Engineering Commons^™

History Of The Logan Bluff Landslide Zone, Seth P. Olsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

On September 10, 2005, a landslide occurred to the south of Utah State University Campus and Highway 89. This landslide did considerable damage to the Logan and Northern canal, which is cut into the slope, and to a residence at the toe of the slope. This event brought many parties together to collaborate on possible solutions to the immediate fix of the slide as well slides that could occur in the future. The purpose of this report is to compile information useful to the study of the area and the possible solutions and/or risk assessment of the Logan Bluff Landslide …

The Numerical Modeling Of An Antenna In Plasma, Jeffrey D. Ward

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation presents a full-wave, self-consistent numerical model that enables a greater understanding of how an antenna interacts with warm, collisional, magnetized, multi-species plasma. The model focuses primarily on the frequency region around the critical electron resonances for ionospheric plasma conditions. At these resonances, the dielectric representation of the plasma can become complex or negative, and the current distribution strongly deviates from free space. These effects are difficult to model analytically, necessitating the use of numerical techniques. This dissertation develops a Finite Difference Time Domain model that includes the plasma fluid equations along with Maxwell's equations, and incorporates boundary conditions …

Design Of 'Iris', A Small Autonomous Surveillance Uav, Jennifer Boyce, Ryan Carr, Donovan Chipman, Greg Larson, Nathan Hopkins, Doug F. Hunsaker, W. Jerry Bowman

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper documents the design process used for a small autonomous surveillance UAV. The most significant requirements for the plane were size (man-packable), endurance (about 1 hour) and cost (essentially disposable). The plane that resulted, named "Iris", is a tailless plane with a 45 cm wing span and a total mass of less than 200g. During flight tests, it achieved an endurance of 52 minutes. The estimated cost to manufacture the planes was $343, excluding the autopilot.

Cee3030 - Uncertainty In Engineering Analysis, Spring 2006, Gilberto E. Urroz

Civil and Environmental Engineering - OCW

This course on uncertainty in engineering analysis can also be referred to as probability and statistics for engineers. In particular, we will deal with the applications of probability and statistics to problems related to civil and environmental engineering. Note: Technical Requirements, Maple 10 by Maplesoft

Cee3500 - Fluid Mechanics, Spring 2006, Gilberto E. Urroz

Civil and Environmental Engineering - OCW

Explores fluid properties, hydrostatics, fluid dynamics, similitude, energy and momentum principles, closed conduit flow, open channel flow, and flow measurement. Includes laboratory exercises in flow measurement, open channel flow, pipe friction, physical modeling, and data collection.

Cee6510 - Numerical Methods In Civil Engineering, Spring 2006, Gilberto E. Urroz

Civil and Environmental Engineering - OCW

Engineering applications of approximation and interpolation, solution methods for ordinary differential equations, numerical solution of partial differential equations, nonparametric and parametric probability and regression estimation, and Monte Carlo and uncertainty analysis.

Technical Requirements: Maple 10 by Maplesoft,

Matlab

Five Good Reasons For Engineering As The Focus For Technology Education, Robert C. Wicklein

Publications

The article presents information on a paper which discusses why engineering design should be the focus for technology education. Technology education is still viewed as a non-essential instructional program and this is because school administrators and counselors have inadequate understanding of it. Even general populace have inadequate understanding concerning technology education. The pervasiveness of technology literally affects every living creature in our society. Therefore, it is of critical importance that the educational system includes and supports the study of technology in the general curricula. The deficiency within the technology education profession to formulate a clear and defined target for the …

Integrating The Study Of Technology Into The Curriculum: A Consulting Teacher Model, Thomas Erekson, Steven Shumway

Publications

Over the past 40 years there have been several initiatives by leaders in the profession to make revolutionary changes in philosophy, curriculum, methods, and facilities in the transition from industrial arts to technology education. The transition to technology education has been grounded in the dramatic changes that technology and technological innovations have brought to all aspects of society. It has been postulated that to fully participate in a technologically-based society, people must be technologically literate (Pearson & Young, 2002). Thus, the need arose to assure that all students have experience in technology education in order to acquire technological literacy.

