Engineering Commons^™

Design, Construction, Calibration And Applications Of An Apparatus Which Conducts The Large Missle Impact Test, John Schroeder

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

Prior to Hurricane Andrew (August 1992), the South Florida Building Code maintained provisions for the design of building openings based on wind pressure only. Hurricane Andrew provided evidence of other failure modes, including windborne debris and internal pressure. Following the hurricane, several changes were made to building codes in South Florida. One addition requires building openings to resist windborne debris. A missile impact test incorporated into recently accepted Dade and Broward Counties editions of the South Florida Building Code states a window, door, or external protection device shall resist a prescribed number of impacts from a nine pound 2x4 timber …

Interactive Multimedia Applications For The Correlations Of Petroleum Fluids Properties, Herman Smith Iii

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

Interactive Multimedia Applications for the Correlations of Petroleum Fluids Properties is a truly interactive and multimedia computer application designed to better help students taking the class "The Properties of Petroleum Fluids", Petroleum Engineering 141. This computer program incorporates error and information voice messages, control over three different computer applications (HyperCard 2.2, Mathcad V3.1, and DeskPaint™ V3.2), three-dimensional multi-coloration, pop-up graphics, directional buttons, object/label-oriented programming, and floating palettes. This creates one computer application to calculate petroleum properties versus the use of multiple, often crowded graphs.

Development Of A Bill Of Materials From The Pdxi Data Models, Bryan A. Stanford

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

The research on the development of a bill of materials has resulted in the construction of a portion of the working data model, as designed in theory by the Process Data Exchange Institute (PDXI). The theoretical object model can be found in The PDXI Data Models [1]. It was necessary to develop this working data model in order to be able to produce the bill of materials. The bill of materials was created with the help of the software package Paradox for Windows (version 4.0).

High-Pressure Wateijet Technology: A Review And Design Of High-Pressure Hybrid Drillbits, Azmi Zainal Adnan

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

The petroleum industry has seen many technological advances since oil was first discovered in the 19th century. Some of the current technological advances in the industry include cuttings transport, drillbit design, logging, and horizontal and directional drilling. Currently, research projects are being done at UMR to find ways to further reduce drilling costs and develop new technology that could improve the drilling effectiveness. One such project is the development of high- pressure waterjet / hybrid bits to replace the conventional mechanical drillbits. In this design, the advantages of waterjet penetration are combined with those of mechanical teeth cutting action..

At …

Determination Of Flow Quality And Boundary Layer Thickness In Variable Density Wind Tunnel, Marshall Philips

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

The purpose of this paper is to measure the velocity profile in the test section of the Variable Density Wind Tunnel (VDWT). The hot wire anemometer is chosen to measure the velocity profile because of its accuracy and its ability to be moved relatively close to the upper and lower surfaces of the wind tunnel. Special attention is paid to the uniformity of flow velocity in the free stream and whether it varies with position in the tunnel. The measurements were taken at two different stations, two different temperatures, and three different speeds.

Results indicate that the velocity profiles are …

The Effect Of Spatial Variation Of The Turbulent Prandtl Number And Calculation Methods For Heat Transfer In High Mach Number Flows, Thomas W. Scott

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

The effect of using various spatial distributions of the turbulent Prandtl number on the predicted surface heat transfer in the numerical simulation of Mach 4 flat plate flow is studied. The spatial distribution of the turbulent Prandtl number is shown to have a small effect on surface heat transfer, hence suggesting that the standard assumption of a constant turbulent Prandtl number is acceptable for high Mach number boundary layer type flows. In addition, a wall-cell control volume technique for computing heat transfer shows superior predictive capacity across the Reynolds number range when compared to the conventional calculation of surface heat …

Preliminary Efforts Towards The Analysis Of Unsteady Pressure Measurements Around Wing Models In Transonic Flow, Stephen Witherspoon

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

A computer code was developed to implement methods of analyzing unsteady pressure measurements acquired from a wing model immersed in transonic flow. The code uses the fast Fourier Transform to identify phase changes and magnitudes of dominant frequencies over time in the unsteady pressure coefficients. The transformed data, as well as the raw data, are graphed and the results explained in detail identifying features depicted in the graphs. Also, the code performs some simple statistical calculations and smoothes the data to remove insignificant noise in the signal, if desired.

