Digital Commons Network^™

Lift Fixture Control System, Steven Ly

Mechanical Engineering

The Final Design Review (FDR) reports on the senior design project undertaken by a mechanical engineer senior at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The project seeks to assist Maxar’s need for a lift fixture for their spacecraft that will locate its center of gravity and move the pick point directly over the center of gravity (C.G.). This will allow the crane to attach to this point and lift the spacecraft without any swinging motion that could damage the spacecraft or harm personnel working near it. Their current solution is creating a new lift sling for each time they …

Examining Introductory Computer Science Student Cognition When Testing Software Under Different Test Adequacy Criteria, Austin Shin

Master's Theses

The ability to test software is invaluable in all areas of computer science, but it is often neglected in computer science curricula. Test adequacy criteria (TAC), tools that measure the effectiveness of a test suite, have been used as aids to improve software testing teaching practices, but little is known about how students respond to them. Studies have examined the cognitive processes of students programming and professional developers writing tests, but none have investigated how student testers test with TAC. If we are to improve how they are used in the classroom, we must start by understanding the different ways …

Timber Buckling Restrained Brace, Faith Sharp, Armando Castaneda Jr

Architectural Engineering

The timber buckling-restrained brace (TBRB) experiment at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), began in 2018 with the goal of finding whether timber may provide proper restraint against buckling of a steel brace. The TBRB was motivated by the limited lateral force resisting systems (LFRS) available for low-to-mid-rise, type V construction; this system would provide strength and ductility at a scale and level of cost appropriate to timber construction.

Early research consisted of uniaxial component testing, where researchers played with the balance between the core brace design and utilization of timber casings for buckling restraint, with minimal …

Deep Learning For Detecting Trees In The Urban Environment From Lidar, Julian R. Rice

Master's Theses

Cataloguing and classifying trees in the urban environment is a crucial step in urban and environmental planning. However, manual collection and maintenance of this data is expensive and time-consuming. Algorithmic approaches that rely on remote sensing data have been developed for tree detection in forests, though they generally struggle in the more varied urban environment. This work proposes a novel method for the detection of trees in the urban environment that applies deep learning to remote sensing data. Specifically, we train a PointNet-based neural network to predict tree locations directly from LIDAR data augmented with multi-spectral imaging. We compare this …

Pressure Disturbance Upstream Of The Boundary Layer Data System, Michelle S. Leclere

Master's Theses

The primary objective for this work was to evaluate the reliability of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools in the prediction of upstream surface pressure disturbance and pressure drag of various instrument excrescence shapes for a small aircraft flight test device called the Boundary Layer Data System (BLDS). Insights on pressure disturbance will serve as a guide for the placement of BLDS probes/sensors, and pressure drag can be used to ensure sufficient adhesive is used to install BLDS instrumentation. The Mach number for all CFD cases was 0.12 and the Reynolds number based on excrescence height varied from 4 x 10 …

The Close Agn Reference Survey (Cars): Tracing The Circumnuclear Star Formation In The Super-Eddington Nls1 Mrk 1044, N. Winkel, T. A. Davis, I. Smirnova-Pinchukova, V. N. Bennert, F. Combes, M. Gaspari, K. Jahnke, J. Neumann, C. P. O'Dea, M. Pérez-Torres, M. Singha, G. R. Tremblay, H. W. Rix

Physics

Context. The host galaxy conditions for rapid supermassive black hole growth are poorly understood. Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies often exhibit high accretion rates and are hypothesized to be prototypes of active galactic nuclei (AGN) at an early stage of their evolution.

Aims. We present adaptive optics (AO) assisted VLT MUSE NFM observations of Mrk 1044, the nearest super-Eddington accreting NLS1. Together with archival MUSE WFM data, we aim to understand the host galaxy processes that drive Mrk 1044’s black hole accretion.

