Engineering Commons^™

Bayesian Inquiry: An Approach To The Use Of Experts, King G. Yee

Dissertations and Theses

Subjective information is a valuable resource; however, decisionmakers often ignore it because of difficulties in eliciting it from assessors. This thesis is on Bayesian inquiry and it presents an approach to eliciting subjective information from assessors. Based on the concepts of cascaded inference and Bayesian statistics, the approach is designed to reveal to the decision-maker the way in which the assessor considers his options and the reasons he has for selecting particular alternatives. Unlike previous works on cascaded inferences, the approach here focuses on incoherency. Specifically, it employs the use of additional information to revise and check the estimates. The …

The Design Of An Automatic Electronic Preanodizer, Armen C. Grossenbacher

Dissertations and Theses

The topic of this thesis is the design of an automatic preanodizer to be used to preadjust precision tantalum resistors by anodizing their surfaces. The purpose of the preanodizer is to generate a controllable voltage ramp to be applied to a set of tantalum resistors which are immersed in a suitable electrolyte. The slope and maximum value of the voltage ramp are set to produce the current required for proper anodization of the resistors. The rate of anodization determines the rate of change of the resistor value. This thesis covers the design of an electronic device to meet a set …

Analysis Of A Heat Pipe Heat Exchanger, Joseph Olorunfemi Amode

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

One of the more promising applications of the heat pipe is in heat exchangers. Heat pipe heat exchangers may be used as recuperators in heating and ventilating systems, in gas turbines, in steam power plants, and in various process industry applications.

An analysis of the heat pipe heat exchanger was conducted in order to help optimize its performance. A computer program was developed to predict heat pipe performance, finned-tube heat exchanger performance, and the overall per­formance of a finned-tube heat pipe heat exchanger. The computer analysis uses conventional heat exchanger design techniques and a new heat pipe design technique which …

Assessment Of Possible Carcinogenic Hazards Created In Surrounding Ecosystems By Oil Shale Developments, Gerald L. Dassler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

One of the purposes of an environmental assessment is to foresee potential problems created by the introduction of contaminants into an ecosystem and to suggest appropriate control devices to mitigate the effects of such inputs. In the case of the oil shale industry, very little is known about the potential hazards, especially those related to the emission of organic compounds with carcinogenic potency. The hazards will probably be due to chronic exposures to the emitted compounds and the effects of such exposures are likely to take years to manifest themselves, as is the case with many carcinogenic substances. A precise …

Development Of A Water Quality Model Applicable To Great Salt Lake, Utah, Craig T. Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The development of a model capable of predicting the long term (seasonal) distribution of water quality constituents within Great Salt Lake was undertaken as a portion of the ongoing Great Salt Lake project at Utah State University. The overall goal of the project is the development of a modeling framework to assist the relevant decision making bodies in the comprehensive management of the Great Salt Lake system. Phase I of the project provided the overall structural framework for management of the Great Salt Lake system, identified data needs, and established priorities for the development of submodels for incorporation into the …

Determination Of Lead Content In Apical Tissue Following Root Canal Obturation With Sargenti's Formula, G. Merle Hickok

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Four Stump-tail monkeys were used to help determine if the lead in Sargenti's formula diffuses out into the apical tissue while confined entirely within the root canal. In each animal two teeth were filled with Sargenti's formula 1-2 millimeters short of the radiographic apex, and two teeth were filled with gutta percha and Proco-Sol sealer for controls, making a total sample size of sixteen. The time ranged from 48 hours to 120 days. Lead analysis using the spectrophotometric method showed a higher lead content in the teeth filled with Sargenti's formula than with the gutta percha controls.