The Feasibility Of Using Piezoelectric Flap Actuation In The Active Control Of Flutter, Aaron Laws

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

Wing flutter is one of the most important and dangerous phenomenon faced by aircraft structural design engineers. Flutter is a self exciting aeroelastic phenomenon in which portions of an aircraft structure begin to oscillate with exponentially growing amplitudes, produced by the changing aerodynamic forces and moments brought about by the deformation of the structure. There exists a characteristic flight speed, known as the flutter speed, where the structure exhibits sustained harmonic motion, ie. zero damping. Below this velocity, the vibration of the structure due to a perturbation will decrease exponentially, while above this velocity, the vibration will increase exponentially, eventually …

Free Vibrations Of A Piezoelectric Body, J. S. Yang, R. C. Batra

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present a systematic analysis of the eigenvalue problem associated with free vibrations of a finite piezoelectric body. The analysis is based on an abstract formulation of the three-dimensional theory of piezoelectricity. A series of fundamental properties of free vibrations of a piezoelectric body are proved concisely. The problem of free vibrations of a piezoelectric plate governed by the two-dimensional plate equations due to Mindlin is treated in a similar manner. © 1994 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Ccfss Technical Bulletin February 1994, Wei-Wen Yu Center For Cold-Formed Steel Structures

CCFSS Technical Bulletins (1993 - 2020)

No abstract provided.

Ccfss News February 1994, Wei-Wen Yu Center For Cold-Formed Steel Structures

CCFSS Newsletters (1999 - 2008)

No abstract provided.

Formation Of Plasma Polymer Thin Films Containing Reactive Metal Chelate Sites, J. M. Skelly, Nicholas C. Morosoff, V. T. Stannett, A. L. Crumbliss

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We report here the successful incorporation of chemically active Co2+ and Ni2+ centers into plasma polymer thin films. Metal center incorporation was accomplished by simultaneous plasma polymerization of sublimed Co2+ or Ni2+ complexes with gaseous "comonomers" or Ar. The metal complexes include N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediaminecobalt(II) (CoSalophen), N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediaminecobalt(II) (CoSalen), N,N′-bis(3-fluorosalicylidene)ethylenediaminecobalt(II) (CoFluomine), meso-tetraphenylporphyrinatocobalt(II) (CoTPP), meso-tetraphenylporphine (TPP), and meso-tetraphenylporphyrinatonickel(II) (NiTPP). Modification to the metal complex structure was observed by IR and UV-vis spectroscopies. IR spectra of plasma polymer films containing the Schiff's base complexes, prepared using Ar as a carrier gas, contained a band at 2190 cm−1, which can be attributed to nitrile group formation, …

Longwall Electrical Control Issues: A Hazardous Waste Containment Application, D. Martinelli, R. S. Nutter Jr., R. Larry Grayson

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of A Multimedia Televised Distance Education Program For Engineering Majors, Bonnie Daily, Madison Daily

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The University of Missouri‐Rolla, the state's, "technological university," has proposed a televised distance education program that would originate on the UMR campus and be delivered to community colleges and four‐year institutions within the state not now offering engineering. The program would include the use of computer‐integrated multimedia classrooms at both the home site and remote sites and would permit two‐way transmission of video, audio, and data. Student response units would also be used at both sites to permit immediate feedback from the students to the instructor. Due to the cost of this proposal, it was determined a pilot study would …

Use Of Hopfield Neural Networks In Optimal Guidance, S. N. Balakrishnan, James Edward Steck

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A Hopfield neural network architecture is developed to solve the optimal control problem for homing missile guidance. A linear quadratic optimal control problem is formulated in the form of an efficient parallel computing device known as a Hopfield neural network. Convergence of the Hopfield network is analyzed from a theoretical perspective, showing that the network, as a dynamical system approaches a unique fixed point which is the solution to the optimal control problem at any instant during the missile pursuit. Several target-intercept scenarios are provided to demonstrate the use of the recurrent feedback neural net formulation.

