic motion of the surface of a sphere. The effect of dimensionless quantities upon the acoustic shock-formation distance is examined.

Non-Linear Propagation Of General Directional Spherical Waves, S. Kelly, A. Nayfeh

Dr. S. Graham Kelly

The method of renormalization is used to determine a uniformly valid expansion for the problem of non-linear waves produced in a fluid by the general harmonic pulsations of a sphere. For a uniform expansion, only the radial distance needs to be strained. The effect of dimensionless quantities upon the shock-formation distance is examined.

Mechanics Of Rubber Shear Springs, A. Gent, J. Suh, S. Kelly

Dr. S. Graham Kelly

FEA calculations have been carried out for a model rubber shear spring, consisting of a block of a highly elastic material, bonded between two rigid parallel plates and sheared by displacing one of the plates parallel to the other in its own plane. The block was prevented from deforming in the perpendicular direction, and thus was deformed in plane strain. Stress distributions along the bond-line and the center-line are reported and compared with those expected from the theory of large elastic deformations. Unexpected tensile stresses were found to develop in the interior of the sheared block. They are attributed to …