Engineering Commons^™

Dynamic Response Of A Multi-Span Curved Beam From Moving Transverse Point Loads, Amanda Alexander

HIM 1990-2015

This thesis describes how to evaluate a first-order approximation of the vibration induced on a beam that is vertically curved and experiences a moving load of non-constant velocity. The curved beam is applicable in the example of a roller coaster. The present research in the field does not consider a curved beam nor can similar research be applied to such a beam. The complexity of the vibration of a curved beam lies primarily in the description of the variable magnitude of the moving load applied. Furthermore, this motion is also variable. This thesis will present how this beam will displace …

Understanding And Modeling Pathways To Thrombosis, John Seligson

HIM 1990-2015

This research will investigate techniques to create a sensor that is responsive to methane at 23°C. The approach will use the integration of a very thin film, which changes its resistive properties when methane gas is applied, deposited atop the surface of a piezoelectric substrate. An aluminum thin film interdigital transducer will launch a surface acoustic wave (SAW) that travels under the sensor’s gas-sensitive resistive thin film. The SAW/resistive film interaction changes the SAW amplitude, phase and delay. For this work, three films, tin dioxide (SnO2), zinc oxide (ZnO) and palladium (Pd) [1, 2] will be studied. Gas detection will …

Frequency-Domain Faraday Rotation Spectroscopy (Fd-Frs) For Functionalized Particle And Biomolecule Characterization, Richard Murdock

HIM 1990-2015

In this study, the magnetically-induced vibrations of functionalized magnetic particle suspensions were probed for the development of a novel optical spectroscopy technique. Through this work (1) the frequency-dependence of the faraday rotation in ferrofluids and (2) the extension of this system to elucidating particle size and conformation as an alternative immunossay to costly and labor/time intensive Western Blotting and ELISA has been shown. With its sensitivity and specificity, this method has proven to be a promising multi-functional tool in biosensing, diagnostic, and therapeutic nanomedicine efforts. Due to its ubiquitous nature in all optically-transparent materials, the farady rotation, or circular birefringence, …

A Mechanics-Based Approach For Putt Distance Optimization, Pascual Santiago-Martinez

HIM 1990-2015

Quantifying the core mechanics of putting is imperative to developing a reliable model that predicts post-collision ball behavior. A preliminary model for the stroking motion of putting and putter-ball collision is developed alongside experiments, establishing an empirical model that supports the theory. The goal of the present study is to develop a correlation between the backstroke of a putt, or the pre-impact translation of the putter, and the post-impact displacement of the golf ball. This correlation is subsequently utilized to generate an algorithm that predicts the two-dimensional ball trajectory based on putt displacement and putting surface texture by means of …

Design And Evaluation Of A Test Platform For Thermal Mechanical And Acoustical Loading, Abdi Jasmin

HIM 1990-2015

Next generation hypersonic cruise vehicle components will be subjected to a collection of loads not achievable in contemporary mechanical test platform. The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate the design of a unique test platform for combined extreme environment (P-CEEn) needed to replicate thermal, acoustic and mechanical loading to be imparted on hypersonic fuselage panels. The panels are typically subjected to super-imposed cycling from hypersonic shock/impingement and aerodynamic pressure from the usual ascent-cruise-decent motion of the aircrafts combined with mechanical vibration at acoustic frequencies; moreover, these slender components will undergo conventional mechanical fatigue with compressive mean stress due to …

Nanocluster Thin-Films For Sensor Applications, Joseph Serritella

HIM 1990-2015

The ability to sense gas such as methane can provide an early warning system to protect human lives. High demand for the ability to sense the world around us has provided an extensive area of research for sensor technology. In particular, current sensor technology, specifically for methane, has provided sensors that require a heated environment to function. The majority of current methane sensors function at temperatures between 150°C and 450°C [1-3]. This thesis will explore an approach to produce a room temperature methane sensor.

