Engineering Commons^™

Designing Interdisciplinary Approaches To Problem Solving Into Computer Languages, Daniel E. Cooke, Vladik Kreinovich, Joseph E. Urban

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Many interdisciplinary design efforts require the involvement of computer scientists because of the complexity of the problem solving tools available for the projects. This paper demonstrates how appropriate language design can place high level languages in the hands of scientists and engineers, thus providing a more automated approach to problem solving that may reduce the amount of computer scientist involvement. The language SequenceL serves as an example of this approach.

Flexible Roofing Facility: 2001 Summer Test Results, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jeffrey Sonne

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Flexible Roof Facility (FRF) is a test facility in Cocoa, Florida designed to evaluate five roofing systems at a time against a control roof with dark shingles. The intent of the testing is to evaluate how roofing systems impact summer residential cooling energy use and peak demand. In the summer of 2001, the following roofing systems were tested.

Cell # Description

1. Weathered white barrel tile with sealed attic
2. Double roof with radiant barrier, sealed attic and insulated roof deck
3. High reflectance brown metal shingle with vented attic
4. Terra cotta barrel tile with vented attic
5. Dark shingles with standard attic …

Energy And Environmental Integration Through A Green Municipality Designation, Florida Solar Energy Center, Eric Martin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Most local green building programs in existence seek to bestow a "green designation" on a builder, building owner, or developer with residential, commercial, and development standards. Municipalities, however, play an important role in making green building become "business as usual" rather than a conscious choice made by few. Municipalities can set an example to the community by incorporating green building techniques in the construction and operation of public and government buildings, play a vital role in community education, and can create incentives and mandates to foster green building within the community. Florida's green building program has set out to create …

Intelligent Techologies, Vladik Kreinovich, Hung T. Nguyen, Nadipuram S. Prasad, Pratit Santiprabhob

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

No abstract provided.

Damage Accumulation Under Repeated Reverse Stressing Of Sn-Ag Solder Joints, Katherine C. Chen, A. Telang, J. G. Lee, K. N. Subramanian

Materials Engineering

To better understand the effect of repeated reverse stress in solder joints, a new testing method was developed. Tin-silver solder joints were fabricated, constrained between Cu blocks, and then subjected to repeated shear loading in a tensile tester. Constant strain amplitudes were applied to simulate service conditions. However, large loads were used to accelerate the damage accumulation. Microstructural features of the damage were very similar to those found with studies on thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) of small, single shear lap samples. Concentrated-shear banding or striations were observed to form along Sn dendrites. The load behavior of the solder with each cycle …

Benchmarking Of Flexibility And Needs 2002: Survey Of Non-Federal Irrigation Districts (California Department Of Water Resources), Stuart W. Styles, Daniel Howes

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

ITRC interviewed irrigation district personnel from 17 agricultural districts throughout California. Data were analyzed to determine the degree of water delivery flexibility provided to farmers and the extent of existing and planned district modernization. This report did not include irrigation districts with long-term federal contracts.

Focus On The Job In Hand: When Usb 2.0 Technology Is Employed In Test And Measurement Signal Analyzer Hardware, Life Can Become So Much More Simple, Charles Birdsong, Dave Galyardt, James Zhuge

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Flight Physician - November, 2002, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A sixteen page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

Strengthening Of Short Shear Span Reinforced Concrete T Joists With Fiber-Reinforced Plasic Composites, Francesco Micelli, Raghu H. Annaiah, Antonio Nanni

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this work, the results of an experimental study conducted in a 1964-vintage building are presented. Twelve reinforced concrete (RC) T-joists strengthened with fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites were loaded until failure in a short shear span configuration. Different strengthening schemes, including different FRP materials and a new FRP anchorage system, were adopted in order to compare the performance of the different installations. Carbon FRP and aramid FRP sheets in an epoxy matrix were bonded to the RC joists using the wet layup technique. All of the joists were loaded close to one end support and showed similar cracking patterns at …

The Pilot Proficiency Audit Of Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: Adding To The Air Carrier Safety Toolbox, James M. Walters

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The correlation between air carrier pilot performance and age, total flight time, total airline flight time, and time in current position has not been fully documented. This study observed 62 F/Os in line operations and graded 74 knowledge, skills, and abilities performance variables, utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Knowledge items scored slightly below the referent, with no improvement over time; skills improved with both flight time and years of service; and abilities decline markedly across all independent variables. Changes to pilot training syllabi and techniques, as well as hiring practices, may be indicated. Integrating Pilot Proficiency Audit data into existing …

Acuta Enews November 2002, Vol 31, No. 11

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Quality of Service: Different Strokes for Different Folks.................... Jeanne Jansenius, Univ,. of the South

Internet Telecommunications Relay Services........................ Dave Ostrom, Washington State University

Sailing the Seven "C"s.............................. Mick McKellar, Michigan Technological University

Thanks to Exhibitors for 2007

Tech Talk: Let's Get Shaking on SALT Applications................. Kevin Tanzillo, Dux Public Relations

DC Update....................... Whitney Johnson, Retired, Northern Michigan Univ.

