Engineering Commons^™

A Study On The Lateral Placement Of Automobiles Due To Restrictions On Two-Lane Rural Highways, Warren Chip Woods

Masters Theses

"The driver of an isolated vehicle on a given section of highway, whether it is urban or rural, will choose a path on the pavement that offers the least resistance to driver effort and which to him seems safest. Lateral obstructions, such as retaining walls, trees, bridge abutments, ect., which may cause him to deviate from the desired path represent some degree of hazard to the driver and should be removed, if practicle. The purpose of this investigation was to determine any change in the lateral placement of automobiles due to side restrictions on rural two-way, two-lane highways. Phase one …

An Analysis Of Single Wire Earth Return (Swer) System For Rural Electrification, Balwinder Singh Samra

Masters Theses

"The primary objective of this investigation was to determine the general applicability of Single Phase Earth Return(SWER) system for rural electrification where the load density is low, for example electrification of farms and small villages in emerging nations. The limitations of SWER system of distribution are many and it is necessary to make judicious use of such transmission. In this investigation the construction costs of transmission and distribution by SWER system is compared with single phase and three phase systems for loads of 25KVA and 50KVA. Phase converters are required to operate a three phase motor on a single phase …

Feasibility Study Of Using A Steam Power System In A Small Garden Tractor, Niranjan Kumar Doshi

Masters Theses

"This thesis is a feasibility study of using a steam power system in a small garden tractor. The relative advantages of steam power are discussed and compared with the characteristics of internal combustion engines. A monotube boiler is designed where steam is generated in stacked tube spirals. The boiler generates 225 lbs/hr of dry saturated steam at 500 psia, which corresponds to an engine output of 20 IHpage A rotary positive displacement engine is employed to expand the steam to 16 psia. A rotor instead of a piston eliminates the conventional connecting rod and crank shaft. The engine developes 15 …

Design And Test An Operational Amplifier Speed Transducer, Tung-Ming Huang

Masters Theses

"This thesis describes the design of an angular speed transducer. The purpose of this device is to provide a D.C. voltage which is proportional to the angular speed of a rotating shaft at any instant. The speed of the shaft is defined from a magnetic pickup monitoring a gear or similar device attached to the end of the shaft of a piece of rotating equipment. The signal from the magnetic pickup is modified and compared to a frequency generated in the feedback loop of the speed transducer and the error is sent to an integral type controller. The output of …

Development Of A Sampling System And Characterization Of Stormwater Runoff From A Small Urban Area, William Clark Ford

Masters Theses

"Increasing urbanization and the demand for high quality water have directed attention to the problem of combined sewer overflows, while recent research has demonstrated that stormwater alone, without the influence of sanitary sewage, carries a significant pollutional load. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the quality and pollutional contribution of stormwater runoff from a small urban area, with specific emphasis on the development of a suitable sampling and flow recording system, the characterization of runoff and the correlation of runoff quality with local environmental factors and storm characteristics. The system developed consisted of an automatic sampler capable of …

Structural Test And Analysis Of A Vierendeel Steel And Concrete Composite Girder, Melvin Crews Oestreich

Masters Theses

"The results of the structural load testing of a unique type of steel and concrete composite girder are described. The structural system, referred to as a composite Vierendeel girder, is a hybrid type which incorporates features of a castellated beam and a Vierendeel truss. The performance of the composite girder agreed reasonably well with calculated values based on section properties for a prismatic beam. Observations indicated web stiffeners were required on the stub beams to prevent premature failure of the system. Failure of the girder was due to concrete crushing over a stub web beam. Design considerations for a structural …

Characterization And Staged Lagoon Treatment Of Swine Feedlot Waste, Abraham H. Loudermilk Jr.