Methods. We extracted the faint stellar continuum emission from the AGN-deblended host and performed spatially resolved emission line …

Assessing The Cost And Fuel Consumption Of Off-Road Agricultural Equipment, Michael Mccullough, Lynn Hamilton, Cory Walters

Agribusiness

Since 1995, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission rules have mandated that off-road engine manufacturers gradually phase in lower emitting diesel engines across all tractor and other off-road equipment sold in the United States. Starting in 1996 with Tier 1 emission standards for tractors between 175-750 horsepower (hp), all tractors were scheduled to be rated as Tier 4 Final by 2015. During the transition period, emission credit agreements made between manufacturers and EPA allowed for nonattainment of some tractors such that several tractor models were produced post 2015 that did not meet Tier 4 Final standards. Tier 4 standards are …

Representing Your Destination: A Comparative Analysis Between The Destination Marketing Organizations Discover Los Angeles And I Amsterdam, Alli Mihalka

Experience Industry Management

Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) are the backbone of tourism. There are many strategies to encourage this, especially in large cities such as Los Angeles and Amsterdam. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast the marketing strategies used byDiscover Los Angeles and I amsterdam. The following marketing strategies were analyzed: video advertisements, websites, posts on social media, and events. I amsterdam accurately displays the culture of the city through their media and events. While Discover LA does this successfully in event marketing, they struggle to do this through their media. DMOs do not currently use their social media …

Process Support Building Savannah River Site, Victoria Zawacki

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

A report on the fire and life safety analysis of the Savannah River Site Process Support Building is required in order to receive a Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering from the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The Process Support Building is a two-story office building that was first occupied in 2013, with a floor area of approximately 10,000 ft2. The building contains mainly personal offices, but also contains conference and turnover rooms, a Computer Simulation Room, an Observation Room, and a lunch area. The analysis includes both prescriptive and performance-based analysis.

The Process Support Building is …

Warren Baker Center For Science And Mathematics- Fire Protection And Life Safety Analysis, Logan Honeycutt

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This report covers an analysis of the fire protection features within the Warren Baker Center for Science and Mathematics Building. This document first discusses the prescriptive requirements for the building as determined by applicable code. The items to be discussed, as they relate to prescriptive requirements, include the means of egress and relatable components, fire resistive construction, fire alarm system, fire sprinkler system, and smoke control system. All components were analyzed and compared to each applicable code to assess whether these specific fire protection systems were designed correctly.

In addition to an analysis of the prescriptive measures in this facility, …

Prescriptive And Performance-Based Analysis Of Colorado Liberal Arts College, Victor Wight

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This project consists of a prescriptive and performance-based analysis of an existing two-story college building. The building is located in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. Colorado Liberal Arts College is used for general education courses with the focus on creative fields such as dance, graphic design, and art. The building consists of classrooms, offices, an art gallery, dance studio, and a bookstore.

A prescriptive based design was completed using the code requirements laid out in the International Building Code (IBC) 2015 Edition and applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Codes. The prescriptive based analysis consisted of analyzing life safety and egress, …

Mount Sac Gym & Aquatics Center: Fire & Life Safety Report, Alex Hoeft

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This report has been prepared to review and analyze the Fire and Life Safety status of the proposed Gym & Aquatics building at Mt. San Antonio College. This was done using two methods: prescriptive and performance based. The prescriptive section examines the explicitly code-mandated requirements for the building and the performance-based section examines implicit requirements for the building based on the goals presented in the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101.

The subject building is a 147,000 square foot, two-story, steel-framed athletics complex occupied primarily for assembly and business uses. The structure has an indoor and outdoor component with two gymnasiums …

Grange Insurance Audubon Center-Fire Protection Life Safety Report, Gabriel Levy

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This technical approach narrative presents the intent and methodology of the Fire Protection and Life Safety systems for the Grange Insurance Audubon Center located at 505 W Whittier St. Columbus OH 43215. The primary goal of the structure is to provide life and property protection in a fire scenario while taking into account the costs of implementing the criterion and risks associated with the facility. This will be achieved through the appropriate application of requirements listed in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC) as adopted by the City of Columbus, Ohio, and any reference …

Graduate Assistant - Graduate Internship Report, Karlie H. Talbot

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

The Graduate Assistant serves as an aid to the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication during the months of January through June. The Graduate Assistant traditionally co-teaches AGED 220: Agricultural Youth Conferences, leads the recruitment efforts to gather judges for the South Coast Region Speaking Finals in King City, co-advises the State FFA Judging Finals Leadership Team, and prepares the California Agricultural Teachers’ Association (CATA) Conference program, amongst many other smaller tasks. Historically, the Graduate Assistant has been an individual of the fall cohort of student teachers, allowing them to be present in this role in the spring; however, …

Aged 539 Internship Project, Brandon M. Green

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This report details responsibilities as an assistant coach with the Cal Poly Rodeo program, tasked with Men's Events and Facility Management, in fulfillment of AGED 539.