Board Report........................ John Bradley, Rensselaer Polytechnic lnstitute

New ACUTA Web Site Benefits....................... Jeri Semer, CAE' Executive Director

Welcome New Members

Strengthening And Load Testing Of Three Bridges In Boone County, Missouri, S. Schiebel, R. Parretti, Antonio Nanni, M. Huck

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Three bridges in Boone County, Missouri - Brown School Road, Coats Lane, and Creasy Springs Bridges - were selected for strengthening with carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer laminates in both shear and flexure. The objective of the rehabilitation program was to remove the 15-ton load posting that had been imposed on each of the bridges. To verify the results of the upgrade, load tests were performed before and after strengthening on two of the bridges - Brown School Road and Coats Lane Bridges. This paper presents the procedures followed in the design, installation, and load testing of the bridges. A recommendation regarding the …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 19, Number 2, November 2002, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

An eight page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

Comparison Of Radiated Power From Structurally Different Violins, Lily M. Wang, Courtney B. Burroughs

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

The acoustic power has been determined from intensity measurements on three structurally different violins: a Scherl and Roth student violin, Hutchins' SUS29S, and Hutchins' mezzo violin SUS 100. While each violin was bowed with an open-frame mechanical bowing machine, the intensity measurements were made by scanning each side of the bowing machine with an intensity probe. One-third octave band sound power levels of the acoustic radiation from each of the three instruments as each of the four open strings is bowed show that the structurally different mezzo violin produces greater power at low frequencies when the lowest (G) string is …

Electromagnetic Scattering From A Gap In A Magneto-Dielectric Coating On An Infinite Ground Plane, George R. Simpson

Theses and Dissertations

The electromagnetic scattering from a gap in a magneto-dielectric coating on an infinite ground plane is analyzed. In this context, the gap forms a break only in the magneto-dielectric slab coating while the ground plane is continuous and unbroken. Volume equivalence is used to convert the gap region to one containing unknown volumetric equivalent electric and magnetic currents. The equivalent problem then is one of these currents radiating in the presence of an unbroken grounded magneto-dielectric slab. A Green's function for this geometry is developed consisting of two terms: a direct coupling term and correction term to account for the …

Microstructure-Electrical Conductivity Relationships In Nanocrystalline Ceria Thin Films, Toshio Suzuki, Igor Kosacki, Harlan U. Anderson

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A study of nanocrystalline oxide thin film processing and influence of microstructure on the electrical properties of nanocrystalline Gd³⁺-doped CeO₂ thin films was reported. Nanocrystalline films on sapphire substrate were prepared using a polymeric precursor spin coating technique. The grain size of these films depends upon the annealing temperatures and the dopant content, where higher content of dopant realized smaller grain size. The electrical conductivity of nanocrystalline Gd³⁺-doped CeO₂ thin films was studied as a function of temperature and oxygen activity and correlated with the grain size. The results show that the electronic conductivity …

Primary Dendrite Distribution And Disorder During Directional Solidification Of Pb-Sb Alloys, Jun Hui, R. Tiwari, X. Wu, Surendra N. Tewari, R. Trivedi

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Pb-2.2 wt pct Sb and Pb-5.8 wt pet Sb alloys have been directionally solidified from a single-crystal seed with its [100] orientation parallel to the growth direction, to examine the primary dendrite distribution and disorder of the dendrite arrays. The dendrite distribution and ordering have been investigated using analysis techniques such as the Gauss-amplitude fit to the frequency distribution of nearest and higher-order spacings, minimum spanning tree (MST), Voronoi polygon, and Fourier transform (FT) of the dendrite centers. Since the arrangement of dendrites is driven by the requirement to accommodate side-branch growth along the (100) directions, the FT images of …

Source Localization In A Time-Varying Ocean Waveguide, Cristiano Soares, Martin Siderius, Sérgio M. Jesus

