Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Swale Design, David E. Anderson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Swales are designed to infiltrate runoff from intermittent storm events. Present design methodologies have resulted in swales which operate under several conditions; these conditions are soil, vegetation, climatic and geographical location dependent. To attain a swale design which considers and accounts for the important factors under Florida conditions, adequate assessment of rainfall, overland, flow, infiltration and soil moisture must be given priority treatment. Several roadside and residential swales were studied and relationships were drawn for soil moisture, porosity and infiltration rates. A design methodology is included and computer modeling infiltration aids in the design.

Microprocessor-Based Closed-Loop Control, Man T. Chan

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Microprocessor-Based Closed-Loop Motor Control. A dedicated microprocessor control system was built from chip level using the Motorola M6800 family. The system has a keyboard and the interfaces for four LED displays, a phototransistor and a digital-to-analog converter. The system accepts key input in RPM and drives the motor at the input RPM with display of the real RPM updated approximately every second.

Study Of Virtual Memory, Shridhar S. Dixit

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research report gives a general description of virtual memory systems. The mechanisms and policies and their effect on the operation and efficiency of virtual memory are explained. A virtual memory using a real time virtual address decoder, to decode a 32 bits of virtual address for the secondary memory to obtain the primary address location discussed. The decoder is developed with the use of associative or content-addressable memories. Replacement algorithms, used for selecting the pages of the main memory to be replaced, are described. The hardware implementation of the least recently used and least often used replacement policies using …

Computer Driven Training Simulator Of Wastewater Treatment Operations, G. Robert Silkenson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research involves design and implementation of computer program for simulation of a wastewater treatment plant. The program has the capability to be interfaced with an existing analog wastewater plant process flow training board which is equipped with meter readouts of key process variables and adjustable control valves. It is planned that the total system simulator could be used to train wastewater treatment plant operators to afford them hands-on dynamic experience in plant operations. The wastewater treatment process modeled is the activated sludge process. Beginning with the known plant design stead-state equations for this particular process an algorithm was developed …

Closed Water Systems On Paper And Board Machines Using The Dysco Simulation Program, Stephen Robert Tremont

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to determine the accuracy of the DYSCO simulation program in simulating the open and closed water system on the pilot fourdrinier paper machine located in the Department of Paper Science and Engineering at Western Michigan University. The pilot machine was run at a maximum speed of 76 meters (250 feet) per minute without the press and drier sections, as well as slower speeds of 61 and 46 meters per minute. Retention data were obtained for fiber, titanium dioxide, and water at the three speeds. Upon entering these data along with stream inputs into the DYSCO simulator, …

A Pattern Analysis Algorithm For Wind Ambiguity Removal, Jaime R. Tormos

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Some remote sensing devices, such as satellite microwave scatterometers, produce sampled wind vectors that are accurate in speed and streamline direction, but have a directional ambiguity of 180°. The extraction of information from the two dimensional wind vectors is readily handled using pattern analysis techniques. It is shown that there is sufficient information in the spatial relationships of the generated windstream vectors to recognize the driving meteorological wind patterns. This then leads to the resolution of the wind ambiguity problem. This thesis presents the development of a pattern analysis algorithm that generates a measure of the raw data set that …

Improved Finite Element Methodology For Integrated Thermal-Structural Analysis, Pramote Dechaumphai

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

An integrated thermal-structural finite element approach for efficient coupling of thermal and structural analysis is presented. New thermal finite elements which yield exact nodal and element temperatures for one-dimensional linear steady-state heat transfer problems are developed. A nodeless variable formulation is used to establish improved thermal finite elements for one-dimensional nonlinear transient and two-dimensional linear transient heat transfer problems. The thermal finite elements provide detailed temperature distributions without using additional element nodes and permit a common discretization with lower order congruent structural finite elements. The accuracy of the integrated approach is evaluated by comparisons with analytical solutions and conventional finite …

Experimental Investigation Of A Direct Expansion Solar-Assisted Heat Pump, James Yau-Jwo Shen

