Digital Commons Network^™

Study Of Human Head Impact: Brain Tissue Constitutive Models., Toru Aida

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Finite element (FE) models of the human head have been used extensively to assess engineering response parameters (pressure, shear strain, etc.) that constitute the basis of various injury criteria including the Head Injury Criterion (HIC). There is a wide range of brain material properties reported in the literature, and linear elastic models are frequently used for the brain tissue which is viscoelastic in nature. The uncertainty around the properties of brain tissue affects the perceived importance of those response parameters under consideration. In this research, the effect on head injury criteria of five reported viscoelastic brain models and their linear …

The Effect Of Calcination Conditions On The Graphitizability Of Novel Synthetic And Coal-Derived Cokes., Barbara Ellen Bennett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The effects of calcination heating rate and ultimate calcination temperature upon calcined coke and subsequent graphitic material microstructures were studied for materials prepared from three different precursors. The pitch precursors used were Mitsubishi AR pitch (a synthetic, 100% mesophase pitch), the NMP-extracted portion of a raw coal, and the NMP-extracted fraction of a coal liquefaction residue obtained from an HTI pilot plant. These materials were all green-coked under identical conditions. Optical microscopy confirmed that the Mitsubishi coke was very anisotropic and the HTI coke was nearly as anisotropic. The coke produced from the direct coal extract was very isotropic. Crystalline …

Dynamic Behavior Characterization Of Fine Powders Consisting Of A Homogeneous Emulsion, And, Synthesis And Decomposition Of Methane Gas Hydrate: A Reaction Engineering Study., Sridhar Narasimhan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This work quantitatively characterizes the flow and mixing properties of aerated bulk fine powders between the minimum fluidization and minimum bubbling velocities (Umf < U < Umb). In order to accomplish this characterization, the viscosity of the emulsion phase was measured using the Maxwell’s model for the rheological behavior of complex bodies along with the set of rheological parameters proposed by Kono et al (1994). A unique property of the bulk fine powder called the relaxation time (t) was measured experimentally and this property was combined with another rheological parameter called the plastic deformation coefficient (Y) to give the viscosity of the emulsion phase as m = Yt. SECTION II This work describes the first homogeneous formation and decomposition of methane gas hydrates within several different synthetic sediments by using a highpressure batch reaction system. The pressure of the formation reaction was varied in the range of 6.8 – 13.6 MPa while the temperature was maintained constant at 273.5 K Decomposition of hydrate was accomplished through controlled depressurization starting at a pressure of 2.7 MPa, maintaining the temperature constant at 273.5 K. Overall reaction order, both for the formation and decomposition were also determined.

Evaluation Of Vibration Response Of Ceramic Candle Filters Using An Accelerometer And A Laser Vibrometer., Ye Hone Lin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ceramic candle filters are key components for a successful coal-based power-generation system. The ceramic candle filter is a hollow cylindrical structure made of a porous material. One end is closed with a cap and the other end is open. Ceramic candles are one of the few clean-up technologies that can protect the heat exchanger and consistently meet the gas turbine manufacturer’s inlet particulate requirement to prevent erosion. A total of three ceramic candle filters were tested nondestructively to investigate the boundary conditions of the filters using a laser vibrometer and an accelerometer. The study includes evaluation of vibration data from …

Grassroots Organizations And Gis: Assessing The Role Of Geographical Information And Gis In Grassroots Watershed Organizations In West Virginia., Jessica L. Spicer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A growing number of organizations, especially “grassroots” organizations are seeking to make use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geographical information. In most cases, however, the use and potential use or benefits of GIS for “grassroots” organizations have been far from realized. The overall goal of this project is to explore grassroots awareness of, understanding of, use of, and proposed use of GIS for assessing watershed issues and to do this in the context of the issue raised by the GIS and society debate. The use of four West Virginia watershed case studies served to identify some of the major …

