Engineering Commons^™

Motorcycle Crash Risk And Risk-Taking Behaviors: An Analysis For Costa Rica, Jonathan Aguero-Valverde, Jessica Álvarez López, Darío Vargas Aguilar

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Factors Associated With The Frequency Of Turning Vehicle-Bicycle Crashes At Signalized Intersections, Faria Raha, Brendan J. Russo, Anthony M. Eschen, Steven R. Gehrke, Edward J. Smaglik

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

No abstract provided.

A Neuroscientific Approach For Investigating Mental Fatigue Biomarkers In Simulated Driving Trials, Andrea Giorgi, Manuel Picardi, Vincenzo Ronca, Simone Sportiello, Marco Petrelli, Carlo Polidori, Marteyn Van Gasteren, Arnab Barua, Mobyen Uddin Ahmed, Fabio Babiloni, Gianluca Di Flumeri

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

No abstract provided.

Can Temporary Signs Remind Who Should Yield At Uncontrolled Intersections? – A Driving Simulator Study, Kirti Mahajan, Saumik Sakib Bin Masud, Grace Savoie, Alexandra Kondyli

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

Background: A generic right of way (ROW) rule at uncontrolled intersections is to yield to the vehicle from the right, if not stated otherwise in the right-hand side driving countries such as the US. However, this rule is greatly neglected in practice, resulting in unsafe situations. This study investigated the effectiveness of using two proposed temporary yield signs: “Yield to Traffic on right” (Sign1_YT) and “Yield to Person on right” (Sign2_YP), to remind the drivers of ROW rule at uncontrolled intersections. Method: A driving simulator experiment was conducted with 20 drivers (aged 18-65 years), 50% males, recording observations for 198 …

A Simulation Model Analysis In The Us-Mexico Border, Carlo A. Zorola, Hiram Moya, Aditya Akundi

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Supply Chain (SC) is the flow of goods or services between supply and demand points. New or innovative strategies in SC have been researched and developed to deal with disruptive events, such as COVID-19, hurricanes, geopolitical, and even climate change. These challenges create supply imbalances, logistical challenges, and policy restrictions for transborder commerce. The DHS has implemented the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program in both the US-Mexico and US-Canada border. These lanes are dedicated queues for commercial vehicles. In 2022, the government of Nuevo León, México, opened a dedicated lane just for Tesla´s northbound commercial traffic. There has been …

Artificial Intelligence For Enhanced Flotation Monitoring In The Mining Industry: A Convlstm-Based Approach, Ahmed Bendaouia, El Hassan Abdelwahed, Sara Qassimi, Abdelmalek Boussetta, Intissar Benzakour, Oumkeltoum Amar, Oussama Hasidi

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

In the mining industry, accurate monitoring of the elemental composition in the flotation froth is crucial for efficient minerals separation. The hybrid deep learning algorithms offer powerful computational intelligence for real-time monitoring of froth quality in flotation processes. This soft sensor tool can provide valuable information for process control, including predictions of the elemental chemical composition. In this study, we propose a novel approach based on a Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM) neural network for real-time monitoring of chemical composition grades in flotation froth. The proposed model effectively extracts spatial and temporal patterns from video data, providing a better …

Mechanics Of Pure Bending And Eccentric Buckling In High-Strain Composite Structures, Jimesh D. Bhagatji, Oleksandr G. Kravchenko, Sharanabasaweshwara Asundi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

To maximize the capabilities of nano- and micro-class satellites, which are limited by their size, weight, and power, advancements in deployable mechanisms with a high deployable surface area to packaging volume ratio are necessary. Without progress in understanding the mechanics of high-strain materials and structures, the development of compact deployable mechanisms for this class of satellites would be difficult. This paper presents fabrication, experimental testing, and progressive failure modeling to study the deformation of an ultra-thin composite beam. The research study examines the deformation modes of a post-deployed boom under repetitive pure bending loads using a four-point bending setup and …

Comprehensive Static And Dynamic Modeling Of A Magnetic Suspension And Balance System, Colin P. Britcher, Caleb Hull, David Cox, Mark Schoenenberger

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems (MSBS) are inherently complex multi-degree-of-freedom dynamic systems. Comprehensive, high-fidelity dynamic models are increasingly important due to the application of model-based controllers as well as demands for unsteady aerodynamic data derived from post-test system identification. This paper reviews some aspects of the development of a dynamic model of the NASA/ODU 6-inch MSBS.