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

One of the most stringent impairments in matched-field processing is the impact of missing or erroneous environmental information on the final source location estimate. This problem is known in the literature as model mismatch and is strongly frequency dependent. Another unavoidable factor that contributes to model mismatch is the natural time and spatial variability of the ocean waveguide. As a consequence, most of the experimental results obtained to date focus on short source-receiver ranges (usually <5 >km), stationary sources, reduced time windows and frequencies generally below 600 Hz. This paper shows that MFP source localization can be made robust to time–space …

A Semi-Infinite Interfacial Crack Between Two Bonded Dissimilar Elastic Strips, Xiang-Fa Wu, E. Lilla, W.-S. Zou

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Faculty Publications

This paper is concerned with a semi-infinite interfacial crack between two bonded dissimilar elastic strips with equal thickness. Solutions for the complex stress intensity factor (SIF) and energy release rate (ERR) are obtained in closed form under in-plane deformations. During the procedure, the mixed boundary-value problem is reduced by means of the conformal mapping technique to the standard Riemann–Hilbert problem. In some limiting cases, the present solutions can cover the results found in literature.

The Aeronautics Education, Research, And Industry Alliance (Aerial) 2002 Report, Brent D. Bowen, Mary M. Fink, Jocelyn S. Nickerson, Uno Aviation Institute

Faculty Books and Monographs

UNOAI Report 02-7

The NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium (NSGC) & EPSCoR programs at the University I of Nebraska at Omaha are involved in a variety of innovative research activities. Such research is supported through the Aeronautics Education, Research, and Industry Alliance (AERIAL) and collaborative seed funds. AERIAL is a comprehensive, mulch-faceted, five year NASA EPSCoR initiative that contributes substantially to the strategic research and technology priorities of NASA while intensifying Nebraska’s rapidly growing aeronautics research and development endeavors.

AERIAL includes three major collaborative research teams (CRTs) whose nexus is a common focus in aeronautics research. Each CRT - Small …

The Family Science Starter Kit: A Manual To Assist You In The Development Of A Family Aeronautical Science Program, Henry R. Leher, Uno Aviation Institute

Faculty Books and Monographs

UNOAI Report 02-6

This book is designed to involve families working together on several different hands-on activities during evening meetings at school. The basis for these activities is the in-school study of related science and mathematical concepts and topics by the students in each family. The program provides an opportunity for families to work together in an interesting and enjoyable manner. The Family Aeronautical Science demonstration project consisted of three parts: (1) the in-school study of aeronautics during select science classes; (2) the extensive after-school use of the school’s computer laboratory; and (3) evening Family Aeronautical Science Nights. Key parts …

Review Of Stabilization Of Clays And Expansive Soils In Pavements And Lightly Loaded Structures - History, Practice, And Future, Thomas M. Petry, Dallas N. Little

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Expansive clay soils-those that change significantly in volume with changes in water content-are the cause of distortions to structures that cost taxpayers several billion dollars annually in the United States. Much has been learned about their behavior over the past 60 years, and relatively successful methods have been developed to modify and stabilize them. This paper reviews some of the key advances developed over the past 60 years in improving our understanding of the nature and methods of modifying and stabilizing expansive clay soils. The state of the practice in stabilization is presented, and practical and research needs to help …

Mechanical Properties Of Corn And Soybean Meal, Marek Molenda, Michael D. Montross, Jozef Horabik, Ira Joseph Ross

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Ground corn and soybean meal are common ingredients in feed mixes. The knowledge of their mechanical properties is important to the feed manufacturer and consumer. Changes in these properties can lead to abnormally high or low levels of active ingredients in finished feed, thus decreasing its quality. Mechanical properties of wheat, corn meal, and soybean meal were investigated using a modified direct shear apparatus. The moisture content (wet basis), uncompacted bulk density, and particle density were: 10.4%, 733 kg/m³, and 1410 kg/m³ for soft red winter wheat; 11.4%, 583 kg/m³, and 1350 kg/m³ for …

Numerical Simulation Of Partial Discharge Propagation In Cable Joints Using The Finite Difference Time Domain Method, David Pommerenke, R. Jobava, R. Heinrich

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this second of a series of three papers, the authors investigate partial discharge (PD) detection and propagation in cable joints. The complex nature of cable joints leads to errors when PD analysis is carried out using conventional equivalent circuits. The authors use the finite difference time domain method to determine the transient electromagnetic fields caused by simulated PD in model cable joints.

