Engineering Commons^™

Expert System For Preventive Maintenance The Aluminum Extrusion Press And Related Equipment, E-Ping Lin

Theses

ESPM is an Expert System for Preventive Maintenance that provides the framework for application-specific equipment maintenance tools. The expert system for preventive maintenance and diagnosis was developed for the Aluminum Extrusion Press and Related Equipment. The system is built in VP-Expert and is implemented on a personal computer.

The expert system includes many characteristics of an expert system cell because it can be expanded easily by adding new information to its knowledge base or by changing the existing information. The expert system can be connected directly with a PC system through a VP-Expert software package and can interact with C …

Low Temperature Synthesis And Characterization Of Lpcvd Silicon Dioxide Films Using Diethylsilane, Chakravarthy Srinivasa Gorthy

Theses

Diethylsilane (DES) has been used as a precursor to produce silicon dioxide films by low pressure chemical vapor deposition. These films were synthesized in the temperature range of 350 to 475°C thus allowing the use of the material as an intermetal dielectric or as a top layer passivation coating in microelectronic devices. In that process, the growth rate was observed to follow an Arrhenius behavior yielding an activation energy of 10 kcal/mol. The growth rate was also observed to increase with higher pressure and to vary as a function of the square root of the DES flow rate and O …

Modal Analysis Of Gyroscopically Coupled Sound-Structure Interaction Problems, Vijay B. Bokil

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In many practical situations we encounter sound-structure interaction between the fluid in a cavity and the flexible wall on the boundary. The aircraft cabin interacting with its fuselage and double-leaf partition walls interacting with the enclosed cavity are some of the typical examples. The vibratory behavior of the structure and the acoustical pressure inside the cavity are affected by this interaction.

In most of the cases, the governing differential equations for the coupled system can be shown to involve gyroscopic coupling. A special method has been applied to decouple the equations in terms of pairs of generalized coordinates and the …

Transfer Function Models And Control Of A Flexible Structure Using Piezoelectric Laminates, Joseph A. Colvin

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The development of piezoelectric polymer films has generated a great deal of excitement in the structural controls community because they are lightweight, durable, distributed in nature and have broad band frequency characteristics. The flurry of research inspired by piezoelectric films has primarily been dedicated to using them as distributed sensors, and to a lesser extent, as distributed actuators.

Active damping of structural vibrations using piezoelectric polymer films as sensors and actuators has primarily been directed toward taking advantage of their distributed nature and employing various types of distributed control theory. This approach does not easily yield insight into the dynamics …

Hierarchical Flux-Based Thermal-Structural Finite Element Analysis Method, Sandra P. Polesky

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A hierarchical flux-based finite element method is developed for both one- and two-dimensional thermal-structural analyses. Derivation of the finite element equations is presented. The resulting finite element matrices associated with the flux-based formulation are evaluated in closed-form. The hierarchical finite elements include additional degrees of freedom in the approximation of the element variable distributions by the use of nodeless variables. The nodeless variables offer increased solution accuracy without the need for defining actual nodes and rediscretizing the finite element model. Thermal and structural responses obtained using the hierarchical flux-based method are compared with results obtained from a conventional linear finite …

Development Of A Model Updating Technique For Controls-Structures Integrated Design Optimization, Angela Georges

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A model updating technique is developed with the intent of providing an efficient means of improving the accuracy of the modelling of the vibrational qualities of a large, flexible structure as it undergoes an integrated controls-structures design optimization. The proposed technique utilizes eigenvalue/eigenvector sensitivity information, two different model reduction methods which assign weights of importance to the vibrational modes of the structure, and modal switching based upon the modal weights determined by the model reduction methods. Issues associated with the numerical implementation of the proposed technique, such as discontinuities induced by modal switching, are also addressed.

The proposed model updating …

An Application Of The Finite Element Method In Forging, Hazim Atef El Mounayri

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Comparative Study Of Inlet Manifold Tuning To Enhance Supercharge, Mtui L

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Computer model ing and experimental results on a single cylinder, four-stroke cycle engine for best air flow characteristic is The modeling analysis is based on hornet ropie fluid di scussed . The model n g resul s is flow w it. h constant: specific heats. included to val idat.e the s imulation program against experimental results with widely vary ing manifold lengths and engine speeds. ExperimenLal results are obtained by measuring air f low rates Lo the inlet valve during steady g Late speed Of Lhe engine. Manifold tuned lengths are Obtained for a range Of speeds by exper and …

Electrical Equivalent Method For The Calculation Of Vibrations In Transformers, D Chambega