Restoration Of Strength In Polyamide Woven Glass Fiber Organosheets By Hot Pressing, Mohammad Nazmus Saquib, Edwing Chaparro-Chavez, Christopher Morris, Kuthan Çelebi, Diego Pedrazzoli, Mingfu Zhang, Sergii G. Kravchenko, Oleksandr G. Kravchenko

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Thermoplastic composite organosheets (OSs) are increasingly recognized as a viable solution for automotive and aerospace structures, offering a range of benefits including cost-effectiveness through high-rate production, lightweight design, impact resistance, formability, and recyclability. This study examines the impact response, post-impact strength evaluation, and hot-pressing repair effectiveness of woven glass fiber nylon composite OSs across varying impact energy levels. Experimental investigations involved subjecting composite specimens to impact at varying energy levels using a drop-tower test rig, followed by compression-after-impact (CAI) tests. The results underscore the exceptional damage tolerance and improved residual compressive strength of the OSs compared to traditional thermoset composites. …

Kinodynamic Motion Planning For A System With Squid Dynamics, Logan E. Beaver, Cong Wei, Wei-Kuo Yen

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper introduces a path planning algorithm for a system with squid dynamics in a cluttered environment. We capture the complex interactions of fin, arms, and body patterning by analyzing experimental data collected from observing squid motion. We extract nine motion primitives to build the control sequence for a time-optimal trajectory. This task is formulated as a mixed-integer program, and we generate the minimum-time trajectory using a sample-based approach. Numerical simulations illustrate the efficacy of this strategy and motivate ongoing and future efforts to exploration of squid motion features, improvement of the modeling, and experimental demonstrations of the motion planning …

Fusion Et Validation De Modèles Musculosquelettiques De La Colonne Lombaire Pour La Prévention Et La Réadaptation Des Travailleurs, Christian Larivière, Farshid Ghezelbash, Amir Eskandari, Denis Gagnon, Hakim Mecheri, Navid Arjmand, Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les charges imposées sur la colonne vertébrale lombaire constituent un facteur de risque important pour les maux de dos. Connaître la distribution de ces forces internes lors d’activités de travail est nécessaire autant en prévention qu’en réadaptation des travailleurs. La modélisation musculosquelettique (MS) de la colonne vertébrale est la seule approche non invasive permettant d’estimer les charges sur les structures internes de la colonne.

Deux modèles ont été développés au Québec, soient un modèle par éléments finis (MEF) guidé par le mouvement et un autre guidé par des mesures électromyographiques (EMG) d’activation musculaire (modèle MEMG). Ces modèles sont donc sensibles …

Quantification Of Antiviral Drug Tenofovir (Tfv) By Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (Sers) Using Cumulative Distribution Functions (Cdfs), Marguerite R. Butler, Jana Hrncirova, Meredith Clark, Sucharita Dutta, John B. Cooper

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an ultrasensitive spectroscopic technique that generates signal-enhanced fingerprint vibrational spectra of small molecules. However, without rigorous control of SERS substrate active sites, geometry, surface area, or surface functionality, SERS is notoriously irreproducible, complicating the consistent quantitative analysis of small molecules. While evaporatively prepared samples yield significant SERS enhancement resulting in lower detection limits, the distribution of these enhancements along the SERS surface is inherently stochastic. Acquiring spatially resolved SERS spectra of these dried surfaces, we have shown that this enhancement is governed by a power law as a function of analyte concentration. Consequently, by definition, …

Design And Optimization Of High-Efficiency Coreless Pcb Stator Axial Flux Pm Machines With Minimal Eddy And Circulating Current Losses, Yaser Chulaee, Greg Heins, Ben Robinson, Ali Mohammadi, Mark Thiele, Dean Patterson, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

