Engineering Commons^™

Groundwater Levels In Northern Texas High Plains: Baseline For Existing Agricultural Management Practices, Jairo E. Hernández, Prasanna H. Gowda, Thomas H. Marek, Terry A. Howell, Wonsook Ha

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

New groundwater policies are being debated for the Northern Texas High Plains because of Ogallala Aquifer depletion. These policies should be evaluated using a calibrated groundwater model for assessing their impact on subsequent groundwater levels. The objective of this study was to calibrate and validate a regional groundwater model for predicting the impact of existing agricultural management practices on groundwater levels beneath 4 counties located in the Northern Texas High Plains. Results indicated that the MODFLOW-2000 groundwater model was calibrated and validated satisfactorily based on reproducing and comparing groundwater levels with coefficients of determination of 0.97 and 0.98, root mean …

Real Time Bridge Scour Monitoring With Magneto-Inductive Field Coupling, Andriy V. Radchenko, David Pommerenke, Genda Chen, Pratik Maheshwari, Satyajeet R. Shinde, Viswa Pilla, Y. Rosa Zheng

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Scour was responsible for most of the U.S. bridges that collapsed during the past 40 years. The maximum scour depth is the most critical parameter in bridge design and maintenance. Due to scouring and refilling of river-bed deposits, existing technologies face a challenge in measuring the maximum scour depth during a strong flood. In this study, a new methodology is proposed for real time scour monitoring of bridges. Smart Rocks with embedded electronics are deployed around the foundation of a bridge as field agents. With wireless communications, these sensors can send their position change information to a nearby mobile station. …

Numerical Investigation Of Plasma Actuator Configurations For Flow Separation Control At Multiple Angles Of Attack, Thomas Kelsey Iv, West, Serhat Hosder

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Teaching Technical Engineering Courses From A Christian Perspective: Two Examples, Charles C. Adams

Pro Rege

Engineering professors, like those of the natural sciences, usually teach by breaking the subject matter into parts, that is, courses and activities that are logically abstract from each other. While together comprising a coherent whole, those individual parts too easily foster abstractionism, the view that such subjects as calculus, fluid mechanics, engineering design, and engineering ethics “really are” separable from one another. Such a view militates against a Christian perspective of engineering, technology, and reality in general by replacing the organic wholeness of life before the face of God with the compartmentalization that is characteristic of modern science and naturalism. …

Novel Approach To Junctional Bleeding: Tourniquet Device Proposal For Battlefield Hemorrhage Control, Kyle W. Cabaniss

Master's Theses

This study investigated possible solutions to the current wartime problem of junctional hemorrhaging, or massive traumatic hemorrhaging in non-tourinquetable areas such as the neck, groin, or armpit. Junctional hemorrhaging has been identified as a major contributor to potentially survivable deaths seen on the battlefield today and therefore is a priority for the U.S. armed and coalition forces (Kragh et al., 2011a; Bozeman, 2011). Common tourniquets today are standard issue and carried by soldiers in the military, but are limited to distal extremity trauma. As the battlefield has changes however, trauma has transformed from commonly seen gunshot wounds to more extreme …

A Gravity Gradient, Momentum-Biased Attitude Control System For A Cubesat, Ryan J. Sellers

Master's Theses

ExoCube is the latest National Science Foundation (NSF) funded space weather CubeSat and is a collaboration between PolySat, Scientific Solutions Inc. (SSI), the University of Wisconsin, NASA Goddard and SRI International. The 3U will carry a mass spectrometer sensor suite, EXOS, in to low earth orbit (LEO) to measure neutral and ionized particles in the exosphere and thermosphere. Measurements of neutral and ion particles are directly impacted by the angle at which they enter EXOS and which leads to pointing requirements. A combination of a gravity gradient system with a momentum bias wheel is proposed to meet pointing requirements while …

Development And Characterization Of A Chromotomosynthetic Hyperspectral Imaging System, Randall L. Bostick

Theses and Dissertations

A chromotomosynthetic imaging (CTI) methodology based upon mathematical reconstruction of a set of 2-D spectral projections to collect high-speed (100 Hz) 3-D hyperspectral data cube has been proposed. The CTI system can simultaneously provide usable 3-D spatial and spectral information, provide high-frame rate slitless 1-D spectra, and generate 2-D imagery equivalent to that collected with no prism in the optical system. The wavelength region where prism dispersion is highest (500 nm) is most sensitive to loss of spectral resolution in the presence of systematic error, while wavelengths 600 nm suffer mostly from a shift of the spectral peaks. The quality …

Discrimination Between Child And Adult Forms Using Radar Frequency Signature Analysis, Stephanie R. Keith

