Engineering Commons^™

The Effect Of Flowable Fill On The Lateral Resistance Of Driven-Pile Foundations, Dustin David Miner

Theses and Dissertations

Flowable fill was used to strengthen the soft soil surrounding piles and behind the pile cap. The flowable fill placed beneath the pile cap surrounding the piles showed no appreciable increase in lateral resistance, this was partially due to the fact that the flowable fill placed had an unconfined compressive strength of 30 psi. Flowable fill was also used to replace a 12 ft wide, 6 ft thick, and 6 ft deep zone consisting of an average 475 psf clay that was adjacent to a 9-pile group in 3x3 pile configuration capped with a 9 ft x 9 ft x …

Screw Connections Subject To Tension Pull-Out And Shear Forces, American Iron And Steel Institute

American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Specifications, Standards, Manuals and Research Reports (1946 - present)

No abstract provided.

Cost Of Quality In The Construction Industry, Philip L. Barlow

Construction Management

The construction industry needs to decrease its costs due to nonconformance by implementing an objective model for analyzing the excessive cost of poor quality and the overall savings realized from good quality. Direct cost estimates from rework in commercial building construction average about 5%. A simple calculation based on U.S. construction industry expenditures of $1.246 trillion in 2007 reveals that $62 billion is wasted just on the direct cost construction rework alone! The term quality can be applied in many different ways to various aspects of the construction process. This paper proposes a model which helps illustrate how the various …

Avoiding Overrun Accidents On Contaminated Runways, Nihad E. Daidzic

Aviation Department Publications

No abstract provided.

Analysis And Selection Of New Rental Paintball Masks For Gladiator Paintball Park, Geoff Wakefield

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This project is designed to select new rental paintball masks for Gladiator Paintball Park. The currently used rental masks are worn down and need replacement. Criteria for new rental masks are examined and include customer preferences, owner's constraints, and time studies. Candidate masks were found by asking customers what they like in rental masks, interviewing other paintball field owners, and referring to the online paintball community. Three candidate masks were found, the V-Force Vantage, JT Alpha, and Kingman java paintball masks. These masks were compared to the currently used rental masks, the V-Force Armor. Customers were surveyed to find out …

A Biomechanical Comparison Of Polymethylmethacrylate-Reinforced And Expansive Pedicle Screws In Pedicle-Screw Revisions, Bora Bostan, Irfan Esenkaya, Taner Gunes, Mehmet Erdem, Murat Asci, Mehmet Halidun Kelestemur, Cengiz Sen

Faculty Publications - Mechanical Engineering

Objectives: Different techniques and choices exist for revision of pedicle screws, two of which are pedicle screw combined with cement augmentation and expansive pedicle screw fixation. This biomechanical study was designed to compare the pullout strengths of two different revision techniques. Methods: Fourteen lumbar vertebrae obtained from four calves (mean age 15 months) were divided into two groups equal in number. Monoaxial 6.0-mm pedicle screws were inserted into the right pedicles, and axial pullout testing was performed at a rate of 10 mm/min and failure strengths were recorded. Revision was performed with the same-sized pedicle screws reinforced with polymethyl-methacrylate in …

Optimal Sensor Placement In Environmental Research: Designing A Sensor Network Under Uncertainty, Aline James, Craig Tweedie, Tanja Magoc, Vladik Kreinovich, Martine Ceberio

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

One of our main challenges in meteorology and environment research is that in many important remote areas, sensor coverage is sparse, leaving us with numerous blind spots. Placement and maintenance of sensors in these areas are expensive. It is therefore desirable to find out how, within a given budget, we can design a sensor network are important activities was developing reasonable techniques for sensor that would provide us with the largest amount of useful information while minimizing the size of the "blind spot" areas which is not covered by the sensors.

This problem is very difficult even to formulate in …

Symmetries: A General Approach To Integrated Uncertainty Management, Vladik Kreinovich, Hung T. Nguyen, Songsak Sriboonchitta

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

We propose to use symmetries as a general approach to maintaining different types of uncertainty, and we show how the symmetry approach can help, especially in in economics-related applications.