Material Evaluation Of Liquid Metal Corrosion In Zinc-Aluminum Hot Dip Coating Baths., Matthew Ly Burris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The corrosion of bath hardware used in continuous galvanization lines is a great challenge within the hot-dip coating industry today. The objective of this research was to examine the potential of using intermetallic Fe3Al alloys developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the bath hardware application of the continuous hot-dipping process. In order to examine the effectiveness of Fe3Al in this harsh, molten metal environment, two sets of liquid metal corrosion tests were carried out. The purpose of the first set of experiments was to examine the effect of test duration on the corrosion of the different alloys. The testing …

Cellular Towers And Community Land-Use Issues: A Case Study Of Harpers Ferry And Jefferson County, West Virginia., Sherry Lee Kelly

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, communities all over have found themselves caught up in a land-use controversy over the siting of cellular towers and antennas. One community in particular, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, found itself fighting over a tower that threatened the town’s historical and cultural landscapes. This research presents the controversy over cellular tower siting and examines Harpers Ferry’s unique situation, concerns, and ultimate victory over governing forces. It also examines the broader themes that continue to stir controversy in the town whose scenery and beauty was deemed by Thomas Jefferson to be “worth a …

A Droplet Formation And Entrainment Model For Stratified Liquid-Liquid Flows., Allen Elton Badeau Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Droplet formation is a common phenomenon that occurs in liquid-liquid or liquid-gas two-phase flows where turbulent mixing is present. This study considers only liquid-liquid systems and presents the theoretical background and validation of a droplet formation and entrainment (DFE) model with application to stratified shear layer flows of diesel fuel and water. A parallel experimental study by Wu and Katz (1999) of the same flow is used as a guide in our analysis. The new Droplet Formation and Entrainment Model, DFE, is based on a previous DFE model [Wilson, W. (1999)] which used the gradient Richardson number, Rig, as the …

Whole-Body Vibration And The Lower Back: The Effect Of Whole-Body Vibration On Pain In The Lower Back., Erik W. Gregory

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study utilized six subjects from the West Virginia University Motor pool, whose exposure to whole-body vibrations were measured and reported as root mean squared (r.m.s.) values in accordance with ISO standard 2631. Each subject completed a questionnaire regarding their general health, and specifically whether they experienced low back pain, and if so, the extent and severity of this pain. It was expected that the individuals subjected to the highest vibration levels would tend to report LBP, with severity of pain increasing with the intensity of exposure. This study did not support that belief. However, it may be that chronic …

Data Points Or Cultural Entities: A Gis-Based Archaeological Predictive Model In A Post-Positivist Framework., Linwood Jesse Rouse

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Archaeological predictive models have been used in conjunction with sampling strategies, in large scale archaeological surveys, for over thirty years. During this time, these models have undergone many conceptual and theoretical changes. Archaeological predictive models stemmed from the positivist Processual Archaeology, but the shift from positivism has precipitated the need to reconsider the ideas from which they are based. There is a general trend within the current spectrum of ideologies to support the importance of cultural information in archaeological research. The following research contends that cultural information has not been utilized to its full extent in archaeological models and that …

A Performance Evaluation Of The Mems: An On-Road Emissions Measurement System Study., Benjamin C. Shade

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A study was conducted to measure brake-specific mass emissions from heavy-duty diesel-fueled engines during their in-use, on-road operation. A Mobile Emissions Measurement System (MEMS) was designed and constructed to accomplish this task. A review of systems from the past 20 years was conducted to determine the limitations of similar systems, to outline the constraints of the MEMS design, and to provide the highest level of accuracy and ruggedness required to withstand the rigors of on-board, on-road testing. None of the systems in the published literature could meet the requirements of such a measurement system. State-of-the-art detectors and sensors were obtained, …