This paper proposes a systematic multi-step design procedure for highly efficient printed circuit board (PCB) stator coreless axial flux permanent magnet (AFPM) machines with minimal eddy and circulating current losses. The process begins with initial sizing, providing specific coefficients based on experience with multiple design projects. It continues with the optimization of the machine envelope design using an evolutionary algorithm and computationally efficient 3D finite element analysis (FEA) models. The subsequent step focuses on the detailed design of a PCB stator, aiming to minimize eddy and circulating current losses. Several open circuit loss mitigation techniques are proposed based on analytical …

Environmental Friendly Applications Of Ground Tire Rubber (Gtr) In Producing Concrete, Zahid Hossain, Ashraf Elsayed, Abu Sayed Mohammad Akid

Publications

Millions of waste automobile tires are generated yearly, an ever-growing issue for solid waste management authorities in Arkansas. Using waste tires as fuel generates toxic gases or dumping them in landfills is not sustainable. Hence, it is crucial to minimize the issues of managing and disposing of waste tires and incorporate them into concrete as construction material. This study aimed to investigate the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete incorporating waste ground tire rubber (GTR) as a replacement for sand and micronized rubber powder (MRP) as a replacement for cement. A total of eight concrete mixtures were prepared using …

Design Of 3d Printable Eco-Concrete By Utilizing Rheology Modifiers For Sustainable Infrastructure, Maryam Hojati, Muhammad Saeed Zafar

Data

In recent years, 3D printing technology has gained significant momentum across various industries within the construction sector, 3D printing has emerged as a promising technique; however, there are challenges associated with designing suitable construction materials and adjusting their properties for the 3D printing process. One of the key considerations in this regard is the rheological properties, encompassing parameters such as viscosity, yield stress, and thixotropy. These properties play a pivotal role in shaping the characteristics of 3D-printed concrete, both in its fresh and hardened states, including buildability, extrudability, and mechanical performance. Researchers have traditionally relied on chemical admixtures, such as …

Bridge Inspection Training And Enhanced Operations Using Augmented Reality, Fernando Moreu, Ali Mohammadkhorasani, Kaveh Malek

Data

This research project focused on the innovative application of Augmented Reality (AR) headsets to enhance bridge inspection processes and inspection training. The study encompassed the visualization of 3D point cloud data, utilized the Eye-Tracking features of AR headsets for inspection quantification, evaluate the applicability of AR in the bridge inspection training and instruction of an AR virtual menu for the in-field bridge inspection. The primary tasks included establishing a database connection for AR headset, designing an AR menu tailored for bridge inspection, devising an evaluation method based on Eye-Tracking capabilities, and integrating AR into bridge inspection training. Once the technical …

Countermeasures To Improve Pedestrian Safety On Arterials, Nicholas Ferenchak

Data

This work analyzed the pedestrian safety and overall traffic safety impacts – in terms of both motor vehicle speeds and crash outcomes – of several countermeasures applied to the Central Avenue arterial corridor in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Findings suggest that the infrastructure changes associated with a bus rapid transit (BRT) system improved traffic safety by reducing vehicle 85^th percentile speeds by 11.5% and reducing serious and fatal injuries by 60.0%. While pedestrian safety outcomes were more variable, pedestrians generally fared better on BRT segments than on control segments. The mechanism behind these improvements was traffic calming through the BRT’s …

Environmental Friendly Applications Of Ground Tire Rubber (Gtr) In Producing Concrete, Zahid Hossain, Ashraf Elsayed, Abu Sayed Mohammad Akid

Data

Millions of waste automobile tires are generated yearly, an ever-growing issue for solid waste management authorities in Arkansas. Using waste tires as fuel generates toxic gases or dumping them in landfills is not sustainable. Hence, it is crucial to minimize the issues of managing and disposing of waste tires and incorporate them into concrete as construction material. This study aimed to investigate the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of concrete incorporating waste ground tire rubber (GTR) as a replacement for sand and micronized rubber powder (MRP) as a replacement for cement. A total of eight concrete mixtures were prepared using …

Prediction Of Moisture Resistance Of Polymeric Asphalt Binders Through The Atomic Force Microscopy (Afm) Technique, Zahid Hossain, Ashraf Elsayed, Khaja Sameer Sadat

