Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Alternative Snowplowable Markers And Snowplowing Procedures, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to investigate viable alternatives to the currently approved snowplowable raised pavement marker and alternative methods and equipment used to snowplow roadways. The study included evaluating any potential durable and effective pavement marker that is not disruptive to snowplowing operations and alternative snowplowing procedures and equipment that do not damage pavement delineation and pavements. Implementation possibilities resulting from the research project include a recessed snowplowable marker and improved/alternative snowplowing procedures and equipment.

The alternative snowplowable markers included in the evaluation were the current steel casting marker and a recessed marker. The evaluations confirmed past research …

Understanding Common Perceptions From Online Social Media, Derek Doran, Swapna S. Gokhale, Aldo Dagnino

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

Modern society habitually uses online social media services to publicly share observations, thoughts, opinions, and beliefs at any time and from any location. These geotagged social media posts may provide aggregate insights into people's perceptions on a bad range of topics across a given geographical area beyond what is currently possible through services such as Yelp and Foursquare. This paper develops probabilistic language models to investigate whether collective, topic-based perceptions within a geographical area can be extracted from the content of geotagged Twitter posts. The capability of the methodology is illustrated using tweets from three areas of different sizes. An …

Polymer Fiber Arrays For Adhesion, Shing Chung Josh Wong, Johnny F. Najem, Guang Ji, Shuwen Chen

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

The ability of geckos to adhere to vertical solid surfaces comes from their remarkable feet with millions of projections terminating in nanometer spatulae. In this paper, we present a simple yet robust method for fabricating directionally sensitive dry adhesives. By using electrospun nylon 6 nanofiber arrays, we create gecko-inspired dry adhesives, that are electrically insulating, and that show shear adhesion strength of 27 N/cm2 on a glass slide. This measured value is 270% that reported of gecko feet and 97-fold above normal adhesion strength of the same arrays. The data indicate a strong shear binding-on and easy normal lifting-off. Size …

1976 Montreal Olympics: Case Study Of Project Management Failure, Ashish Patel, Paul A. Bosela, Norbert Delatte

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A successful engineering project must include its timely and economic completion. A project management failure can lead to delays and cost overruns. One example of a project that greatly exceeded its projected budget is the construction of the multiple facilities for the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. These included the Olympic Stadium, a velodrome for bicycle events, and the Olympic Village to house the athletes. This case study reviews the circumstances of the cost increases and the design decisions and other circumstances that led to them. The difficulties were brought on by an unrealistic schedule to complete the facilities before …

More Like This, Geoffrey Lawson

Computer Science and Software Engineering

No abstract provided.

Measurement Of Adhesion Energy Of Electrospun Polymer Membranes Using A Shaft-Loaded Blister Test, Shing Chung Josh Wong, Haining Na, Pei Chen

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

This study aims to examine the adhesion work of electrospun polymer nano- and micro-fibers. The adhesion energy at the interface of electrospun membrane and a rigid substrate is characterized by a shaft-loaded blister test (SLBT). By controlling the processing parameters, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fibrous membranes are prepared with fiber diameters ranging from 201 ± 86 nm to 2,724 ± 587 nm. The adhesion energy between electrospun membrane and rigid substrate increases from 8.1 ± 0.7 mJ/m2 to 258.8 ± 43.5 mJ/m2 by use of smaller fiber diameters. Adhesion energies between electrospun PVDF membranes and SiC substrates made of different grain …

The Quantification Of Wind Turbulence By Means Of The Fourier Dimension, Thomas Woolmington, Keith Sunderland, Jonathan Blackledge, Michael Conlon

Conference papers

Signal Processing within the frequency domain has long been associated with electrical engineering as a means to quantify the characteristics of voltage/current waveforms. Historically, wind speed data (speed/direction) have been captured and stored as statistical markers within a time series description. This form of storage, while cumbersome, is applicable in wind regimes that are relatively laminar. In urban environments, where the associated topographies and building morphologies are heterogeneous, wind speeds are highly turbulent and chaotic. In such environments and with particular reference to wind energy, time series statistics are of limited use, unless the generic probability distribution function (PDF) is …