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A direct expansion solar-assisted heat pump, which uses economical bare solar collectors as evaporator, is designed and operated. The experimental results indicate that marked improvement in thermal performance results if the collector/ evaporator temperature is maintained at o0c to 10°c above the ambient temperature. During the course of this investigation, the system thermal performance is determined under various ambient and operating conditions by measuring the incident solar energy flux, refrigerant flow rate, temperature and pressure at various locations in the system. The heat pump coefficient of thermal performance and solar collector efficiency ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 and 40% to …

Plastic Deformation And Fracture Of Binary And Ternary Aluminum Alloys Under Compressive Loading, Samir Mokhtar Biblawi

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Pressure Drop Across A Restriction Of Annular Geometry, Farshid Yarizadeh

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report presents experimental results for the pressure drop across a restriction of annular geometry used in a typical pressurized water reactor steam generator. The pressure drops were obtained for air, water, and the corresponding two-phase mixtures.

The loss coefficients associated with these pressure drops were experimentally determined and empirical relations correlating the results were developed.

The tests were performed at atmospheric conditions (atmospheric temperature and pressure), and the two-phase flow mass velocity ranged from 236 to 711 1bm/s-ft².

A Computer Method To Evaluate The Vibration Response Of Stiffened Floor Systems To Impact Load, Michael E. Donahue

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Composite construction of floor systems with steel joist or I-beam stiffeners supporting a concrete slab have a tendency to sustain perceptible vibration due to small impacts. An engineering design aid, utilizing a small micro-computer and a BASIC computer program, was developed to analyze rectangular floor systems for susceptibility to sustain vibrations perceptible to humans. The analytical method for the normal modes of vibration using the Rayleigh-Ritz method and the superposition of the normal mode response is derived. A vibration index is calculated to qualitatively rate the floor. The computer method was validated using published data for an I-beam supported concrete …

Examination Of The Feasibility Of An Earth Coolant Tube To Provide Residential Space Cooling, W. Jerry Bowman

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A study was performed to gain an understanding of the feasibility of an Earth Coolant Tube for use in cooling and heating air for residences and industry. It was concluded that previous studies did not include the effect of coolant tube depth or coolant tube operation over long periods of time. A numerical methods approach using finite difference form of the general energy conduction equation was used to evaluate these effects. It was concluded that a coolant tube 1 foot in diameter and 100 feet long could provide as much as 1/6 ton of refrigeration for a 4 month time …

An Improved Flight Simulator Graphics System Using Microcomputer Technology, Wayne D. Parsons

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The field of computer graphics has continued to provide an efficient means of depicting information about complex phenomena for its users. It has become a widely used tool through which the user may manipulate data to generate a different perspective of the problem at hand and, hence, offers a solution to many varied problems. One area of the application for computer graphics is the field of flight simulation.

At the University of Central Florida, research is being conducted in the area of computer graphics simulation to develop a method through which a pictorial representation of the outline of a small …

Applied Steady-State And Transient Modeling Of Mixing Zone Requirements In Streams, Alvin Castro

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Two existing stream dispersion computer models were applied to a hypothetical stream to analyze mixing zone requirements due to point and non-point discharges. Mixing zone curves were developed to define acceptable and unacceptable regions of stream response for stead-state and transient conditions. The impact on these regions due to varying quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the stream and waste discharges were investigated.

In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted on the response of a transient one-dimensional stream dispersion model. A logarithmic linear regression analysis, relating the number of time increments specified to a dimensionless hydrograph shape factor for known storm …

Heavy Metals In Floodplains Receiving Highway Bridge Runoff, Elizabeth T. Skene

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A study was supported by SUS/STAR to investigate the fate of heavy metals in bridge runoff which are received by surrounding floodplains. Three bridge sites in Central Florida were selected and various locations in each site were sampled. Soil, plant, and water samples were analyzed for Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cr. Statistical analysis of results for heavy metal content of plants and soils at control versus bridge sampling areas were conducted. In agreement with other investigators, Pb was found to be a good indicator of highway pollution in soil, plants and water. Possible mechanisms for metal sorption …

A Calorimeter For Solar Collector Testing Facilities, James C. Huggins

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The reference heat source (RHS) is an electrical calorimeter used with solar collector test facilities. It can be used to calibrate the test facility or to measure the thermal performance of a collector. The RHS described here was designed to be accurate enough to be used as a standard for verification of test facility calibrations. The core of the unit consists of resistance heaters, platinum resistance thermometers, a thermopile, and flow mixers. This core is surrounded by a thermally driven copper shield to control heat loss. The electrical power input to the core is measured with an electronic power transducer. …

