Engineering Commons^™

Seal Forces In Structural Glazing Systems, C. V.Girija Vallabhan, Gee D. Chou, Joseph E. Minor

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Silicone sealants are used as structural connections between the two glass plates in an insulating glass (IG) unit and between the IG unit and the supporting mullion. These connections become an integral part of the entire glazing system, worthy of attention by structural design engineers. Since the behavior of IG units subjected to lateral pressures, such as wind, is highly nonlinear, von Karman plate equations are employed in the mathematical model developed here. Also, since the two thin glass plates are separated by a sealed air space, a complex interaction occurs between the trapped air space and the glass plates. …

Aisi Lrfd Method For Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, Ling En Hsiao, Wei-Wen Yu, Theodore V. Galambos

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the design of steel buildings, the allowable stress design (ASD) method has long been used for cold-formed steel structural members in the United States Recently, the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) criteria have been developed for steel buildings using hot-rolled shapes and built-up members fabricated from steel plates In order to develop load and resistance factor design (LRFD) criteria for cold-formed steel structural members, a joint research project is conducted at the University of Missouri-Rolla, Washington University, and the University of Minnesota under the sponsorship of the American Iron and Steel Institute Based on the 1986 edition of …

Optimum Assessment Of Irregular Three-Dimensional Seismic Buildings, Kevin Z. Truman, Franklin Y. Cheng

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A structural optimization algorithm based on an optimality criteria approach is presented for three-dimensional, statically and dynamically loaded steel or reinforced concrete structures. The theoretical work is presented in terms of scaling, sensitivity analyses, optimality criteria, and Lagrange multiplier determination. The structures can be subjected to a combination of static and dynamic displacement and stress, and natural frequency constraints. The dynamic analyses are based upon the ATC-03 provisions for equivalent lateral force and modal analysis procedures, or multicomponent response spectra modal analyses. Using the algorithm presented, a computer program called ODRESB-3D was developed for analysis and design of various building …

Cost Comparison Of Timber, Steel, And Prestressed Concrete Bridges, Richard A. Behr, E. J. Cundy, C. H. Goodspeed

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study was undertaken to investigate the economics of timber bridge superstructures versus traditional steel/concrete and prestressed concrete alternatives in the short-span range of 20 to 60 ft (6.1-18.3 m). Only superstructure costs were considered because substructure and abutment costs are highly site-specific. A lack of definitive data regarding service lives and maintenance costs precluded a life-cycle cost study; thus, only initial costs were compared. Representative superstructure designs were obtained for timber, steel/concrete, and prestressed concrete bridges at 20-, 40-, and 60-ft spans. Five to six northern New England general contractors performed cost estimates on these designs. Also, nine timber …

Economic Models For Battery Energy Storage: Improvements For Existing Methods, Ronald C. Reckrodt, Max Darwin Anderson, Raymond Michael Kluczny

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

While the technology required to produce viable Battery Energy Storage System exists, the economic feasibility (cost vs. benefits) of building these systems requires justification. First, a generalized decision diagram was developed to ensure that all of the economic factors were considered and properly related for the customer-side-of-the meter. Next, two economic models that had consistently given differing results were compared. One was the McKinney model developed at UM-Rolla in 1987; the second was the SYSPLAN model developed by Battelle. Differences were resolved on a point-by-point basis with reference to the current economic environment. The economic model was upgraded to include …

Oxidation-Reduction Behavior Of Undoped And Sr-Doped Lamno3: Defect Structure, Electrical Conductivity, And Thermoelectric Power, J. H. Kuo, Harlan U. Anderson, Don M. Sparlin

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity measurements were performed for undoped and Sr-doped LaMnO₃ as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The results of electrical conductivity showed typical p-type behavior. As reduction proceeded, the electrical conductivity of these LaMnO₃-based perovskites decreased with P 1 4O₂. The analysis of the electrical conductivity data was performed by extending the defect model from a previous thermogravimetric (TG) study. The measured Seebeck coefficients were found to be positive except for the most reducing conditions when the decomposition into multiple phases occurred. The Heikes formula was adopted to interpret …

