Engineering Commons^™

Seasonal Variation In Modulus Of Cement-Treated Base Layers And Untreated Base Layers In Utah, Mason Robert Kessler Millard

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to compare the stiffness of cement-treated base (CTB) layers and untreated base course (UTBC) layers in a cold region through a typical year. The scope of work included testing of three residential pavement segments comprising CTB layers and two comparable pavement segments comprising UTBC layers in northern Utah. Design thicknesses were verified through drilling and dynamic cone penetrometer testing in September 2024. Following 3 to 15 years of service, the sites were evaluated using portable falling-weight deflectometer (PFWD) testing in May 2024, July 2024, September 2024, November 2024, January 2025, and March 2025. After …

Emergence Of Norms In The Presence Of Social Network Structure In A Stochastic Evolutionary Game Theory Model, Parker Foresman

Dissertations and Theses

In their 2000 paper, The Emergence of Classes in a Multi-Agent Bargaining Model, Axtell, Epstein, and Young introduced an agent-based bargaining model to study how social norms can emerge and persist from the decentralized, asynchronous interactions of individual agents in the presence of noise, even when these agents have no predefined preferences or advantages. This thesis extends their model by incorporating structured interaction networks, allowing us to investigate how the topology of agent interactions influences long-run dynamics and norm formation. Using a custom simulation package built in the Julia programming language, we replicate the original results under a complete …

Rotor Interaction Aerodynamics: Influence Of Phase And Spacing On Wake And Pressure Behavior, Nathan D. Welker

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the aerodynamic behavior and interactions in the flow-fields of dual rotor systems. The experiments used Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) combined with pressure and force measurements to characterize the flow with an emphasis on side-by-side rotor flows at small separation distances. This work is separated into six main chapters: first, the topic is introduced with a thorough literature review in Chapter 1, the methodology and details of the experiments are discussed in detail in Chapter 2; the effects of phase offset on dual-rotor rotor flows is explored in Chapter 3; the influence of separation distance on the side-by-side …

Advancing Single-Molecule Nanopore Sensing: From Protein Conformation And Metal Binding To Dna Transport Via Hybrid Nanostructures, Matthew J. Odonohue

Multidisciplinary Studies Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the development and application of solid-state and hybrid nanopore platforms for single-molecule analysis of biomolecular interactions. First, a silicon nitride nanopore was employed to characterize the conformational states of the transferrin receptor (TfR), enabling discrimination between its monomeric and dimeric forms, as well as from its ligand, human serum transferrin (hSTf), despite their similar molecular weights. In a separate study, the same nanopore configuration was used to track the real-time binding of titanium ions to transferrin, demonstrating single-molecule sensitivity to metal-induced conformational changes. A hybrid microtubule–solid-state nanopore (MT–SSN) was then engineered, repurposing microtubules as electrostatically anchored conduits …

Coding For Nonstandard Channels: A Capacity-Oriented Approach, J Daniel Harman

Theses and Dissertations

This work addresses the issue of coding for non-standard channel models with an emphasis on capacity-oriented channel analysis and system design. The first channel studied is the Wyner wiretap channel. Channel sounding results were obtained to calculate the capacity for the multi-antenna case of the Wyner wiretap channel to ascertain the potential for secure communication via secrecy coding. The second channel studied is an asymmetric binary crossover erasure channel (ABCEC) with a short-blocklength constraint. The capacity for this channel was derived, and linear codes were chosen and tested. Another study was conducted on the ABCEC within a degraded wiretap channel …

Impact Of Uncertainties On Structures Damage Tolerance Parameters, Breno De Bruns

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This research aims to enhance the understanding and management of aerospace structural integrity. Traditional fracture control methods, such as damage tolerance analysis (DTA), assume deterministic factors, considering uncertainties inherent in material properties, inspections, and operational conditions only at the final stage by applying safety factors. This research seeks to incorporate these uncertainties throughout the analysis by integrating Monte Carlo simulation with Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). The objective is to investigate how varying parameters affect crack growth prediction and the effectiveness of inspection strategies. The methodology involves systematically analyzing inspection intervals, considering factors like material properties, probability of detection (POD), …

Volumetric Imaging Of Cellular Dynamics Using Light-Sheet Microscopy: From Subcellular Structures To Whole Organisms, Md Nasful Huda Prince

