Digital Commons Network^™

Real-Time Measurement Of Surface Deformation Of Rotating Blades, Jay Maudlin, Ajay Mohan Mahajan, Tsuchin P. Chu

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

This paper presents the results for the real-time measurement of surface deformation of rotating elements. A digital image correlation technique is used to estimate the surface displacements and strains. Speckle patterns are spray painted on the surface of interest and digital images taken before and during deformation caused by rotary motion. The digital image of the deformed blade is taken by freezing the speckled pattern with the help of a stroboscope. The technique provides several advantages over traditional methods in terms of obtaining whole-field deformation profiles, a non-invasive measurement scheme, and a simple and economical set-up. Results are presented for …

Safety Behaviour In The Construction Industry, Nick Macdonald, Victor Hrymak

Reports

The influences on safety standards and employee safety behaviour was analysed on 18 large construction sites on the island of Ireland. The safety management and documentation of these sites was also analysed. The results are discussed at length together with comprehensive recommendations for the industry.

Transmission Characteristics Of An Alloptical- Waveguide Biomedical System For X-Ray Delivery, Ronald W. Waynant, Ilko K. Ilev, Kunal Mitra, Israel Gannot, Robert J. Jennings

Mechanical and Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

We have investigated the transmission characteristics of an alternative all-optical-waveguide system for x-ray delivery to a precise tissue area. The delivery system includes two basic optical elements: a funnel-shaped uncoated hollow glass taper and a flexible hollow delivery waveguide. The hollow taper provides direct launching of the input x-ray radiation into a delivery waveguide. It is an uncoated glass taper whose operating principle is based on the grazing-incidence effect. We investigated both experimentally and theoretically how the transmission properties of the hollow taper depend on its geometrical parameters such as cone shape, length, input and output core diameters. The x-ray-source-to-taper …

Preface, Levent Sevgi̇

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

No abstract provided.

Demystifying Human Factors: Practical Solutions To Reduce Incidents And Improve Safety, Quality And Reliability

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Five years have passed since the 1996 International Workshop on Human Factors in Offshore Operations. Over this period, we learned that the level of knowledge of human factors has increased dramatically. We also made significant advances in applying human factors disciplines more effectively within an organization. In order to invest the necessary resources, technical specialists, engineers and corporate leaders need to be confident that the human factors tools they choose to implement will meet the desired goals.

To this end, the 2002 International Workshop on Human Factors in Offshore Operations (HFW2002) brought together six key work groups to help those …

Contents: Speaker Presentations & Workshop Overview, Rodger Holdsworth

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Speaker Presentations

Welcome/Introductions (Rodger Holdsworth)

Opening Remarks (Chris Oynes)

Opening Remarks (Ken Arnold)

Opening Remarks (Tom Theriot)

"Integration of Human Factors into Classification/Certification" (James Card)

"Overview of the P-36 Incident" (Carlos TadeuDa Costa Frage)

P 36_Movie.avi (Pedro Jose Barusco Filho)

Workshop Overview Powerpoint

1996 Workshop Purpose

What We Learned

HFW2002 Workshop Purpose

Workshop Objectives

Most Common Questions and Answers

Questions?

Exxonmobil’S Approach To Human Factors, Tom Theriot

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Presentation Outline

Human Factors - Definition

Objectives of Human Factors Efforts

Incident Performance Improvement History

Why Are We Working on HUMAN FACTORS?

The Human Factors “Spectrum”

ExxonMobil’s Human Factors Strategy

Human Factors Focus Areas

The Cost of Using Human Factors in Design

New HF Technology Applications

Contents: Theme Presentations

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Return on Investment in Use of Human Factors in Offshore Systems (Harrie J.T. Rensink)

Analysis of Human Factors Related Accidents and Near Misses (James Reason)

An Integrated Approach to Behavioral Based Safety (Jim Spigener)

Experience Using the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's (NPDs) Method for Auditing Human Factors Aspects of Command and Control Centers (Adam Balfour)

Capitalizing on Behavior Based Safety to Address Human Resource Development Needs (Ron Newton)

Working Offshore: Its Effects and Their Management (Mark Shrimpton)

Accident Investigation Trends - A Safety Management Perspective (David Dykes)

Summary of Working Group Activities (Cyril Arney)

Return On Investment In Use Of Human Factors In Offshore Systems: “Closing The Gap Between Conceptual Design And Engineering, Field Construction Activities And Operations”, Harrie J. T. Rensink

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Agenda

Objectives

Shell International Health Services Usability & Human Factors Engineering

Client Portfolio & Projects

Business Objectives

Human Machine Interface Model

Physical Interface

Cognitive Interface

Business case

World class Projects

Literature “Development HSE improvements in hardware design”

Conclusion ‘traditional’ design process

Ergonomic Management & Information System (EMIS®)