Surface Structure And Its Effect On Reducing Drag, Ragini Ramachandran

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

A miniature subsonic open return wind tunnel was designed and fabricated to measure drag on small test models at low Reynolds numbers. The wind tunnel featured a sensitive strain gauge type load cell. The average drag coefficient of sphere and cube test models were used to validate the miniature wind tunnel, and the values obtained were consistent with published results over the range of Reynolds numbers tested. These initial results gave confidence that the tunnel could be used to study the effects of surface finish on the drag of various models. Several fabrics with differing ribbed surface structures, including a …

The Design, Build, And Validation Of A Hybrid Tower Used To Conduct Helmet Impact Tests, Darren Benn

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) was established to enlist research directed towards the reduction of head injuries in organized sports. The function of the test methods developed by NOCSAE is to provide the blueprint for reliable and repeatable procedures to measure the evaluation of various types of protective sports headgear and projectiles. In addition, the methods also govern hardware such as testing apparatus and data acquisition instrumentation. In helmet testing, the method dictates whether the impact is induced by a projectile system or by a drop tower system with an anvil at the base. Altogether, …

Bulbous Pier: Alternative To Bridge Pier Extensions, Amilcar Chavez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Bridge deck splashing causes deterioration to the bridge structure and renders the bridge unsafe for motorist and pedestrians. The traditional countermeasure for bridge deck splashing is pier extension, the pier extension moves the pier wave away from the bridge deck, but retrofitting existing bridges with pier extensions is costly. This research proposes the bulbous pier concept as an alternative to pier extension.

The decrease in the pier wave produced by the bulb is due to energy subtracted by the bulb via two forces, the viscous resistance, and the wave-making resistance. The proposed mathematical model for the bulbous pier design follows …

In Vitro Studies Of Gold And Gold Silica Nanoparticle Radiosensitization With Kilovoltage X-Rays, Gregory Colarch

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Technological advances in the ability to construct and manipulate nanoscale particles have opened up the possibility of using solid metallic nanoparticles and mixed metal nanoshells as a means to increase dose enhancement and treatment efficacy to tumors. In order for nanoparticles to be an effective form of treatment, they must be delivered to tumors in sufficient concentrations so that there is a dose enhancement factor due to ionizing radiation, as well as being essentially non-toxic to healthy cells. Gold nanoparticles and silica-gold nanoshells fit these requirements. Gold has a high atomic number (Z=79), which gives a larger cross section for …

The Use Of Cod, Toc, Fluorescence, And Absorbance Spectroscopy To Estimate Biochemical Oxygen Demand In Wastewater, Evelyn Aramaine Christian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

All wastewater treatment facilities must obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which regulates the quality of water that is discharged. Common to all NPDES permits is a limit on organic matter, as determined by the five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) test. More rapid methods, such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), fluorescence, and absorbance spectroscopy are also capable of quantifying organic matter. Previous studies indicate it is possible to develop correlations between these parameters. This study explored the correlations using influent, primary clarifier effluent, and finished effluent samples from an operational wastewater treatment plant …

Adaptive, Neural And Robust Control Of Wing-Rock And Aeroelastic System, Prince Ghorawat

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Modern aircraft exhibit wing-rock phenomenon and aeroelastic instability. Wingrock (roll single degree of freedom motion) and aeroelastic systems' (two degrees of freedom) behavior are described by complex nonlinear differential equations. The nonlinearities in the dynamics of these systems give rise to limit cycle oscillations beyond critical speed of aircraft. The onset of wing-rock and aeroelastic instability limits the performance of aircraft and can even lead to catastrophic consequences. Therefore, control of wing-rock motion and stabilization of aeroelastic systems are important. In the past, several studies have been made and experimental and analytical results have been obtained to explain the wing-rock …

Prediction Of Shear Strength And Ductility Of Cyclically Loaded Reinforced Concrete Columns Using Artificial Intelligence, Nicholas Gordon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The shear strength and deformation capacities of reinforced concrete (RC) columns are governed by a multitude of variables related to material properties of the steel and concrete used in the design and construction of the columns. Predicting performance of RC columns using design variables is a complex, non-linear problem. The prediction of shear strength and ductility for these types of structural members has historically been performed using empirically or semi-empirically derived formulae based on experimental results. The introduction of cyclical lateral loading, such as the forces imposed on a structure during an earthquake, can result in severe degradation of shear …

