Engineering Commons^™

A Knowledge-Based Expert System For Managing Underground Coal Mines In The U.S., H. Singh, S. Yuan, C. M. Watts, J. M. Dean, N. P. Reddy, R. S. Nutter Jr., R. Larry Grayson

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Mine Management Support System which is being developed as a knowledge-based expert system for better management of underground coal mines, is presented. Concentrating on capturing the complex body of knowledge needed to enhance efficient management of a mine, it will encompass information and preferred rules on work scheduling, work practices, regulations impinging on the accomplishment of work, responses to operating problems, and the labor-management work agreement. Different components of the mine system, modeled using an object-oriented layering technique, are displayed graphically to aid in coordinating work plans and to present locations of equipment, supplies, and proposed subsystem components.

Automated Harvesting Of Burley Tobacco Ii. Evaluation Of System Performance, Larry G. Wells, George B. Day V, Timothy D. Smith

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A prototype system for fully automated harvesting of burley tobacco has been developed and tested. Three years of field testing has shown that mechanical losses associated with the system were only slightly higher than via conventional methods. The system performed reliably at a sustained harvesting rate of approximately 1.4 ha/day (3.4 acre/day), while indicating that a rate of 2 ha/day (5 acre/day) should be easily achievable. The system is operated by two workers and reduces conventional labor requirement by approximately 80-85%.

Automated Harvesting Of Burley Tobacco I. System Development, Larry G. Wells, George B. Day V, Timothy D. Smith

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A fully automated system for harvesting and handling mature buriey tobacco has been developed. This article identifies the operations essential to this harvesting concept and describes the development of the mechanisms by which they were accomplished. The system detaches, inverts and places mature plants into portable holders for air curing under waterproof covering without requiring any manual handling of the crop. Manual labor currently required to harvest buriey tobacco would be reduced by 80-85% and the system would eliminate the drudgery associated with manual handling. The harvesting system has an approximate capacity of 1.4 to 2.0 ha/day (3.5 to 5.0 …

Experimental Apparatus For Production, Cooling, And Storing Multiply Charged Ions For Charge-Transfer Measurements, Victor H. S. Kwong, T. T. Gibbons, Z. Fang, Jinhua Jiang, H. Knocke, Yingtao Jiang, B. Ruger, Su-Ching Huang, E. Braganza, W. Clark, L. D. Gardner

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

A novel method is described that combines the production of ions by laser ablation with an ion‐trap technique for the measurement of thermal‐energy charge‐transfer rates of multiply charged ions and neutrals. The charge‐transfer rate is determined by measuring the rate of loss of stored ions from the trap. Verification of the calibration of the apparatus is demonstrated through investigation of charge transfer of N₂ and N²⁺, which has been studied by another group. We also have made the first measurement on the thermal‐energy charge‐transfer coefficient of Ar and W²⁺. The rate coefficient is 0.99(0.22)×10^{−11 …}

Lpsolver: A Linear Program Solving Package For Educational And Instructional Modeling Applications, Paul Savory, Jeffrey Arthur

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

LPSOLVER is a computer program developed to be a learning tool for students studying linear programming. This technical paper contains and overview of what LPSOLVER is and how to use it. The program allows one to enter linear programs in three different formats which are discussed in Section IV. Described in Section VI are the two methods available for solving linear programs. Other features of LPSOLVER are discussed in Section VII. Appendix A describes all the various files that LPSOLVER uses/creates. A listing of error messages is given in Appendix B. Information about how the program was implement is contained …

Research Project Summaries (July 1989-December 1990), Utah Water Research Laboratory

Reports

From every side we hear of new threats to our water supply. Carcinogens, droughts, dam failures, global warming, hazardous wastes, deforestation, overpopulation, liability, and an aging infrastructure become household fears; this list grows longer and more foreboding to the average citizen. Some of these threats are real, while others are imaginary. Some we know how to overcome and others we can find ways to overcome, yet, for some, we are still helpless. The strength of a university lies in its success in stimulating inquisitive minds in critical examination of the problems of the world. People sense hope as experts find …

Spray Drift Reduction With Shrouded Boom Sprayers, Ronald J. Fehringer, Richard Cavaletto

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Downwind drift was measured from a standard boom sprayer and a shrouded boom sprayer. Using 8002 flat fan nozzles, the hooded sprayer provided a 180 to 275% reduction in drift. The effectiveness of the shroud is dependent upon the spray droplet spectrum.

