Engineering Commons^™

Academic Fleet Renewal- Two Years Later, Larry Atkinson

CCPO Publications

(First paragraph) In November 2000, I wrote a Soapbox article on fleet renewal for Sea Technology. It is a little unsettling to see how slowly ideas move towards implementation. Nevertheless, we are making progress. In this editorial I will note a bit of that progress and try to guess where we will be in two more years.

Application Of A Finite Element Model Update Technique To Detect Damage In A Beam Structure, Madhu Kumar Vattipulusu

Masters Theses

"The interest in the ability to monitor a structure and detect damage at the earliest possible stage is pervasive throughout the civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering communities. The thesis focuses on the application of a finite element model updating technique to monitor and detect damage in beams. A Sensitivity Based Element-by- Element (SBEBE) methodology is chosen as the finite element model updating technique. In this method, damage is detected by updating a finite element model with test data obtained from "healthy" and "damaged" structures and observing the relative changes in the updated finite element models. The performance, efficiency and sensitivity …

Numerical Modeling Of Focused Remediation Using A Groundwater Circulation Well, Gretchen R. Miller

Masters Theses

"Groundwater circulation wells (GCWs) allow for the in situ treatment of contaminated water resources. Focused remediation with a GCW could be used to treat groundwater before it enters an existing domestic well already in use. GCWs have been installed at the former Nebraska Ordnance Plant; the model originally developed for these was slightly modified and used to perform a feasibility study of a focused remediation system.

If the focused remediation system works properly, the capture zone of the domestic well should be within the recharge zone of the GCW. Deterministic modeling with capture zone analysis indicated that a GCW installed …

Distributed Sensor Network For Civil Infrastructure Health Monitoring, Jose Humberto Mata Hernandez

Masters Theses

"This thesis focuses on the development of a robust, low power consumption and cost effective wireless data acquisition, system to be used for civil infrastructure health monitoring. The complete solution that has been developed for this application integrates micro-electromechanical sensing elements (e.g. PVDF sensor); a wireless data acquisition system based on a Bluetooth-enabled radio, a microcontroller with analog to digital conversion capabilities, a power source including a solar cell array for long term operation, and a weatherproof enclosure for on-site installation. The complementary part of the solution is a weatherproof On-site Remote Access Point (ORAP) which collects, stores, and transmits …

Novel Concepts For Monitoring The Stability Of Open Pit Mine Highwalls Using Radar Interferometry And Spectral Imaging, Jami Girard Dwyer

Masters Theses

"Ground control problems at surface mining operations can occur for a variety of reasons. The geologic setting, rock strengths, joint spacing, orientation, pore pressures, and many other factors contribute to slope instabilities that range from small rock falls to massive slides of material. While much of this ground movement can be predicted or controlled, each year many completely unexpected failures occur. This poses serious safety and economic issues for the mining industry, since any unanticipated movement of the ground increases the potential for significant property damage, injuries, and even death. In the United States alone, 70 people died in slope …

Performance & Project Spirit Of Student Design Competition Teams, Bradley Marcus Davis

Masters Theses

"Student design competition teams present a valuable research possibility in the field of work group research. They are widely available and present greater learning opportunities than do class project groups. This study intended to create an instrument to measure the level of project spirit and team performance in order to establish a link between these two concepts. In the present study, nine student design competition teams from the University of Missouri - Rolla (UMR) campus (n = 186) were surveyed. The results indicate a strong correlation of the project spirit variables (project culture, project commitment, project citizenship, and project satisfaction) …

Dsp Processor Based Vision Processing And System Integration For Control Of Laser Aided Manufacturing Process (Lamp), Srinivas Musti

Masters Theses

"This thesis presents the research and development of a real-time vision system and integration of various subsystems to build the hybrid system for the Laser aided manufacturing process (LAMP), being developed at the University of Missouri--Rolla. A description of the real-time control architecture, showing the interaction of the real-time controller with various sensors and subsystems to monitor and regulate the process is presented.

Control of melt pool geometry is important for ensuring the final product quality since the bead size significantly influences the joint strength. However, during the deposition process, impurities and the plume present around the pool complicate the …

Common- And Differential-Mode Signaling And Filtering, Zhe Li

Masters Theses

"Common-mode chokes are widely used as suppression filters against interference of common-mode noise in high-speed differential signaling. This thesis focuses on investigating the characteristics of common-mode chokes. Mixed-mode S-parameters are presented as a useful concept for explaining the modal operation of differential circuits.

Three methods for measuring common-mode and differentia-mode S-parameters of common-mode chokes are demonstrated. The three methods involve (1) ABCD chain matrix, 2) using hybrid couplers and 3) modal decomposition. Each measurement method provides a specific level of accuracy. The modal decomposition method can work up to 10GHz.

