Engineering Commons^™

Senior Capstone Team Formation Based On Project Interest: Team Selection By Students Compared To Team Selection By Instructors, Peter Schuster, Lauren Anne Cooper, Eltahry Elghandour, Eileen W. Rossman, Sarah Harding, Brian P. Self

Mechanical Engineering

Assigning teams in large courses is logistically challenging and students are sometimes unhappy with their assigned team. This is exacerbated when the project work extends over multiple terms and teams have unique projects. Giving students some agency in team and project selection is one way to improve their project experience. This paper examines two key questions: (a) What is the best way to incorporate student interests into the team-forming process? (b) What impact does the team-forming process have on the student experience throughout the project?

We consider two different approaches to giving students agency in the team formation / project …

All Active All The Time? What Are The Implications Of Teaching A Traditional Content-Rich Machine Components/Mechanical Systems Design Course Using Active Learning?, James M. Widdmann, Peter Schuster

Mechanical Engineering

This paper examines the use of research-proven Active Learning techniques to transform the teaching of a traditional Machine Components/Mechanical Systems Design class. We know from research in Active learning that use of these methods can often lead to greater conceptual understanding and greater engagement of the students with engineering course materials, yet a common concern among engineering faculty is that the adoption of Active learning techniques will not allow the full breadth and depth of traditional content coverage. In this work, the authors reimagined one of the most content-heavy courses in a traditional Mechanical Engineering curriculum by including many Active …

Design And Implementation Of An Instrumented Pedal For Cycling Biomechanics Research, Luke I. Kraemer, Juan D. Gutierrez-Franco, Jake E. Deschamps, Karim C. Dudum, Eshan M. Dandekar, Scott Hazelwood, Hemanth V. Porumamilla, Stephen M. Klisch

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Human Knee Joint Finite Element Model Using A Two Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament: Validation And Gait Analysis, Nicholas A. Czapla, Meghan K. Sylvia, Zachary F. Lerner, David J. Tuttle, Otto J. Schueckler, Scott J. Hazelwood, Stephen M. Klisch

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Pseudo-Rigid Body Method For Reducing Soft Tissue Artifact: Validation And Application To Gait, Jake E. Deschamps, Karim C. Dudum, Eshan M. Dandekar, Scott Hazelwood, Stephen M. Klisch

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Using Opensim To Predict Knee Joint Moments During Cycling, Karim C. Dudem, Jake E. Deschamps, Juan D. Gutierrez-Franco, Luke I. Kraemer, Alejandro M. Gonzalez-Smith, Eshan M. Dandekar, Scott Hazelwood, Stephen M. Klisch

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Human Knee Joint Finite Element Model To Investigate Cartilage Stress During Walking In Obese And Normal Weight Adults, Meghan K. Slyvia, Nicholas A. Czapla, Zachary F. Lerner, David J. Tuttle, Otto J. Schueckler, Scott Hazelwood, Stephen M. Klisch

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Development And Implementation Of A Long-Term Freshmen Service Project: The Design And Deployment Of An Engineering Outreach Experience For Underserved Populations, James M. Widdmann, Brian P. Self, Peter Schuster

Mechanical Engineering

Freshmen year programs in engineering have received recent and growing attention as a method to engage first year students in their profession and start them on a path to success. Service learning is a well-known pedagogical method that has been shown to improve retention, especially of underrepresented groups in engineering, and to promote deeper learning through reflection. This paper describes the implementation of a new long-term (full year) service learning project where 240 freshmen mechanical engineering students worked together in small teams to design and deploy an engineering outreach experience for a designated age-group of 4th-11th grade students. This educational …

A Finite Element Model Based On Coupled Refined High-Order Global-Local Theory For Static Analysis Of Electromechanical Embedded Shear-Mode Piezoelectric Sandwich Composite Beams With Various Widths, S.B. Beheshti-Aval, S. Shahvaghar-Asl, M. Lezgy-Nazargah, Mohammad N. Noori

Mechanical Engineering

In this study, a new theory for the accurate simulation of the shear-mode behaviour of thin or thick piezoelectric sandwich composite beams is developed. The effects of transverse normal stress and transverse flexibility of layers are considered in the development of the proposed formulation. In order to increase the computational accuracy, all kinematic and stress continuity conditions are satisfied at layer interfaces. Moreover, for the first time, both the electrically induced strain components and the transverse flexibility are taken into account in the proposed formulation. Despite the fact that the number of unknown mechanical parameters in this theory is only …

Workshop A - Implementing The "Design Your Process Of Becoming A World Class Engineering Student" Project, Steffen Peuker, Raymond B. Landis