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis we develop a method to discriminate between adult and child radar signatures. In particular, we examine radar data measured from behind a wall, which introduces radar signal attenuation and multipath effects. To investigate the child/adult discrimination problem in a through-wall, multipath scenario, a previously developed free-space human scattering model was expanded to incorporate multiple paths, and the effects of transmission through, and reflections from, walls and ground. The ground was modeled as a perfectly reflecting surface, while the walls were modeled as homogeneous concrete slabs. Twenty-five reflection paths were identified, involving the direct paths, as well as …

A Framework For Oil Price Benchmark Determination: Lessons For Nigeria, Taiwo H. Sanni, Bassey D. Akpan

Bullion

The main thrust of this paper is to draw lessons of experience from other selected oil producing countries. the outcome of the study is expected to help in strengthening Nigeria's oil price framework in line with international best practice. Section 2 dwells on the theoretical and literature review on oil based fiscal rule, while section 3 presents the framework for oil price benchmark determination and section 4 examines those factors capable of stimulating determination of oil price benchmark, lastly section 5 discusses some lessons of experience from Nigeria and then the conclusion.

Fuel Subsidy And Other Unproductive Public Expenditures Removal: A Pragmatic Approach To Restructure And Transform The Nigerian Economy, Lawrence O. Akinboyo

Bullion

While the short term measures to reduce recurrent expenditure are necessary conditions for fiscal sustainability, the long term imperative is to increase revenue. Thus, efforts should be made by the fiscal authorities in Nigeria to pursue the policy of balancing of expenditure with revenue improvements. The issues of the underperformance of the capital budget should be reversed before savings from cuts in recurrent expenditure can be diverted to the financing of capital expenditure. From the analysis, we say that removal of fuel subsidy would no doubt have some social and economic hardship on the people in the short run, However, …

Response Surface Method Based On Radial Basis Functions For Modeling Large-Scale Structures In Model Updating, Linren Zhou, Guirong Yan, Jinping Ou

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Response Surface (RS) Method based on Radial Basis Functions (RBFs) is Proposed to Model the Input-Output System of Large-Scale Structures for Model Updating in This Article. as a Methodology Study, the Complicated Implicit Relationships between the Design Parameters and Response Characteristics of Cable-Stayed Bridges Are Employed in the Construction of an RS. the Key Issues for Application of the Proposed Method Are Discussed, Such as Selecting the Optimal Shape Parameters of RBFs, Generating Samples by using Design of Experiments, and Evaluating the RS Model. the RS Methods based on RBFs of Gaussian, Inverse Quadratic, Multiquadric, and Inverse Multiquadric Are …

High-Stress Shear-Induced Crystallization In Isotactic Polypropylene And Propylene/Ethylene Random Copolymers, Zhe Ma, Lucia Fernandez-Ballester, Dario Cavallo, Tim Gough, Gerrit W. M. Peters

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Crystallization of an isotactic polypropylene (iPP) homopolymer and two propylene/ethylene random copolymers (RACO), induced by high-stress shear, was studied using in situ synchrotron wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) at 137 °C. The “depth sectioning” method (Fernandez-Ballester, Journal of Rheology 53:5 (2009), pp. 1229−1254) was applied in order to isolate the contributions of different layers in the stress gradient direction and to relate specific structural evolution to the corresponding local stress. This approach gives quantitative results in terms of the specific length of fibrillar nuclei as a function of the applied stress. As expected, crystallization becomes faster with increasing stress—from the inner …

Caddy: A 2005 Roborodentia Entry With Vision And Path Planning Abilities, Taylor Braun-Jones

Computer Engineering

Roborodentia is an autonomous robotics competition held each year during Cal Poly’s Open House. For the 2005 competition, robot entries needed to navigate a maze searching for three randomly placed golf balls, collect them, and then deposit the balls in the “nest” at the end of the maze. A newly added aspect for the 2005 competition included two bonus balls that were placed on a platform behind the wall in two predetermined corners of the maze.

Caddy is a robot that was entered into the 2005 Roborodentia competition. Caddy included a vision system that allowed searching for balls down untraveled …

Protecting Bridges From Earthquake Damage, Peter Dusicka

TREC Project Briefs

Earthquake damage to bridges can have serious effects on a transportation network. When a bridge is out, the damage can go well beyond what is immediately visible: in addition to the cost of repairing it, the state must deal with short-term and long-term interruptions to traffic. These interruptions can delay repair and construction, as well as impacting post earthquake emergency response and causing the loss of valuable time for commuters and freight. To prevent this situation, older bridges (ones that are past an average construction life of about 50 years) should be retrofitted with stronger materials, especially in earthquake- prone …

Mitochondrial Handling Of Excess Ca2+ Is Substrate-Dependent With Implications For Reactive Oxygen Species Generation, Mohammed Aldakkak, David F. Stowe, Ranjan K. Dash, Amadou K.S. Camara