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

Advancing biomedical imaging requires platforms that combine high-resolution, speed, and stability across biological scales. This dissertation presents three innovations designed to address limitations of conventional light-sheet and oblique plane imaging. First, we introduce Reflected Inline Detection in Epi-Oblique Plane Microscopy (RIDE-OPM), a compact and drift-resistant system that eliminates a tertiary detection path while maintaining alignment flexibility, enabling robust long-term live imaging. Second, we present a high-speed Axially Swept Light-Sheet Microscopy (ASLM) platform for cleared tissues, using dual foci and synchronized sweeping to achieve isotropic sub-micron resolution at up to 40 frames-per-second, a fourfold improvement over standard ASLM. Integrated with a …

Predicting The Yield Strength Of Aluminum Alloys Based On Composition, Clinton K. Waite

Theses and Dissertations

This work describes a model to predict the yield strength of aluminum alloys, in either an annealed or T6 (peak aged) state, based solely on its composition. This is accomplished through the analyses of strengthening mechanisms common to aluminum, of which a novel semi-empirical model to predict precipitation strengthening is discussed. Solid solution strengthening and grain boundary strengthening are more simplistically considered but with significant accuracy. It is shown that by combining the strength contributions of each strengthening mechanism, the overall yield strength can be predicted by its composition in any of the 1xxx-7xxx series alloys. This allows the model …

Investigation Of The Boulder Porphyry Prospect Jefferson County, Montana, Everett Labudda

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

With increasing demand for domestic sources of base, precious, and critical metals, previously underexplored mineral systems in the United States are gaining attention. The Boulder Porphyry project (BPP), located 15 miles north of Butte, in Jefferson County, Montana, represents a concealed and underexplored copper-molybdenum porphyry system that shares a similar geologic setting with the world-class mining district in Butte, Montana. This thesis applies a combination of traditional and modern exploration techniques to better understand the nature of hydrothermal mineralization at the BPP. Short-wave infrared (SWIR) analysis of drill core, coupled with bulk rock geochemistry, is used to characterize hydrothermal alteration …

Enhanced Nanomechanical, Tribological And Electrical Properties Of Ni-Cr Coatings Via Max Phase Reinforcement And Metallic Interlayers, Mohammad Ashikul Alam

Theses and Dissertations

Nickel-Chromium (Ni-Cr) coatings are widely used in industrial applications due to their resistance to oxidation, thermal stability, and adjustable electrical and mechanical properties. However, achieving improved multifunctional performance across various use cases ranging from extreme tribological environments to microscale device integration remains a significant challenge. This thesis explores two complementary strategies for enhancing the performance of Ni-Cr coatings in both thick and thin film configurations, aiming to address limitations in wear resistance, durability, adhesion, and electrical conductivity. For thick coatings, Ni-Cr was reinforced with Ti3SiC2 MAX phase particles and processed using selective laser sintering (SLS) with optimized parameters. The addition …

Joint Kinematics And Kinetics During Vertical Jump Landings With Progressively Increasing External Loads, Darcie L. Yount

Dissertations

This study examined sagittal and frontal plane kinematics and kinetics during countermovement jump (CMJ) landings performed with either a traditional barbell (BB) or a hexagonal bar (HEX) across increasing submaximal loads in recreationally active males. Generally, hip and knee flexion angles and joint mean angular velocities decreased as loads increased. Hip extension and knee flexion moments increased as load increased up to 20 kg, at which point these values decreased. Performing the CMJ with the HEX exhibited increased frontal plane stability compared with the BB group. Additionally, the BB group exhibited stiffer landing strategies, with decreased sagittal plane joint angles …

Understanding Structure-Property Relationships Within Polyolefin-Derived Vitrimer Systems, Mikaela Sadri

Dissertations

Polyolefins are extremely ubiquitous materials due to their satisfactory material properties, ease of synthesis, and low cost. Unfortunately, their extensive use has led to a global plastic waste mismanagement problem. As such, notable efforts have recently focused on converting these commodity polymers into vitrimers, or dynamic networks, to extend their use-life and tailor their properties. However, the fundamental polymer physics of these emerging materials, remain largely underexplored, hindering their widespread implementation. To address this challenge and enable a more sustainable future, the overarching goal of my dissertation research is to understand the fundamental structure-property relationships within complex polyolefin-derived vitrimer systems. …