Mechanical Engineering

Many students come into an engineering program lacking a strong commitment to stay in an engineering program and to graduate with an engineering degree. For students to accomplish the challenging goal of graduating in engineering requires a strong commitment, and behaviors and attitudes to follow through that commitment. To strengthen the commitment of the freshman engineering students an innovative project has been developed. The project challenges students to develop their process to become a "World-Class Engineering Student". Having freshman engineering students design their individually tailored learning process as part of a semester long project in the setting of a student …

Implementing Team Based Learning In Freshmen Engineering Courses, Steffen Peuker, Jennifer Peuker

Mechanical Engineering

Team Based Learning (TBL) is a specific pedagogical tool that emphasizes collaborative learning. Oftentimes TBL is confused with group activities and other active learning strategies involving student teams. TBL is distinct because it follows a prescribed sequence of individual work and group work, and includes immediate feedback as well as peer evaluation. TBL is widely used in medical, pharmacy and nursing schools and the use of TBL in engineering education is growing. The advantages of using TBL in the class room include: (1) students are held accountable for individual (pre-class) and group (in-class) work. (2) The responsibility for learning shifts …

Student Industry Cooperation For The Development Of Thermal System Design Teaching Laboratory Equipment, Steffen Peuker

Mechanical Engineering

In higher education, hands-on undergraduate education using state-of-the-art laboratory equipment is important to meet the quality standards expected in the engineering profession. However, the development of modern engineering laboratories is not only time consuming, but also budget constraints can hamper the development of needed laboratories for instructional purposes as Bidana and Billo state: "Development of state-of-the-art engineering laboratories is becoming an increasing problem in the University environment. Due to the greater variety and increased complexity of much state-of-the-art hardware and software, the cost and cycle time for development and startup of a modern engineering laboratory can be excessive. This, together …

Incorporating Active Learning Into A Thermal System Publications Lecture, Jennifer M. Peuker, Steffen Peuker

Mechanical Engineering

Many mechanical engineering departments offer a thermal system design (or similar) course for senior students. Some courses have a laboratory component, but many are a lecture only format. This paper demonstrates how active learning—through virtual labs, a semester long project, and in-class assignments—was incorporated into the lecture portion of a thermal system design course to enhance learning and provide the students a laboratory experience without a physical laboratory. These active learning ideas can also supplement the learning during lecture for those courses which have a designated laboratory time. Anecdotal evidence of the activities indicates that students were engaged and enjoyed …

Effect Of Multiple Choice Testing On Student Performance In An Introductory Engineering Course, Jennifer M. Peuker, Jennifer Mcferran Brock, Steffen Peuker

Mechanical Engineering

This study aims to compare student performance on introductory engineering statics material by comparing the exam scores of students who are given both multiple choice (MC) questions and constructed response (CR) questions to see whether the type of exam question makes a difference in student performance and understanding. Seventy-five students in an introductory engineering course did either a MC version or a CR version of each statics problem, resulting in MC answers and a control group of CR answers to each statics problem. The students were also polled for feedback regarding their preferences of test question format at the end …

Integrating Qplm And Biomedical Test Data With An Anisotropic Fiber Distribution Model And Predictions Of Tgf-Β1 And Igf-1 Regulation Of Articular Cartilage Fiber Modulus, Michael E. Stender, Christopher B. Raub, Kevin A. Yamauchi, Reza Shirazi, Pasquale Vena, Robert L. Sah, Scott J. Hazelwood, Stephen M. Klisch

Mechanical Engineering

A continuum mixture model with distinct collagen (COL) and glycosaminoglycan elastic constituents was developed for the solid matrix of immature bovine articular cartilage. A continuous COL fiber volume fraction distribution function and a true COL fiber elastic modulus ( Ef) were used. Quantitative polarized light microscopy (qPLM) methods were developed to account for the relatively high cell density of immature articular cartilage and used with a novel algorithm that constructs a 3D distribution function from 2D qPLM data. For specimens untreated and cultured in vitro, most model parameters were specified from qPLM analysis and biochemical assay results; consequently, Ef was …

Differential Regulation Of Articular Cartilage Tensile Properties By Igf-1 And Tgf-Β1 During In Vitro Growth, M. E. Stender, N. T. Balcom, B. Berg-Johansen, K. J. Dills, D. Dyk, S. J. Hazelwood, A. C. Chen, R. L. Sah, S. M. Klisch

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

The Sources Of Heat Generation In Vibrothermography, Jeremy Renshaw, John Chen, Stephen Holland, R. Bruce Thompson