SPICE equivalent circuit model of common-mode chokes and the extraction …

Asphalt Additives To Control Rutting And Cracking, Rebecca Mcdaniel, Ayesha Shah

JTRP Technical Reports

This report presents the results of an investigation of the performance of a variety of materials added to asphalt binders and mixtures to change their properties, particularly with respect to rutting and cracking. The approach included a field trial of seven polymer and particulate modifiers, supplemented by laboratory characterization of the materials used in the field. The modifiers evaluated included PAC, Novophalt, Multigrade asphalt cement, polyester fibers, Neoprene, SBR and asphalt rubber. The field trial showed that different modifiers do yield different performance. Modifiers are not essential to ensure that the pavement will not rut. None of the mixtures evaluated …

Beta Testing Implementation Of The Purdue Time Domain Reflectometry (Tdr) Method For Soil Water Content And Density Measurement, Vincent P. Drnevich, Xiong Yu, Janet Elaine Lovell

JTRP Technical Reports

The Purdue TDR method is a new technology for simultaneously measuring soil water content and dry density insitu. An ASTM standard for using TDR to measure soil water content and dry density based on Purdue TDR method was approved during the time span of this project and is designated ASTM D6780. The primary objective of this study was to take the Purdue TDR Method to the point where it is widely field tested by users on a broad spectrum of soils around the country. This goal was achieved by involving researchers at other universities and practitioners in federal and state …

Debris Accumulation At Bridge Crossings: Laboratory And Field Studies, Dennis A. Lyn, Thomas J. Cooper, Yong-Kon Yi, Rahul N. Sinha, A. Ramachandra Rao

JTRP Technical Reports

Extensive accumulation of large woody debris at bridge piers poses a chronic and sometimes quite severe problem at several bridge crossings in Indiana. This study, involving both laboratory and field components, examines the factors contributing to the initiation and development of such debris piles. The laboratory study, performed in a rectangular channel with a single model pier (and in some cases with an upstream vertical cylinder modeling a debris deflector, as well as a model sand bar) and both dowels and twigs as model logs, considered the effects of velocity and depth. The experiments point to a stronger than might …

Development Of Vehicle Platoon Distribution Models And Simulation Of Platoon Movements On Indiana Rural Corridors, Yi Jiang, Shou Li, Daniel E. Shamo

JTRP Technical Reports

Since the 1980s, traffic volumes have experienced a rapid growth of approximately 30% in Indiana. Traffic data indicates that more than 70% of vehicles travel in platoons on Indiana highway corridors in the vicinity of urban areas. At a rural highway intersection consisting of a major road with high traffic volume and a minor road with low traffic volume, it is very common that the green time cannot be used efficiently, especially when the vehicle detectors on the major road are imbedded close to the intersection. In Indiana, most of the traffic signal timing systems operate well. However, these systems …

Evaluation Of Safety Enforcement On Changing Driver Behavior - Runs On Red (1 Of 2 Volumes), Andrzej P. Tarko, Naredla Lakshmi Reddy

JTRP Technical Reports

Red light running (RLR) is a dangerous act. Approximately 22% of urban crashes at signalized intersections are caused nationwide by RLR. Nearly 1,036 deaths were caused nationwide by RLR in the year 2000. Indiana had no previous research conducted in this area; therefore, this research was aimed at estimating the RLR problem in Indiana. The other objectives of this research included: learning drivers’ opinions on the problem, studying the effectiveness of selected countermeasures, and studying the legal issues related to photo-enforcement. A crash statistics study, telephone survey, and extended monitoring of a selected intersection were the three major approaches chosen …

Evaluation Of Safety Enforcement On Changing Driver Behavior - Runs On Red (2 Of 2 Volumes), Robert C. Zahnke, Maria L. Drake, Jose E. Thomaz

JTRP Technical Reports

Red light running (RLR) is a dangerous act. Approximately 22% of urban crashes at signalized intersections are caused nationwide by RLR. Nearly 1,036 deaths were caused nationwide by RLR in the year 2000. Indiana had no previous research conducted in this area; therefore, this research was aimed at estimating the RLR problem in Indiana. The other objectives of this research included: learning drivers’ opinions on the problem, studying the effectiveness of selected countermeasures, and studying the legal issues related to photo-enforcement. A crash statistics study, telephone survey, and extended monitoring of a selected intersection were the three major approaches chosen …

Imaging And Locating Buried Utilities, Hyung Seok Jeong, Carlos A. Arboleda, Dulcy M. Abraham, Daniel W. Halpin, Leonhard E. Bernold