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Noiselevel calculations may be done using an electrical equivalent method. So far a single mass and a double mass vibrating system may easily be represented by equivalent electrical circuits which are in turn useful for analysis. Multimass vibrating systems like transformers do not have straightforward methods which can enable analysis of noiselevels. This paper attempts to develop such a method by extending the method applicable to a double mass vibrating system. Then the validity of the method is tested using a transforme

Crack Growth Rate Modeling Of A Titanium-Aluminide Alloy Under Thermal-Mechanical Cycling, John J. Pernot

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, a model is developed to predict crack growth rates in a titanium-aluminide alloy under thermal-mechanical fatigue (TMF). This TMF crack growth rate prediction model, which requires only isothermal data to define its parameters, is distinguished from earlier models in two ways. First, it accounts for mechanical-fatigue and environmental crack growth rate contributions while it also considers a retardation mechanism thought to be caused by creep blunting of the crack tip. This is the first study to account for such a retardation mechanism during TMF. The second uniqueness of the model is that its general form can account …

Failure Characterization Of A Fiber Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composite With Circular Holes, Daniel E. Bullock

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance of a fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite with circular holes. The specific objectives were to (1) determine the relationship between tensile failure stress and the ratio of hole diameter to specimen width, and (2) to examine the initiation and progression of damage. The ceramic matrix composite used was SiC/ 1723, composed of continuous silicon titanium carbide fibers in an aluminosilicate glass ceramic matrix. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed at room temperature on two different layups; unidirectional [0]₈, and [0/90]_2s symmetric. Each layup was tested at three diameter-to-width …

Failure Characteristics Of Scs-6/Ti-24al-11nb Composite With A Circular Hole At Room And Elevated Temperatures, Joseph E. Overbeck

Theses and Dissertations

Off-axis loading of eight ply, unidirectional specimens with and without a circular hole determined the ultimate tensile strength of SCS-6/Ti- 24A1-11Nb composite at temperatures of 25°C and 650°C and fiber orientations of 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 45 degrees. Longitudinal moduli of the tested orientations compared closely to the rule of mixtures calculated values, and strengths compared closely to those predicted by the Tsai-Wu failure theory. The small diameter hole does not act as a stress concentrator, but merely reduces the material's strength in proportion to area loss. This result differs from those predicted by linear finite element analysis and orthotropic …

Room Temperature Wear Characteristics Of Al2O3-Particle-Reinforced Aluminum Alloy Composite, A. R. Nesarikar, Surendra N. Tewari, E. E. Graham

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Room temperature dry wear and friction properties of a metal matrix composite sliding against cast iron have been studied in a pin-on-plate reciprocating wear tester. The composite consists of Al₂O₃ particles in an aluminum alloy matrix. Wear is caused by abrasion, interfacial adhesion and ploughing of the softer surface with the asperities of the harder surface and the debris. With increasing load the friction coefficient and wear initially increase and then ecrease. The decreases in wear and friction are caused by increased hardness resulting from re-embedding of the fractured Al₂O₃ particles near the surface …

Linearized Dynamics Of Space Structures With Articulated Appendages, Gopichand Koganti

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The inherent difficulties of the conventional spacecraft design, which first considered the optimization with respect to structural variables and then with respect to control variables, have led to the concept of Controls-Structures Interactive Design. The success of the CSI design of Space structures without articulated appendages has prompted the extension of the CSI design to systems with articulated appendages. The presentation is of two parts, the first part deals with the derivations of the equations of motion and the second part deals with the eigenvalue/vector approximations.

Three approaches, namely: the multibody approach, the finite element based approach with hinge joints …

An Experimental Investigation Of Composite Sensors For Crack Length Measurement, Manickam Ramasamy

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Structural defects such as cracks can cause catastrophic failure in engineering components or structures. There are many techniques to measure the crack growth in materials and are commercially available. In this thesis, bondable crack length measurement gages have been investigated and these gages give electrical signal as the output and measure the crack length continuously. Silver paint, nickel powder impregnated epoxy and carbon powder impregnated polymer composite gages are investigated and tests are conducted by resistance measurement method with simple instrumentation and by potential drop method with a constant current output source. Rectangular shape gages have been investigated and as …

Finite Element Frequency Domain Solution Of Nonlinear Panel Flutter With Temperature Effects And Fatigue Life Analysis, David Yongxiang Xue

