Engineering Commons^™

Remote Battery Testing System, Jeffrey Snow

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Large storage/backup batteries are used everywhere around us, from fire alarms to our automobiles. However, we often forget they are even there. This leads to failures going unnoticed until the time of need. Then, it’s too late. The Remote Battery Testing System addresses this with the following features:

• Tester installed at location of batteries
• Tests automatically on a schedule
• Results of tests are sent back over network
• Results indicate health of batteries (not just charge)

Design And Prototyping Of A Real-Time Millimeter Wave Imaging System, Zahra Manzoor

Doctoral Dissertations

"The goal of this work is to design, prototype and test an innovative millimeter wave imaging system that operates in the frequency range of 33-35 GHz and is capable of producing rapid images of various diverse scenes. In particular, the imaging system includes two main sections, one is related to the hardware design of the system, and the other focuses on the development of a novel comprehensive image reconstruction algorithm. The hardware design includes custom transmitter and receiver sub-systems, and a sparse switched array which was optimized for 320 mm x 220 mm aperture plane, and also included an improved …

Characterization And Modeling Of Esd Events And Near-Field Scanning Calibration Structures, Shubhankar Kashinath Marathe

Doctoral Dissertations

"This research is divided into three papers that cover, two major topics. The first topic, system-level electrostatic discharge (ESD), is discussed over the course of two papers. The second topic, a calibration structure for near-field scanning probe calibration application, is discussed in the last paper. In the first paper, software-assisted detection methods are proposed for secondary ESD discharges. The measured waveforms are analyzed with respect to waveform parameters, such as the vertical threshold of the rising edge, the derivative of the current waveform, and total charge delivered. These parameters enable automatic detection of secondary ESD while monitoring the discharge waveform …

Study Of Optical Propulsion Concepts And Techniques For Small-Satellites, Jaykob Neil Maser

Doctoral Dissertations

"The first objective of this research is to manufacture and investigate the characteristics and use of asymmetric, metallic, nanostructures for plasmonic force propulsion, a developing method of nano-/picosatellite thrust generation. This project developed a higher-fidelity model of a recently envisioned small spacecraft propulsion system for precision pointing and proximity control. Plasmonic force propulsion harnesses solar light focused onto plasmon reactive sub-wavelength nanostructures to generate polarized oscillations of electrons on the surface of metallic nanostructures which accelerate and expel nanoparticle propellant via strong optical forces. This research also explores how material selection affects the electromagnetic response of the closely positioned asymmetric …

Thermomechanical Analysis Of Rock Asperity In Fractures Of Enhanced Geothermal Systems, Chao Zeng

Doctoral Dissertations

"Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) offer great potential for dramatically expanding the use of geothermal energy and become a promising supplement for fossil energy. The EGS is to extract heat by creating a subsurface system to which cold water can be added through injection wells. Injected water is heated by contact with rock and returns to the surface through production well. Fracture provides the primary conduit for fluid flow and heat transfer in natural rock. Fracture is propped by fracture roughness with varying heights which is called asperity. The stability of asperity determines fracture aperture and hence imposes substantial effect on …

Remanufacturing Of Precision Metal Components Using Additive Manufacturing Technology, Xinchang Zhang

Doctoral Dissertations

"Critical metallic components such as jet engine turbine blades and casting die/mold may be damaged after servicing for a period at harsh working environments such as elevated temperature and pressure, impact with foreign objects, wear, corrosion, and fatigue. Additive manufacturing has a promising application for the refurbishment of such high-costly parts by depositing materials at the damaged zone to restore the nominal geometry. However, several issues such as pre-processing of worn parts to assure the repairability, reconstructing the repair volume to generate a repair tool path for material deposition, and inspection of repaired parts are challenging. The current research aims …

Improvements In Digital Image Correlation And Application In Material Mechanical Test, Yunlu Zhang

Doctoral Dissertations

"Digital image correlation (DIC) is a non-contact full-field optical measurement method. With the advantages of high accuracy, low cost, and simple implementation, it has been widely applied in the area of experimental mechanics. In this study, DIC algorithm has been improved in the aspects of the pixel-level searching method and reference frame update strategy. The feature matching based method is proposed to provide an initial guess for all points of interest with semi-subpixel level accuracy in cases with small or large translation, deformation, or rotation. The bisection searching strategy is presented to automatically adjust the frame step for varying practical …

The Behavior Of Suas Under Explosive Loading Conditions And Implications For Safe Operating Procedures, Ashok Em Sudhakar

Doctoral Dissertations

"Drones are increasingly being used for tasks previously unimagined and the beneficial uses are evolving. The United States Congress has envisioned the possible uses of drones for both combating and conveying explosive threats and other harmful and destructive activities. Congress' intent is reflected in new laws (2018) and policies (2019).