Review Of The Book - Teaching About Technology: An Introduction To The Philosophy Of Technology For Non-Philosophers, Vincent Childress

Publications

Marc de Vries' latest book, Teaching about Technology: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Technology for Non-Philosophers, was interesting to the reviewer because it provided a link between philosophies of technology and the nature of the technology curriculum more than any other philosophy-related work he has read. The book is intended for use with pre-service teachers, graduate students, and others who are interested in teaching technology. Teaching about Technology is part of a series of books on science and technology that is edited by William Cobern of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The editorial board for the series is …

Engineering Student Outcomes For Grades 9-12, Vincent Childress, Craig Rhodes

Reports of Center Studies

The following research study was conducted during the 2005 – 2006 academic year. Its purpose is to help the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education determine those engineering outcomes that should be studied in high school when the high school student intends to pursue engineering in college. The results of the study will also be used to determine those engineering student outcomes that all technology education high school students should learn in order to aid them in becoming more technologically literate.

A modified Delphi approach as used for the study. The participants were a panel of experts consisting of …

Logic Circuits And The Quality Of Life, Vincent W. Childress

Publications

The article presents information on the relationship between the logic circuits and the quality of life. The applications of logic circuits are countless. With the flooding of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, people around the world became all too aware of human dependency on technology to manage the forces of nature and maintain a high quality of life. New Orleans' sewage and water control systems depend on water pumps to move sewage, storm-water runoff, and fresh water around the city. Under normal conditions, when it rains in New Orleans, a city that sits below sea level, massive …

Creativity: A Framework For The Design/Problem Solving Discourse In Technology Education, Theodore Lewis

Publications

Subjects for which aesthetics and creative performance are critical curricular dimensions (such as art, physical education, music, and technology education), and which are accommodative of students across the range of intelligences (Gardner, 1999) are not readily or completely captured by content standards. Therefore content knowledge in these fields that target student achievement as conventionally conceived must be complemented by treatment of more subjective and elusive goals such as the development of connoisseurship, appreciation, or creative insight. With the publication of standards for the subject (International Technology Education Association, 2000), the need for focus upon creativity in technology education has been …

New Perspectives: Technology Teacher Education And Engineering Design, Roger B. Hill

Publications

Initiatives to integrate engineering design within the field of technology education are increasingly evident (Lewis, 2005; Wicklein, 2006). Alliances between technology education and engineering were prominent in the development of the Standards for Technological Literacy (International Technology Education Association, 2000), and leaders from both disciplines have expressed support for the outcomes described in the Standards (Bybee, 2000; Council of the National Academy of Engineering, 2000; Dugger, Meade, Delany, and Nichols, 2003; Gorham, Newberry, and Bickart, 2003). The National Science Foundation (NSF) has also encouraged and funded opportunities for technology educators and engineers to work collaboratively. The Bridges for Engineering Education …

Treating Soil Pentachlorophenol (Pcp) At Optimal Conditions Using Heme And Peroxide, Shyi Tien Chen, David King Stevens, Guyoung Kang, M. J. Hsieh

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The environmental impact of pentachlorophenol (PCP) has been the subject of extensive research in recent years. Investigations of PCP degradation using both biotic and abiotic methods are extensively reported in literature. Based on some preliminary tests (not shown), an abiotic method was found for oxidative PCP degradation in soil under unsaturated conditions and a neutral pH. Reagents used were heme (a catalyst) and peroxide (an oxidant). From two screening tests (not shown), the heme and peroxide were identified as the most important factors on PCP degradation in highly PCP-contaminated soil. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum …

Impacts Of The 2004 Tsunami On Groundwater In Sri Lanka, T. Illangasekare, S. W. Tyler, T. P. Clement, K. G. Villholth, A. P.G.R.L. Perera, J. Obeysekera, A. Gunatilaka, C. R. Panabokke, D. W. Hyndman, K. J. Cunningham, W-G. Yeh, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi, M-Rien Van Genuchten, K. Jensen

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The 26 December 2004 tsunami caused widespread destruction and contamination of coastal aquifers across southern Asia. Seawater filled domestic open dug wells and also entered the aquifers via direct infiltration during the first flooding waves and later as ponded seawater infiltrated through the permeable sands that are typical of coastal aquifers. In Sri Lanka alone, it is estimated that over 40,000 drinking water wells were either destroyed or contaminated. From February through September 2005, a team of United States, Sri Lankan, and Danish water resource scientists and engineers surveyed the coastal groundwater resources of Sri Lanka to develop an understanding …

Modular Neural Network To Predict The Distribution Of Nitrate In Ground Water Using On-Ground Nitrogen Loading And Recharge Data, M. Almasri, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Artificial neural networks have proven to be an attractive mathematical tool to represent complex relationships in many branches of hydrology. Due to this attractive feature, neural networks are increasingly being applied in subsurface modeling where intricate physical processes and lack of detailed field data prevail. In this paper, a methodology using modular neural networks (MNN) is proposed to simulate the nitrate concentrations in an agriculture-dominated aquifer. The methodology relies on geographic information system (GIS) tools in the preparation and processing of the MNN input–output data. The basic premise followed in developing the MNN input–output response patterns is to designate the …