JTRP Technical Reports

The urban underground has become a spider’s web of utility lines, including phones, electricity, gas, cable TV, fiber optics, traffic signals, street lighting circuits, drainage and sanitary sewers and water mains. Utility damages during construction are very significant and on the rise, resulting in construction delays, design changes, claims, property damages, service breakdowns, disruption of neighboring businesses and even injuries and lost lives. The American Institute of Constructors (AIC) reported that damage to utility lines is the third most significant crisis for contractors. The state-of-the-art and the state-of-the-practice imaging technologies that have potential for being applied in locating underground utilities …

Initial Study For Cost-Effectiveness Of Joint/Crack Sealing, Chuanxin Fang, Khaled A. Galal, David R. Ward, John E. Haddock

JTRP Technical Reports

The sealing and resealing of joints and cracks in PCC, HMA, and composite pavements is assumed to be an important component of pavement maintenance. Recently this practice has been challenged by research indicating that sealing may not be cost-effective. The Indiana Department of Transportation currently spends approximately four million dollars annually to perform joint/crack sealing. The primary objective of the research presented in this report is to investigate the costeffectiveness of joint/crack sealing in relation to pavement performance. The results of a mail survey showed that most states, including Indiana, do not have quantitative justification for sealing policies, nor do …

Indot Highway Needs Analysis - Impacts Of Physical Features (Horizontal And Vertical Curvature), Sanjeev Kanekal, Jon D. Fricker

JTRP Technical Reports

The INDOT Long-Range Planning Section has developed a set of planning tools that will support the system-level analysis of the state transportation system. These tools are employed to monitor transportation system performance, identify highway needs, and provide a quantitative analysis of the impacts of transportation improvement projects. One such tool is HERS/IN (Indiana Highway Economic Requirements System). The HERS/IN model identifies deficiencies in pavement, capacity, and alignment by referring to the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data of the roadway sections. The HERS model uses a method to accommodate the curve and grade data and, based on these data, it …

National Pooled Fund Study No.176, Validation Of Shrp Asphalt Mixture Specifications Using Accelerated Testing, James Lincoln Stiady, Adam J. Hand, Samy Noureldin, Jianfeng Hua, Thomas D. White, Khaled A. Galal

JTRP Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of Bridge Deck Cracking In Various Bridge Superstructure Systems, Robert J. Frosch, David Todd Blackman, Roger Dwight Radabaugh

JTRP Technical Reports

Many bridges in the state of Indiana have been identified to have cracking in the concrete deck. Cracking has been identified in the negative and positive moment regions of bridges on both the top and bottom surfaces and can appear before or shortly after the opening of the structure to live loads. Significant crack widths and various degrees of cracking exist in different bridge systems including both concrete and steel superstructures. This research project was divided into five phases to determine the factors affecting transverse and longitudinal bridge deck cracking, as well as, to develop design recommendations that minimize or …

Crafting A Research Paper, Ronan Fitzpatrick, Kevin O'Donnell

Conference papers

Writing research papers presents numerous different challenges, which vary from how to layout the various pages and format the text to what to include in the different sections that make up the paper. In order to clarify these issues this paper sets out guidelines and best practice approaches and demonstrates their use in the style of this paper.

Quality Challenges In E-Commerce Websites, Ronan Fitzpatrick

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

Selected Chemoautotrophic Processes In Wastewater Treatment: Low Temperature Nitrification Inhibition By An Azo Dye And Biofiltration For Odor Control Of Hydrogen Sulfide, Ronald W. Martin Jr.

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Biochemical processes by chemoautotrophs such as nitrifiers and sulfide and iron oxidizers are used extensively in wastewater treatment. The research described in this dissertation involved the study of two selected biological processes utilized in wastewater treatment mediated by chemoautotrophic bacteria: nitrification (biological removal of ammonia and nitrogen) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) removal from odorous air using biofiltration.

A municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) receiving industrial dyeing discharge containing the azo dye, acid black 1 (AB1) failed to meet discharge limits, especially during the winter. Dyeing discharge mixed with domestic sewage was fed to sequencing batch reactors at 22oC and 7oC. …

Classification Of Railroad Crossings In Indiana For Roughness, Thomas A. Williams

JTRP Technical Reports

The objective of this research was to determine if roughness data on railroad crossings could be extracted from INDOT’s road network database in order to determine the need and priority of repair projects. This “railroad roughness” was to be correlated to the general public’s perception of riding comfort by using the panel rating method. From this information a Railroad Crossing Index (RCI) would be developed so that the INDOT could search the database to generate a list of crossings that require repair and prioritize them. To calculate RCI four methods were proposed: 1. The first proposed method for generating RCI …