Mechanical Engineering

Vibrothermography, or sonic IR, is a nondestructive evaluation technique used to find surface and near surface defects—such as cracks and delaminations—through observations of vibration-induced heat generation. This method has significant interest as an industrial inspection method, however, a lack of understanding of the fundamental physics governing the heat generation process has limited its application despite extensive theoretical, numerical simulation, and experimental work. Significant theoretical and numerical simulation work has been performed, but has yet to be rigorously verified experimentally. This paper presents experimental verification of the sources of heat generation in vibrothermography; specifically friction, plasticity, and viscoelasticity. Specific experimental evidence …

Modeling The Collagen Fibril Network Of Biological Tissues As A Nonlinearly Elastic Material Using A Continuous Volume Fraction Distribution Function, Reza Shirazi, Pasquale Vena, Robert L. Sah, Stephen M. Klisch

Mechanical Engineering

Despite distinct mechanical functions, biological soft tissues have a common microstructure in which a ground matrix is reinforced by a collagen fibril network. The microstructural properties of the collagen network contribute to continuum mechanical tissue properties that are strongly anisotropic with tensile-compressive asymmetry. In this study, a novel approach based on a continuous distribution of collagen fibril volume fractions is developed to model fibril reinforced soft tissues as nonlinearly elastic and anisotropic material. Compared with other approaches that use a normalized number of fibrils for the definition of the distribution function, this representation is based on a distribution parameter (i.e. …

Contribution Of Proteoglycan Osmotic Swelling Pressure To The Compressive Properties Of Articular Cartilage, Eunhee Han, Silvia S. Chen, Stephen M. Klisch, Robert L. Sah

Mechanical Engineering

The negatively charged proteoglycans (PG) provide compressive resistance to articular cartilage by means of their fixed charge density (FCD) and high osmotic pressure (π_PG), and the collagen network (CN) provides the restraining forces to counterbalance π_PG. Our objectives in this work were to: 1), account for collagen intrafibrillar water when transforming biochemical measurements into a FCD-π_PG relationship; 2), compute π_PG and CN contributions to the compressive behavior of full-thickness cartilage during bovine growth (fetal, calf, and adult) and human adult aging (young and old); and 3), predict the effect of depth from the articular …

Vibroacoustic Study Of Circular Cylindrical Tubes In Roller Coaster Rails, Joshua I. Davis, Charles Birdsong, Harold M. Cota

Mechanical Engineering

Excessive noise generated by roller coasters during operation is a significant issue for amusement parks located near residential and business districts. Previous work showed that filling the rails with sand and pea gravel can provide noise reduction levels of up to 10 and 15 decibels. However, using damping materials may require additional support structures to accommodate the weight increase and, consequently, raise installation costs. This paper presents field results that characterize sound and vibration of roller coasters with different rail geometry and fill. Finite element modeling is used to compute the theoretical natural frequencies and mode shapes of a typical …

Refrigerant Mass Migration Modeling And Simulation For Air Conditioning Systems, Bin Li, Steffen Peuker, Predrag S. Hrnjak, Andrew G. Alleyne

Mechanical Engineering

Refrigerant mass migration and redistribution are regarded as key factors affecting the cycling performance of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. A dynamic model of an R134a automotive air conditioning system is presented as an example in this paper to capture the refrigerant migration during compressor shut-down and start-up operations. Model validation against experimental data demonstrates the capabilities of the modeling approach in predicting the refrigerant mass migration among the components during shut-down, and the resulting refrigerant redistribution behaviors during start-up. These results represent the first refrigerant mass migration prediction in a validated dynamic system model. In addition, the potential of …

An Industry-University Partnership Case Study, Peter Schuster

Mechanical Engineering

At many universities, senior undergraduate mechanical engineers work in teams on industry-sponsored capstone design projects. These projects provide an excellent opportunity for students to synthesize their courses, work with the more realistic deadlines and expectations of industry, and interact with company representatives. It also give industrial partners a chance to become educational partners with the university, preview potential new hires, and complete some noncritical projects at low cost.

This paper presents a case study of a successful six-year partnership between the Automotive Bumper Project committee of the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) and a mechanical engineering department. The AISI …

A Simple Lab Project Integrating Theoretical, Numerical, And Experimental Stress Analysis, Peter Schuster

Mechanical Engineering

Learning is enhanced when students consider problems from different perspectives. Unfortunately, in stress analysis courses, the depth of the mathematical analysis and limited time and resources often restricts the focus to traditional closed-form solutions occasionally supplemented with simple demonstrations. In order to enhance student engagement and understanding, a lab mini-project was developed for teaching Castigliano’s method for structural analysis in a stress analysis course.