All civilian available Small Unmanned Aerial Systems sUASs (Drones), weighing less than 55 pounds, in the current market are not designed for operations in explosive environments. This first of a kind research focuses on further understanding of sUASs response to explosive loading and the public policy implications. This research measured …

Long Period Fiber Grating, Thin Coating Of Graphene And Silver Nanowires, And Corrosion Sensing For Life-Cycle Assessment Of Steel Structures, Chuanrui Guo

Doctoral Dissertations

"This study aims to develop and validate a compact, integrated lab-on-sensor system for simultaneous measurement of strain, temperature and corrosion-induced mass loss in steel structures and concrete reinforcement elements in order to assess their life-cycle performance. The sensing system operates based on the principle of long period fiber gratings (LPFG) that are responsive to both thermal and mechanical deformation, and the change in refractive index of any medium surrounding the optical fiber. To fabricate a LPFG sensor for strain and temperature measurement, a CO₂ laser aided fiber grating system was assembled. To enable mass loss measurement, a low pressure …

Deep Neural Network Learning-Based Classifier Design For Big-Data Analytics, Krishnan Raghavan

Doctoral Dissertations

"In this digital age, big-data sets are commonly found in the field of healthcare, manufacturing and others where sustainable analysis is necessary to create useful information. Big-data sets are often characterized by high-dimensionality and massive sample size. High dimensionality refers to the presence of unwanted dimensions in the data where challenges such as noise, spurious correlation and incidental endogeneity are observed. Massive sample size, on the other hand, introduces the problem of heterogeneity because complex and unstructured data types must analyzed. To mitigate the impact of these challenges while considering the application of classification, a two step analysis approach is …

Mechanical Design Automation: A Case Study On Plastic Extrusion Die Tooling, Allen Prasad Varghese

Theses

The Skills Gap in Mechanical Engineering (ME) Design has been widening with the increasing number of baby boomers retiring (Silver Tsunami) and the lack of a new generation to acquire, practice and perfect their knowledge base. This growing problem has been addressed with several initiatives focused on attracting and retaining young talent; however, these types of initiatives may not be timely for this new group to be trained by an established Subject Matter Expert (SME) group. Automated Engineering Design provides a potential pathway to address not only the Skills Gap but also the transfer of information from SMEs to a …

Simulation Of Droplet Impacting A Square Solid Obstacle In Microchannel With Different Wettability By Using High Density Ratio Pseudopotential Multiplerelaxation- Time (Mrt) Lattice Boltzmann Method (Lbm), Wandong Zhao, Ying Zhang, Wenqiang Shang, Zhaotai Wang, Ben Xu, Shuisheng Jiang

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

In this paper, a pseudopotential high density ratio (DR) lattice Boltzmann Model was developed by incorporating multi-relaxation-time (MRT) collision matrix, large DR external force term, surface tension adjustment external force term and solid-liquid pseudopotential force. It was found that the improved model can precisely capture the two-phase interface at high DR. Besides, the effects of initial Reynolds number, Weber number, solid wall contact angle (CA), ratio of obstacle size to droplet diameter ( 1 χ ), ratio of channel width to droplet diameter ( 2 χ ) on the deformation and breakup of droplet when impacting on a square obstacle …

Sediment Patterns From Fluid-Bed Interactions: A Direct Numerical Simulations Study On Fluvial Turbulent Flows, ‪Nadim Zgheib, S. Balachandar

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

We present results on the initial formation of ripples from an initially flattened erodible bed. We use direct numerical simulations (DNS) of turbulent open channel flow over a fixed sinusoidal bed coupled with hydrodynamic stability analysis. We use the direct forcing immersed boundary method to account for the presence of the sediment bed. The resolved flow provides the bed shear stress and consequently the sediment transport rate, which is needed in the stability analysis of the Exner equation. The approach is different from traditional linear stability analysis in the sense that the phase lag between the bed topology, and the …

Nurturing Brilliance In Engineering: Creating Research Venues For Undergraduate Underrepresented Minorites In Engineering As An Initiative From Faculty Members That Foster Academic Inclusion, Development, And Postgraduation Instruction, Eleazar Marquez, Samuel Garcia