Use Of Simplex Algorithm For Optimizing Simulation Models, M. Ehteshami, L. S. Willardson, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A methodology and computer model is developed to determine economically optimum closed subsurface drainage systems in irrigated areas. The mode 1 maximizes net benefits, by comparing profit driven by crop yields to drain system cost and selects an optimum drain layout. The optimization methodology used is the SIMPLEX method (Nelder and Mead, 1965). The SIMPLEX model was linked to the subsurface drainage model DRAINMOD (Skaggs, 1982) and to the surface hydraulic model KINE (Walker and Skogerboe 1987). The selected optimum drainage system maximizes the difference between total revenue, and the total cost of installation, operation and management of a particular …

Modelling For Potentiometric Surface Management Of Multilayer Aquifer Systems, A. Gharbi, Richard C. Peralta, K. M. Waddell

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Assuring the long-term availability of groundwater of adequate quality and quantity frequently requires the implementation of appropriate ground-water and conjunctive water management strategies. Presented is a model for developing optimal strategies for an multilayer aquifer in which stream-aquifer interflow is affected by the potentiometric surface and ground-water use. The model is applied to the Salt Lake Valley. Discussed is the use of pumping to control: l) potential migration of non-point source agricultural contaminants between aquifer layers and 2) the movement of a mile-long plume caused by mining waste.

Effects Of Alternative Furrow Irrigation Parameters On Pesticide Movement In Cropped Areas In Utah, Antonio Maria Requena, Ahmad Yar Ranjha, Richard C. Peralta, Howard M. Deer, Majid Ehteshami, Robert W. Hill

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Production of adequate supplies of food and fiber currently requires that pesticides be used to limit crop losses caused by insects, pathogens, weeds and other pests. Although pesticides are necessary in today' s agriculture, they can be a serious problem if they reach and contaminate ground water, especially where drinking water needs are met by ground water. The relative reduction of potential ground-water contamination due to agricultural use of pesticides was analyzed for particular sites in Utah. The potential reduction of pesticides in ground water was considered by utilizing alternative irrigation systems, water management practices and pesticides. A one-dimensional simulation …

Synergy Of Artificial Neural Networks And Knowledge-Based Expert Systems For Intelligent Fms Scheduling, Luis Carlos Rabelo, Sema E. Alptekin, Ali S. Kiran

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

In this paper we describe a hybrid architecture that integrates artificial neural networks and knowledge-based expert systems to generate solutions for the real time scheduling of flexible manufacturing systems. The artificial neural networks perform pattern recognition and, due to their inherent characteristics, support the implementation of automated knowledge acquisition and refinement schemes through a feedback mechanism. The artificial neural network structures enable the system to recognize patterns in the tasks to be solved in order to select the best scheduling rule according to different demands. The knowledge-based expert systems are the higher order elements which drive the inference strategy and …

Functional Requirements For Computer Conferencing And Computer Mediated Communications, Computerized Conferencing & Communications Center, Murray Turoff, Starr Roxanne Hiltz, James Whitescarver, John Foster

Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center Reports

This paper is a compilation of the desirable functionality for Computerized Conferencing Systems. It is based upon the research and evaluation activities of the Conferencing Center at NJIT and can he considered as an overall set of objectives for the development of its Conferencing Systems.

Properties And Device Applications Of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Carbide Films, M. Mahmudur Rahman, Cary Y. Yang, D. S. Sugiharto, A. S. Byrne, M. Ju, K. Tran, K. H. Lui

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a‐SiC:H) films were deposited with a radio‐frequency plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition system which utilizes a dc electric field applied independently of the inductively coupled rf field. The source gases were SiH₄ and CH₄. It was found that application of an electric field directed out of the substrate surface enhances the growth rate and yields some improvements in photoconductivity. The compositions of the films were evaluated by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy for a range of source gas mixtures. In order to assess the applicability of a‐SiC:H thin films, heterojunction a‐SiC:H/crystalline Si (c‐Si) diodes were fabricated …

Acuta Enews June 1990, Vol. 19, No. 6

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

WMU gets 'complete' cable

President's message

Profiles of new staff members

Orlando update

Election preview

Bulletin Board

Louisa Bypass Experimental Project, Kamyar C. Mahboub, L. John Fleckenstein

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In an effort to reduce rutting in the new Louisa Bypass in Lawrence County, Kentucky, a large-stone asphaltic base mix (Class K) was used in the base layer. A one-inch surface wearing course was used in this project, a polymer-modified asphalt was used in the surface course on half of the project. In order to facilitate subsurface drainage, a free draining subbase (No. 57's) was placed between the large-stone base and a dense-graded aggregate (DGA) layer. The drainage design was further enhanced by edge and median drains. Construction processes were monitored and photographed. Laboratory and field studies were conducted to …