Properties Of Concrete Containing Ggbf Slag And Nano-Silica, Mohammad Sajjadul Islam

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), a by-product from steel production, has been used as a partial replacement of portland cement in concrete for over a century. It constitutes a beneficial reuse of a by-product material, less consumption of portland cement concrete. Lower consumption of portland cement concrete can help reduce construction cost. Furthermore, it lowers the industrial carbon footprint, and landfill disposal which is a major environmental issue the world is facing today. The chemical composition of GGBF slag is similar to portland cement with hydraulic properties and additional pozzolanic properties with excellent alkali silica reactivity mitigation and resistance …

Impacts Of Ozone Dose And Empty Bed Contact Time On Total Organic Carbon Removal Through Ozone-Biological Activated Carbon Treatment, Ashley Selvy

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In the face of climate change, pollution, and population growth, water scarcity has become a global threat. Many populations have witnessed their drinking water sources dwindle to an unsustainable level. These severe conditions have sparked interest in potable reuse as an increasingly viable alternative to typical ‘pristine’ drinking water sources. Currently, the California Division of Drinking Water (DDW) provides the most stringent requirements for reuse water quality. The best way to meet these standards is through the use of full advanced treatment (FAT), which consists of reverse osmosis (RO) and an advanced oxidation process (AOP). Alternative treatment trains composed of …

Evaluation Of The Equations Used To Calculate Hydraulic Conductivity Values From Two-Stage Borehole Tests, Johnathon Dale Blanchard

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

A compacted clay liner (CCL) test pad was constructed for the purpose of evaluating the testing procedures utilized for determining hydraulic conductivity of a CCL. These procedures include ASTM D6391 (2014) Method C and ASTM D6391 Method A. Method C was recently added to ASTM D6391(2014) and was evaluated based upon comparison of results obtained from previous research with results from the data presented herein. The test pad was instrumented with volumetric water content probes and water matric potential sensors to monitor the wetting front in the soil. The data obtained from this instrumentation should be used to develop a …

Blind Source Separation For Feature Detection And Segmentation In Ground Penetrating Radar (Gpr) Lmaging Of Concrete Bridge Decks For Nondestructive Condition Assessment, Vincent Krause

Dissertations

Concrete bridge decks require periodic condition assessment and preventive maintenance to extend their useful lifespan. Nondestructive evaluation methods such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) are slowly beginning to replace or complement the manual (visual) assessment of bridge conditions for detecting defects at their early stages. However, GPR scans of bridge decks are frequently cluttered with high amplitude reflections from known parts of the bridge deck, which make the detection of defects’ low amplitude reflections difficult. One such known part is the embedded steel reinforcement bars known as rebar.

This dissertation presents a novel approach to the automated detection of defects …

Expression Of Ha1 Fragment Of H1n1 Swine Influenza Viral Protein, Hemagglutinin, On The Surface Of Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Using Pyd5 Shuttle Vector, Ismael Mojica

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Influenza viruses are enveloped viruses with segmented RNA genome surrounded by a helical symmetry shell. Due to genetic reassortment between avian, swine, and human influenza viruses, a global pandemic may emerge, calling for new methods of mass vaccine production. Yeast is an ideal organism to express viral antigens (e.g. hemagglutinin) because of its natural adjuvant activity, making the expressed proteins more immunogenic when administered to the human body [1,2]. In addition to the purpose of vaccination, yeast is economically convenient by expressing proteins in a fast, inexpensive manner [3,4]. In this study, the goal is to express the HA1 fragment …

Phosphorus Flux From Bottom Sediments In New Spiro Lake, Oklahoma, Katherine Smith