Microbial Bioassay Techniques For Assessing Acid Mine Spoil Amendments For Revegetation, Michael A. Anderson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The revegetation of sterile acid mine spoils is a costly and lengthy process due to the many factors (pH, toxic materials, low nutrients, poor soil structure, temperature, moisture, length of growing season, etc.) which impede the establishment of stable plant communities. A microbial bioassay technique applied to soil systems has been developed to allow a rapid (four weeks) and integrated (with respect to nutrients and toxicants) determination of the best amendments for stabilizing mine spoils by revegetation. Using mine spoil from the Blackbird Mine, Cobalt (near Salmon), Idaho, various comb illations of nitrogen, phosphorus, chelators, trace elements, potassium, manure and …

Effects Of Heavy Metals (Cadmium, Copper, And Mercury) On Reproduction, Growth, And Survival Of Brine Shrimp (Artemia Salina) From The Great Salt Lake, Karl A. Gebhardt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to report findings concerning the effects of cadmium, copper, and mercury on the brine shrimp Artemia Salina, of the Great Salt Lake. Metal toxicity was observed in relation to acute susceptibility, growth, reproduction, and hatching of the brine shrimp.

Heavy metal concentrations such as cadmium, copper, and mercury are known to be considerably higher in the Great Salt Lake than those in both freshwater and seawater. No published study has been concerned with heavy metal effects on organisms in salinities greater than seawater (35 grams per liter total dissolved solids). The experiments reported …

A Rationale For Furrow Irrigation System Design And Management, Safa Noori Hamad

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Mathematical and computerized models are developed to design and optimize furrow irrigation systems. The optimization process starts with land grading design, if any is needed, followed by a prediction of maximum non-erosive furrow stream size allowed on a given soil and the associated furrow-advance function. An average depth of application per irrigation is then assumed from which the wetting pattern along the furrow and the amounts of runoff water are predicted. A design of an Irrigation Runoff Recovery System, IRRS, is then executed, if desired, and system cost is determined. Using the predicted wetting pattern and the appropriate Crop Production …

An Efficient Dft Algorithm Using The Walsh Transform, Albert P. Gerheim

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The matrix transformation relating the sequency and frequency domains is derived. It is shown that these­ frequency-to-frequency conversion can be performed via a computationally efficient sparse matrix algorithm. The sequency-to-frequency algorithm can be used with a fast Hadamard transform to implement a discrete Fourier trans­ form. The efficiencies of this combined algorithm and a radix-two fast Fourier transform are compared.

The algorithm is applied to the sequency domain de­ sign of a Wiener digital filter. Improved computational efficiencies are achieved relative to the procedure de­veloped by Kahveci and Hall (9).

An Improved Fission Product Pressure Model For Use In The Venus-Ii Disassembly Code, Ray Leland Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

The world's growing need for safe, reliable, and long-term energy sources has intensified the research being conducted in the development of nuclear power. The operation of power reactors is contingent upon the continued availability of the fissile material required to maintain a critic a l reactor. The only naturally occuring fissile material is an isotope of uranium, U-235, which only accounts for 0.76 percent of the uranium that is mined. Due to the relative scarcity of this important fissile material it is estimated the United States' sources of economically recoverable fissile material will be delinquished with in about twenty-five years.^1

Steady-State Fluidics: Computer-Aided Analysis Of Analog Fluidic Circuits By Use Of Experimentally Determined Characteristic Curves, Raymond P. Martin Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

One of the fundamental tasks confronting engineers is the transmission and control of energy. The engineer, faced with this requirement and influenced by details of a specific, situation, his education and experience, and the customer's desires, will probably select a mechanical, electrical, or electro-mechanical system. Often a better choice exists—the use of a fluid power system. Fluid power systems employ pressurized fluids, liquids and/or gases, to transmit and control energy. Hydraulic systems use liquids, usually special oils or treated water. Pneumatic. systems use air or other gases. Both types are versatile and find a wide range of application.

Similitude Of Mass Transfer Processes In Distorted Froude Model Of An Estuary, Carvel Hall Blair

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The project began with the design and construction of a hydraulic Froude model of the Lafayette River, a small well mixed estuary in Norfolk, Virginia. Horizontal scale is 1/540, vertical scale 1/12 yielding a vertical distortion of 45. Adjustment by roughness strips and screens produced close agreement of model-prototype tide heights, currents, and salinities in the deep reaches comprising 80% of the estuary volume. Some scale effect in velocity and tide height could not be eliminated in the shallow upper branches of the estuary, probably because of the high geometric distortion and the narrowness of the channel at kilometer 6.7. …