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

In this study, a new model for attracting, advancing, and advocating for the participation of underrepresented minorities in research venues is proposed with the intention of fostering academic inclusion, development, and post-graduation mentorship. It involves developing and nurturing a disposition from faculty by proactively identifying students via classroom interaction, performance, and academic aptitude and extending a personal invitation to collaborate on the research team. Current research opportunities for engineering undergraduates at tier-one institutions are obtained by students' incentive to communicate with faculty members via email or office hours. Despite the available opportunities, only a limited number of students are selected …

100 North Street Bridge Over Logan River Project Rubber Bridge Engineering, Chandler Baird, Evan Capron, Micah Rasmussen, Derek Walker

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Rubber Bridge Engineering is over the 100 North Bridge Project used in the Logan River Restoration Project. The100 North Street Bridge is being replaced and the implementation of the proposed new bridge will improve the safety and aesthetics of the surrounding area. The new bridge will also accommodate a new and improved floodplain for the Logan River. Rubber Bridge Engineering designed a pre-engineered steel girder for the superstructure of the bridge and steel reinforced concrete piles for the foundation of the bridge. The transportation detour for the project uses the Conifer Place to Pointe Place detour route and roadway improvements. …

Austin Bridge Design Team Sr-118: Bridge Replacement Over The Sevier River, Wyatt Nielson, Chad Withers, Patrick Campana, Jonathon Reynolds, Andy Erickson

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Austin Bridge, D-272, spans the Sevier River along SR-118, in Sevier County, Utah. The bridge was built in 1935 and is structurally sound. However D-272 is deteriorating slightly and is too narrow, presenting a traffic hazard. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) wants to replace the bridge. Our group chose to design a replacement bridge.

Courthouse Wash Pedestrian Bridge: Moab, Utah, Wyatt Hansen, L. Kade Flake, Josh Kerkvliet, Trygve Mccrea

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Arches Engineering (AE) is a team of four civil engineering students at Utah State University (USU). The team has selected to work in conjunction with Jones & DeMille Engineering (JDE) to design a pedestrian bridge over Courthouse Wash in Moab, Utah. After analyzing the conditions, AE determined a prefabricated steel bridge with a modified bowstring truss style would best suit the 130-foot crossing.

A modified bowstring truss has a relatively low cost, is aesthetically pleasing, and is simple to construct. AE specifies to use a prefabricated bridge to reduce cost and simplify on-site construction. A drilled shaft foundation would best …

Crockett Diversion Rehabilitation Project, Philip Duncan, Zackary Pali

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Crockett Diversion is an irrigation diversion structure on the Logan River. This diversion serves the little Logan Canal and provides irrigation water to the valley. The diversion is operated using horizontal stop logs. Operators must manually install or remove these stop logs to maintain upstream water surface elevation as flow conditions change. The stop logs also cause a lot of build up of run off material such as logs, twigs, and other debris. The cleaning, maintenance, and manual operation of this current set up is tedious and requires a lot of extra work for the city. It can also …

Fishhook Sunrise Bed & Breakfast Expansion, Carter Johnson, Andrew Lecheminant, Heather Nielsen, Erika Parsons, Tyler Searle

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Willardsons, owners of Fishhook Sunrise Bed & Breakfast, located near Palmer, AK, demonstrated interested in expanding their existing bed and breakfast to accommodate future visitors. The expansion includes three new cabins on the northwest side of the property, across Wasilla Creek, which has no existing infrastructure. The expansion, therefore, includes the installation of a drinking water well, access road, septic system, and bridge. Fishhook Engineering proposed providing a site layout for the expansion with high level recommendations for the septic system and roadway material. The project scope also included the complete design of a one lane bridge to span …

Laytona Subdivision Storm Drain System, Tyler Roberts, Mitchell Wagner

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Laytona Subdivision, located in Layton, UT, currently uses traditional curb and gutter to transport storm runoff. This system is no longer adequate due to lack of slope and aging curb and gutter. Layton City will replace the current system with an underground storm drain system. Storm water runoff will be collected and transported to an existing detention pond.

• Alternatives Three other alternative storm drain systems were considered for this project.

• Cost Estimate The estimated cost of completion is $831,710.00.

• Design Software To complete this project ASE used AutoCAD Civil 3D, Excel, and Autodesk Storm and Sanitary Analysis. …

Logan River Restoration (Downstream), Drew Bassett, Amanda Blair, Brooklyn Morgan, Dakota Sparks

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Historical projects by local landowners attempted to improve the passage of flood flows through the Logan River by channelizing the river. The removal of foliage in this process resulted in unforeseen bank erosion and channel scouring. This project analyzes existing river conditions and proposes changes to a section of the Logan River from the Crockett Diversion to Center Street to improve the floodplain, reduce river temperatures, and add recreation.