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Phosphorus loads to water bodies consist of external flux from the watershed and internal flux from the bottom sediments. In this study, the specific objectives were to measure the internal phosphorus flux from bottom sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and determine the effectiveness of various rates of alum treatment on sediment phosphorus release. Eight intact sediment cores from New Spiro Lake were incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions for 41 days at room temperature. The cores were treated in the middle of incubation with alum (aluminum sulfate) and sodium aluminate at a ratio of 2:1, ranging from 0.05 to …

The Study Of The Formation Of Oligomers And Amyloid Plaques From Amylin By Capillary Electrophoresis And Fluorescent Microchip Electrophoresis, Shane Weindel

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Amylin, a pancreatic β-cell hormone, was the focus of this research project. This hormone is co-localized and co-secreted with insulin in response to nutrient stimuli. The hormone inhibits food intake, gastric emptying and glucagon secretion. Insulin and amylin appear to complement each other in the control of plasma glucose levels. Human amylin has a propensity to self-aggregate and to form insoluble bodies. In type 2 diabetes, amylin forms pancreatic islet amyloid plaques, which are found in 90% of people with the disease. It is still uncertain whether or not the deposition of amylin is a primary, or a secondary, event …

The Effects Of Algae Pre-Treatment On The Biomethane Potential Of Swine Wastewater, Joe Barrett Carter

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Anaerobic digestion is a common method of waste treatment in the agro-industrial and municipal sectors, which utilizes microbial metabolisms that take place in an environment closed to the atmosphere to convert the organic content of wastewater into gas composed of approximately 65% methane and 35% carbon dioxide. This gas can be used as a combustible fuel for the production of heat and/or electricity. Anaerobic digestion is not typically used to treat swine waste because of its low carbon to nitrogen ratio being below the ideal range of 20-30:1. This high nitrogen content of swine waste results in ammonia inhibition of …

Antimicrobial Effects Of Pine Essential Oil Against Listeria Monocytogenes, Elizabeth Louise Marhefka

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Short leaf and loblolly pine were harvested in May 2014 and June 2014, respectively, at the University of Arkansas Monticello in Monticello, Arkansas. Short leaf and loblolly essential oils were prepared by hydrodistillation, using a Clevenger apparatus. Essential oils were extracted at separate times and showed different concentrations of the components α-pinene, β- pinene, 3-carene, limonene, and terpineol. Pine essential oil samples were tested through disc diffusion assay for antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes. This was done by placing ten μL of each essential oil sample on a paper disc on an agar plate that was inoculated with L. monocytogenes …

A Participatory Design Framework For Customisable Assistive Technology, Pearl O'Rourke

Doctoral

High product costs and device abandonment negatively affect people with disabilities who require Assistive Technology (AT), and poor product design is a root cause. The purpose of this research is to develop and demonstrate a participatory design framework for customisable AT, which addresses the need for low-cost assistive products that satisfy a broad range of consumers’ needs. This framework addresses two main gaps in the literature. First, user involvement in the design process of medical and rehabilitative products helps create products that are more effective but, although methods to involve users exist, there are currently scant techniques to translate the …

Alloy Solute Interactions At Grain Boundaries And Nanoscale Interfaces In Copper, Luke Prestowitz

Nanoscale Science & Engineering (discontinued with class year 2014)

To study grain boundary solute interactions we have developed recipes for co-electrodeposition of dilute copper alloys including Cu(Ni) and Cu(Co). Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) was used to analyze the incorporation of solute into the copper film. In addition to the co-electrodeposition process we also used a drive-in diffusion model for Au, Ag, Co, and Ni. Atomic imaging in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) was used to visualize and investigate solute at grain boundaries and interfaces in polygranular copper films. By understanding these interactions and pathways of alloying solutes in copper microstructures, we can more accurately predict alloying behavior …

Reaction Kinetics Of Rare Earth And Actinide Materials, Brian Jon Jaques

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents the effects of atmosphere, time, and energy input (thermal and mechanical) on the kinetics of gas-solid and solid-solid reactions in systems of dysprosium, uranium, oxygen, and nitrogen. Accordingly, Chapter Two presents a novel synthesis technique used to form DyN via a gas-solid reaction between dysprosium and nitrogen. DyN was rapidly formed through a mechanochemical process in a high energy ball mill at ambient temperatures. The progress of the reaction was quantified using in situ temperature and pressure measurements coupled with microscopy and x-ray diffraction. It was found that the rate of the nitridation reaction is controlled by …