Development Of A Digitally Controlled Time Base Generator For Analog And Hybrid Computers, Judson Kenneth Bishop

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Work Sampling And Methods Improvements In Shipment Preparation, Michael P. Mccann

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A study was undertaken in the Shipping Center of Rohm and Haas Chemical Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to determine what course of action should be taken to reduce overall costs in a labor oriented shipment preparation operation. This activity, which currently utilizes a complement of twenty-seven people, involves the preshipment labelling and stenciling of product and customer information to metal drums and pails plus various other preparation requirements. A work sampling was performed to determine manpower requirements by work category and this information was used to direct the methods improvements study into the most lucrative areas. By transferring the responsibility …

Theory Of Eddy Currents For Nondestructive Testing, Craig Charles Biddle

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Eddy current inspection methods are used extensively in industry for the nondestructive testing of a wide variety of materials and product applications. The general theory of eddy current inspection is described. Equations defining the depth of penetration are derived from Maxwell's equations. Signal analysis methods are described using coil impedance diagrams. The impedance diagrams for a number of inspection applications are presented. A discussion of the techniques for theoretical calculation of the impedance of a coil is described. Typical coil configurations and instrumentation techniques are discussed.

Factors In Modeling Floridan Aquifer Recharge, Harlan Alfred Hannah

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Security In Automatic Data Processing Systems, Eduardo G. Mendez

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Security in automatic data processing systems is concerned with the protection of equipment and data against unauthorized modifications or destruction, and accidental or intentional disclosure of information. This report consists of two parts: 1. An overview of current literature in the field. In this part, basic problems and solutions, terminology and concepts found in the theoretical aspects of data processing systems security are described. 2. A survey of the state of art in a sample area. During the survey, information about actual applications of security methods in the Orlando, Florida area was collected. This information was gathered by means of …

An Interactive Information System For Tracking Student Academic Progress And For Projecting Quarterly Course Enrollments, Marilyn Sellers Khorsandi

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An interactive information system has been developed for the College of Engineering to promote faster and more accurate trial advisement interviews between professors and the students they advice. This system also provides departmental administrative personnel with information to guide course scheduling. The system has the capability of providing the following information concerning undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Engineering: 1. A student's academic progress toward graduation. 2. A projection for four quarters of enrollments in engineering core courses. 3. The current status of any course offered as a requirement for obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in one of the Engineering …

The Effects Of Altered Traffic Signs Upon Vehicular Driving Modes And Consequent Fuel Conservation And Environmental Benefits, As Measured By Vehicular Noise-Imprints, Mark Daniel Pfarrer

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The hypothesis is that the recorded noise-imprints of a vehicle at an intersection can be used to identify and accurately time the driving modes of deceleration, idle, slow cruise, and acceleration. This is proven by analyzing and comparing noise-imprints of vehicles at an uncontrolled intersection marked first with a "stop" sign, and then by a "yield" and an experimental "dead slow" sign. By relating the duration of each driving mode to known relations, the overall efficiency of an intersection can be characterized. A new technique for studying various types of traffic conditions at intersections is the result. Initial noise-imprint analysis …

A Study Of Differences In Vertical Phosphorus Profiles Within The Sediments Of Selected Florida Lakes As Related To Trophic Dynamics, Edgar Allen Stewart Iii

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Several Florida lakes with different documented trophic state indices were selected for sediment analysis. Vertical sections of the sediment were taken at depths of .1, .5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and l5 centimeters below the surface of the sediment-water interface. Total Phosphorus analysis was done on each section. The profile presented was then evaluated and was found that the profiles best fit the equation Y = X/ (A + BX), where Y is the Phosphorus Concentration in ppm and X is the sediment depth in cm. Correlation between the trophic state and the profiles characteristics are presented. …

A Comparison Of A Gasp And A Gpss Simulation Of An Avl Operational System, Barry Walden Dupuis

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research report is to compare two simulation languages; GASP and GPSS. An economical comparison was performed by simulating the same system in each language and examine parameters such as run time, core size, program time, and debug time. A statistical comparison of the results of the system simulation was also performed using a 90% confidence level testing procedure. The system simulated was the proposed Orlando Police Department Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) Operational System.