Nightcool: Nocturnal Radiation Cooling Concept, Long Term Performance Evaluation, Florida Solar Energy Center, John Sherwin

FSEC Energy Research Center®

An experimental evaluation has been conducted on a building-integrated night sky cooling system designed to substantially reduce space cooling needs in homes in North American climates. The system uses a sealed attic covered by a highly conductive metal roof (a roof integrated radiator) which is selectively linked by air flow to the main zone with the attic zone to provide cooling - largely during nighttime hours. Available house mass is used to store sensible cooling. The system's capability for solar dehumidification with minimal electricity input is demonstrated with long-term performance data taken over 2007 - 2009. A year-long study period …

Synthesis Of Zeolite A Membrane From Rice Husk Ash, C Bhavornthanayod, P Rungrojchaipon

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Rice husk is a major by-product of the rice-processing industries. The burning of rice husk in air results in the formation of rice husk ash (RHA) with a content in SiO2 that varies from 85 to 98% depending on the burning conditions, the furnace type and the rice variety. Numerous studies aimed at using RHA as a cheap alternative source of amorphous silica for the production of silicon based materials with industrial and technological interests. The zeolite gel was prepared with the following batch composition: 3.1Na2O : Al2O3: 1.9SiO2: 128H2O synthesized by hydrothermal treatment with various times from 15 min …

Discrete Taylor Series As A Simple Way To Predict Properties Of Chemical Substances Like Benzenes And Cubanes, Jaime Nava, Vladik Kreinovich, Guillermo Restrepo, Douglas J. Klein

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In many applications, we have numerous molecules that are obtained from a "template" molecule like benzene C6H6 or cubane C8H8 by replacing some of its hydrogen atoms with other atoms or atom groups (called ligands). Depending on how many original atoms are replaced and which ones are replaced, we obtain a large number of different chemical substances. It is desirable to be able, based on the measurements performed on a small number of such substances, to accurately predict the characteristics (such as energy) of all similar substances.

Such predictions are very important, since, e.g. cubanes, while kinetically stable, are highly …

Thermocapillary Effects In Driven Dewetting And Self-Assembly Of Pulsed Laser-Irradiated Metallic Films, Mikhail Khenner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

A mathematical model for the evolution of pulsed laser-irradiated, molten metallic films has been developed using the lubrication theory. The heat transfer problem that incorporates the absorbed heat from a single laser beam or the interfering laser beams is solved analytically. Using this temperature field, we derive the 3D long-wave evolution PDE for the film height. To get insights into dynamics of dewetting, we study the 2D version of the evolution equation by means of a linear stability analysis and by numerical simulations. The stabilizing and destabilizing effects of various system parameters, such as the reflectivity, the peak laser beam …

Design And Implementation Of A Neural Network Controller For Real-Time Adaptive Voltage Regulation, Xiao-Hua Yu, Weiming Li, N. F. N. Taufik

Electrical Engineering

An adaptive controller based on multi-layer feed-forward neural network is developed for real-time voltage regulation of a class of PSFB (phase-shifted full-bridge) DC–DC converters. The controller has the unique advantages of nonlinear mapping and adaptive learning, and performs well over a wide range of input voltages and output load currents. The controller is implemented and tested in hardware using a DSP (digital signal processor) board. Experimental results show that it outperforms conventional controllers in both line regulation and load regulation.

Design And Implementation Of A Neural Network Controller For Real-Time Adaptive Voltage Regulation, Xiao-Hua Yu, Weiming Li, Taufik

Electrical Engineering

An adaptive controller based on multi-layer feed-forward neural network is developed for real-time voltage regulation of a class of PSFB (phase-shifted full-bridge) DC–DC converters. The controller has the unique advantages of nonlinear mapping and adaptive learning, and performs well over a wide range of input voltages and output load currents. The controller is implemented and tested in hardware using a DSP (digital signal processor) board. Experimental results show that it outperforms conventional controllers in both line regulation and load regulation.