A Computer Database Search Program: Icgcmabs For Annual International Conference On Ground Control In Mining., Xianguang Tang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since 1981, 19 international conferences on ground control in mining and 3 workshops on surface subsidence have been held. The conferences and workshops covered all major topics in coal mine ground control. 867 papers have been published in the conferences and the workshops, which have become one of the main references for the people working in ground control. Since so many papers has been published and more papers will be available with the conference taking place annually in the future, a fast, handy and convenient tool for searching the papers of the conference proceedings is strongly needed. Toward this goal, …

Advancement In Frp Composites Using Three-Dimensional Stitched Fabrics And Enhancement In Frp Bridge Deck Component Properties., Vimala Shekar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Use of FRP composites in construction industry has been growing rapidly. However, currently all composite products are manufactured with one and/or two dimensional fibers and fabrics (1-D or 2-D). A shortcoming thick composite (> 0.75 in.) made of 1-D or 2-D fabrics is its dramatic reduction in strength, i.e., up to 50% of thin (<0.5 in.) composites. This can be attributed to shear lag leading to ply-by-ply failure; in addition, premature failure of matrix and fibers or the interface failure is very common in thick composites. Therefore, the motivation of the present work is to fabricate and test composites with 3-D stitched fabrics, which overcome the limitations in composites made of 1-D or 2-D fabrics.

In this study, composites were fabricated using 3-D stitched fabrics with different: (1) fiber architecture; (2) stitch density; (3) stitch material; and (4) manufacturing process. Strength and stiffness of composites with 3-D stitched fabrics (at coupon level) under tension, bending and shear loads were experimentally …

A Risk Assessment Of Nursing Personnel Injuries Occurring While Lifting, Transferring Or Repositioning Nursing Home Residents., James T. Culligan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The primary objective of this research thesis was to identify the root causal factors associated with lost time injuries occurring among nursing personnel in long term care facilities. The critical elements assessed and evaluated include: length of service; time of day injury occurred; task being completed when injury occurred; similar incidents in the past (accident repeaters); type of shift on which injury occurred; number of hours worked the day injury occurred; impact of company policy; availability of mechanical lifts; training on how and when to use mechanical lifts; exercise; stretching; training on safe lifting techniques or good body mechanics; gait …

Sand Casting Benchmarking: Questionnaire Development, Analysis And Participant Evaluation., Kimberly Hawkins Spangler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research focused on obtaining information on sand casting practices and providing participants in the research with feedback. It also focused on determining if any significant relationships existed among the data. A detailed questionnaire, containing 96 questions, was developed and sent to sand casters. Fifty sand casters participated in the benchmarking study during late 1995 and early 1996. The data were analyzed to provide the participants with a personalized evaluation indicating how they compared with other sand casters pouring the same primary type of metal. The data were further analyzed using correlations and non-parametric statistical tests to determine if any …

The Distribution Of Federal Grants In Appalachia: The Effects Of Race., Steven Ray Gregory

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

African Americans are an economically and socially oppressed group both currently and historically within the American South and Appalachian region. They experience socioeconomic barriers at local and national levels. Even so, within Appalachian counties, populations with greater percentages of African Americans receive greater per capita federal grant spending. Moreover, southern Appalachian counties including counties in the Black Belt region show the most dramatic increases in federal grants. Still, within Appalachian counties receiving increased federal grants, unemployment rates are not affected. Further, metropolitan counties are not benefitting from increased federal grant spending. Consequently, these counties are experiencing economic growth with little …

Mountaintop Removal Mining: An Environmental Impact Assessment (Eia) Scoping Exercise And Impact Assessment Of Mining Activities On Aquatic Resources., Jeff Lee Hansbarger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mountaintop Removal Mining (MTR) is a controversial topic in West Virginia. This controversy includes the people of the areas mined, local politicians, and many aspects of the mining itself. This thesis included two main objectives. The first objective was to analyze MTR, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and the specific impacts arising from MTR. The second objective was to develop impact matrices using information from the first objective. Included within the analysis is a critical investigation of past EIAs used to assess mining activities. Special attention has been directed towards aquatic resource impacts and their documentation and validity. Methods included a …