Masters Theses

"Feedlot pollution is developing into a serious problem because of the trend toward intensive farming techniques and the increasing number of animals in confinement feeding operations. The purpose of this study was to characterize swine waste collected under a slotted feeding floor using a water-carriage system, and to evaluate the treatment of this waste in a staged lagoon system consisting of an anaerobic, a dual anaerobic-aerobic, and an aerobic lagoon. A small feeding floor unit capable of maintaining 3 separate groups of animals, and a pilot 3-lagoon system were designed, constructed, and operated for a period of approximately 4 months. …

Managerial Appraisals - A Systems View, James Thomas Hatlan

Masters Theses

"In the past decade much has been written concerning the performance appraisal which can be defined as the systematic analysis of the individual with respect to his performance on the job. The appraisal's importance lies in the fact that its impact is felt in the areas of control, promotion, and managerial development all of which are essential for the progressive firm. This study is an attempt to offer something new and something different. The author offers a systematic study of industry in general with specific help from key corporations and utilities. His investigations encompass the three elements of appraising and …

A Tensi-Volumetric Apparatus: Theory, Calibration, And Use In An Investigation Of The Oxygen Non-Stoichiometry Of Pure Batio₃, Glenn Jon Conger

Masters Theses

"The development of the tensi-volumetric apparatus has been traced to its current position of significance in studies relating to oxide non-stoichiometry. Components of the tensi-volumetric apparatus, especially the capacitance membrane manometer, were examined in detail as were the parameters affecting the performance of such an apparatus. Based on a careful consideration of components and performance, a tensi-volumetric apparatus has been designed, built, and its operation theoretically justified for its particular physical configuration. Results of existing studies of the oxygen non-stoichiometry of barium titanate have been used to predict its behavior during a tensi-volumetric study. Specific analytical procedures developed for use …

Design Of A Torsional Vibration Machine, Prafulchandra Pragjibhai Desai

Masters Theses

"In this thesis the design of the major components of a torsional vibration machine is presented. The machine is a torsional vibration actuator which will deliver a mean output angular velocity with a superimposed harmonic component. This type of motion can be used to study the torsional vibration characteristics of models representing crankshafts, gear trains, torsional dampers, and other systems. The primary machine elements of the actuator are a power source, flywheel, and a Hooke's joint. The power source consists of a D.C. shunt motor and a drive transmission using 3 V-belts. Through the use of a Hooke's joint, approximate …

Calculation Of Buildup Factors For Multilayer Slab Shields Using The Monte Carlo Method, John Paul Kuspa

Masters Theses

"Gamma-ray beams normally incident upon slab shields of varying compositions are studied using a computer program based upon the Monte Carlo technique. Initial gamma energies of 1, 4, 6, and 8 MeV are considered. The shielding materials used were aluminum, iron, and lead. Both single and double material shields were investigated, at a variety of thicknesses up to a maximum of five mean free paths. Two secondary gamma processes are included in this simulation: annihilation gammas from pair production and bremsstrahlung from the electrons. The primary effort is the calculation of the dose, energy, and number buildup factors for these …

Force Analysis Of Involute Spur Gears, Janakkumar Girjashanker Dave

Masters Theses

"This study is devoted to the fundamental action which occurs between spur gears with involute tooth profiles when power is transmitted at a constant angular velocity ratio. Various aspects of the interaction between two mating teeth are considered. Analytic expressions for the variation of the force transmitted between two teeth are derived. Two cases are considered which include and exclude the effects of sliding friction between the teeth. The parametric equations of the involute curves for two mating teeth are derived in terms of body-fixed coordinates. Analytical expressions for Hertz compressive stresses in the teeth were also obtained. The same …

Preliminary Studies With A Variable Transfer Composite Polymer Membrane., Samuel Walter Dortch

Masters Theses

"A preliminary study was done to determine the feasibility of using a compressed fibrous teflon (PTFE) silicone polymer membrane in extracorporeal oxygenation devices. A series of composite membranes were fabricated, using different concentrations of a dimethyl silicone polymer dissolved in petroleum ether, to give membranes having variable oxygen transfer properties. A gas-gas system was chosen to obtain the necessary transfer data. Data were obtained by transferring pure oxygen through the membranes into a mixture of 47 mole percent oxygen and 53 mole percent carbon dioxide. All analyses were obtained by chromatographic techniques. The results of these experiments show that membranes …

Concentration By Sorting : Feasibility Determination By Radial Distribution Analysis, Robert M. Doerr

Masters Theses

"A method was developed for determining certain factors for assessing the feasibility of sorting fragments of an inhomogeneous solid to concentrate a species. These factors are the typical size of zones in which the grade exceeds a selected value, and the recovery potentially achievable by sorting fragments of such size"--Abstract, page iii.