Year One Annual Report: Activities, Findings And Evaluators' Reports, Naida Tushnet, Jodie L.S. Hoffman, Jaclyn Ziobrowski

Reports to NSF

The ultimate goal of NCETE is to infuse engineering design, problem solving and analytical skills into 9-12 grades through technology education in order to increase the quality, quantity, and diversity of engineering and technology educators, and to significantly strengthen the pathways to engineering and technology professions for students. The Center is doing this by teaming engineering faculty and technology education faculty in a systematic approach that involves: 1. Building a community of researchers, leaders, and PhD students to conduct research in emerging engineering and technology education areas. 2. Creating a body of research that improves our understanding of learning and …

Minimum Velocities For The Suspension Of Fine Sediment In The Green River Canal, Michael W. Stoeber

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This paper focuses on a canal in the Gunnison Valley, located in central Utah, which diverts water from the sediment-laden Green River. Grain size analyses were performed on sediment samples taken from the canal. These grain size analyses were used to determine the grain size distribution of the fine sediment, classify the fine sediment, and compare the fine sediment to a sediment deposit in the Green River. The critical incipient velocity for the D₅₀ and D₁₀₀ and the critical grain entrainment velocity corresponding to the D₉₅ were determined through flume experimentation. Two methods, developed by prior researchers, …

Design, Development, Test, And Calibration Of The Floating Potential Measurement Unit Sensor Suite, Chad Fish

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

To provide in-situ plasma diagnostic ability aboard the International Space Station, NASA-Johnson procured the Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) from Utah State University - Space Dynamics Laboratory in September 2001. The FPMU sensor suite is comprised of a Floating Potential Probe, two sweeping Langmuir Probes, and a Radio Frequency Probe. The FPMU is to be operational for a period of at least three years to cover the major construction phase of the International Space Station. The FPMU will make measurements of ISS floating potential as well as plasma density and temperature, which are the primary environmental factors that effect ISS …

Validating Surface Energy Balance Fluxes Derived From Airborne Remote Sensing, José Luis Chávez Egüez

Biological Engineering

Remote sensing-derived energy balance components were compared against measured eddy covariance energy balance terms using heat flux source area models to validate the airborne multispectral remote sensing procedure in the estimation of instantaneous and daily evapotranspiration rates.

A procedure was developed to generate raster layers of the footprint weights for weighting/integrating the different components of the energy balance model and obtain meaningful comparisons to similar energy balance terms measured at eddy covariance and/or Bowen ratio stations.

Soil heat flux and surface aerodynamic temperature models were studied in an effort to improve the remote sensing estimation of distributed evapotranspiration rates. Aerial …

Synchronized Line-Scan Lidar/Eo Imager For Creating 3d Images Of Dynamic Scenes: Prototype Ii, Donald C. Anderton

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

A second prototype integrated lidar/Electro Optical (EO) camera, or 3D Texel™ camera, has been developed by Utah State University (USU) Center for Advanced Imaging Ladar (CAIL) that collocates, both temporally and spatially, a CMOS digital camera readout with a time-of-flight pulsed lidar1. The first prototype uses a flying spot lidar with a double gimbal whereas this prototype uses a single gimbal and rotating mirror. The selection and design of the second prototype hardware components: lidar, EO camera, computer, synchronization box, power source (AC to DC and battery box) and battery charger is discussed and compared with the first prototype. The …

Electronics Design Of The Aglite-Lidar Instrument, Scott S. Cornelsen

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The AGLITE-LIDAR instrument is a three-wavelength lidar system being designed and constructed at the Space Dynamics Laboratory under contract from the Agricultural Research Service. Its purpose is to implement a novel new approach to making measurements of gas and particulate pollutants released into the atmosphere by agricultural operations. Once operational, it will provide a means whereby the total flux of pollutants being emitted by agricultural facilities might be measured. This approach is valid even for facilities that may cover several acres. The design of the AGLITE instrument consists of a myriad of different components that are brought together in a …

Calibration And Results Of The Equis Ii Plasma Impedance Probe (Pip), Seth D. Humphries

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis presents the calibration process and analysis results for the two Plasma Impedance Probe (PIP) units that were flown as part of the NASA Equis-I I campaign from the Kwajalein Atoll. The work of calibration that was presented by Krishna Kurra for the PIP on the Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) is improved and extended herein. The sweeping impedance probe (SIP), the instrument formerly known as plasma sweeping probe (PSP), is an integral part of the PIP. For the SIP, the calibration presented in this work, calibration error less than 5% error is achieved. The calibration is applied to …

Conceptualization And Development Of A Dam Break Life-Loss Estimation Model, Maged A. Aboelata

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Catastrophic events such as dam failures or severe floods are considered to be of low probability, although their consequences can be extremely high and might include loss of life. Earlier studies have linked circumstances surrounding historical darn failure events to actual loss of life and produced formulations using statistical analysis of these events. Shortcomings of these methods include the inability to adjust life-loss estimates based on the type of dam failure, global averaging of population at risk, and ignoring the dynamics of the evacuation process.