Aged 539 Internship Report - Cal Poly Rodeo, Rafael D. Velazquez-Ramos

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This report details the role of an assistant coach and the responsibilities associated with managing livestock welfare.

Aged 539 Internship Report, Kenny C. Saephan

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This internship and project report includes documentation required in meeting the quality criteria for secondary-level programs of instruction in agriculture. The documents are concurrently used for the Agriculture Incentive Grant review process at Escalon High School conducted by representatives of the California Department of Education. The supporting material includes information to receive state and local funding, outline the goals and objectives of the program, along with an overview of Escalon High School, the agriculture program and the community.

Aged 539, Christopher Golden

Agricultural Education: Graduate Internship Reports

This internship and project report includes documentation required in meeting the quality criteria for secondary-level programs of instruction in agriculture. The documents are concurrently used for the Agriculture Incentive Grant review process at Bakersfield High School conducted by representatives of the California Department of Education. The supporting material includes information to receive state and local funding, outline the goals and objectives of the program, along with an overview of Bakersfield High School, the agriculture program and the community.

Multiple Object Tracking For Marine Science, Nicholas A. Wachter

Computer Science and Software Engineering

As drone and computer vision technology has been improving, many fields of study have been quick to utilize it to improve the accuracy and ease of data collection. The combination of the two technologies is perfect for surveying large areas and identifying features of interest. Marine science utilizes these technologies for activities such as animal tracking and population counting. I am working with the Drones for Marine Science research group at Cal Poly who want to build a fleet of drones that will fly out over the ocean to identify and track various marine animals. My role will be to …

Introducing Students To Computer Science: Using Python To Build A Basic Quiz Game, Alex Diosdado

Computer Science and Software Engineering

This outreach program activity was designed to increase interest in the field of Computer Science within students in middle and high school. It focuses on some of the basic concepts of programming, like Strings, Integers and printing to the screen as it was designed to be an introduction for those students who had little to no previous programming history. This activity was tested with a smaller group of high school Algebra 1 students, most of whom did not have any prior programming knowledge. It ultimately fulfilled its goal as a survey that was conducted at the end of the activity …

Solid Thermal Storage As An Energy Storage Device In Insulated Solar Electric Cookers: Thermal Modeling And Experiment, Michael Antonio Fernandez

Physics

The use of solid thermal storage (STS) as an energy storage device in insulated solar electric cookers (ISEC) was explored using a thermal simulation before retrofitting an existing cooker without energy storage and testing it under several conditions. STS sizing, material selection, and geometry were examined from both theoretical and practical perspectives and re-examined following experimental results. Characterization of the system’s thermal interfaces and methods to improve their thermal conductivities were investigated resulting in several performance enhancements to the system.

Barrier Knockdown Test Control System For The Cal Poly Kinesiology Department, Regina M. Chapuis

Computer Engineering

The goal of this project is to design and implement a new control system for the LEDs and buttons on an existing Barrier Knockdown setup in the Cal Poly Kinesiology department. The Barrier Knockdown test is a testing apparatus in which subjects knock down a series of mechanical barriers in one of three patterns. The computer system times their reaction and movement time, and the test as a whole provides students with data to study the phenomenon of Contextual Interference. This system was previously controlled by an old computer setup that ultimately crashed. This project recreates the logic and user …

Controlling Temperature Of Dc-Dc Converter Using Switching Frequency Adjustment, Sajjad Ahsan, Arsalan Mughal, Mark Rapiz

Electrical Engineering

As DC-DC converter operates under different load conditions, the amount of loss within the converter varies accordingly. Consequently the temperature of the DC-DC converter will also change based on the load demand. For PWM based DC-DC converters, one factor that contributes to the loss; thus, the increase in temperature is the switching frequency at which the converter operates. The higher the switching frequency used, the bigger the switching loss and in turn the hotter the converter. In this project, the temperature of a DC-DC converter is controlled by changing the switching frequency used by the converter. The hardware investigation used …

Smartphone Control Of Rc Cars, Weston R. Fitzgerald

Electrical Engineering

The smartphone-controlled RC (remote-controlled) car is an inexpensive remote-controlled car designed to be fast and portable. Instead of manufacturing, packaging, and shipping a separate controller, the remote control is implemented in a phone application, which saves time and money in both the design process and the manufacturing process. Utilizing the user’s smartphone is more cost-effective since mobile devices are a common recurrence, and packaging fewer devices results in overall better portability of the product.