Measurements Of Spinal Posture During Common Strawberry Picking Positions Using Inertial Measurement Units, Madeline E. Everson

Master's Theses

Physically demanding professions, such as agriculture, put people at an increased

risk for experiencing back pain. This is due to the awkward and harmful postures sustained

throughout their workday. While studies have been done demonstrating that back pain is

prevalent amongst this community, most do not collect motion capture (MoCap) data,

leaving the specifics of the kinematics, such as the amount of time spent in harmful

postures, unknown. Unfortunately, MoCap data is typically limited to that of a lab or

facility where the cameras are housed. Therefore, this study aimed to mitigate the

inaccessibility of traditional MoCap by validating that …

Comparative Study On The Long-Term Performance Of Bmd Mixtures Prepared Using Different Sample Preparation Techniques And Superpave Mixtures Under Varying Pavement Structures, Amarjeet Tiwari

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Asphalt mix design has advanced significantly since the 1930s, with Balanced Mix Design (BMD) emerging to address durability concerns found in the Superpave method by optimizing binder content based on performance criteria. The performance of bituminous mixtures can be assessed through laboratory testing. These tests require proper sample preparation, and various techniques are employed for this purpose. Understanding the differences between these techniques is essential for the successful application of bituminous mixtures in the field. The objective of this study is to assess the differences in the predicted long-term performance of two sample preparation techniques, Lab Mix Lab Compacted (LMLC) …

Analysis And Predictive Modeling Of Stall And Spin Accidents In General Aviation Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Mehedi Hasan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Stall and spin accidents represent a persistent safety concern in General Aviation, with approximately 41% resulting in fatalities despite their relatively low occurrence. This study analyzes 1,079 General Aviation stall and spin accidents from 2008 to 2023 using the National Transportation Safety Board accident database. Our analysis identified the top phases of flight, injury outcomes, and causal factors in stall/spin accidents. Findings indicate that over 93% of stall/spin events involved General Aviation aircraft, with most accidents occurring during initial climb, takeoff, or low-altitude maneuvering. Pilot-related control errors, especially poor airspeed and angle-of-attack management, were the most common causes. To assess …

Engineered Interfaces For Enhanced Transient Liquid Phase Bonding In Electronics Assembly, John Russell Harris

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Growing applications in transportation make power density a key optimization target in the power electronics industry. More power in a shrinking environment leads to high heat flux and junction temperatures that damage silicon-based switching devices. Temperatures approaching 175℃ can result in false triggering of the device’s activated state, resulting in short circuits. Developing wide bandgap semi-conductors, such as gallium nitride and silicon carbide, are less susceptible to this complication as the energy from elevated temperature is a smaller fraction of what would be required to trigger the device. These devices are projected to function reliably in environments of up to …

Photochemical Fabrication And Tribological Evaluation Of Hexagonal Grooves With Corner Dimples On Cast Iron Surfaces, Steven Sonntag

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The traditional honing process used to texture cylinder liners in internal combustion engines has long been recognized as suboptimal, as evidenced by the need for a break-in period before achieving peak performance. Although laser-based methods can produce micro-scale features with high precision, they are often cost-prohibitive and difficult to scale for large or complex components. This study explores photochemical machining (PCM) as a low-cost, scalable alternative for fabricating high-resolution surface textures—specifically, hexagonal grooves with corner dimples—on gray cast iron. The resulting textures exhibit uniform groove widths (~13 μm) and varied depths, demonstrating PCM’s capability to create high-resolution patterns with sub-micron …

High-Resolution Energy Efficient Selective Laser Sintering Of Copper Nanoparticles, Bo Shen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Copper (Cu) is widely utilized in electronics and photonics applications due to its outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity. With increasing demand for miniaturization and higher precision in modern manufacturing, traditional selective laser sintering (SLS) techniques designed primarily for high-throughput production are becoming insufficient. These conventional methods struggle to deliver the resolution required for micro-scale fabrication and often cause thermal damage to sensitive substrates. Therefore, there is a growing necessity to develop compact and high-resolution laser sintering systems capable of precise microfabrication with minimal thermal influence. This study addresses this challenge by investigating nanosecond pulsed laser sintering as a method to …