The main objective of this research is to develop a practical and improved life-loss estimation …

Systematic Framework For Evaluating Treated Wastewater Usage In Agricultural Irrigation, Yasser Kamal Nazzal

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A general systematic framework with several sub-frameworks was developed to help managers make informed decisions related to the reuse of treated wastewater in agricultural irrigation. The framework involves the identification and evaluation of the short- and long-term effects of using treated wastewater with some common constituents of concern (e.g. salts and some specific ions, nutrients, heavy metals, organic compounds, and microorganisms) on the environmental elements (crop, soils, surface water, and groundwater), and on the public health. Local and/ or international standards, criteria, and guidelines related to agricultural reuse are applied to the evaluation of the effects. Based on the evaluation …

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis For The Optimal Management Of Nitrate Contamination Of Aquifers, Mohammad N. Almasri, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

We present an integrated methodology for the optimal management of nitrate contamination of ground water combining environmental assessment and economic cost evaluation through multi-criteria decision analysis. The proposed methodology incorporates an integrated physical modeling framework accounting for on-ground nitrogen loading and losses, soil nitrogen dynamics, and fate and transport of nitrate in ground water to compute the sustainable on-ground nitrogen loading such that the maximum contaminant level is not violated. A number of protection alternatives to stipulate the predicted sustainable on-ground nitrogen loading are evaluated using the decision analysis that employs the importance order of criteria approach for ranking and …

Assessment Of Aquifer Vulnerability Due To Heavy Metals Using Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis, N. K. Twarakavi, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A methodology using ordinal logistic regression is proposed to predict the probability of occurrence of heavy metals in ground water. The predicted probabilities are defined with reference to the background concentration and the maximum contaminant level. The model is able to predict the occurrence due to different influencing variables such as the land use, soil hydrologic group (SHG), and surface elevation. The methodology was applied to the Sumas-Blaine Aquifer located in Washington State to predict the occurrence of five heavy metals. The influencing variables considered were (1) SHG; (2) land use; (3) elevation; (4) clay content; (5) hydraulic conductivity; and …

Reply To Comment By Jonathan J. Rhodes On ‘‘Modeling Of The Interactions Between Forest Vegetation, Disturbances, And Sediment Yields’’, Charles H. Luce, David G. Tarboton, Erkan Istanbulluoglu, Robert T. Pack

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Rhodes [2005] brings up some excellent points in his comments on the work of Istanbulluoglu et al. [2004]. We appreciate the opportunity to respond because it is likely that other readers will also wonder how they can apply the relatively simple analysis to important policy questions. Models necessarily reduce the complexity of the problem to make it tractable and synthesize some diverse sources of information. It may be helpful at times for readers to understand the high dimension of the complexity sacrificed in order to obtain the synthesis and the reasons for reducing the complexity in a particular manner. Rhodes …

National Center For Engineering And Technology Education, C. Hailey, T. Erekson, Kurt Henry Becker, M. Thomas

Engineering Education Faculty Publications

The article reports that the overall impact of the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (NCETE) is to strengthen the nation's capacity to deliver effective engineering and technology education in the K-12 schools. Further, it informs that the National Science Foundation established the Centers for Learning and Teaching (CLT) program to address needs in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. The CLT program has three goals, based upon stated national needs. First, CLT are expected to renew and diversify the cadre of national leaders in STEM education. The CLT includes partners with strengths in engineering and in …

The Self-Management Of Cognition In A Team-Based Engineering Design Project: A Case Study, Oenardi Lawanto

Reports of Center Studies

Despite differences in educational programs offered by various engineering schools, all engineering education puts its emphasis on students’ ability to apply their knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering. Engineering students are expected to demonstrate their ability to apply that knowledge through various activities such as problem solving, design, and experimental activities during their study. In professional engineering practices, engineers are challenged to solve real-world problems that generally involve certain levels of task ambiguity and complexity. Moreover, they are often obligated to work in a team-based environment. Because of these requirements, engineering students should acquire these skills and demonstrate their ability …