Mineralization Of Manure Nutrients, Bahman Eghball, Brian J. Wienhold, John E. Gilley, Roger A. Eigenberg

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

In order to apply manure or compost to fulfill the nutrient requirements of a crop, knowledge of the amount of nutrients mineralized following application is needed. Nutrient mineralization from applied manure depends on temperature, soil moisture, soil properties, manure characteristics, and microbial activity. Since these factors cannot be accurately predicted, nutrient mineralization from applied manure can only be approximated. Nitrogen (N) availability from applied manure includes the inorganic N (NO₃-N and NH₄-N) in manure plus the amount of organic N mineralized following application. Nitrogen mineralization differs for different manure types since the inorganic/organic fraction and quality …

Tmdls: Statistical Correlations Or Mechanistic Modeling?, Scott A. Wells, Thomas M. Cole

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In developing TMDL waste-load allocations for the Snake River-Reservoir system in Western Idaho and Eastern Oregon, determinations of the assimilative capacity of the system and the impact of pollutant reduction strategies has been performed using both a statistical-correlation approach and a mechanistic modeling approach. The system included the Lower Snake River, Brownlee Reservoir, Oxbow Reservoir, and Hells Canyon Reservoir with the focus was on Brownlee Reservoir.

The statistical approach used on Brownlee Reservoir divided the system into riverine and lacustrine zones. Field data were then averaged over season and location to provide statistical correlations, such as between total phosphorus (TP) …

Mapping The Mesoscale Interface Structure In Polycrystalline Materials, Brent L. Adams, C. L. Bauer, D. Casasent, A. Morawiec, S. Ozdemir, A. Talukder, Chialin T. Wu

Faculty Publications

This work was supported primarily by the MRSEC Program of the National Science Foundation under Award Numbers DMR-9632556 and DMR-0079996. A new experimental approach to the quantitative characterization of polycrystalline microstructure by scanning electron microscopy is described. Combining automated electron backscattering diffraction with conventional scanning contrast imaging and with calibrated serial sectioning, the new method (Mesoscale Interface Mapping System, MIMS) recovers precision estimates of the 3-dimensional idealized aggregate function G(x). This function embodies a description of lattice phase and orientation (limiting resolution ~ 1 degree) at each point x (limiting spatial resolution ~ 100 nanometers), and therefore contains a complete …

Corrosion Of Steel By Lead Bismuth Eutectic: Quarterly Report August September October 2002, John Farley

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

We continued with sputter depth profiling of 316 and 316L steel samples that have been exposed to LBE. We also calibrated the sputter depth profiling using a sample of SiO₂ on Si, and the SEM. This is a valuable independent determination of the thickness of oxide layers.

In the laboratory, progress continues using the XPS machine. Experiments have been performed on steel samples using Argon ions to mill away the surface of the sample, thereby making measurements as a function of depth. This "ion beam milling" proceeds slowly through the oxide layer that covers the steel sample. We are …

A Rehabilitation Engineering Course For Biomedical Engineers, M. Barbara Silver-Thorn

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

This paper describes an upper division elective course in rehabilitation engineering that addresses prosthetics and orthotics, wheelchair design, seating and positioning, and automobile modifications for individuals with disabilities. Faculty lectures are enhanced by guest lectures and class field trips. Guest lecturers include a prosthetist and a lower extremity amputee client, an engineer/prosthetist specializing in the upper extremity, and a rehabilitation engineer. The lower extremity prosthetist and his client present a case study for prosthetic prescription, fabrication, fitting, alignment, and evaluation. The engineer/prosthetist contrasts body-powered versus externally powered upper extremity prostheses and associated design, fitting, and functional considerations; he also discusses …

Developing A Sensing System For The Measurement Of Oxygen Concentration In Liquid Pb-Bi Eutectic: Quarterly Progress Report (Aug. 01 – Oct. 31, 2002), Yingtao Jiang, Bingmei Fu, Woosoon Yim

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

After two month intensive work in LANL, some preliminary sensor calibration curves have been obtained. Further data analysis shall be performed to assess the theoretical and measured data. Also, a new experimental apparatus shall be designed and located in UNLV to continue the left work.

Technical Progress:

• A set of calibration curves of voltage vs. temperature ranging from 300⁰C to 500⁰C under various oxygen concentrations in liquid LBE for the YSZ oxygen sensor has been obtained and has been reported in one paper.

• A meeting with LBE committee and other faculty members in AAA …