Characterization Of Phase Transformation Behavior In Electrolytically Produced Indium-Thallium Shape Memory Alloy Films, Chong Ho Sonu, Thomas J. O'Keefe

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Indium-thallium alloys in the range 15-38 at. % Tl were electrodeposited from a sulfate electrolyte by using pulsed current. The relationship between composition and phase structure of the alloys deposited was investigated with regard to the shape memory effect. To date there have been no reported experimental studies describing the electrodeposition of InTl alloys capable of undergoing such transformations. Not only did the deposited alloys exhibit the shape memory effect, but the composition-phase relationship exhibited was shown to deviate from that reported for alloys in an equilibrium condition. The results show that the temperature and the temperature interval for the …

Writing Across The Chemical Engineering Curriculum At The University Of North Dakota, Douglas K. Ludlow, Kirk H. Schulz

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In Order to Prepare Engineering Graduates with the Written and Oral Communication Skills Needed in their Professional Careers a Coordinated Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Program Has Developed in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of North Dakota. the Students Practice and Develop their Skills with Writing Assignments in Both Lecture and Laboratory Courses from the First‐year Level through the Fourth‐year Capstone Design Course. the Coordinated Approach, especially in the Four‐semester Laboratory Sequence, Allows the Students to Develop their Skills by Building on Communication Experiences in Previous Courses. the WAC Program at UND Including Writing and Public Speaking Assignments …

Structural Properties Of Mixtures Of Highly Asymmetrical Electrolytes And Uncharged Particles Using The Hypernetted Chain Approximation, Daniel Forciniti, Carol K. Hall

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We have solved the Ornstein-Zernike equation in the hypernetted chain (HNC) approximation for several mixtures of electrolytes and uncharged hard spheres. The mixtures that we studied range from a simple restricted primitive model plus hard spheres of the same size to highly asymmetric electrolytes plus hard spheres of different sizes. We monitored the radial distribution function and thermodynamic properties. We find that the presence of neutral particles changes the nature of the interaction between the charged particles. We also find a strong correlation between nonelectrostatic and electrostatic contributions to the free energy of the mixtures. Potential applications of this approach …

Dominance Of The Thomas Mechanism For Electron Capture From Orientated Rydberg Atoms, Jee-Ching Wang, Ronald E. Olson

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We investigate electron capture from initially oriented circular Rydberg atoms by proton impact at collision speeds comparable to the electron orbital speed. The Thomas double scattering mechanism is observed even at these low relative speeds. Furthermore, we find evidence for the dominance of a quasi Thomas capture mechanism in the form of not a single peak, but a double-peaked structure in the differential cross section when the plane of the circular orbit is nearly perpendicular to the incident direction of the projectile. © 1994 The American Physical Society.

Processing And Characterization Of Samarium And Manganese Modified Lead Titanate Thin Film, Chen-Lung Fan, Wayne Huebner

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Samarium and manganese modified lead titanate thin films were fabricated by spin-coating an amorphous citrate precursor. These films transformed into an oxide film upon heat treatment at 400 degrees Celcius or above. Relatively large area and crack-free thin films could be obtained by this process both easily and inexpensively. The rheological behavior of the precursor solution, as well as its thermal decomposition and phase development were studied by means of DSC/TGA and XRD. The thickness and grain size of the oxide film were examined by TEM and SEM.

Edge Strength Of Window Glass By Mechanical Test, Chris P. Pantelides, Gregory P. Sallee, Joseph E. Minor

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A mechanical test is described that can be used to measure the edge strength of annealed and heat-strengthened glass. The mechanical test apparatus stresses only one of the two edge-lines on the edge of a glass specimen. The testing concept employs the theory of unsymmetrical bending. The test device loads glass specimens in a manner that places tensile stresses on the tested edge-line while keeping the other edge-lines at zero stress or in compression. In annealed glass tests, the scored edge-line was found to be 20% weaker than the edge-line opposite the scored edge-line. Comparisons between the edge strengths of …

Determination Of Aashto Layer Coefficients For Granular Materials By Use Of Resilient Modulus, David Newton Richardson

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The layer coefficients a₂ or a₃ for an unbound granular base or subbase material are found from a relationship with resilient modulus, E_b. The resilient modulus for a given material can be found by test using the "theta model" or by use of an estimation regression equation. E_b is a function of several factors, as discussed below.