Data

Moisture damage is a significant concern for state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and other agencies due to its adverse impact on pavement performance as well as longevity. The main focus of the current study project is to quantify, at the molecular level, the interaction between binder and aggregate at the interface level in the form of adhesion forces between bitumen samples and minerals of various chemical compositions. First of all, A thorough review of the literature on moisture degradation in asphalts was conducted. Based on the literature review, a comprehensive project plan and test matrix were created. Binder samples from …

Smart3pm: Smart Pavement Monitoring, Management, And Maintenance, Damien Stephens, Mena Souliman, Mukul Shirvaikar, Samer Dessouky

Data

An application specific multi-platform smartphone application can utilize on-board accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS sensors, along with software derived signals from the same sensors, to sample vibrational and geolocation datasets to capture pavement distresses such as potholes when mounted in a standardized configuration in a vehicle. Several observations were made with regard to the signals obtained from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS sensors, and it was determined that the raw sensor outputs are capable of sampling statistically significant datasets which can be used to distinguish pavement distress from normal driving conditions. Furthermore, an approximate sensor noise margin is established, and a …

Green Mobility In Texas: Comparative Environmental Impacts And Lifecycle Cost Analysis Of Hybrid, Electric, And Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars, Raghava R. Kommalapati, Hongbo Du, Md Jobair Bin Alam

Data

Compared to gasoline/diesel cars and battery electric cars (BECs), hydrogen fuel cell cars (HFCCs) are relatively new. Two main advantages of HFCCs over electric vehicles are no special requirements for heavy batteries and long charging time. There is no HFCC in Texas; thus, exploring the use of electricity or hydrogen produced from renewable energies for personal cars and mitigating vehicle emissions is critical for sustaining a long-term decarburization strategy for megacities like Houston and Dallas. This project addressed this critical gap and developed environmental impacts and cost assessments for hybrid gasoline cars, BECs, and HFCCs in Texas under several possible …

Climate Change Impacts On Asset Management Of Texas Concrete Bridges, Muhammad Ali, Jiannan Cai, Ao Du

Publications

This study investigates the interplay of climate-induced deterioration factors impacting concrete bridges in Texas, focusing on chloride and carbonation-induced corrosion. It integrates Fick’s second law to model chloride diffusion and employs empirical equations to predict corrosion initiation and severe crack damage. Sensitivity studies across representative Texas cities (Houston, Dallas, and Amarillo) shows varying deterioration risks due to climate change. Results highlight chloride-induced corrosion as more prominent, particularly affecting coastal bridges in Houston, while carbonation corrosion is negligible due to favorable concrete cover. Condition rating mapping simulations incorporating crack width effects, traffic impact, and maintenance interventions are calibrated against recorded National …

Motorcycle Crash Analysis, Hatim Sharif, Samer Dessouky

Data

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System database shows that, in stark contrast to the 34 percent decline in non-motorcyclist crash–related fatalities, motorcyclist crash–related fatalities were up 86 percent with only three year-to-year declines since 1997, while non-motorcyclist crash–related fatalities had 13 year-to-year declines since 1997. At the national level, the rate of motorcyclist fatalities per vehicle mile traveled is 29 times higher than the rate among passenger car occupants, with overall injury rates approximately five times higher among motorcyclists than passenger car occupants. Given the frequency of motorcycle crashes and their staggering toll in terms of loss of life and economic …

The Effect Of Covid-19 Lockdown On Traffic Crashes In Texas., Hatim Sharif, Samer Dessouky

Data

An analysis of traffic patterns during COVID-19 has identified that reduction in the miles traveled has a significant negative correlation with COVID-19 cases and deaths across the USA. Preliminary statistics in the US suggest an increase in fatal crashes over the period of the lockdown in comparison to the same period in previous years. Moreover, while total crashes are down, motor vehicle crashes involving non-motorists became more prevalent. At the same time, non-motorist traffic has increased while motor vehicle traffic and crashes have shifted to the local systems. The main goal of this research is to perform a comprehensive evaluation …

Identifying Wrong-Way Driving Entry Points On Interstate Highways Using Land-Use Impact Assessment And 911 Calls, Farman Mia, Samer Dessouky