Polyxpress Usability Testing, Chloe Erdie

Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies

This paper investigates different usability testing methods, and details a final usability testing procedure for the PolyXpress application. Usability testing varies greatly and depends on the size, scope, and budget of a project. Jakob Nielsen, a usability expert, says usability testing generally involves finding test users, asking the users to perform representative tasks with the design, and observing/documenting what happens. There are three main types of usability testing methods: traditional, discount, and going-out-of-business. The methods range in scale, complexity, and cost. This paper specifically details the unique combination of the three main methods that should be used as the usability …

Reliability-Based Bridge Assessment Using Enhanced Monte Carlo To Simulate Extreme Traffic Loading, Bernard Enright, Donya Hajializadeh, Eugene J. Obrien

Conference papers

A framework is presented for the assessment of the safety of a bridge deck under actual traffic loading using an enhanced Monte Carlo method which attempts to reduce computational cost while preserving the advantages of more conventional, computationally intensive, simulation. To generate the bridge loading scenarios, an extensive Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) database is used to calibrate a sophisticated simulation model of two-directional traffic. Traffic and vehicle characteristics are generated from statistical distributions derived from measured traffic data. Two examples are used in this study to assess the usefulness and accuracy of the enhanced method. In the first, a simple example is …

Thickness-Shear And Thickness-Twist Vibrations Of Circular At-Cut Quartz Resonators, Huijing He, Jiashi Yang, Qing Jiang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Exact solutions for free vibration frequencies and modes are obtained for thickness-shear and thickness-twist vibrations of unelectroded circular AT-cut quartz plates governed by the two-dimensional scalar differential equation derived by Tiersten and Smythe. Comparisons are made with experimental results and the widely-used perturbation solution by Tiersten and Smythe under the assumption of weak in-plane anisotropy. Our solution is found to be much closer to the experimental results than the perturbation solution . For the frequency of the fundamental thickness- shear mode, the error of the perturbation method is 0.4549%, significant in resonator applications.

Linear Model Estimation Of Nonlinear Systems Using Least-Squares Algorithm5, Alireza Rahrooh, Walter W. Buchanan, Remzi Seker

Publications

This paper presents utilizes Least-Squares Algorithm to obtain more accurate linear models of nonlinear systems using parameter estimation. This approach generates an optimal linear model which is valid over a wide range of trajectories and converges to the desired steady-state value with no errors unlike the existing techniques. The proposed technique is very efficient and does not require storing the data. Therefore, it can easily be used and implemented with limited resources for undergraduate curriculum especially in underdeveloped countries. Most available techniques for linearization of nonlinear system are only valid about the operating point; furthermore, the knowledge of the operating …

Ranbp9 Aggravates Synaptic Damage In The Mouse Brain And Is Inversely Correlated To Spinophilin Levels In Alzheimer's Brain Synaptosomes, Juan Pablo Palavicini, Hongjie Wang, Elisabetta Bianchi, Shaohua Xu, Jagadeesh S. Rao, David E. Kang, Madepalli K. Lakshmana

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Faculty Publications

We previously demonstrated that over expression of RanBP9 led to enhanced Ab generation in a variety of cell lines and primary neuronal cultures, and subsequently, we confirmed increased amyloid plaque burden in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the present study, we found striking reduction of spinophilin protein levels when RanBP9 is overexpressed. At 12 months of age, we found spinophilin levels reduced by 70% (Po0.001) in the cortex of APDE9/RanBP9 mice compared with that in wild-type (WT) controls. In the hippocampus, the spinophilin levels were reduced by 45% (Po0.01) in the APDE9/RanBP9 mice. Spinophilin immunoreactivity was also …

Wargps: An Android Game That Incorporates Gps Location Services, David Nussbaum

Computer Engineering

As the future of computing moves from the traditional personal computer to that of devices in the mobile realm, the mobile device becomes a more important part of our lives. Since the release of the first iPhone in 2007, mobile devices have become heavily adopted. The adoption rate at which both Android and iOS device have been adopted among users has out-paced the adoption rate of the PC revolution from the 1980s and the Internet boom from the 1990s.6 Within the smart phone market, adoption of Android smartphones is increasing six times faster than iPhone adoption.8 In the spans of …

Motohud: Intelligent And Safe Navigational Data Presentation For Motorcyclists, Drew Bentz, William Budney