The Design Process

Examples Smart design tools

Upgrader Main Control room Centre and Workshop Building Athabasca Oil Sands Downstream Project Shell Canada, Calgary

Link-analyses CCR / Engineering Functions frequency daily communication

INTERFACE RELATIONSHIP MATRIX FOR CENTRAL CONTR

Smart tool for Improving Plant & Equipment lay out Identification of Valves analysis (IVA ®)

Assurance …

Offshore Employment: Its Effects And Their Management, Mark Shrimpton

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

PRESENTATION STRUCTURE

RATIONALE, SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY

EFFECTS OF OFFSHORE EMPLOYMENT

RESPONSES

RESEARCH GAPS

RESEARCH ISSUES

Improving Incident Investigation Through Inclusion Of Human Factors, Anita Rothblum, David Wheal, Stuart Withington, Scott A. Shappell, Douglas A. Wiegmann, William Boehm, Marc Chaderjian

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Studies of offshore and maritime incidents (accidents and near-misses) show that 80% or more involve human error. By investigating incidents, we can identify safety problems and take corrective actions to prevent future such events. While many offshore and maritime companies have incident investigation programs in place, most fall short in identifying and dealing with human errors. This paper discusses how to incorporate human factors into an incident investigation program. Topics include data collection and analysis and how to determine the types of safety interventions appropriate to safeguard against the identified risks. Examples are provided from three organizations that have established …

Effectively Including Human Factors In The Design Of New Facilities, Johan Hendrikse, Kevin Mcsweeney, Eileen B. Hoff, Paul Atkinson, Gerry Miller, George Connor, Ben Poblete, Rick Meyer, Pat O'Connor, Hilde Heber

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Human error is a major cause of incidents in the offshore industry. For example, in the Gulf of Mexico region in 1998, 38% of all incidents were attributed to human error with an additional 9% of incidents resulting from slips, trips, and falls (MMS 2000-021, OCS Report). Human Factors, when integrated during the design of a new offshore facility, can reduce the potential for human error and the occurrence of unfortunate incidents.

Quite often the implementation of Human Factors (HF) during design is disregarded because of the notion that it will add unacceptable costs. Review of the cost/benefit data contained …

Application Of Human Factors In Reducing Human Error In Existing Offshore Facilities, Jeffrey Thomas, Clifford C. Baker, Thomas B. Malone, John T. Malone, Christina L. Hard, Ivan C. L. Rezende, Sally Caruana, Mark Witten

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Human factors engineering (HFE) is the scientific and engineering discipline concerned with improving human performance and reducing human error in complex systems. HFE represents a merging of behavioral science and systems engineering and is directed at integrating people into the workplace. The discipline had its start in the aviation and aerospace industries.

The objective of HFE is to minimize the potential for human error and accidents by ensuring that the human can perform assigned activities as efficiently and effectively as possible. At a very basic level, a definition of human error can be “any deviation from expected human performance” (Senders …

Solving Human Factor Issues As Applied To The Work Force, Robert Miles, Dennis Attwood, Amy White

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

This paper aims to capture a range of current approaches to the management and delivery of safety by means of addressing workforce human factors issues. The paper is divided into a number of sections and each section is the product of the facilitated debate and discussions around the original discussion paper.

Effective Integration Of Human Factors Into Hse Management Systems, Denise B. Mccafferty, Clifford C. Baker, Kevin P. Mcsweeney, Rodger Holdsworth

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

It is common that offshore operating and drilling companies have policies, procedures, and practices that address Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) issues. It is less likely that such organizations will explicitly address (through written requirements) human factors (HF) concerns. Regardless, both HSE and HF are concerned with the same objectives: protecting people, property, and the natural environment from damage. The methods of each examine the job performed by the human, and compare work requirements to the design of hardware, software, and paper systems to allow safe and efficient performance. The perspectives of both disciplines are generally “user-centered” and act as …

Effective Application Of Behavioral Based Processes In Offshore Operations, Jim Spigener, Gillis Gaupreaux, Frank Amato, Brian N. Craig

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

The introduction of the behavioral-based safety process in the offshore industry over the past decade has had a significant impact on safety in general and the offshore safety culture in particular. The Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) process compliments Human Factors Engineering (HFE) efforts in the struggle to improve safety by minimizing the risk in the hazardous offshore environment. The behavioral-based safety process and HFE both focus on the workers by taking advantage of their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses.