Robust Nonlinear Control Of Brushless Dc Motors In The Presence Of Magnetic Saturation, N. Hemati, J. S. Thorp, Ming-Chuan Leu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A robust control law is derived and examined for a direct-drive robot arm driven by a brushless DC motor (BLDCM). The complete dynamics of the motor and its interaction with the robot arm are accounted for. This is important, since in a direct-drive servo system the torque generated by the motor is directly transmitted to the load. Effects of magnetic saturation as well as reluctance variations are accounted for, in order to ensure accuracy. The effectiveness of the method is examined through computer simulations. The computational complexity of the overall control scheme is such that it can be readily used …

Use Of Energy In Data-Track Association And State Estimation In Multitarget-Multisensor Problems, S. N. Balakrishnan, H. Park

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A coarse test and a fine test have been formulated for use in multiple sensor-multiple target data-track association. Various forms of energies are used in these tests to pick the proper data to be associated with any target. Numerical experiments which involve the use of a decentralized Kalman filter scheme are presented. The experiments show the effectiveness of the two tests

A Complete Model Characterization Of Brushless Dc Motors, N. Hemati, Ming-Chuan Leu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The modeling problem associated with brushless DC motors (BLDCMs) with nonuniform air gaps which operate in a range where magnetic saturation may exist is addressed. The mathematical model, includes the effects of reluctance variations and magnetic saturation to guarantee proper modeling of the system. An experimental procedure is developed and implemented in a laboratory environment to identify the electromagnetic characteristics of a BLDCM in the presence of magnetic saturation. It is demonstrated that the modeling problem associated with this class of BLDCM can be formulated in terms of mathematically modeling a set of multidimensional surfaces corresponding to the electromagnetic torque …

Increased Separation By Variable-Temperature Stepwise Desorption In Multicomponent Adsorption Processes, Suvit Kulvaranon, Marshall E. Findley, Athanasios I. Liapis

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

When more components than desired are adsorbed, adsorption-desorption separation processes may not be satisfactory. However, in the cases of ethanol and water adsorption on activated carbon, propane and propylene adsorption on molecular sieves, and hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and propane adsorption on molecular sieves, it has been found that a variable-temperature stepwise desorption (VTSD) procedure following the adsorption stage can significantly increase the degree of separation achieved compared to a complete desorption of all adsorbed components. Studies indicate that these increased separations are in part due to nonequilibrium effects. An estimation of economic factors in separating low concentration propylene in …

Revised Method Of Approximate Structural Analysis, Richard A. Behr, E. J. Grotton, C. A. Dwinal

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Hydration Properties Of Selected Laser Dye Aerosols Including Continuous-Flow Parallel Plate And Alternating-Gradient Thermal Diffusion Cloud Chamber Measurements In The High Supersaturation Regime, Donald E. Hagen, Max B. Trueblood, Darryl J. Alofs

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Hydration Behavior of Aerosols made Up of Various Fluorescent Dyes when Exposed to Water Saturation or Supersaturated Conditions Has Been Studied. Critical Supersaturation Spectra Are Reported. the Dyes Are Found to Behave as High Molecular Weight Ionic Compounds that Obey Kohler Theory. their Relevant Kohler Parameters Are Measured. This Study Makes Use of and Compares Results from the Isothermal Hazecontinuous-Flowand Alternating-Gradient Thermal Diffusion Cloud Chambers. the Ability of the Continuous-Flow Thermal Diffusion Chamber to Operate Correctly at High Supersaturations is Shown. © 1990 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc.

Design Considerations For 1-3 Composites Used In Transducers For Medical Ultrasonic Imaging, Wayne Huebner, Kuiming Liang, Clyde G. Oakley

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Ceramic polymer piezoelectric composites with 1-3 connectivity have become an important tool in the design and manufacture of thickness-mode transducers for medical diagnostic ultrasonic imaging. The authors compare annular array transducers made from ceramics alone to those made with these composites to demonstrate the advantages of composites. They examine some of the trade-offs involved in optimizing composite designs for this application. The effects of varying Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the polymer phase on the coupling coefficient and high-frequency lateral resonances of the composite are presented

Failure Strengths Of Laminated Glass, Joseph E. Minor, Patrick L. Reznik

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Laminated glass used in architectural glazing comprises two layers of glass connected by a thin interlayer of polyvinyl butyral. Previously reported nondestructive experimental stress analyses offer evidence that laminated glass behaves like monolithic glass of the same nominal thickness except when temperatures are high. This evidence has been augmented to include failure behavior by destructive tests of a large number of laminated-glass specimens. Test results reveal that failure strengths of annealed laminated-glass specimens are equal to failure strengths of annealed monolithic glass specimens of the same nominal thickness at room temperature and decrease to about 75% of monolithic-glass strength at …