Techniques For Determination Of Complex Permittivity Of Dielectric Materials At Microwave Frequencies, Witold J. Trett

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Drip And Sprinkler Irrigation Of Carrots And Onions, James D. Melstad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many specialty crops, especially vegetables, are shallow rooted and sensitive to periods of moisture stress. This makes irrigation of vegetables necessary to their production in South Dakota since summer rainfall is normally both inadequate and undependable. A study was initiated in conjunction with the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and the Water Resources Institute to evaluate irrigation of specialty crops in eastern South Dakota. Drop and sprinkler irrigation were utilized for the irrigation of two specialty crops presently grown in South Dakota, carrots and onions. The study was initiated with the following objectives: 1. To compare carrots and onion yields …

Viscoelastic Cylindrical Pressure Vessel With Variable Inner Radius, A. N. Joshi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis is to predict from a theoretical basis the stress redistribution processes occurring within the viscoelastic core of a cylindrical pressure vessel reinforced by an elastic casing around the outer perimeter, and subject to internal pressure applied to the time-dependent inner boundary of the cylinder. The problem so stated requires development of a new technique leading to a solution for a mixed boundary value problem for a viscoelastic body occupying an ablating cylindrical y-shaped region. The approach taken in this thesis consists in reduction of a governing integro-differential equation to an equivalent set of algebraic equ3tions …

A Time-Independent Laser Interferometry System For Measuring Velocities Of Any Relecting Surface, Robert A. Lederer

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The development of the Dual Detector Velocity Inter­ferometer System for Any Reflector (VI SAR) provides an effective instrumentation tool for measurement of specimens moving at high velocities without adding mass or causing extraneous resonances that are commonly encountered in the instrumentation process. The development of this instrument is the logical extension of the basic Velocity Interferometry System developed in 1972. The extension consists of introducing a dual detector system to eliminate ambiguous data, adding digitizers to record data, and adding a data reduction system to interpret the recorded data and recover a time velocity history of the specimen action. In …

Influence Of Turbidity On The Stratification Development Of A Deep Water Reservoir., David Allen Prouty

Masters Theses

"The influence of turbidity on the diurnal temperature distribution and thermocline development in a deep water impoundment which is exposed to heating and cooling loads by convection, evaporation, and radiation is examined analytically. The diurnal behavior of the solar load, directional and spectral, is used with an isotropic multiple scattering model to simulate the attenuation of solar flux by turbid water. The diurnal behavior of the ambient temperature, humidity and wind speed were mathematically modeled to simulate the local (Phelps Co.) spring time of the year. The combined conduction and radiation energy transfer through the water was treated as a …

Non-Cash Incentives And Worker Motivation, Daniel Franklin Cole

Masters Theses

"A problem of growing concern in the United States deals with the poor results of the nation's businesses in terms of productivity. The U.S. is now suffering the worst decline in productivity in a generation. While part of this decline can be attributed to economic conditions, data indicates that the labor force could be more productive if it wanted to do so. A study has shown that 52% of all workers feel they aren't producing at full capacity. Alienation of the American worker is identified as one of the most important contributors to this problem.

Because it is often difficult …

Solid Waste Resource Recovery Plan For Dekalb County Georgia, Ivan Ray Dory

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A study was made of the feasibility of implementing a system of Resource Recovery from the solid wastes of an urban county in Georgia. A review was made of the existing solid waste management practices and present generation rates. A projection of future waste quantities and composition was made. A review of the present state of the art of recovering resources from solid waste was made to determine what systems could be developed for the County. An analysis of the estimated costs during a test year for three alternative systems for disposal was made to determine a least cost alternative. …

An Interactive Income Tax Preparation System, Karen W. Ehlert

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The system described in this research report computes 1975 Federal income tax for those who itemize deductions. The system user calls the program, written in FORTRAN IV, from a computer terminal, and then types answers to questions asked by the program. The user is given the opportunity to make corrections in the answers, and then the system calculates and prints out information necessary the complete IRS Form 1040 and Schedule A. The paper contains a description of the system, and explanation of the program, recommendations for future revision, and suggestions for expansion of the system. Four appendices contain IRS Form …