Influence Of Grain Boundary Character On Creep Void Formation In Alloy 617, Thomas Lillo, James Cole, Megan Frary, Scott Schlegel

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Alloy 617, a high temperature creep-resistant, nickel-based alloy, is being considered for the primary heat exchanger for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) which will operate at temperatures exceeding 760^oC. Orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) is used to characterize the grain boundaries in the vicinity of creep voids that develop during high temperature creep tests (800-1000^oC at creep stresses ranging from 20-85 MPa) terminated at creep strains ranging from 5-40%. Observations using optical microscopy indicate creep rate does not significantly influence the creep void fraction at a given creep strain. Preliminary analysis of the OIM data indicates …

Settlement Of Reinforced Subgrades Under Dynamic Loading, V. K. Puri, S. Kumar, B. M. Das, Shamsher Prakash, B. Yeo

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Model tests were conducted in the laboratory to study the settlement behavior of small size footing resting on geogrid reinforced sand layer and subjected to dynamic loads. Tests were conducted by first subjecting the footing to an initial sustained static load and then superimposing additional predetermined dynamic loads. the frequency of dynamic load was kept at 1 Hz which was well below the resonant frequency of the system. based on the observed test results, the nature of variation of the permanent settlement of the foundation with intensity of static loading and the amplitude of cyclic load are presented in this …

Thermocapillary Effects In Driven Dewetting And Self-Assembly Of Pulsed Laser-Irradiated Metallic Films, Mikhail Khenner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

A mathematical model for the evolution of pulsed laser-irradiated, molten metallic films has been developed using the lubrication theory. The heat transfer problem that incorporates the absorbed heat from a single laser beam or the interfering laser beams is solved analytically. Using this temperature field, we derive the 3D long-wave evolution PDE for the film height. To get insights into dynamics of dewetting, we study the 2D version of the evolution equation by means of a linear stability analysis and by numerical simulations. The stabilizing and destabilizing effects of various system parameters, such as the reflectivity, the peak laser beam …

Discussion Of “Analyzing Liquefaction-Induced Lateral Spreads Using Strength Ratios" By S.M. Olson And C.I. Johnson, Robb E.S. Moss, Justin Chow Hollenback

Civil and Environmental Engineering

No abstract provided.

Acs Custom Creation's New Business And Assembly Operations, Kent Christensen

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

ACS Custom Creations had assembly and business operations that wasted time and wasted money. The objective of the project is to improve and implement ACS Custom Creations business and manufacturing operations. The proposed assembly process involves the rearranging of the bottlenecked steps to eliminate constraints. The assembly workstations were also redesigned to reduce cycle time. With the improvement of the new assembly and business operations, ACS is poised to grow into a bigger company. Financial Statements were created to improve visibility of the company’s historical data. These financial statements include an income statement, balance sheet, and a cash flow statement. …

Solder Qwik Pentm, Katherine E. Robbins

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Electronics soldering is a technique used frequently in the manufacturing of Printed

Circuit Boards (PCB) to attach small electronic parts or wires together. Often times

the need to remove a solder joint arises; this is known as desoldering. Solder wick,

fine braided copper wire infused with rosin, is one of the most effective ways to

desolder because it results in the cleanest joints. Currently using solder wick

involves several time consuming and somewhat awkward steps. This report will

cover the process behind designing, manufacturing, and testing a new ergonomic,

dispenser for solder wick that can be used with one hand. …

Seismic Analysis Of Buildings To Recorded Motions, Rakesh K. Goel

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This investigation focused on developing an improved understanding of challenges associated with computation of nonlinear response of three-dimensional building to recorded ground motions, and if the base shear estimated from recorded motions, denoted as “estimated base shear” in this report, is an accurate indicator of the true base shear. For this purpose, three-dimensional models of two buildings – one reinforced-concrete building and one steel building – are developed in OpenSees and Perform3D¬. The analysis of these models included pushover analysis for lateral force distribution proportional to the first mode in each of the two principle directions, and nonlinear response history …

Flight Physician - December, 2009, 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.