Computer Engineering

The system uses a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, Bluetooth modem, and OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen to display navigational information to a motorcycle rider. Currently supported navigational information are speed and heading, with a framework in place for future turn-by-turn navigation. The system is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack and controlled by an Arduino Micro. For turn-by-turn navigation, an Android powered smartphone running our Android App is required. Our system aims to reduce safety hazards from having to tilt or move one’s head when trying to view speed on a motorcycle speedometer, which is usually mounted down by …

Growing Grounds Inventory Application, Courtney Schenkl

Computer Engineering

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Wet-Nighttime Delineation, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of the research was to evaluate the alternative methods which could potentially provide effective and durable delineation of roadways during wet-nighttime conditions. Following is a summary of conclusions for future procedures and materials which should be considered as a method to provide effective lane delineation during wet-nighttime conditions.

• Snowplowable raised pavement markers should continue to be used on interstates and parkways. The installation process must ensure the markers are not placed on or adjacent to the pavement joint.
• Lenses in the steel casting raised pavement markers should be replaced on a three-year cycle. The condition of the castings …

Use Of A Gateway In-Street Sign Treatment To Increase Yielding To Pedestrians At Crosswalks, Miles K. Bennett

Masters Theses

An important goal to reduce the number of collisions between motorists and pedestrians is to increase motorist’s yielding right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. The current study addresses this goal. A Gateway installation of instreet signs (one in-street sign installed between the two travel lanes in each direction and one on both edges of the roadway in each direction) was evaluated on multilane roads. The first experiment compared the efficacy of adding multiple in-street signs used in a gateway configuration with a single sign between the two travel lanes in each direction. The second experiment compared the in-street sign gateway treatment …

Spatial Factors Impacting Non-Motorized Exposures And Crash Risks, Farhad Abasahl

Masters Theses

This research investigates spatial factors, that impact non-motorized exposures and crashes, and examines the relationship between exposure at signalized intersections and crash frequencies involving pedestrians and bicycles at a census tract level. The four Michigan cities of Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Flint and Grand Rapids are examined. After completing an extensive literature review to provide a list of required data, 92 intersections are selected from the four cities to collect pedestrian and bicyclist counts. Five-year crash records, special attractions, non-motorized facilities and transportation infrastructure data for the four cities are gathered for the four cities. This data are later mapped …

Gis-Based Flood Analysis For Adequate Flood Mitigation In An Unplanned Urban Area; The Case Of Pikine Dagoudane In Dakar County, Senegal, Sokhna Helene Diop

Masters Theses

Since 1989, Pikine Dagoudane, in the suburbs of Dakar City has faced several flooding events, resulting in economic loss, environmental degradation and severe disturbance of the social life of the residents. The mitigation programs implemented have not appeared to provide any relief since 2000. Review of the existing literature on the crisis has revealed that the general scale of the studies, and the insufficient attention to some of the major factors could be accounted for such little efficiency. This thesis applies a different approach, based on a small area and focusing mainly on topographic characteristics, to provide a better understanding …

Research Experience For K-12 Stem Teachers : Charecterization Of Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers (Ecnf), Hasina Huq, Mounir Ben Ghalia

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

There is a strong need for well-educated nano electronics device design engineers and therefore K-12 STEM teachers’ training efforts are essential to meet future nanotechnology challenges. A group of three teachers are recruited through the NSF funded Research Experiences for Teachers. The group has investigated the characteristics of Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers (ECNFs) for bio-sensing applications. Nano-electronics have the potential to impact everything from computer processor to television displays to cell phones as well as have a major impact on the U.S. economy. So this research investigates the impact of the nano-electronics educational research on K-12 curriculum.

North American Consortium On Rehabilitation Engineering And Technology For The Individual (Nareti), M. Barbara Silver-Thorn Phd, Karla Bustamante

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Cal Poly Wind Power Research Center Power Regulator, Ricardo Rodriguez, Steven Bounchareune

Electrical Engineering

Through funding from the California Central Coast Research Partnership (C3RP) the

CPWRC, led by Dr. Patrick Lemieux, has erected a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) at the

Cal Poly Escuela Ranch site EL04. With the help of Dr. John Ridgely and Dr. Art MacCarley, the team has implemented a controller that delivers the power being generated by the turbine to a resistor bank which maintains a safe working speed for the turbine. The authors objectives for this project are to (1) become familiar with the operation of the turbine, (2) develop an AC-DC converter that regulates the output of the …