Simulation Of Naval Training Pipelines, Roger H. Werner

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Flow of enlisted Navy men through basic training, BEE school and "A" school was simulated using SLAM. Queuing for courses, pass, setback and failure of students, and the limitation of resources in the BEE schools were modeled for variable numbers of "A" courses and enlisted student ratings. A travel delay between schools was modeled as a direct step function of the distance involved. For each course modeled, data included course duration, interconvening time between classes, minimum and maximum class sizes, pass, failure and setback rates, and the time, measured from the beginning of the simulation, when the first class is …

Performance And Evaluation Of A Variable-Speed Darrieus Wind Turbine, Kasey W. Abbott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Developing wind energy suitable for agriculture applications is a critical step towards providing a reliable, affordable energy supply for United States agriculture. United States agriculture, due to its energy intensive nature-, is dependent on petroleum fuels. Because agriculture is extremely sensitive, to supply interruptions, steps must be taken to reduce this dependence on oil, including developing wind energy systems. It appears that the potential is there since winds over the United States contain more than 30 times the total energy consumed in this nation (Soderholm, 1979).
Agricultural applications (e.g. irrigation pumping, product processing and building heating) are uniquely suited to …

A Control Program And Operating System For A Three Joint Robot Arm On An Apple Microcomputer, Eric Henry Stelzer

Masters Theses

"A Robotics Operating and Control System for a three-joint robot arm model is presented. The general operation of the system in interfacing the robot to the operator is discussed. Kinematic equations for the robot are derived and commands available to the operator are covered in some detail. The operation of the Control System in moving the robot is explained. Finally, suggestions are made for further development of the system"--Abstract, page ii.

Aerodynamics Of Closely Coupled Wings For Varying Chords And Airfoil Planforms, Gary D. Vincent

Masters Theses

"Aerodynamic characteristics of a dual wing aircraft were analyzed with variations in airfoil sections and chord ratios over existing equal chard ratio dual wing and monoplane aircraft designs. Two- and three-dimensional aerodynamic studies were conducted to find the wing geometry which would create the minimum cruise drag. The two-dimensional aerodynamic data was obtained from a multi-element inviscid vortex panel program coupled to a momentum integral boundary layer program to account for the aerodynamic coupling between the wings. With this data, a three-dimensional vortex lattice program calculated the three-dimensional aerodynamic data. compared to an equal chard ratio dual wing aircraft, lower …

The Influence Of Manganese Oxide On Sintering Of A Commercial Natural Magnesite., Alamar Kasan Duarte

Masters Theses

"Sintering studies on a commercial natural magnesite have been done to investigate the influence of MnO doping (MnO concentration from 0.16 to 2.50 wt.%) on the densification process over the temperature range 1520 to 1760°C , over periods of time from 3,600 to 57,600s in both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres (Air and P_O2 = 10^-7 KPa. In an air atmosphere the additions of MnO enhances the densification process. This fact may be associated with an increase in lattice diffusion of Mg ions due to an increase in cation vacancies in the MgO lattice from the presence of …

A Single Cylinder Engine Study Of Lean Supercharged Operation For Spark Ignition Engines, Kenneth Robert Schmid

Masters Theses

"A comprehensive single cylinder engine test program to evaluate Lean Supercharged Operation (LSO) for spark ignition engines was conducted. The evaluation involved an experimental program studying the power, emissions, and efficiency of a single cylinder engine. The relationships between engine power, efficiency, and emissions and the engine operating variables such as absolute intake manifold pressure, Exhaust Gas Recirculation rates, and spark timing were studied"--Abstract, page ii.