This smartphone-controlled car is speedy and intuitive to learn for typical smartphone users. The user can change the car’s speed and direction wirelessly using their phone; …

Hybrid Ac/Dc House: The Road To A Sustainable Future, Nicholas Mcadams, Luis Rodriguez

Electrical Engineering

The Hybrid AC/DC house is a sustainable alternative to preexisting residential power systems. The implementation of a DC bus in current homes will allow inefficient DC-AC and AC-DC conversions to be circumvented. This provides a direct path for current to flow to DC loads from DC sources such as solar panels to minimize power losses. In doing so, this will give users the ability to power their homes strictly from renewable sources and substantially decrease reliance on the utility. For this purpose, the hybrid AC/DC house is also designed in such a way to be entirely grid-independent to provide power …

Microgrid Energy Storage Branch, Evan Luu, Jeffrey Shieh

Electrical Engineering

The microgrid is the future for the electrical utility system. Because of this, future power engineers need to be well-versed in this topic when they go into industry. Cal Poly has created a microgrid laboratory for this very purpose. However, it is missing its battery based energy storage branch. Due to safety concerns, a traditional chemical battery is not suitable for student use. In order to maintain Cal Poly’s learn-by-doing approach, an alternative solution must be implemented. A regenerative power supply meets the criteria for student use. It is capable of simulating the sinking and sourcing capabilities of a battery …

Multi-Effect Guitar Pedal, Ryan K. Madden

Electrical Engineering

This product is a multi-effect pedal to be used with an electric guitar. This unit can distort and overdrive the weak signal from a guitar as well as add chorus, phaser, and compressor effects to the signal. Additionally, the user can choose different serial combinations of the effects, allowing full creativity and experimentation with a multitude of signal chain options. This product, having many different effects, saves space than if the effects were all individual devices. To interact with the product, there is a user interface with buttons, LEDs, and an OLED screen to allow the user to customize the …

Carrier Card For Nvidia Jetson Agx Xavier, Kyle Chang

Electrical Engineering

This project prototypes and implements custom carrier cards for interfacing with the Nvidia Jetson AGX Javier within the Zendar Processing Unit (ZPU). The Jetson module is an AI computer used as a computing system for autonomous machines, including robots, drones, and self-driving cars. The carrier card functions as an I/O interface with the Jetson module, and it is designed for and sponsored by Zendar, a start-up designing high-resolution radar imaging systems. The purpose of the carrier card is to function as a collection of multiple I/O interfaces, including HDMI, USB, and PCIE, for users to control the Jetson, to input …

Sunsation’S Solar Powered Picnic Table, Michelle M. Barnett, Christopher Barber, Casey Durham, David Mason

Mechanical Engineering

Team SunSation is an interdisciplinary senior design project group that was tasked with developing a semi-permanent seating area for Cal Poly's electrical engineering courtyard. The EE courtyard is populated with plastic folding tables and chairs that are slowly falling apart. Dale Dolan, the head of the EE department, requested that a table design be developed that incorporates the use of solar panels. The addition of the solar panels to the table would help promote clean renewable energy as well as provide shade to those sitting in the courtyard.

The solution that SunSation arrived at is broken up into mechanical/structural, electrical, …

Coil Quick (Rv Sewer Hose Compressor) Device, Arturo Guijosa-Ruiz, David M. Bourgoin

Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this design project is to design, build, and test an RV sewer hose compactor device that can be used by the project sponsor and marketed to other RV owners. The goal of the RV sewer hose compactor device is to mechanically compress an RV sewer hose from its fully extended length to its fully compressed and storable state. Since a prototype device has already been developed, this project will aim to improve the prototype design to make it smaller, quicker, quieter, and more durable. Additionally, we improved the device to make it more user friendly and have …