Estimation Of Equivalent Axleloads Using Data Collected By Automated Vehicle Classification And Weigh-In-Motion Equipment, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The primary objective of this research study was to modify the existing EAL estimation system to include data obtained using the Golden River Weigh-In-Motion system and automated vehicle classification equipment. Data are to be collected over a three-year cycle in accordance with the FHWA Traffic Monitoring Guide. Having the capability of moving the portable weigh-in-motion scales to locations other than interstate sites permits the collection and analyses of specific data at sites on other highway functional classifications. Such data permits estimating both accumulated and future EAL requirements for that site. Such data permits estimating EAL requirements for sites on the …

Large-Stone Mixes For Reducing Rutting, Kamyar C. Mahboub

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Large-stone mixes are becoming a very popular means for reducing rutting in flexible pavements. Aggregate interlock in large-stone mixes provides for very efficient dissipation of compressive and shear stresses that are known to be responsible for rutting and shoving in flexible pavements. This report documents mix design procedures and laboratory testing for characterization of rutting potential of large-stone asphalt mixes (LSAM) in Kentucky and particularly the Louisa Bypass project.

A series of large-stone aggregate gradations were studied. A promising aggregate gradation was selected in cooperation with Kentucky Department of Highway officials and representatives of the asphalt industry. Based upon the …

Performance Report On Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe, N-12, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This paper documents the installation and performance ofN-12 pipe installed during construction of South Forbes Road in Fayette County, KY 54 in Daviess County, US 62 in McCracken County, Nicholasville Road in Fayette County, and US 68/KY 80 in Warren County. The pipe is manufactured by Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., and is designated as ADS N-12. ADS N-12 is a corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. The pipe has a corrugated exterior for increased strength and a smooth interior to provide maximum flow capacity.

The N-12 pipe requires less equipment and fewer personnel than steel or concrete pipe for installation. From …

Summary Of Results Of 1989 Field And Laboratory Evaluations Of Pavement Marking Materials, Kentucky Transportation Center

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the results of data collected as part of the field and laboratory evaluations of pavement marking materials for the SASHTO Regional Test Facility. The purpose of the Regional Test Facility (RTF) is to minimize the amount of field and laboratory research testing of specific types of materials. This is accomplished by combining efforts in an organized manner to reduce the monetary and man-hour requirements of both the states and industry. A RTF for the twelve SASHTO states was approved at the 1988 SASHTO convention. The twelve SASHTO states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North …

Super Linear Learning In Back Propagation Neural Nets, Barry L. Kalman

All Computer Science and Engineering Research

The important feature of this work is the combination of minimizing a function with desirable properties, using the conjugate gradient method (cgm). The method has resulted in significant improvements for both easy and difficult training tasks. Two major problems slow the rate at which large back propagation neural networks (bpnns) can be taught. First is the linear convergence of gradient descent used by modified steepest descent method (msdm). Second is the abundance of saddle points which occur because of the minimization of the sum of squared errors. This work offers a solution to both difficulties. The cgm which is super …

Using The Line-Transect Method To Estimate Percent Residue Cover, David P. Shelton, Elbert C. Dickey, Paul J. Jasa, Roger Kanable, Susan Smydra Krotz

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Crop residue left on the soil surface is one of the easiest and most cost-effective methods of reducing soil erosion. ~ Research in Nebraska and other Midwestern states shows ' that leaving as little as 20 percent of the soil surface covered with crop residue can reduce soil erosion by as much as one half of what it would be from residue-free conditions. Greater amounts of residue cover further limit soil erosion, Figure 1.

Residue reduces erosion in two ways. First, the residue dissipates raindrop impact energy, reducing the amount of soil that is detached. Residue also forms a …

Color-Rendering Of Daylight From Water-Filled Light Pipes, Florida Solar Energy Center, Ross Mccluney

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Water-filled light pipes can be used to transport concentrated beam solar radiation from a solar collection system to a utilization system, altering the spectral distribution of the radiation in a beneficial way in the process. One use for such a system would be for the daylighting of the core interior spaces of buildings, spaces that are far removed from outside walls or the roof and are therefore not amenable to conventional daylighting with sidelights or toplights. The filtering action of the water can be used to remove unwanted infrared and ultraviolet radiation while affecting the visible portion of the radiation …