Meat Smoker, Rhianna Topp

Electrical Engineering

This Senior Project consists of designing and building a meat smoker. The design of this meat smoker incorporates knowledge of control systems, programming, hardware, and materials manufacturing. This smoker is made to allow the user an easy experience of smoking food. The smoker provides the user with a programmable temperature and timer. It also has an automatic wood chip loader as deemed necessary to keep the correct amount of smoke distributed. Lastly, this smoker has an automatic application of the user’s choice of liquid to the meat. By designing a smoker with these capabilities, an untrained person desiring to smoke …

Poly_Sense: Modular Wireless Sensor Network, Ian Andal, James Shirley, Haleigh Vierra

Electrical Engineering

Poly_Sense provides a platform for developers to use for a wide range of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) applications. This modular system supports different sensing applications by allowing the developer to easily change between supported sensors through the graphical user interface (GUI). The platform also allows developers to integrate new sensors by writing device drivers which follow the platform’s guidelines and utilize the application programming interface (API). This low-power and cost-effective wireless solution not only provides a basic platform for entry-level developers, but also accommodates larger-scale applications.

Monophonic Pitch Recognition, Nathan Zorndorf, Kristine Carreon

Electrical Engineering

The purpose of this project is to create a system that automatically converts monophonic music into its MIDI equivalent. Automatic pitch recognition allows for numerous commercial applications, including automatic transcription and digital storage of live performances. It is also desirable to be able to take an audio signal as an input and create a MIDI equivalent score because the MIDI information can be used to replace the original audio signal sounds with any sound the user would like. For example, if a piano composition is entered into the system, the resulting MIDI out could be used to trigger guitar samples. …

Characterisation Of Ga2o3-Na2o-Cao-Zno- Sio2 Bioactive Glasses, A. W. Wren, T. Keenan, A. Coughlan, F. R. Laffir, D. Boyd, Mark R. Towler, M. M. Hall

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The structural role of Gallium (Ga) is investigated when substituted for Zinc (Zn) in a 0.42SiO₂-0.40-xZnO-0.10Na₂O-0.08CaO glass series, (where x = 0.08). Each starting material was amorphous, and the network connectivity (NC) was calculated assuming Ga acts as both a network modifier (1.23), and also as a network former. Assuming a network forming role for Ga the NC increased with increasing Ga concentration throughout the glass series (Control 1.23, TGa-1 2.32 and TGa-2 3.00). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed both composition and correlated NC predictions. Raman spectroscopy was employed to investigate Q-structure and found that a shift …

Electrospun Plant Protein Scaffolds With Fibers Oriented Randomly And Evenly In Three-Dimensions For Soft Tissue Engineering Applications, Shaobo Cai

Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this work, electrospinnable and water stable soyprotein was extracted by using a reducing agent in mild alkaline condition, and novel 3D zein and 3D pure soyprotein electrospun scaffolds with three-dimensionally and randomly oriented fibers and large interconnected pores were successfully fabricated by reducing surface resistivity of materials. This unique structure is different from most electrospun scaffolds with fibers oriented mainly in one direction. The structure of novel 3D scaffolds could more closely mimic the 3D randomly oriented fibrous architectures in many native extracellular matrixes (ECM). Confocal laser scanning microscope shows that instead of becoming flattened cells when cultured in …

Adaptive Golf Device, Nick Baker, Katie Delaurentis, Grant Martens, Liz Allison

Mechanical Engineering

Our primary objective was to design a golf device that enables its user, who has limited leg movement and control, to be able to produce a balanced golf swing. Ultimately, the device maximizes the golfer's independence, and increases the accuracy of and power behind each shot. Specifically, the device was designed around the needs and requirements of Dr. Joshua Pate, Professor of Adapted Recreation at James Madison University. Dr. Pate has cerebral palsy limiting his lower body mobility and making it difficult for him to produce a balanced golf swing.

Stirling Engine - Bringing Electricity To Remote Locations, Joshua Dulin, Matthew Hove, Jonathan D. Lilley

Mechanical Engineering

This project report details the development of a prototype Stirling engine designed to be capable of running on many different heat sources.

On-Demand Labeling, Nathan Cheadle, Lorne Stoops, Tony Wang, Robert Zimmerman

Mechanical Engineering

No abstract provided.