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The mitochondrial electron transport chain is the major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cardiac ischemia. Several mechanisms modulate ROS production; one is mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake. Here we sought to elucidate the effects of extramitochondrial Ca²⁺ (e[Ca²⁺]) on ROS production (measured as H₂O₂ release) from complexes I and III. Mitochondria isolated from guinea pig hearts were preincubated with increasing concentrations of CaCl₂ and then energized with the complex I substrate Na⁺ pyruvate or the complex II substrate Na⁺ succinate. Mitochondrial H₂O₂ release rates were assessed after …

Reliable Travel: Clearer Roads, Cleaner Air, Miguel Figliozzi

TREC Project Briefs

A project explores the importance of travel-time reliability for evaluating the performance of a road network in terms of emissions, traffic and commuters’ route choices.

Microgrid Power Quality Analysis, Nikolai Kempcatala, Daniel Pleau, Scott Clemons

Electrical Engineering

The microgrid power quality analysis senior project addresses power quality assessment. Our senior project uses the PowerSight 3000 power measurement tool to record and analyze various electrical measurements including voltage, current, power, power factor, harmonics and AC frequency.

Our project will analyze power quality issues that result from switching from the utility grid to a smart grid run on primarily photovoltaic distributed generation. In the event of a utility failure, the smart grid can serve as an isolated grid for the system, this is called islanded mode. Our project assesses the reliability of operation in islanded mode. Our analysis should …

In Situ Analysis Of Fatigue Crack Propagation In Polymer Foams, Elio E. Saenza, Leif A. Carlsson, Anette M. Karlsson

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents an in situ SEM experimental study on cyclic crack propagation in closed-cell polymer foams. The microscopic failure mechanisms in precracked PVC and PES specimens of 60 and 90 kg/m³ densities were examined under low-cycle fatigue loading. In the PVC foam, crack propagation occurred incrementally by successive failure of cell boundaries in front of the crack tip. The crack occasionally jumped to cell boundaries above or below the main crack resulting in non-self similar growth. Crack propagation in the PES foam occurred incrementally by extensive plastic tearing and subsequent tensile failure of the cell edge in front …

Design And Evaluation Of An Irrigation System For Meyer Lemons, Anthony Atchley

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project discusses the design and implementation procedures for an irrigation system for Meyer lemons. The irrigation system is designed from an economical standpoint incorporating limitations set by the ranch manager such as the use of existing pipe lines and emitter selection preference. Within this project there are the steps taken to ensure a healthy crop utilizing the data and advice collected from other fields and their managers in the same area.

The entire field is run as a single set with two manifolds to supply the Western and Eastern ends of the field. A total of 555 trees …

Dc House Distribution Panel, Khanh Ho

Electrical Engineering

This paper details the process in designing the distribution panel, or circuit breaker box for a DC house. The main purpose of the project is to design a distribution panel that will provide electrical power to the DC house while also providing an electrical system protection through the use of circuit breakers, or fuses. An actual hardware design for the distribution panel was built and tested. The results demonstrate the functionality of the breaker box to supply power to the DC House ensuring safe operation of the DC House.

Evaluation Of Geometric Design Needs Of Freeway Systems Based On Safety And Geometric Data, Eneliko Mujuni Mulokozi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Freeways are arterial highways characterized by high levels of safety and high speed vehicular traffic. Access to and from the freeways is provided through ramps. Geometric elements making up freeway facilities include the roadway, median shoulders, grades, and ramps to and from the traveled way at selected locations, shoulders, radius of curvature, lane width, and speed-change lanes. With the increase of traffic using the freeway systems, there arises more traffic weaving movements within the elements making up the freeway systems. This causes traffic flow to compete at the limited spaces available and reduces safety performance of freeway system.

In studies …

Design Of A Transpired Air Heating Solar Collector With An Inverted Perforated Absorber And Asymmetric Compound Parabolic Concentrator., Nasif Shams

Doctoral

absorber and an asymmetric compound parabolic concentrator was applied to increase the intensity of solar radiation incident on the perforated absorber. A 2D ray tracing model quantified optical efficiency at different incident angles within 27o to 89o incident angles. The beam efficiency was found to vary between 72% and 79% and diffuse efficiency was found to vary between 48.2% and 65%. The average thermal efficiency was found to be approximately 55%-65% with average radiation above 400 W/m2 for flow rates in the range of 0.03 kg/s/m2 to 0.09 kg/s/m2. Experimental results at air flow rates of 0.03 kg/s/m2 and 0.09 …

Ad-Hoc Regional Coverage Constellations Of Cubesats Using Secondary Launches, Guy G. Zohar

Master's Theses

As development of CubeSat based architectures increase, methods of deploying constellations of CubeSats are required to increase functionality of future systems. Given their low cost and quickly increasing launch opportunities, large numbers of CubeSats can easily be developed and deployed in orbit. However, as secondary payloads, CubeSats are severely limited in their options for deployment into appropriate constellation geometries.