Design Of A Digital Control Unit For A Seismic Digital Tape System, Cao-Van Chung

Masters Theses

"This paper describes the interface between the NOVA digital computer and the Texas Instrument tape unit which handles field data recorded simultaneously from a maximum of 31 channels. The interface is the means through which the NOVA computer can control the tape unit and recover data. To provide necessary background information a review of the characteristics of the tape unit and the input-output operation of the NOVA computer are given. As the first part of the design, the general interface design is presented and the functions of its units are described. After discussion of functional assignment of each unit, coordination …

A Study And Design Of A Cardiac Interbeat Interval Timer System, Richard William Mooney

Masters Theses

"This thesis reports the design of a system which can measure and record the cardiac interbeat times of human subjects in a continuous beat to beat manner, using the bioelectrical signal associated with the heart as an input. The design is in response to the needs of clinical researchers.

The means of obtaining the bioelectrical signal and previous designs of electrocardiographic equipment, especially electrocardiotachometers, are reviewed. A design is proposed which consists of a preamplifier to amplify the bioelectrical signal, a 60 Hz rejection filter, and a beat detector which uses a differentiation technique to obtain a reliable single output …

A Sensitive Temperature Measuring System, Larry Dean Morris

Masters Theses

"A sensitive temperature measuring system, providing an analog output proportional to sensor temperature, has been designed for use in the wall temperature control system of a cloud simulation chamber. A platinum resistance element is the sensor, and a precision wirewound resistor is the reference in a bridge circuit which uses four low cost operational amplifiers arranged to provide two precision 1000 Hz current sources. Problems with an initial bridge amplifier design were corrected in the final design by the use of a low Q bandpass amplifier for the bridge signal followed by a phase detector and an output low pass …

High Speed Magnetically Supported Vehicles For Reducing Transportation's Degradations Of The Environment, Pravinchandra Shukla

Masters Theses

"The development of new techniques for higher speed transportation is desirable to satisfy the environmental, conservation, and economic requirements of society. Some of the important factors are presented for developing magnetically supported vehicles. A new method for improving the ratio of lift force to drag force is suggested and discussed. An application of the new technique to vehicles that would ride on a carpet of magnetism and would operate with less waste of energy is suggested "--Abstract, page ii.

The Morphology Of The Cellular Precipitation Reaction In A Pb-3.0 Wt% Sn Alloy, Federico Sequeda Osorio

Masters Theses

"The complete development of the cellular precipitation structure at selected grain boundaries in a Pb-3.0 wt% Sn alloy during aging at 34°C and 23°C was investigated by light microscopy. The cellular structure in this alloy consists of lamellae of solute depleted lead solid solution and lamellae of ß tin precipitate. The cellular precipitation reaction begins by local migration of a grain boundary with concomitant grain boundary precipitation of ß tin. The grain boundary bows around the ß tin grain boundary precipitates which then begin to lengthen in the direction of boundary migration thus forming the precipitate lamellae of the cell. …

Design And Construction Of A Drop Generator For Use In A Vertical Wind Tunnel, Danny Ray Conner

Masters Theses

"A drop generator, based on the principle of a vibrating capillary, was designed and built for use in the UMR vertical atmosphere wind tunnel. The drop generator worked very well on a test stand where it was firmly supported, but was not consistent when tested in the wind tunnel. Vibration of the wind tunnel walls and a slight turbulence near the forward edge of the generator caused an oscillation in the position of the stream of drops. The oscillation resulted in some of the drops hitting the edge of the collector cup, where the drops would accumulate until a large …

Computer Simulation Of The Primary Recoil Spectra And Damage Cross Section Of Fe₃Al Using Endf/B Ii Data, Daniel Willard Smith

Masters Theses

"A computer program, using Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF/B II) information, was used to develop energy-exchange kernels which delineate the energy transfer probabilities between neutrons and Fe₃Al lattice atoms. The kernels combine all available information on elastic and inelastic scattering contained in the ENDF/B II data.

The computer program used to generate the primary recoil spectra is SAKI, a modified version of RICE (1). SAKI is designed to calculate energy-exchange probabilities in any binary alloy as well as damage cross sections and optimum cutoff energies for use in comparing displacement effects in different reactor spectra."--Abstract, page ii.

Laboratory Studies Using Diffused Oxygen And Air For Hypolimnion Reaeration, Chin-Ming Pai

Masters Theses

"The purposes of this research were to study the oxygen transfer rates and the oxygen transfer efficiencies of different types of aerators using different sources of oxygen in different types of water bodies, and to evaluate the number of diffusers required to be installed in a selected lake for hypolimnion aeration.