Lateral Load Behavior Of Pile Group In Sand, Shamsher Prakash

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Boundary Element-Image Method Approach To Seismic Modeling, Richard E. Dubroff

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Boundary Element-Image Method is Proposed as a Method for Generating Synthetic Seismograms in a System of Piecewise Homogeneous Layers. the Present Approach Uses the Boundary Conditions Explicitly in Order to Develop a System of Integral Equations. Although This Method Can Be Formulated in a General Way, Specific Computational Advantages Occur When the Basis and Testing Functions Are Chosen as Harmonically Related Complex Sinusoids. -From Authors

Fixed Mode Elimination In Decentralized Control Systems Using Eigenvalue Sensitivities, Jorge R.B. Souza, Vittal S. Rao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The knowledge of fixed modes plays an important role in the design of decentralized controllers for large scale systems. An approach based on a parametric sensitivity of eigenvalues is proposed to select the information to be exchanged between control stations in order to eliminate decentralized fixed modes. The procedure is illustrated with an example. © 1990.

Growth Of Cdte And Cds/Cdte Heterojunctions On Metal Substrates By Spray Pyrolysis, Alok K. Berry, Jack L. Boone, Thomas P. Van Doren

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Preliminary results of the spray pyrolysis of thin films of CdTe on metal substrates are reported. The films are hard and adhere well to the substrate. A n-CdS/p-CdTe rectifying junction is also grown completely by spray pyrolysis on the metallic substrate. The ability to produce p-n junctions using the inexpensive and simple procedure of spray pyrolysis may lead to a viable process for mass production of solar cells. © 1990.

Reduced Order Robust Controllers For An Experimental Flexible Grid, Vittal S. Rao, M. Westerheide, Alok Das

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A procedure for the design and implementation of reduced-order robust controllers for active vibration control on an experimental flexible grid structure is presented. The experimental structure consists of a 5-ft x 5-ft grid made of 2-in-wide, 1/8-in-thick aluminum strips. The grid hangs vertically, being cantilevered at the top to a large T-beam anchored to a cinder block wall. The grid structure is represented by a 75-degree-of-freedom finite-element model, and the controller uses three piezoelectric accelerometer sensors to command three Non collocated DC motor torquers. The modified balance-truncation model-reduction method is used to derive a control synthesis model. These reduced-order models …

Reduced Order Modeling Methods For Turret-Gun System, Vittal S. Rao, Norman P. Coleman

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Reduced-order modeling techniques are used to design lower order robust controllers for a turret-gun system. The balance-truncation, Routh approximation, and L. Litz's (1980) modal techniques are used to derive the models. A critical comparison of the time and frequency response characteristics of the original and reduced order models is made. The spillover problem associated with a reduced-order model is investigated.

Analysis Of Wind Power Integration With Power System Planning, Badrul H. Chowdhury

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Thermal Dynamic Problems Of Reinforced Composite Cylinders, Victor Birman

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Thermal dynamic problems of circular cylindrical composite shells reinforced in the axial and circumferential directions and subject to variations of temperature are considered. Nonlinear governing equations are formulated based on the extension of Donnell shell theory. These equations are used to determine the response of geometrically nonlinear and linear shells to a thermal loading represented by the Heaviside step function (thermal shock). The solution of the nonlinear problem obtained by the assumption that displacements are single-term functions of coordinates is discussed. The analysis of the linear problem illustrates different types of response to thermal shock. The condition of thermally induced …

Planning Optimal Robot Trajectories By Cell Mapping, W. H. Zhu, Ming-Chuan Leu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A cell-mapping method is introduced for planning global trajectories of robotic manipulators in cases where the cell space is composed of combination pairs of plane cells. With the proposed method, optimal trajectory problems in the free field and in the obstacle-constrained field are studied. Two numerical examples are given to show the obtained optimal trajectories and controls.

The Parallel Implementation Of The Waveform Relaxation Method For Transient Stability Simulations, Marija D. Ilić, Mariesa Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, the authors extend the results of their earlier paper on waveform relamtion (WR), which is a parallel algorithm for transient stability analysis. The WR algorithm is extended to a structure-preserving power system model in which the loads are retained. This results in a system of differential/ algebraic equations (DAEs). Power systems exhibit several unique dynamic properties which may be exploited in an advantageous manner by the WR algorithm. This leads to a greater computational efficiency than most other direct methods of simulation. This paper presents several theoretical results as well as computational results on parallel implementation.