Parallel Implementation Of A Recursive Least Squares Neural Network Training Method On The Intel Ipsc/2, James Edward Steck, Bruce M. Mcmillin, K. Krishnamurthy, M. Reza Ashouri, Gary G. Leininger

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

An algorithm based on the Marquardt-Levenberg least-square optimization method has been shown by S. Kollias and D. Anastassiou (IEEE Trans. on Circuits Syst. vol.36, no.8, p.1092-101, Aug. 1989) to be a much more efficient training method than gradient descent, when applied to some small feedforward neural networks. Yet, for many applications, the increase in computational complexity of the method outweighs any gain in learning rate obtained over current training methods. However, the least-squares method can be more efficiently implemented on parallel architectures than standard methods. This is demonstrated by comparing computation times and learning rates for the least-squares method implemented …

A Suggested Model Program For Cim Education, Sema E. Alptekin

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

No abstract provided.

Adaptive Scheduling And Control Using Artificial Neural Networks And Expert Systems For A Hierarchical/Distributed Fms Architecture, Luis Carlos Rabelo, Sema E. Alptekin

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

An adaptive expert scheduler was developed that learns by itself and adapts to the dynamic FMS environment. This hybrid system uses a symbiotic architecture composed of expert systems (ESs) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) and provides a learning scheme guided by past experience. The artificial neural networks recognize patterns in the tasks to be solved in order to select the best scheduling rule according to different criteria. The expert systems, on the other hand, drive the inference strategy and interpret the constraints and restrictions imposed by the upper levels of the control hierarchy of the flexible manufacturing system. The level …

Long-Range Planning Cost Model For Support Of Future Space Missions By The Deep Space Network, J. S. Sherif, Donald S. Remer, H. R. Buchanan

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

A simple model is suggested to do long-range planning cost estimates for Deep Space Network (DSP) support of future space missions. The model estimates total DSN preparation costs and the annual distribution of these costs for long-range budgetary planning. The cost model is based on actual DSN preparation costs from four space missions: Galileo, Voyager (Uranus), Voyager (Neptune), and Magellan. The model was tested against the four projects and gave cost estimates that range from 18 percent above the actual total preparation costs of the projects to 25 percent below. The model was also compared to two other independent projects: …

Acuta Enews May 1990, Vol. 19, No. 5

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

IU installs first cohesive telecom network

Fun for the whole family in Orlando

Message From the President

Membership to elect VP, Secretary, Treasurer

On your own with the On-Call Book

Party Line

IU achieves first cohesive telecom system

Design Of Automotive Structural Components Using High Strength Sheet Steels Effect Of Strain Rate On Material Properties Of Sheet Steels And Structural Strengths Of Cold-Formed Steel Members, Maher Kassar, Wei-Wen Yu

CCFSS Library (1939 - present)

In structural design, the material properties of steels and the strengths of cold-formed steel members are affected by strain rate. Two subjects were investigated experimentally and analytically in this study. They are 1) effect of strain rate on mechanical properties of sheet steels in tension and compression, and 2) structural strengths of stub columns and beams subjected to dynamic loads. Three sheet steels with nominal yield strengths ranging from 35 to 100 ksi were studied under different strain rates. A total of 124 tensile coupons and 54 compressive coupons were tested in this phase of study. The structural strengths of …

Design Of Automotive Structural Components Using High Strength Sheet Steels Structural Strengths Of Cold-Formed Steel Members Under Dynamic Loads, Maher Kassar, Wei-Wen Yu

CCFSS Library (1939 - present)

INTRODUCTION Since May 1988, the research project on automotive components sponsored by American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) at University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) has been concentrated on a study of the effect of strain rate on mechanical properties of sheet steels and the structural behavior and strength of cold-formed steel members subjected to impact loads. The results of the static and dynamic tensile mechanical properties of three selected sheet steels in the virgin condition as well as for the steels subjected to different amount of cold stretchings, were established in 1988 and early 1989. Details of the tension coupon tests …

The History Of The Trinity Highway: A Study In Transportation Dynamics, Richard Wilutus

Books and Other Publications

Although the primary focus of this thesis is a history of California 299--the Trinity Highway, I have studied the construction of that road in the context of the history of transportation between Weaverville and Humboldt Bay. The history of a transportation network is not only a history of connections between people and places but also, in this remote region, the vital link connecting wilderness with civilization.

Ever since the settlement of the Weaverville area in 1848, its residents have sought reliable transportation to Humboldt Bay's seaport and merchandise. During this period a road has connected these two places for less …