A Diesel Two-Stroke Linear Engine., David Houdyschell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Linear, crankless, internal combustion engines may find application in the generation of electrical power without the need to convert linear to rotary motion. The elimination of the connecting rod and crankshaft would significantly improve the efficiency of the engine and the reduced weight and cost are added advantages. Prior research at West Virginia University has shown that the operation of a linear free piston engine with a throttle to be undesirable. A Diesel linear engine prototype has been developed for electrical power generation. The operation of a linear engine is distinct from that of a conventional slider-crank mechanism engine, as …

Background Concentrations Of Trace Elements In Three West Virginia Soils: Mlra-126., April Dawn Slagle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background quantities of trace elements were surveyed in Major Land Resource Area 126, the Central Appalachian Plateau in northwestern West Virginia. Three pedons each of Upshur, Vandalia, (both Typic Hapludalfs) and Gilpin (Typic Hapludult) soils were described and sampled in Doddridge, Mason and Clay counties. Twelve trace elements were extracted from soil samples by the EPA 3051 and hydrofluoric acid methods. The data from both procedures showed that except for Ca and Mg, the HF method extracted greater quantities of trace elements than EPA Method 3051. Significant differences were found for all trace elements except Cd, Cr, and Pb. Calcium, …

A Model To Predict The Long-Term Strength Of E-Glass Fiber Composites Subjected To Environmental Exposure., Thomas Miles Damiani

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) are being used in an increasing number of structures and machines because of their advantages over conventional materials such as steel or aluminum. However, sustained exposure to seemingly nominal service conditions can act to degrade the strength of an FRP composite, potentially negating the advantages of their use. This research sought to develop a theoretical model to predict the long-term strength of an FRP composite subjected to environmental exposure. Degradation models for the reinforcement fibers and the interphase region were developed and verified using existing data. The two constituent models were combined through the modification …

The Influence Of Particle Size On Sand-Pack Properties And Drying Profile., Chandrashekmar S. Gothoskar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The problem of underground contamination including contamination of potable water aquifers is more serious now than ever. Stringent pollution control laws as well as concern for the environment has given birth to the technology for remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. The Research conducted thus has proposed a way to contain the contamination from underground storage tanks from spreading and travelling downwards using the principles of desiccation in in-situ formations. The desiccant barrier proposed here is the circulating air barrier (CAB) which utilizes the injection of dry gas or air to create an ultra dry zone in situ. Thus the …

Protecting The Florida Keys: An Internet Gis/Ims Strategy For Benthic Habitat Management., Frank Crawford Martin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Technological advancements in the Internet particularly in multimedia and other visualization approaches generally pose great potential for Geographic Information Science (GISci). This potential brings with it both conceptual and operational issues that require consideration and collective, long-range planning in order to effectively implement the developing technologies. The relevant issues surrounding this adoption in the area of benthic habitat management are examined. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), and specifically Conch Reef, are used as the case study for this work with particular attention to geographic information systems, multimedia and Internet map servers, management issues, logistical requirements, data access and …

Reproductive Biology And Early Life Stage Abundance And Distribution Of Bay Anchovy (Anchoa Mitchilli) In The Hudson River Estuary, United States Of America., Thomas P. Bassista

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) form a fundamental link in US Atlantic Coast estuaries converting zooplankton biomass to edible fish protein for recreationally and commercially important fish species such as striped bass (Morone saxatilis), bluefish (Pomatomus saltarix), and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) and are often consumed by many species of seabirds. Bay anchovy numerically dominate the Hudson River ichthyofauna composition from May through November and are considered an important link in the Hudson River Estuary food chain. Power plant entrainment and impingement may negatively affect the bay anchovy population in the Hudson River, based on the pelagic nature and distribution of all …

Penetration, Pressure Drop, And Wickering Characteristics Of Niosh Certified P-100 And P95 Filters Under Heavy Dop Loading., Amit Sharma