Design Of Robust Controllers For Gas Turbine Engines, David E. Moellenhoff, Vittal S. Rao, Charles A. Skarvan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper describes robust controller design methodologies for gas turbine engines. A linear state variable model for the engine is derived using partial derivatives. The Linear Quadratic Gaussian with Loop Transfer Recovery (LQG/LTR) and the Parameter Robust Linear Quadratic Gaussian (PRLQG) robust controller design methodologies have been used to design a controller for gas turbine engines. A new method is proposed by combining the features of LQG/LTR and PRLQG methods and yields good robustness properties with respect to both unstructured uncertainties in the frequency domain and structured parameter variations in the time domain. The new procedure is illustrated with the …

Bundled Cable Parameters And Their Impact On Emi Measurement Repeatability, Todd H. Hubing

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

EMI (electromagnetic interference) test procedures specify that long cables should be bundled at their center in some circumstances. The author investigates the effect of cable bundling using analytical models and measurements. He examines how cable bundle parameters such as length and "tightness'' can affect the repeatability of the measurement. Simple models of a bundled cable suggest that relatively small changes in the geometry of the bundle can significantly affect the common-mode cable current. Parameters such as length, tightness, location and the number of turns determine the impedance of the bundle. As the impedance of the cable bundle changes, the resonant …

A Balancing Method For Reduced Order Modelling Of Unstable Systems, Rajiva Prakash, Vittal S. Rao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Moore's balancing method of model reduction has many attractive properties and is used widely in practice. However, this method suffers from the drawback that it is not applicable for unstable systems. This paper introduces a balancing method of model reduction to overcome this problem. The proposed technique obtains the reduced order model by balancing and truncating frequency domain controllability and observability Gramians. Analytical treatment is given for associated properties of the Gramians, and the balancing and truncation steps of model reduction. A numerical example is used to demonstrate the new approach. © 1990.

Microstructural Characterization Of Rapidly Solidified And Extruded Ti-Al-Nb Alloys, Danny Joe Edwards

Masters Theses

"Two titanium alloys have been characterized using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and optical metallography techniques. Both of these alloys were rapidly solidified by melt spinning, the resulting ribbons pulverized, and the powders then extruded into cylindrical billets. The alloys are based on the compositions Ti-21.3Al- 9 Nb-0.6-Mo-2.6V and Ti-13.2Al-2.6Nb-0.5Mo-0.9V-0.5Zr-3.1B in atomic percent. The first alloy was examined in both the as-extruded condition and in the annealed condition (looo0c for 12 hours). The second alloy was examined in the as-extruded condition only.

For the first alloy, the as-extruded microstructure consisted of a B2 matrix with alpha-2 particles at …

Fluid Dynamics Of An Atomizer Nozzle, Bhaskar Sengupta

Masters Theses

"A pilot plant gas atomizer was designed and assembled at the Center of Pyrometallurgy, U.M.R., to produce metal powders. The pilot plant utilizes a confined, annular, supersonic nozzle to yield spherical metal powders (aluminum and zinc alloys have been atomized) of average size of 15μm in diameter.

A cold model of the atomizing nozzle was constructed to simulate the pilot plant. First, the high-speed gas flow was studied and later, modelling of the atomizing process was carried out by using water as the atomized liquid. This work has investigated the complex gas flow in the converging-diverging nozzle and around the …

The Fractal Dimension As A Measure Of The Roughness Of Rock Discontinuity Profiles, Y. H. Lee, J. R. Carr, David J. Barr, Charles J. Haas

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An important factor in the analysis of deformation and failure of rock masses along discontinuities is the roughness of the jointing surfaces. The fractal dimension is proposed as a method of objectively quantifying the roughness profile of such discontinuities. With this method much less engineering judgement and experience are required in determining the surface roughness,sb than is required for other methods such as the widely used joint roughness coefficient (JRC) suggested by the International Society for Rock Mechanics [1] (Int. J. Rock. Mech. Min. Sci. & Geomech. Abstr. 15, 319-368, 1978). The fractal dimension, suggested by Mandelbrot [2] (Fractals-Form, Chance …