Thermocapillary Effects In Driven Dewetting And Self-Assembly Of Pulsed Laser-Irradiated Metallic Films, Mikhail Khenner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

A mathematical model for the evolution of pulsed laser-irradiated, molten metallic films has been developed using the lubrication theory. The heat transfer problem that incorporates the absorbed heat from a single laser beam or the interfering laser beams is solved analytically. Using this temperature field, we derive the 3D long-wave evolution PDE for the film height. To get insights into dynamics of dewetting, we study the 2D version of the evolution equation by means of a linear stability analysis and by numerical simulations. The stabilizing and destabilizing effects of various system parameters, such as the reflectivity, the peak laser beam …

Examining Strategic Information Technology In Relationship To The Need For Technology Modernization, Jill A. Brown

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Strategic planning can be a critical business process for today’s organizations, especially for IT organizations that are facing continually changes in technology. This research was designed to investigate IT organizations’ use of strategic planning and determine if the organization uses their strategic plan to set project priorities. The second part of this research was to determine if the IT strategic plans are aligned with the overall organization’s strategic plan.

This research was conducted using a mail-type survey to IT Executives from organizations with sales/revenues under 100 million dollars, a maximum of 5000 employees, and SIC codes of 201 thru 399. …

Precipitate Redistribution During Creep Of Alloy 617, Scott Schlegel, Sharla Hopkins, E. Young, James Cole, Thomas Lillo, Megan Frary

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Nickel-based superalloys are being considered for applications within advanced nuclear power generation systems due to their high temperature strength and corrosion resistance. Alloy 617, a candidate for use in heat exchangers, derives its strength from both solid solution strengthening and the precipitation of carbide particles. However, during creep, carbides that are supposed to retard grain boundary motion are found to dissolve and re-precipitate on boundaries in tension. To quantify the redistribution, we have used electron backscatter diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy to analyze the microstructure of 617 after creep testing at 900 and 1000°C. The data were analyzed with respect …

45th Conference On Senior Engineering Design Projects, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

Senior Engineering Design Conference

The 45th Conference on Senior Engineering Design Projects was held on December 9, 2009 at the College of Engineering and applied Sciences on the Parkview Campus of Western Michigan University. The college sponsors the conference to showcase the work of its graduating seniors, who are required to complete a capstone project that puts into practice what they have learned. Many of the projects are sponsored by business and industry.

Creating Tomorrow, Fall 2009, College Of Engineering

College of Engineering Magazines

Annual magazine for the College of Engineering at Utah State University.

An Efficient Time-Bound Hierarchical Key Assignment Scheme With A New Merge Function: A Performance Study, Rajasree Shyam

Computer Science Graduate Projects and Theses

The advent of digital age has resulted in more television consumers switching to Digital TV with considerable improvement in image quality and ease-of-use. Consumers are able to select and view television programs and channels of choice by using a pay-per-use model or streaming video from their computer terminals. In all these use cases, the media provider requires a means by which they can restrict the consumers from watching selected programs for a pre-approved temporal interval. The consumer needs to be prevented access to certain pay-per-use channels and programs upon expiry of this pre-approved access. This necessitates the media provider to …

Thermodynamically Consistent Large Deformation Constitutive Model For Glassy Polymers, Ashwani Kumar Goel

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Polycarbonate(PC), like most glassy polymers when undergoing large deformations exhibits a very complex thermo-mechanical response. We look at PC as a model glassy polymer and examine its response to changes in loading rate, loading direction and temperature. We show that plastic flow in compression is accompanied by a change in the elastic response of PC from isotropic to anisotropic. This provides the necessity to introduce a new modeling method that can capture these changes. A finite deformation plasticity like thermodynamically consistent model is developed to capture this and the observed rate and temperature dependence. For this modeling method, we need …

Towards Optimal Effort Distribution In Process Design Under Uncertainty, With Application To Education, Olga Kosheleva, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In most application areas, we need to take care of several (reasonably independent) participants. For example, in controlling economics, we must make sure that all the economic regions prosper. In controlling environment, we want to guarantee that all the geographic regions have healthy environment. In education, we want to make sure that all the students learn all the needed knowledge and skills.

In real life, the amount of resources is limited, so we face the problem of "optimally" distributing these resources between different objects.

What is a reasonable way to formalize "optimally"? For each of the participants, preferences can be …