This thesis examines the current methods for deploying cubes and proposes new and efficient geometries using secondary launch opportunities. Due to the current deployment hardware architecture, only the use of different launch opportunities, deployment direction, and deployment timing for individual cubes …

Study Of An Alternative Process For Oxidizing Vapor Grown Carbon Nanofibers Using Electron Beam Accelerators, Maria Cecília Evora, Donald A. Klosterman, Khalid Lafdi, Lingchuan Li, L.G.A. Silva

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

The use of a high-energy electron beam was explored in this study as an alternative technique for oxidizing vapor grown carbon nanofiber surfaces. The radiation exposures were carried out at three different electron beam facilities with beam energies of 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 MeV and radiation doses ranging from 1000 to 3500 kGy. XPS analysis showed that oxygen was readily incorporated on the surface: the ratio O1s/C1s increased approximately by a factor of 4 when the carbon nanofibers were irradiated at 3500 kGy. The oxidized nanofibers exhibited better dispersion in a water/methanol solution (50% v/v) than as-received nanofibers. Raman spectroscopy …

Relationships Between Unoccupied Classroom Acoustical Conditions And Elementary Student Achievement Measured In Eastern Nebraska, Lauren M. Ronsse, Lily M. Wang

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Building standards recommend maximum background noise levels (BNL) and reverberation times (RT) for unoccupied classrooms. However, existing research does not show a consistent correlation between these parameters and student achievement. Through in situ testing, this research seeks to determine what acoustical conditions should be attained in elementary schools for students to meet educational goals. Acoustical measurements were conducted in a Nebraska public school system and correlated to achievement scores from students in the surveyed classrooms. Unoccupied BNLs and RTs were gathered in 34 third and 33 fifth-grade classrooms. Additionally, binaural room impulse response measurements were gathered in a subset of …

Development Of The Chinese Construction Industry After The Cultural Revolution: Administration Framework, Economic Growth, And Market Structure, Yilei Huang, Yi Lan, Yong Bai

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the development of the Chinese construction industry after the Cultural Revolution in terms of administration framework, economic growth, and market structure, with the consideration of Chinese currency inflation. The development was divided into three stages based on Chinese government policy changes on the construction industry. In each stage, the reform of administration framework was reviewed, and the market size and market structure in both the domestic and the international markets were analyzed. Value added and gross output value of domestic market, the number of contracts, contracting value, total turnover, and turnover …

A Microfluidic Pretreatment Isoelectric Focusing Dc-Field Assisted H-Filter For The Separation Of Charged Particles, Cameron Sean Carroll

Biomedical Engineering

Microfluidic devices are small portable diagnostic chips that allow for analysis of a biologic sample at relatively low cost. This makes them ideal for settings where a hospital is unavailable. The microfluidic pretreatment isoelectric focusing DC-field assisted H-filter is a device that allows for the separation of differently charged particles in a biologic sample. It does this by employing the concepts of diffusion, electrophoresis, and isoelectric focusing. This is perfect for isolation of a desired analyte or separation of waste from a sample in order to achieve better diagnostic results. The device was first modeled mathematically and visually using Comsol. …

Investigating The Reproducibility Of The Current Bvm Protocol, Corey Gross

Biomedical Engineering

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is responsible for 1 death every minute in the US. Angioplasty with the implantation of stents is a common treatment method for CAD. Although there is a variety of stents currently on the market, there is still a need to develop new types for different pathologic conditions. Preliminary assessment of the physiological response to new stents is needed as they are being developed. The FDA approval process implemented today is a long, tedious path with a range of testing methods that include static in vitro testing and high-cost animal testing. Tissue engineered blood vessels have been …

Design And Optimization Of A Keycard Encoding Machine, Elliott Oberg

Biomedical Engineering

Security on college campuses is a good thing, especially when it comes to your dorm room or apartment building. But due to high initial cost, the Housing and Business Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, has opted for a proprietary door lock system which requires encoding new keycards manually for every resident, every year. The goal of this project is to offset this labor cost and drain on resources by automating the keycard encoding process. This project will address the design specifications and economic advantages of automation while also exploring and comparing alternative solutions.

Mickey's Memory Game: A Children's Memory Game Designed For Sifteo Cubes, Anjelica Concepcion

Computer Engineering

Mickey’s Memory Game is a children’s memory game developed on the Sifteo platform. Sifteo cubes are small, interactive devices, which can display colored images and sense neighboring cubes or detect user actions, such as clicking, shaking, or tilting the cubes. Although many classic video games or mobile games can be recreated on the Sifteo cubes, the goal of this project was to utilize capabilities that are unique to the Sifteo gaming platform, while also creating a useful game for child development.