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A frequency domain solution method for nonlinear panel flutter with thermal effects using a consistent finite element formulation has been developed. The von Karman nonlinear strain-displacement relation is used to account for large deflections, the quasi-steady first-order piston theory is employed for aerodynamic loading and the quasi-steady thermal stress theory is applied for the thermal stresses with a given change of the temperature distribution, ΔΤ (x, y, z). The equation of motion under a combined thermal-aerodynamic loading can be mathematically separated into two equations and then solved in sequence: (1) thermal-aerodynamic postbuckling and (2) limit-cycle oscillation. The Newton-Raphson iteration technique …

Higher-Order Thickness Expansions For Cylindrical Shells, Randy A. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Eight variations of higher-order transverse shear deformation (HTSD) theory were developed for composite shells. Three attributes were varied to produce the eight variations. These attributes include the order of the thickness expansions used to approximate the shell shape factors and the assumed linear displacement field and the nonlinearity of transverse shear strain. Several cylindrical shell problems were investigated using SHELL, a finite- element code with a 36 degree of freedom cylindrical shell element. MACSYMA, a symbolic manipulation code, was used to formulate the element independent stiffness arrays for each variation of the theory. When all nonlinear strain- displacement terms for …

Finite Element Analysis Of Nonlinear Panel Flutter Of Rectangular Composite Plates Under A Uniform Thermal Load, Lain Ross Dixon

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A finite element formulation is developed to analyze large-amplitude panel flutter of arbitrarily laminated composite plates subjected to a uniform temperature change. The plates considered are anisotropic composite, thin rectangular panels. The aerodynamic pressure load is modeled through the use of the first-order piston theory. The equations of motion for the oscillating plate are determined from the principle of virtual work. Two different solution procedures are given to determine the panel motions. The first procedure, which considers only the aerodynamic load, solves the panel limit-cycle motions by employing the linearized updated-mode with a nonlinear time function (LUM/NTF) approximation. The second …

Dynamic Test/Analysis Correlation Using Reduced Analytical Models, Paul E. Mcgowan

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Test/analysis correlation is an important aspect of the verification of analysis models which are used to predict on-orbit response characteristics of large space structures. This thesis summarizes the study of using reduced analysis models for performing dynamic test/analysis correlation. The reduced test-analysis model (TAM) has the same number of degrees-of-freedom (DOF) as the number of test measurements. This allows the direct comparison of modal parameters between ground vibration test results and finite element model (FEM) analysis results. The TAM can also be used for pre-test analysis and to aid in the post-test mathematical model updating process.

Herein, four methods for …

An Experimental Study On Anisotropic Behavior Of Granular Materials, Jong Woon Choi

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Two types of mixtures of glass bead assemblies (large beads and small beads) were used to investigate the source of the anisotropy of granular materials in volume change behaviors during shearing process. Most tests (7 series) were conducted in the conventional triaxial device while a series of the experiments were in the hollow cylinder test device. All the specimens were first isotropically consolidated up to 137.9 kPa and were subjected to shearing in triaxial compression and triaxial extension modes with a constant effective mean normal stress (137.9 kPa). The test results indicated that all the specimens had a strong but …

Simulation And Measurement Of The Radiant Field Produced By Quartz Heating Systems, Travis Lee Turner

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A method is developed for predicting the radiant heat flux distribution produced by tungsten-filament tubular quartz heating systems with reflectors. The method is an application of Monte Carlo simulation, which takes the form of a ray tracing or random walk scheme. The method is applied to four systems of increasing complexity including; a single unreflected lamp, a single lamp with a flat reflector, a single lamp with a parabolic reflector, and up to six lamps in a six-lamp contoured reflector heating unit. The general methodology of the Monte Carlo method is discussed and applied to the simulation of thermal radiation. …

Finite Element Analysis Of Thermal Post-Buckling And Vibrations Of Thermally Buckled Composite Plates, Charles Clifton Gray

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The development of supersonic and hypersonic flight vehicles such as the High Speed Civil Transport and the National Aero-Space Plane has created an increased need for analysis of structures at very high temperatures. Bisplinghoff and Pian, Yang and Han, and Dokmeci and Boley have conducted experimental and analytical studies to determine the effect of elevated temperatures on the vibration characteristics of isotropic plates, Chen and Chen, and Meyers and Hyer have clone studies on thermal buckling and post-buckling of composite plates, respectively.