Neural Network Diagnosis Of Malignant Melanoma From Color Images, Fikret Erçal, Hsi-Chieh Lee, William V. Stoecker, Randy Hays Moss, Anurag Chawla

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of all skin cancers. Approximately 32,000 new cases of malignant melanoma were diagnosed in 1991 in the United States, with approximately 80% of patients expected to survive 5 years. Fortunately, if detected early, even malignant melanoma may be treated successfully, Thus, in recent years, there has been rising interest in the automated detection and diagnosis of skin cancer, particularly malignant melanoma. Here, the authors present a novel neural network approach for the automated separation of melanoma from 3 benign categories of tumors which exhibit melanoma-like characteristics. The approach uses discriminant features, based on tumor …

Voltage Collapse. An Engineering Challenge, Mariesa Crow, Bernard C. Lesieutre

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Voltage collapse is characterised by a loss of control of the voltage levels in a power system. Although all of the precise mechanisms that affect voltage collapse have not yet been identified, voltage instabilities are known to occur when the power system is operating under a stressed state. The authors discuss voltage collapse and its relationship with the point of maximum power transfer and how voltage collapse can be better predicted

Adaptive Critic Based Neural Networks For Control, Victor Biega

Masters Theses

"Dynamic Programming is an exact method of determining optimal control for a discretized system. Unfortunately, for nonlinear systems the computations necessary with this method become prohibitive.

This project investigates the use of adaptive neural networks that utilize dynamic programming methodology to develop near optimal control laws. First, a one dimensional infinite horizon problem is examined. The first part of this thesis considers problems involving cost functions with final state constraints for one dimensional linear and nonlinear systems. It also investigates a two dimensional linear problem. In addition to these examples, an example of the corrective capabilities of critics is shown. …

Information Processing Using Laser Speckle, Rathnakar Gopisetty

Masters Theses

"The random speckle intensity pattern, which is produced by the scattered optical field from a rough surface when illuminated, can be used as a carrier of information. A theoretical study is performed to use the speckle patterns for retrieving the information of various kinds of object motions. A mathematical model of speckle is developed and used to relate different speckle patterns at various intervals as the object is experiencing motion. Four different object motions, i.e., one dimensional perpendicular motion, axial motion, three-dimensional motion, and rotational motion of an object are analyzed. In each case an interference pattern is produced which …

Optimal Design Of Laminated Plates And Shells, Serge Abrate

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Designing structures made out of composite materials represents a challenging task, since not only the thickness of the element must be determined to satisfy the constraints of the problem, but, in addition, the number of plies in the laminate and their relative orientation must also be selected. Because of their strong anisotropy, a careful selection of lay-up is required to make the best use of the capabilities of the material. In this article the optimum design of laminated plates and shells subjected to constraints on strength, stiffness, buckling loads, and fundamental natural frequencies are examined. © 1994.

Approximate Analytical Guidance Schemes For Homing Missiles, S. N. Balakrishnan, Donald T. Stansbery

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Closed form solutions for the guidance laws are developed using modern control techniques. The resulting two-point boundary value problem is solved through the use of the state transition matrix of the intercept dynamics. Results are presented in terms of a design parameter.

Microwave Diagnosis Of Rubber Compounds, Stoyan I. Ganchev, J. Bhattacharyya, Sasan Bakhtiari, Nasser N. Qaddoumi, Deborah Brandenburg, R. Zoughi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The results of a study investigating the dielectric properties of rubber compounds and their constituents in the frequency range of 5 to 24 GHz are presented. A completely filled short circuited waveguide technique was used to conduct these dielectric measurements. The influence of carbon black content in rubber was investigated for carefully prepared rubber samples. The results showed that for all frequencies, the dielectric constant increases as a function of increasing carbon black content. The variation of dielectric constant values decreases as frequency increases. The presence of curatives in uncured rubber samples was also detected, which indicates the sensitivity of …

A Modular Approach To Numerical Em Modeling, Todd H. Hubing

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Discusses the components of numerical EM modelling codes. The authors go on to discuss a modular approach to EM software development which would allow developers to focus on one component at a time. The modular approach relies on standard format input and output files for each component (or module) of the code