Data

The research aims to provide insight into the initiation event of Wrong-way Driving (WWD) on highways. The intense severity of a WWD accident is encouraging the authorities to install mitigation systems that will ensure safety for motorists on highways. The WWD events are mostly resulting of intoxicated driving, where the unconscious driver takes the wrong way to enter the highway and place other motorists into life-threatening danger. This research attempted to explore from basic knowledge of WWD occurrence to examine the origin and driving philosophy of intoxicated drivers from land-use impact and mathematical modeling point of views. To identify the …

Framework Of Internal Damage Identification In Inhomogeneous Medium Interweaving Wave Scattering Model And Deep Learning, Suyun Ham, Stefan Romanoschi, Yin Chao Wu, Dafnik Saril Kumar David

Data

The primary objective of this project is to investigate the framework of internal damage identification in inhomogeneous media (IHM) using deep learning techniques and wave scattering. The study focuses on two main steps: 1) analyzing the wave response pattern in homogeneous media (HM) and 2) characterizing the wave response variation (WRV) in IHM with different aggregate sizes and random distributions. The WRV patterns are then classified and used to predict internal damage using a convolutional neural network (CNN). The accuracy of the finite element (FE) model is verified using laboratory tests with artificial internal crack models of varying depths. The …

Stabilization Of Expansive Soil Using Geopolymers From Locally Available Resources, Anand Puppala, Miladin Radovic, Nripojyoti Biswas, Sopharith Chou, Oscar Huang

Data

Traditional calcium-based stabilizers are generally used to stabilize native expansive soils that are often found throughout Region 6. Due to their high carbon footprint, many studies are being conducted to identify a suitable green alternative for stabilizing expansive soils. Geopolymer (GP) received a lot of attention in the past few decades owing to its similar properties to that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) yet with a lower carbon footprint. Previous studies have shown that metakaolin-based GP is an effective stabilizer to stabilize expansive soils. This study investigated the feasibility of stabilizing native expansive soils with GP synthesized with locally sourced …

Reinforcing Network Resilience To Support Equitable Disaster Evacuation, Kate Kyung Hyun, Stephen Mattingly, Mehrdad Arabi, Md Ashraful Imran

Data

The research report presents an extensive analysis of hurricane evacuation strategies, highlighting the critical role of transportation networks in emergency situations. It examines how variables such as hurricane severity and the geographic positioning of residential areas impact evacuation patterns, using real-time GPS data and the Rayleigh distribution to accurately model evacuation timing. The study is focused on assessing the transportation network's capacity to handle the surge in evacuation traffic, identifying the most critical links within the network that are vital for effective evacuation. Additionally, the report offers an in-depth look at the socio-economic implications of these evacuation strategies, particularly underscoring …

Impact Of Autonomous Vehicle (Av)-Based On-Demand Transportation Services On Traffic Crashes, Sharareh Kermanshachi, Sai Sneha Channamallu, Apurva Pamidimukkalla

Publications

This technical report investigates the burgeoning field of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), a transformative technology set to redefine transportation by enhancing safety, efficiency, and reducing human error. Despite their potential, AVs introduce complex challenges and safety concerns, particularly in urban environments. This study focuses on California from 2014 to 2022, offering a comprehensive examination of AV collision patterns, safety dynamics, and performance compared to Conventional Vehicles (CVs). Therefore, the objectives of this study are to (1) analyze trends in AV crashes to identify recurring patterns or anomalies that may indicate underlying issues or areas for improvement, (2) utilize the latest data …

Reinforcing Network Resilience To Support Equitable Disaster Evacuation, Kate Kyung Hyun, Stephen Mattingly, Mehrdad Arabi, Md Ashraful Imran

Publications

The research report presents an extensive analysis of hurricane evacuation strategies, highlighting the critical role of transportation networks in emergency situations. It examines how variables such as hurricane severity and the geographic positioning of residential areas impact evacuation patterns, using real-time GPS data and the Rayleigh distribution to accurately model evacuation timing. The study is focused on assessing the transportation network's capacity to handle the surge in evacuation traffic, identifying the most critical links within the network that are vital for effective evacuation. Additionally, the report offers an in-depth look at the socio-economic implications of these evacuation strategies, particularly underscoring …