Microfabrication Of Bio-Analytical Devices: Microelectrode Array And Traveling-Wave Electrophoresis, Neil Draper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The need for potable water is increasing with the ever-increasing world population. Further development of fast, portable, and cost effective analytical tools is necessary in order to create diagnostic techniques capable of supporting the water needs of the world’s population. Within the last decade microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) technologies have increased the portability and speed of detection for aqueous samples. Photolithography techniques serve as a cost effective fabrication tool to create LOC electrodes on the micron scale.

An in-depth look at the fabrication process is undertaken in this paper in order to further the development of micro-scale detection techniques. An …

The Fate Of Pharmaceuticals And Personal Care Products In Conventional And Engineered On-Site Wastewater Drain Fields, James Beardall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Utah State University Division of Environmental Engineering student, under the direction of Ms. Judith L. Sims, has investigated the fate of six pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in conventional and engineered on-site wastewater drain fields. The presence of PPCPs in the environment, especially in aquatic environments, has raised awareness to the effects of PPCPs on aquatic life and the fate of these PPCPs, and has caused regulators to become more involved in setting requirements for the removal of PPCPs from wastewater.

This research investigated the fate of caffeine, acetaminophen, carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, progesterone, and fluoxetine in laboratory scaled columns that …

Design Of An Improved Post For Use In A Non-Proprietary High-Tension Cable Median Barrier, Robert W. Bielenberg, Ronald K. Faller, Karla A. Lechtenberg, Tyler L. Schmidt, Scott K. Rosenbaugh, John D. Reid, Dean L. Sicking

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The objective of this research study was to develop a revised post section for the non-proprietary high-tension cable median barrier that improved the safety and function of the post by lowering strong-axis forces. A total of twenty dynamic component tests were performed, along with one cable pull test – ten tests with the 7-gauge C-section post, eight with the 10-gauge C-Section posts, and three with the Midwest Weak Post (MWP). The tests were conducted with the posts installed in either a compacted, crushed limestone soil or a rigid sleeve in order to determine the force vs. deflection and energy vs. …

Cure Kinetics, Morphologies, And Mechanical Properties Of Thermoplastic/Mwcnt Modified Multifunctional Glassy Epoxies Prepared Via Continuous Reaction Methods, Xiaole Cheng

Dissertations

The primary goal of this dissertation is to develop a novel continuous reactor method to prepare partially cured epoxy prepolymers for aerospace prepreg applications with the aim of replacing traditional batch reactors. Compared to batch reactors, the continuous reactor is capable of solubilizing and dispersing a broad range of additives including thermoplastic tougheners, stabilizers, nanoparticles and curatives and advancing epoxy molecular weights and viscosities while reducing energy consumption.

In order to prove this concept, polyethersulfone (PES) modified 4, 4’-diaminodiphenylsulfone (44DDS)/tetraglycidyl-4, 4’-diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM) epoxy prepolymers were firstly prepared using both continuous reactor and batch reactor methods. Kinetic studies confirmed the chain …

Analysis Of Mobility Impact For Implementing Complete Streets, Marino Esteban Calderón Díaz

Masters Theses

Traffic simulation of the Western Michigan University campus and Downtown Kalamazoo to propose changes in the traffic flow and urban design are described. The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate the traffic mobility impact when incorporating the concept of Complete Streets in Downtown Kalamazoo. This project analyzes alternatives to improve traffic mobility for Stadium Drive, which includes new road geometry and roundabout. It also proposes wider sidewalks for pedestrians, bicycle lanes, and a designed landscape that enhances the genius loci. Bicycles are an ecofriendly means of transportation and the city of Kalamazoo lacks a safe path for bicyclists …