The experiments were conducted using a specially designed column. Four types of aerators, including a cylindrical stone diffuser, a spherical stone diffuser, and 2 ceramic diffusers (types A and B) which differed in pore size, were utilized as the aerators. The water bodies selected for the studies were Rolla …

A Study Of The Effect Of Drilled Holes On The Concentration Of Elastic Stresses Around A Notch, Glenn Michael Kmecz

Masters Theses

"Hole drilling as a method for improving the toughness of notch weakened tensile specimens is investigated by means of a photoelastic technique. Tests were performed on 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% notch depth specimens machined from PSM-1 photoelastic material. The basic criteria for success was no increase in the elastic stress concentration factor. The photoelastic results were verified by a finite element stress analysis of the 60% notch depth specimens. Comparison of the experimental and numerical results provide conclusive proof that no increase in the elastic stress concentration factor occurs when proper positioning of the drilled holes is accomplished"--Abstract, page …

Drag Reduction On Non-Ionic Surfactants In Aqueous Systems, Jen-Lin Chang

Masters Theses

"The use of polyoxyethylene alcohol non-ionic surfactants as drag reducing additives in aqueous systems was investigated. Significant drag reduction was obtained with suitable combinations of one percent Alfonic 1214 and salts at 30°C such that the surfactant was near or above its upper critical solubility temperature. Maximum drag reduction was observed at the cloud point. Relative viscosity values also peaked at this point. No upper critical shear stress was attained up to wall shear stresses of 2,000 dynes/cm² with one percent Alfonic 1214 solutions at their cloud points.

At a fixed temperature, the salt concentration required to reach the …

Effect Of Glass Aggregates Upon Abrasiveness Of Asphaltic Mixtures, Dwarka Prasad Gupta

Masters Theses

"The utilization of glass as an aggregate in asphaltic concrete pavements has been suggested as a means for reusing the increasing amounts of waste glass generated each year in the United States. Recent studies have shown that asphaltic mixtures containing glass aggregates can be designed to meet Marshall requirements for stability, flow and void content but the abrasiveness of mixtures containing glass aggregates had not been investigated. The objectives of this study were to develop a laboratory wear testing apparatus and compare the abrasiveness of asphaltic concrete mixtures using glass aggregates with the abrasiveness of mixtures using several different conventional …

A Study Of Right Turn On Red At Signalized Intersections, Ronald Duane Rains

Masters Theses

"Traffic engineers have discussed the controversial subject of allowing drivers to make a right-turn-on-red (R.T.O.R.) for many years. There have been many strong points given for and against allowing this movement.

Within this paper R.T.O.R. is discussed and conclusions are drawn for a research of literature and questionnaire survey.

Questionnaires were sent to ninety-three cities and all fifty states. Many valuable unwritten facts and opinions were received from the seventy city and thirty-six state traffic engineers that completed and returned the questionnaires.

It was determined that 63.8% of the states replying and 64.3% of the cities are presently utilizing R.T.O.R. …

Radiation Induced Centers In Silver Doped Glasses And Application In Phototropy, Perihan Soliman Tawfik

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Analog/Hybrid Computer Simulation Applied To Sampled-Data Control Systems, Sam Joseph Monte

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Minimum Weight Design Of Stiffened Cylindrical Shells Using Structural Synthesis, Joseph Eugene Heckelbeck

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Several search methods for unconstrained minimization in the minimum weight design of a stiffened cylindrical shell are investigated. The cylindrical shell, under study, is stiffened with bar shaped stiffeners in the longitudinal and circumferential directions, and capable of being loaded both axially and radially with up to ten separate load conditions. For this investigation, it was necessary to alter an unconstrained minimization program for use on the IBM 360 computer by employing double precision techniques. The computer runs obtained on this system are compared with those provided by the prior work of William Morrow and Lucien Schmit. The results show, …

An Automated Student Advisement And Projected Course Enrollments, Brian Odell Montgomery

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

One of the major problems of the modern university is the process of student advisement and course scheduling. The purpose of this paper is to write a computer program which will aid in solving this problem of student advisement and course scheduling for the undergraduate students of the College of Engineering at Florida Technological University. the computer program which is developed in this paper, aids in the problem of student advisement by producing a one page output for each student. This output page, which is separated by department, lists all courses the student has taken and passed, all transfer hours, …