The four key steps of the behavior based safety process are as follows:

1. Identifying behaviors – Identification of and operationally defining …

A Quantitative Approach For Estimating Exposure To Pesticides In The Agricultural Health Study, Michael C. R. Alavanja, Andrew S. Rowland, David Mage, Shelia Hoar Zahm, Nathaniel Rothman, Jay H. Lubin, Mustafa Dosemeci, Jane A. Hoppin, Dale P. Sandler, Aaron Blair

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

We developed a quantitative method to estimate long-term chemical-specific pesticide exposures in a large prospective cohort study of more than 58000 pesticide applicators in North Carolina and Iowa. An enrollment questionnaire was administered to applicators to collect basic time- and intensity-related information on pesticide exposure such as mixing condition, duration and frequency of application, application methods and personal protective equipment used. In addition, a detailed take-home questionnaire was administered to collect further intensity- related exposure information such as maintenance or repair of mixing and application equipment, work practices and personal hygiene. More than 40% of the enrolled applicators responded to …

Biological Reduction Of Perchlorate In Ion Exchange Regenerant Solutions Containing High Salinity And Ammonium Levels, Tina M. Gingras, Jacimaria R. Batista

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

The most promising technologies to remove perchlorate from water are ion exchange and biological reduction. Although successful, ion exchange only separates perchlorate from water; it does not eliminate it from the environment. The waste streams from these systems contain the caustic or saline regenerant solutions used in the process as well as high levels of perchlorate. Biological reduction could be used to treat the regenerant waste solutions from the ion exchange process. A treatment scheme, combining ion exchange and biodegradation, is proposed to completely remove perchlorate from the environment. Perchlorate-laden resins generate brines containing salt concentrations up to 6% or …

Visco-Elastic Creep In The Lumbar Spine Associated With Static Flexion: A Feline Model, Guntulu Selen Hatipkarasulu

LSU Master's Theses

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have become a major health concern with the industrial revolution and technological advances. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently estimated the cost of MSDs at $13 to $20 billion annually. Back, spine, and spinal cord disorders add up to 60% of the total MSD injuries. Based on pervious studies, it is known that lumbar ligaments play a limited or little role in stabilizing the spine; where as the musculature around the spine is the major stabilizing structure. However, repetitive or prolonged static displacement or load induces creep in passive tissues of the spine …

Enhanced Bioremediation Of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane In Wetland Soils, Jason S. House

LSU Master's Theses

This research investigated the capability of wetland soils to function as a medium for the degradation of 1,1,2,2-TeCA and its daughter products, and the influence of different hydrogen donors and nutrients on this process. The rate constants calculated for this study, show that removal of 1,1,2,2-TeCA is occurring in the microcosms receiving hydrogen donors as well as the biotic controls. The parent compound was undergoing complete degradation to ethene, which was confirmed by ethene analysis, as well as monitoring the intermediate compounds. The analysis for the degradation products of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethene is important in determining the overall potential for successful degradation …

Development Of A Phosphorus Management Model To Address Filamentous Algae In A Shallow, Subtropical, Urban Hypereutrophic Lake, Jennifer Eileen Ruley

LSU Master's Theses

City Park Lake is a shallow, subtropical, urban hypereutrophic lake located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. By the late 1970’s, this artificial lake had experienced extreme eutrophication and suffered from frequent algal blooms and fish kills. Restoration of City Park Lake occurred in 1983 and consisted of dredging nutrient-laden sediments and the rehabilitation of sewage pipelines. Pre- and post-restoration water quality monitoring programs have provided valuable information by which to gage the long-term success of the restoration work. Following the restoration effort, dramatic improvements were observed in the lake including lower nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations, reduced frequencies in algal blooms …

The Interaction Between Hydrology And Water Quality For Urban Rainfall-Runoff: Implications For Management Strategies, Christopher Michael Dean

LSU Master's Theses

In urban environments, anthropogenic activity deposits potentially hazardous residuals onto impervious surfaces. To investigate the process of wet-weather constituent transport, twelve rainfall/runoff events collected at an experimental catchment site in Baton Rouge, Louisiana were analyzed for temporal delivery of aggregate constituents (SSC, COD, TDS) as well as dissolved and particulate-bound metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn). Event mean concentrations for the parameters analyzed often exceeded USEPA discharge limits. Rainfall-runoff events were characterized as either mass-limited or flow-limited. Events designated as mass-limited exhibited a high runoff volume, low vehicle to volume ratio (VPV), high stream power and a low correlation …

The Effect Of Initial Selections In Estimating The Missing Comparisons In An Incomplete Ahp Matrix, Sugeng Setiawan

LSU Master's Theses

One of the most widely used methods in decision-making is the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). With its technique of comparing the alternatives by means of a sequence of pairwise comparison matrices, the AHP is both easy to understand and very versatile. This research aims at contributing some insights on this method, in particular, regarding to what is known as the incomplete AHP. The core of this research is to investigate whether the initial comparisons used to extract the data for a multi-criteria decision making problem, will play a role in producing a relatively accurate estimation of the ranking of the …

A Screening Assessment Of Dissolved Air Flotation For Control Of Nonindigenous Invasive Species Transported In Shipping Ballast Water, Eng Chong Voon