The thermal loads which will be imposed on the new high speed aircraft will be too great for …

Thermal Compatibility Analysis Of The Passive Damping Treatment Proposed For The Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (Srms), Mahesh Chowdhary

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The NASA Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS), due to its long reach and light weight construction has significant structural flexibility. Thus any routine use of SRMS often results in large amplitude oscillations with long settling time. A passive damping technique utilizing a constrained viscoelastic layer damping treatment has been proposed to augment the active control of these oscillations in order to enhance the system stability and the end effector positional accuracy. This thesis concerns with the thermal compatibility analysis of the proposed damping treatment. The necessity for thermal compatibility analysis arises from the fact that acceptable damping performance of …

Sensitivity Analysis For The Selection Of Linear Quadratic Regulator Weighing Parameters Q And R For Active Vibration Suppression Of A Cantilevered Beam, Steven L. Story

Theses and Dissertations

There has been much interest during the past decade to develop and launch large space structures. The high cost of launching material into orbit will require that these structures be assembled in space using light weight elements which are vulnerable to dynamic excitations. Active control may be necessary to rapidly attenuate large amplitude vibrations. The active vibration control system is usually designed after the structure has been optimized. The integrated design of the control system and the structure may provide additional weight savings. This thesis presents a sensitivity analysis of the structure/ control optimization problem. The structure used is an …

Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue Of A Fiber Reinforced Titanium Aluminide Composite, Mark A. Bates

Theses and Dissertations

The thermo-mechanical fatigue behavior of a specific unidirectional fiber reinforced titanium aluminide composite was investigated. Three test specimens were subjected to in-phase thermo-mechanical cycling and four to out- of-phase thermo-mechanical cycling. The applied maximum mechanical stresses ranged from 500-800 MPa. The stress ratio of 0.1 was used for all tests. The temperature range was from 150-650 C and the resulting fatigue lives were in the 58-1487 cycles range. The out-of-phase test specimens failed sooner compared to their respective in-phase counterparts. In order to find out why, the test results were analyzed using a simple micromechanics analysis and compared. The fracture …

Analytical And Experimental Investigation On Vibration Control Of Piezoelectric Structures, M. J. Tzeng, W-Z Ben Wu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Active vibration control of smart structural materials (beam and plate) has been achieved by using distributed piezoelectric actuators. Numerical simulation and experimental testing have been conducted to investigate vibration suppression of the advanced structures. Results from simulation and testing are in satisfactory agreement.

Automating Tolerance Synthesis: A Framework And Tools, Stephen C.-Y. Lu, Robert G. Wilhelm

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

This paper describes CASCADE-T—a new approach to tolerance synthesis that uses a complete representation of the conditional tolerance relations that exist between features of a part under design. Conditional tolerances are automatically determined from functional requirements and shape information. Tolerance primitives based on the virtual boundary requirements approach to tolerance representation are composed to form more complex tolerance relationships. Artificial intelligence techniques, including a constraint network, frame-based system, and dependency tracking are used to support flexible and detailed computation for tolerance analysis and synthesis.

Molecular Modeling Studies Of Anatoxin Agonist Analogues, Qizhan Yao

Theses

Thirty two anatoxin agonist analogues were investigated by means of computerassisted molecular modeling studies to delinate factors that may contribute to potency. The structures were generated from the fragment libraries from the SYBYL program, and minimized by the MM2 program. Then a systematic conformational search was done based on the global minimized structures to get bioactive conformations.

Ten agonists were further studied after the conformation optimization. The most potent agonists among these analogues, (+)-anatoxin-a (11), about 300 times as potent as carbamylcholine, severed as a template for the rest to examine the superimposability of the hydrogen bonding acceptor site and …

Investigation Of Fatigue Damage Mechanisms In A Metal Matrix Composite Under Elevated Temperature, Barry D. Portner

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the fatigue damage initiation and progression in SCS-6/Ti-15-3 under an environment of fatigue loading at isothermal temperature. This program included two parts. First, an 808 Ultimate Tensile Strength system was set up to accommodate testing at two frequencies of 2.0 and 0.0208 cps at a constant temperature of 427° C. Second, at intervals during the load cycle process, the test specimens were characterized by establishing damage parameters based on changing modulus of elasticity, average strain, strain range, and ultimate tensile strength. Damage progression was documented in the form of failure of the fiber-matrix interface, matrix cracking, fiber …

Investigation Of Damage Mechanisms In A Cross-Ply Metal Matrix Composite Under Thermo-Mechanical Loading, Joel J. Schubbe

Theses and Dissertations

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are rapidly becoming strong candidates for high temperature and high stiffness structural applications such as the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF). This study systematically investigated the failure modes and associated damage in a cross-ply, [0/90]_2s SCS6/Ti-15-3 metal matrix composite under in-phase and out-of-phase thermomechanic fatigue. Initiation and progression of fatigue damage were recorded and correlated to changes in Young's Modulus of the composite material. Experimental results show an internal stabilization of reaction zone size but degradation and separation from constituent materials under extended cyclic thermal loading. Critical to damage were transverse cracks initiating in the 90° …