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Air is known to contain a variety of airborne matter that is considered as potential health hazards. These particles if ingested/inhaled have long term effects on the health of human beings. The best technique to prevent these harmful particles from reaching the respiratory tract is physical interception. Personal protective equipment such as respiratory filters are used extensively to administer clean air of exceptional quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of commercially available respirator filters subjected to extremely heavy loading conditions. Several commercially available brands of P-100 and P-95 particulate filters were tested. The test conditions …

Modelling And Control Of The Unified Power Flow Controller (Upfc)., Azra Hasanovic

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The focus of this thesis is a FACTS device known as the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC). With its unique capability to control simultaneously real and reactive power flows on a transmission line as well as to regulate voltage at the bus where it is connected, this device creates a tremendous quality impact on power system stability. These features become even more significant knowing that the UPFC can allow loading of the transmission lines close to their thermal limits, forcing the power to flow through the desired paths. This will give the power system operators much needed flexibility in order …

Ecology Of Bald Eagles During The Postfledging Period At Rural And Suburban Nest Sites In Southwest Florida., Dorothy Edna Tinkler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this study, I examined aspects of fledgling and adult behavior at the nest site. Approximately 90% of the observations placed the fledgling bald eagles within the 456m secondary buffer zone. The fledglings centered their activity in the lowest disturbance levels possible. Fledglings were observed most frequently in the nest, on the ground, or perched in a pine tree. For 92% of the intensively observed individuals, 100% of the 50% core use area occurred within the primary buffer zone. Percent overlap of the 95% core use area with the secondary buffer zone was significantly different between suburban and rural fledglings …

An Integrated Cost Model For Software Reuse., Senta Fowler Chmiel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Several cost models have been proposed and assessed in the past for predicting and analyzing the costs associated with software reuse. The integrated cost model, which is presented in this thesis, is based on the premise that there are four decisions in the software reuse lifecycle: the decision to adopt a reuse-based software paradigm; the decision to initiate a domain engineering initiative; the decision to use reusable assets in the development of a given application; and the decision to develop reusable assets. The integrated cost model further considers that all these decisions must be justified by an economic rationale, and …

Chou Wen-Chung's Cursive, Jian-Jun He

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As the first contemporary Chinese composer recognized by the Western musical world, Chou Wen-Chung is widely acknowledged for his innovations and contributions to the profession. His music is a successful fusion of Eastern and Western musical language, and it has continued to receive critical acclaim. Cursive (1963), a duet for flute and piano, is one of Chou's most important compositions. In this work, the composer tries to express the aesthetic principles of Chinese calligraphy musically. This thesis provides a thorough analysis of the musical materials and compositional techniques employed in Cursive, and based on this analysis, the author attempts to …

Regressive Model Approach To The Generation Of Test Trajectories, Brian James Taylor

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

One possible method of reliability assurance is the application of large testing sets upon a system via statistical reliability assessment. Under this method, a software system's operations are tested according to their actual usage. A problem with this approach is the large number of tests required to properly assess reliability. Complicating the process are situations where an input into the system is a trajectory of data, where a trajectory is defined as a series of data points with each point relying upon the previous points. Examples of trajectories of data include an airplane's flight path or data describing a nuclear …

Experimental Characterization Of Heat Transfer From An Electrically Heated Thin Filament, Amy J. Cragg

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Thin filaments for use in glass, polymer, or textile industries are formed by extruding molten material through an orifice to form a continuous filament. These filaments are cooled rapidly from the melting temperature of the material to near room temperature. If this cooling occurs too rapidly or too slowly imperfections can develop in the filaments. These imperfections can decrease the overall quality and strength of the fiber sometimes leading to temporary production shutdowns caused by filament breakage.;Driven by the need to understand and control the cooling of thin filaments, research has been conducted to attempt to experimentally characterize the heat …