LSU Master's Theses

Uncontrolled discharge of ballast water by vessels has been considered one of the main mechanisms for the introduction of aquatic nuisance species (ANS). The typical size of species found ranges from 0.02 to 10,000 micrometer. This wide range of sizes consists of microorganism (protozoa, dinoflagellates, and cholera), planktonic species, plants, insects, other arthropods, worms, mollusks, and vertebrates. These species either remain suspended in ballast water or settle in ballast tank sediments. Providing treatment for ballast water is a challenging task due to space availability of ships and significant magnitude of flow rates and volumes of ballast water. Currently, open ocean …

Utilization Of Rice Bran By Pythium Irregulare For Lipid Production, Hui Zhu

LSU Master's Theses

This research investigated the feasibility of utilizing rice bran as feedstock for submerged fermentation of Pythium irregulare to produce fungal lipids, which contain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4n6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3). The fungal nutrient requirements, temperature characterization and growth modeling were determined in glucose-yeast extract media. Sixteen media combinations based on a 24 factorial design with four levels of glucose and yeast extract ranged from 1% to 4% and 0.25% to 1%, respectively, and corresponding carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N) ranged from 4 to 64, were examined. The suitable C/N for Pythium irregulare growth ranged from …

Fecal Coliform Concentration In Surface Runoff From Pastures With Applied Dairy Manure, Alyson Kristine Bertges Hubbs

LSU Master's Theses

This study examined the magnitude of release of fecal coliform indicator bacteria in surface runoff from pasture amended with dairy manure. The experiment was conducted at Southeast Research Station in Franklinton, Louisiana between March and June, 2001. The experiment was designed to compare the effects of two methods of manure application on fecal coliform release. Manure application simulating natural deposition by cattle (Treatment A) was compared to that of land application of manure as fertilizer (Treatment B). Application of inorganic fertilizer was used as the control. Each Treatment was applied to three field plots. Simulated rainfalls were conducted on plots …

Nitrification Rates In A Reversed-Flow, Spouted-Bed, Bioreactor Applied To Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, Jonathan Thomas Scott

LSU Master's Theses

The effects of media selection and organic loading on nitrification rates in a reversed-flow, three-phase, spouted-bed, bioreactor with draft-tube (A-1 Aquaculture Continuous-Cleaning Multifunctional Biofilter or CCMB) were studied. Experiments were conducted on three identical recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) each having a CCMB unit with a unique plastic pelletized media and operated over five successive trials with varying components and operating conditions. Based upon organic loading, three of the five trials were grouped into two organic loading regimes of approximately 91 mg/L COD and 149 mg/L COD. Comparing nitrification rates against the three media types by organic loading showed that media …

Ternary And Quaternary Logic To Binary Bit Conversion Cmos Integrated Circuit Design Using Multiple Input Floating Gate Mosfets, Harish N. Venkata

LSU Master's Theses

Multiple-input floating gate MOSFETs and floating gate potential diagrams have been used for conversion of ternary-valued input and quaternary-valued input into corresponding binary-valued output in CMOS integrated circuit design environment. The method is demonstrated through the design of a circuit for conversion of ternary inputs 00 to -1-1 (decimal 0 to -4) and 00 to 11 (decimal 0 to +4) into the corresponding binary bits and for conversion of quaternary inputs (decimal 0 to 3) into the corresponding binary bits (binary 00 to 11) in a standard 1.5 mm digital CMOS technology. The physical design of the circuits is simulated …

Application Of Duhamel's Theorem To Problems Involving Oscillating Heat Source, Haribabu Krishnamurthy

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis deals with a systematic development of a method for predicting the temperature field in various domains subjected to oscillating heat sources on its boundaries using the Duhamel’s method. First a method is devised for single domain problems in both Cartesian and cylindrical coordinates for oscillating heat sources and also for unidirectional rotation of shafts in cylindrical coordinates. The analytically computed results for the problems in Cartesian coordinates compared favorably with the results from Finite Element Method, attesting to the validity of this novel approach. Later, the method is extended to predict the maximum temperature in oscillating Pin-Bushing mechanism, …

Design And Microfabrication Of A Molded Polycarbonate Continuous Flow Polymerase Chain Reaction Device, Michael Mitchell

LSU Master's Theses

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an amplification technique that is used with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and can produce millions of copies of the starting material, even from single molecules. Since its discovery by Kary Mullis in the mid-1980s, PCR has been one of the most important techniques in the arsenal of tools used for genetic analyses. For this research a continuous flow polymerase chain reaction (CFPCR) system was designed, microfabricated from molded polycarbonate, and tested. Finite element modeling was used to model thermal and microfluidic response of the system. X-ray LIGA was used to fabricate mold inserts for the …