The mini-project consists of a design evaluation task which is investigated using three different methods: closed-form analysis, finite element analysis, and simple model build and test. The task is to select the better of two alternative …

Evaluation Of Transient Refrigerant Migration Modeling Approach On Automotive Air Conditioning Systems, Bin Li, Steffen Peuker, Pega Hrnjak, Andrew Alleyne

Mechanical Engineering

Automotive air conditioning systems are subject to constantly changing operation conditions and steady state simulations are not sufficient to describe the actual performance. The refrigerant mass migration during transient events such as clutch-cycling or start-up bas a direct impact on the transient performance. It is therefore necessary to develop simulation tools which can accurately predict the migration of the rerrigerant mass. To this end a dynamic model of an automotive air conditioning system is presented in this paper using a switched modeling framework. Model validation against experimental results demonstrates that the developed modeling approach is able to describe the transient …

An Advanced Numerical Model Of Gear Tooth Loading From Backlash And Profile Errors, Andrew Sommer, Jim Meagher, Xi Wu

Mechanical Engineering

This study demonstrates the early transient dynamic loading on teeth within a fixed-axis gear transmission arising from backlash and geometric manufacturing errors by utilizing a non-linear multi-body dynamics software model. Selection of the non-linear contact parameters such as the stiffness, force exponent, damping, and friction coefficients are presented for a practical transmission. Backlash between gear teeth which is essential to provide better lubrication on tooth surfaces and to eliminate interference is included as a defect and a necessary part of transmission design. Torsional vibration is shown to cause teeth separation and double-sided impacts in unloaded and lightly loaded gearing drives. …

A Differential Planetary Gear Model With Backlash And Teeth Damage, Xi Wu, Jim Meagher, Andrew Sommer

Mechanical Engineering

Planetary gear trains can be more compact and efficient as power transmissions than fixed axis gear trains but are also more complicated and less understood in terms of vibration health monitoring. A practical differential planetary gear train, which combines two inputs and one output, is studied using multi-body dynamics software. Backlash between the sun gear and planet gears are precisely specified to avoid teeth interference and undercut. In order to calculate accurate impact forces, an impact model is chosen. Tooth geometry errors are created on the sun gear. Constraints and contact forces to the model are applied as close as …

Work In Progress - Role Of Faculty In Promoting Lifelong Learning: Initial Findings, John Chen, Susan M. Lord, Katharyn Nottis, Michael Prince, Candice Stefanou, Jonathon Stolk

Mechanical Engineering

Calls for educational reform emphasize the need for student-centered learning approaches that foster lifelong learning. To be a lifelong learner includes characteristics consistent with those of self-directed learners, such as being curious, motivated, reflective, analytical, persistent, flexible, and independent. Instructor support of students’ self-directed learning (SDL) development relies on understanding and balancing these factors in the classroom. Engineering educators play a critical role in influencing outcomes related to SDL through their design of courses that support students’ transitions from controlled to autonomous learning behaviors. This study will examine a variety of engineering courses and pedagogical approaches. Each will be characterized …

Differential Regulation Of Immature Articular Cartilage Compressive Moduli And Poisson’S Ratios By In Vitro Stimulation With Igf-1 And Tgf-Β1, Gregory M. Williams, Kristin J. Dills, Christian R. Flores, Michael E. Stender, Kevin M. Stewart, Lauren M. Nelson, Albert C. Chen, Koichi Masuda, Scott J. Hazelwood, Stephen M. Klisch, Robert L. Sah

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanisms of articular cartilage growth and maturation have been elucidated by studying composition-function dynamics during in vivo development and in vitro culture with stimuli such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). This study tested the hypothesis that IGF-1 and TGF-β1 regulate immature cartilage compressive moduli and Poisson’s ratios in a manner consistent with known effects on tensile properties. Bovine calf articular cartilage from superficial-articular (S) and middle-growth (M) regions were analyzed fresh or following culture in medium with IGF-1 or TGF-β1. Mechanical properties in confined (CC) and unconfined (UCC) compression, cartilage matrix composition, and explant …

Role Of Faculty In Promoting Lifelong Learning: Characterizing Classroom Environments, Susan M. Lord, John Chen, Katharyn E. K. Nottis, Candice Stefanou, Michael J. Prince, Jonathon Stolk

Mechanical Engineering

Calls for educational reform emphasize the need for student-centered learning approaches that foster lifelong learning. To be a lifelong learner includes characteristics consistent with those of self-directed learners, such as being curious, motivated, reflective, analytical, persistent, flexible, and independent. Educational research has shown that the building of these aptitudes involves a complex interplay among nearly every aspect of human development. Instructor support of students’ self-directed learning (SDL) development relies on understanding and balancing these factors in the classroom. Engineering educators play a critical role in influencing outcomes related to SDL through their design of courses that support students’ transitions from …

Classes That Click: Fast, Rich Feedback To Enhance Student Learning And Satisfaction, John C. Chen, Dexter C. Whittinghill, Jennifer A. Kadlowec

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.