Imers: An Interactive Medical Records System, Mary A. Garner

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

As computer printouts replace handwritten and typewritten information in a Medical Records department, it becomes more advantageous for the Registered Records Administrator (RRA) to learn how to interact with a computer terminal. Computer applications in the Medical Records field increase the availability and accessibility of patient information. The Medical Records System discussed in this paper has been adapted by the Medical Records department of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Central Florida as a tool for demonstrating the relationship between the computer and the successful management of medical records. This system will provide hands on experience to …

Micro-Scale Hydropower For The Eighties, E. Beatriz Caicedo-Maddison

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this project are to show the feasibility of micro-hydropower and to provide adequate engineering data for those people who wish to design their own micro system. Nine case studies are reviewed and analyzed in an attempt to determine general design parameters. Comparative data for these studies comes from preliminary permit applications submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Information on such topics as flow measurements, heads, generators and turbine technology are presented. Duration curves are explained with examples using data from a river found in Colombia, South America. Finally, a preliminary design of a micro-hydro facility is …

Theoretical Modeling For Detectivity And Resolution Comparison Of Single Aperture And Multiple Aperture Optical Imaging Systems, Steven C. Kellogg

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The detectivity and resolution of single aperture and multiple aperture optical imaging systems are compared for single point sources in optically background limited environments. The single aperture system assumes a single large diameter lens with a detector array at the focal plane. The multiple aperture system assumes an independent detector array at the focal plane of each of the apertures of the multiaperture system. The multiaperture lenses are arranged in a rectangularly symmetric pattern within the perimeter that a single large aperture would occupy.

Due to the presence of a constant signal plus an optical noise field whose amplitude is …

Personal Computer Simulation Program For Step Motor Drive Systems, William M. Koos

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A system of equations modeling a class of step motors known as the permanent magnet rotor step motor is presented. The model is implemented on a APPLE personal computer in a version of BASIC. Measurements are then made on an existing motor and input to the program for validation. A special test fixture is utilized to take performance data on the motor to facilitate comparisons with the predictions of the program. The comparisons show the model is indeed valid for design of step motor drive systems and emphasize the practical nature of using personal computers and simulations for design.

Computer Aided Filter Design Using Intel Spas20 Software, Robert L. Olive

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This paper demonstrates conversion of an analog filter into a digital filter using computer aided software. The filter design to be demonstrated is a common third order Butterworth filter. This paper is not an attempt to review all filter designs or applications, but rather the attempt is to give a detailed explanation of the steps required to design almost any digital filter.

No knowledge of the Intel Series 210 microcomputer development system is assumed. The appendices contain introduction to the Series 210 system.

Chapter I demonstrates the steps needed to design this filter without computer aid. Included are both analog …

A Computer Model To Determine Location Of Stormwater Management Practices, Alan D. Zahm

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

To optimize the placement of stormwater management systems, a Radio Shack BASIC computer program "SELECT" was written. The program selects locations for berms, detention ponds, retention ponds, and underground percolation tanks based upon minimum marginal cost (totally present value cost per pound of nutrient removed annually). Either nitrogen or phosphorus can be chosen as the selected nutrient. The selections occur until the desired percentage removal is obtained. Five output tables show the results of the selection process. The computer model was used to evaluate stormwater management locations for the Lake Tohopekaliga watershed in Florida. Input data consisting of soil types, …

An Applied Approach To Automatic Pressure Transient Analysis., Jeffrey Allan Joseph

Masters Theses

"A generalized digital approach to pressure transient (well-test) analysis is developed. The model is rigorously applicable to flow tests (pressure drawdown or injectivity of Newtonian liquids), and to pressure buildup or falloff tests provided the f low time prior to shut-in is large compared to the total shut-in time. However, buildup or falloff data may s till be analyzed if the above conditions are not satisfied, using the principles of superposition/desuperposition.

When plotted on logarithmic coordinates, pressure transient data generally assume a characteristic shape, indicative of flow behavior. Accurate computer analysis of this data requires its representation in concise mathematical …

Sessile Drop Studies Of Gallium On Alumina, Timothy John Snyder

Masters Theses

"The liquid-vapor and solid-vapor interfacial energies of the system Ga-Al₂O₃ were determined by the sessile drop technique. The interfacial energies were found to decrease with increasing temperature and P₀₂.

A maximum liquid-vapor interfacial energy of 581 ergs/cm² was found for a clean sessile drop at 1227°C. Values for Γ₀, the excess concentration of oxygen, were calculated for both the liquid-vapor and solid-liquid interfaces. The work of adhesion between molten Ga and Al₂O₃ was found to increase with decreasing P₀₂ with a maximum of 576 ergs/cm² occurring …