Construction Work Zone Safety, Christopher Ryan Huebschman, Camilo Garcia, Darcy M. Bullock, Dulcy M. Abraham

JTRP Technical Reports

The need of maintaining safety of motorists and workers during periods of construction activities on interstates has prompted the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to initiate a study aimed at improving the safety in work zones on rural interstates. The two main objectives of the project are 1) determine if active warning devices or improved signing have an impact in work zone safety and 2) determine if it is appropriate to consider temporary roads and bridges during construction activity on interstates in an effort to maintain two lanes open at all times. This report describes the methods used to meet …

Development Of A Database And System For Analyzing The Actual And Potential Impacts On The Environment Of Existing And Planned Indot Sites, Lynn A. Corson

JTRP Technical Reports

The objectives of this research were: 1. to identify the source, character, currency and format of environmental, ecological, geological and other data for each existing facility site and organize it in a “hard copy” and/or computerized framework to aid the prioritization and planning process for facility upgrades to protect the environment, for regulatory compliance, and for potential replacement or relocation of existing sites; 2. to identify and assess the criteria currently employed by INDOT to select locations for new and/or relocated facilities, including the ASTM Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment criteria, and to recommend additional criteria including those …

The Effectiveness Of Maintenance And Its Impact On Capital Expenditures, Samuel Labi, Kumares C. Sinha

JTRP Technical Reports

With ever increasing traffic loadings, highway pavement maintenance needs continue to outpace the availability of resources, and transportation agencies seek cost-effective maintenance practices. This study investigated the effectiveness of maintenance treatments in the short-term and the cost effectiveness of maintenance strategies over entire pavement life. The study also analyzed the relationships and trade-offs between maintenance and capital investments such as pavement rehabilitation, and the trade-offs between preventive and corrective maintenance. These analyses were carried out through a work sequence that included analyses of historical trends, literature review, and a questionnaire survey. The study found that there are significant benefits associated …

Evaluation Of Fire-Fighting Helmet Surface Technology For High Radiant Heat Applications, David L. Barnett

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Protective helmets used by fire-fighters must be designed to minimize the amount of heat transferred to the users head while providing durability, comfort, and affordable costs. This thesis highlights the evaluation of new helmet technology specifically tailored to high radiant heat environments to advance the state-of-the-art in head protection for this application. The research focused on the assessment of the outer shells of helmets and the properties of the surfaces. The development included the evaluation of radiation heat transfer, in a laboratory environment, to various helmet shell surface constructions. Industry standards were considered, and critiqued. Experiments were designed to isolate …

Experimental Investigation Of Separation In A Low Pressure Turbine Blade Cascade Model, Brian Hollon

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The flow field around a low pressure turbine blade is examined using smoke-wire flow visualization, static surface pressure measurements, and particle image velocimetry (PIV). The purpose of the experimental study is to investigate the transition and separation characteristics on low pressure turbine blades under low Reynolds number (Re) and varying freestream turbulence intensity (FSTI). A cascade model consisting of 6 Pratt andamp; Whitney PAK-B low pressure turbine blades was examined in a wind tunnel using PIV and flow visualization. Smoke-wire visualization was performed for test section exit angles of 93°, 95°, and 97°, in the range Re = …

Measurements In A Rotating Serpentine Duct With Multiple Rib Arrangements, Rahul Bharadwajh

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The effect of rotation on flow in a gas turbine blade cooling duct model is investigated experimentally. The present work consists of velocity measurements at different locations in a test section with a 180° bend with ribs on one wall. Three geometric rib parameters are considered; rib-rib spacing, rib orientation angle and rib blockage ratio. PIV is used for flow visualization and analysis. Along with the clean duct measurements, ribs with blockage ratios, b/h, of 0.25 and 0.125 were considered. The b/h = 0.25 cases have been comprehensively analyzed while the b/h = 0.125 cases have been studied at …

Study Of The "Poor Man's Navier-Stokes" Equation Turbulence Model, Stewart Andrew Bible

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The work presented here is part of an ongoing effort to develop a highly accurate and numerically efficient turbulence simulation technique. The paper consists of four main parts, viz., the general discussion of the procedure known as Additive Turbulent Decomposition, the derivation of the "synthetic velocity" subgrid-scale model of the high wavenumber turbulent fluctuations necessary for its implementation, the numerical investigation of this model and a priori tests of said models physical validity. Through these investigations we have demonstrated that this procedure, coupled with the use of the "Poor Mans Navier-Stokes" equation subgrid-scale model, has the potential to be …