Cultivation Of Botryococcus Braunii For The Production Of Hydrocarbons Suitable For Fuel Use, Bryan C. Carroll

All Theses

Energy security, rural poverty, and climate change are pressing issues of our time. Biofuels provide a solution to these issues, with a focus on sustainable aviation fuel, SAF, due to compatibility with aircraft infrastructure and energy density. This research aims to review and produce knowledge about a specific microalga, Botryococcus braunii, for its potential for SAF. First a literature review on the process was conducted followed by an experimental study on the impact of aqueous media and inorganic carbon its growth and hydrocarbon content. The literature review found the process consists of cultivation followed by lipid extraction or hydrothermal …

A Deep Learning Approach For Semantic Segmentation And Its Application On Ctc., Samir Farag Harb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the modeling and analysis of medical images, focusing on the intricate task of colon segmentation and subsequent 3D reconstruction, which are critical steps in Computed Tomography Colonography (CTC) systems. The primary objective of this research is to develop precise segmentation approaches to enhance the accuracy of colon identification and reconstruction from abdominal CT scans. Three distinct segmentation approaches are proposed and evaluated: a Markov Random Field (MRF)-based approach, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based deep learning (DL) approach, and a sequential episodic training with dual contrastive learning Approach (G-SET-DCL) that has a flavor of few-shot learning (FSL). To …

Optimization And Simulation Models For Integrating Social Determinants In Assessing And Optimizing The Accessibility And Efficiency Of Community Pharmacy Networks., Md Morshedul Alam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Community pharmacies are essential components of the healthcare system, serving not only as points of medication access but also as providers of health consultations and preventive care. However, disparities in pharmacy access persist due to a combination of geographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors. This dissertation develops a comprehensive methodological framework to evaluate and improve accessibility to community pharmacies, integrating optimization, choice modeling, and discrete event simulation. First, we develop an Optimal Community-Pharmacy Assignment (OCPA) model to quantify geographic accessibility across a regional population network. The model minimizes risk-adjusted travel distances between population centers and pharmacies, incorporating social determinants of health …

Design And Testing Method For Quality Control Of Chill Haze In Bourbon Production., Molly J. Wilburn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chill haze is a quality issue in which white wisps and haze become visible in spirits when reaching sub 0℃ temperatures. Common quality control test methods rely on subjective visual tests and ambient temperature turbidity measurements. Currently there is limited access to commercial devices capable of reaching the sub 0 ℃ temperatures that are required for the formation of chill haze. This thesis focuses on the design, assembly and calibration of a custom-built turbidity meter capable of sub 0 ℃ temperatures and humidity control. The system uses an optical sensor at 90 ° to a light source to detect light …

Material Extrusion 3d Printing Of Metal Alloy: Material, Methods And Application., Sihan Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Material extrusion (MEX) additive manufacturing presents a promising pathway for producing metal components with complex geometries while avoiding the safety hazards associated with loose powder handling in conventional metal additive manufacturing processes. This dissertation investigates the development and optimization of MEX processes for aluminum alloys, addressing critical challenges in feedstock formulation, printing parameter optimization, and post-processing strategies. Three distinct approaches were explored to advance the capabilities of aluminum MEX: filament-based processing of 6061 aluminum, paste-based extrusion of 6061 aluminum, and development of a novel aluminum-magnesium-tin alloy system for space manufacturing applications. The filament-based approach successfully demonstrated the production of 6061 …

Life Cycle Assessment Of Sustainable Wastewater Systems - Algae-Based Wastewater Treatment, Harish Lakshmi Srinivasan

All Theses

This thesis studies the integration of an algae-based membrane bioreactor (MBR) and photobioreactor system into a domestic wastewater treatment facility, using the Clemson University WWTP as a reference plant. The proposed system replaces the conventional sequencing batch reactor and aerobic digester with a microalgae-bacteria symbiosis process, coupled with submerged ceramic membranes, an algal photobioreactor and anaerobic digestion for enhanced nutrient and energy recovery, which paves the way for water reuse and increased biological capacity in the future.

