Digital Commons Network^™

An Analysis Of A Hybrid Steel Bridge, Andrew Iglehart

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The American Institute of Steel Construction hosts a competition for graduating college seniors each year. The competition is designing and fabricating a scaled steel bridge within certain parameters. Each year the parameters change to allow different seniors to face similar challenges without copying the previous year’s work. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, a bridge was fabricated as per the rules in the 2020, and the same bridge was used for the 2021 competition. With a bridge already fabricated and being used for the competition, a question arose about analyzing the bridge.

This thesis encompasses the entire analysis of the steel …

The Dixit Method Of Language Sampling In Early Adolescence, Tanner Smith

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The current study examined two methods of language sampling (interview and the Dixit Method) in early adolescents with typical language development. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the two procedures in eliciting lexical diversity in spoken language samples in the early adolescent population. To examine lexical diversity, traditional methods of analysis (type token ratio, average type token ratio, and mean length of utterance) were applied. However, because literature historically alludes to flaws in these traditional methods, the researchers also applied an ecological approach to analysis of lexical diversity proposed by Scott Jarvis (2013). Student participants …

Risk Assessment Of Hazardous Materials Transported By Rail Through The Wku And Bowling Green, Kentucky Corridor, Rebecca Center

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

There has been multiple risk assessments on highways for hazardous material, however there is few in hazardous rail transportation. In this study, I will create a risk assessment of the railway through WKU. Using the CAMEO system I will created threat zones and plot them in the city every half-mile to conclude where people and infrastructure will be affected the most. I discovered that there were large amounts of chemicals passing by, some are extremely dangerous to human and environmental health.

Analysis And Interpretation Of The 2013 Wku Steel Bridge Competition, Dylan H. Ward

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This research centers on building a working steel bridge that can hold over 2500 pounds, while deflecting no more than 1.5 inches. Weighing less than 150 pounds, the bridge was designed by inputting models into programs such as SAP and Visual Analysis, and adding the required load effects. Creating such a bridge involves various disciplines such as fabrication, communication, engineering, computer science, and economics. This presentation will address the design procedure, the building process, and the challenges faced by the team. This experience has allowed the bridge team to see what it takes to finish a project from start to …

An Algorithm For Wavelet–Based Elemental Spectrum Analysis, Bruce Kessler

Mathematics Faculty Publications

At the previous Approximation Theory XII meeting, I discussed some preliminary work with the Applied Physics Institute at Western Kentucky University in using multiwavelets to provide an objective analysis of gamma-ray spectrum generated from fast neutron bombardment of objects, for the purpose of identifying the elemental composition of the object. The method discussed at the time worked moderately well with the limited amount of data provided, but subsequent use with data sets of different compounds and with different detectors brought to light serious flaws with its implementation.

This talk will illustrate those issues and will address how they have been …