The study shows that overall energy consumption is reduced by approximately 18% compared to the existing conventional configuration. Further, methane production from anaerobic …

Multi-Stage Stochastic Programming For Disaster Relief Logistics Under Forecast Uncertainty, Sudhan Bhattarai

All Dissertations

Hurricanes are among the most destructive annual disasters in the United States, presenting interdependent challenges for evacuation planning and relief-supply logistics. Coordinating evacuation and relief operations is crucial to ensure the timely and effective movement of at-risk populations and the delivery of essential supplies. This dissertation develops and evaluates three progressively advanced multi-stage stochastic programming (MSSP) frameworks that integrate evacuation and relief-item pre-positioning while explicitly accounting for uncertainty in hurricane forecasts.

Chapter 1 introduces a fully adaptive MSSP model for the integrated hurricane relief logistics and evacuation planning (IHRLEP) problem. The model simultaneously optimizes evacuation flows and inventory pre-positioning over …

An Active Quasi-Circulator Ic And Technique For 1-255 Mhz Resonance-Based Spectroscopic Impedance Plethysmography, Sharisse Poff

Theses and Dissertations

Impedance measurement is a promising avenue for noninvasive glucosemonitoring. Specifically,resonance-basedimpedancemeasurements exhibit good correlation with glucose levels at excitations from tens of MHztoover 100 MHz. Additionally, plethysmographic impedance measurements are needed to separate arterial blood signals, which contain strongerglucose information, frominterstitialfluidsignals. Weanticipate that plethysmographic measurements across a range of frequencies— spectroscopic plethysmography—at excitations from tens to over 100 MHz could enable resonance-based monitoring with higher selectivity for arterial glucose than previous work. Afour-point impedance measurement circuit is designed, and its ability to measure constant and periodically time-varying impedance is demonstrated. This circuit presents high impedance to the device-undertest (DUT), which fails …

Performance Evaluation Of Delay-Aware Packet Delivery In Wireless Devices, Alvin Lee

Computer Science and Engineering Master's Theses

As wireless networks, such as WiFi, have evolved from a convenient alternative to wired internet into the backbone of modern digital life, with approximately 19.5 billion devices deployed in 2023, the emergence of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) applications has introduced unprecedented Quality of Service (QoS) demands that challenge existing wireless capabilities. While recent wireless standards have largely addressed throughput limitations, achieving consistent low-latency performance remains a significant challenge.

This thesis focuses on the implementation and performance evaluation of existing solutions to latency bottlenecks in wireless networks, and their impacts on User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control …

Quantifying Multiphase Flow In Small-Diameter Vertical Pipes, Umaer Abdullah Zaki

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

In small-diameter (1-inch) vertical pipes, predicting the onset of liquid loading in gas-liquid flows remains challenging due to limitations of conventional flow regime maps. This study addresses that problem by comparing the flow regime prediction performance of the classic Orkiszewski map against a more recent map by Wu et al. (2017). Experimental data were collected using the Montana Tech Vertical Flow Loop in a 1-inch tubing system under a range of gas and liquid flow rates. A pressure-type curve analysis method was applied to interpret the multiphase flow behavior and identify regime transitions. The focus was on the critical annularmist …

Validation Of A Methodology For Predicting Yield Acceleration Of Rock Blocks, Madison Haydn-Myer

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Rock slope stability is a critical concern in seismically active regions, where earthquakes can trigger sudden and hazardous failures. Predicting these failures is challenging due to the complex interactions between seismic loading and geological characteristics. This study proposes a simplified analytical model to predict yield acceleration based on the forces acting upon a block just before sliding initiates. A key parameter in this equation is the friction acting on the bottom surface of the block. As rock blocks are commonly formed by the intersection of sets of subparallel fractures known as joints, and the roughness and other features of those …

Evaluating The Potential To Increase Oil Production From Legacy Fields In Montana, Noel Dapilee

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

This research assesses the potential for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques to boost oil production in Montana. Eight major oil basins in Montana, comprising over 350 oil fields, were analyzed. Using a volumetric analytical method, the original oil in place (OOIP) was estimated for 42 fields where sufficient data were available for the calculation. By comparing the cumulative oil production with the OOIP, fields with significant remaining reserves were identified. Data for this project was obtained from the Montana Geological Society (MGS) and the Montana Board of Oil and Gas (MBOG), which provided comprehensive information on reservoir properties, fluid characteristics, …