Mendon Historic Barn Restoration, Andrew Flake, Jaison Hardman, Kaleb Nelson, Taylor Reese

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Hardman Family owns a historic barn located on the West side of Mendon City backed by the scenic Wellsville Mountains. The barn is currently in a dilapidated condition and is likely to collapse at any time. The Hardmans would like to evaluate the feasibility of reconstructing the barn with the goal of retaining the original barn’s aesthetic value. The reconstructed barn would serve as an events center that would be rented out as a source of income for the family.

Mill Race Diversion On The Weber River, Tyler Ashby, Carina Jones, Nick Langford, Jake Orton, Polo Su'a-Filo

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Trout Unlimited designated the Mill Race irrigation diversion located in Morgan, Utah, and shown in Figure 1, as problematic for fish passage and recreational usage. AAA Engineering was tasked with designing a replacement diversion structure to allow fish passage, recreational use, and provide flood control on the Weber River.

Along with the diversion, AAA Engineering was asked to design a pedestrian bridge that connects the community north of the Weber River to Morgan High School and athletic fields to the south.

Muddy Creek Pressurized Irrigation System, Smc (Sunderland, Mangum, Clark) Engineering

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Muddy Creek Irrigation Company (MCIC) has been providing irrigation water for farmers in and around Emery since the early 1800’s. Many of the original canals are still in use today. The earthen canals lose 35-40% of the water that is being delivered to infiltration. The purpose of this project is to replace the existing canal system with a water reservoir and a pressurized irrigation pipeline design. Figure 1 presents the existing canal system to be replaced.

Munition Storage Magazines (Msms), Matthew Endicott, Michael Garcia, Quinn Lythgoe

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Hill Air Force Base (HAFB) currently has two aging Munition Storage Magazines (MSMs) and is planning to replace these with modern MSMs. HAFB’s new project will implement five new MSMs to increase their capacity, see Fig 1. HHI Corporation, the client, has acquired the project and has decided to include QM² Engineering as a subcontractor.

QM² Engineering has worked on the site layout of the five MSMs, foundation design, retention pond, and access road. Portions of the MSMs are pre-designed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, but require a site specific foundation, see Fig 2. QM^{2 …}

Park Valley Livestock Water System, Calyn Arnold, Zachary Hulsey, Nathan Raine

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Western Skies Engineering proposed the installation of a livestock waterpipeline in Park Valley, Utah. A pipeline would be needed to provide waterfrom a recently drilled well to a series of troughs, providing water for 200head of cattle. The proposed pipelines would total about 1 mile in length,cross a major highway, and rise and fall with the regional topography. Anoff-grid energy system was proposed to sustain the well, and a pump houseproposed to protect the head of the well from the environment.

Storm Water Solutions: 1800 North 600 West Regional Detention Basin, Aaron Hall, Tucker Jorgensen, Sam Odd

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Storm Water Solutions was tasked by Logan City to design a storm water detention and treatment system that addressed the following tasks:

• Model storm events in drainage basin to determine storm water runoff volumes, especially the 90^th Percentile Storm.

• Remove storm water from irrigation conveyance system through design of storm diversion structure to eliminate crop flooding and system maintenance costs.

• Determine methods to reduce phosphorous entering Cutler Reservoir through a low maintenance, sustainable process.

• Retrofit existing storm water system to meet current Logan City design standards and budgetary constraints.

Tuni Grande Water Project, Tyler Daynes, Nathan Hall, Joe West

Civil and Environmental Engineering

• Tuni Grande is a small farming community in Pucara Peru with a population of 250 people

• Residents of Tuni Grande receive approximately 3 gallons of water per person per day

• The water is highly contaminated with arsenic. Concentrations reach as high as 50 μg/L

• The goal of this project was to provide the people of Tuni Grande a reliable and clean water source

Ussynthetic: Building 4, Simon Barth, Matt Graham, Jacob Luebke, Joseph Osguthorpe, Benjamin Story

Civil and Environmental Engineering

US Synthetic is a synthetic diamond manufacturing company located in Orem, Utah. Over the last ten years, US Synthetic has nearly doubled its employee count and annual revenue. In 2011, US Synthetic added a third building to its campus to increase its production of synthetic diamonds.

Building 3 was designed and built to be connected to a future building. With company growth continuing as expected, US Synthetic contracted Diamond Engineering to design Building 4.

Diamond Engineering’s design of Building 4 will offer the client nearly 40,000 square feet of additional administrative and production space. Building 4 will tie into Building …

Usu Steel Bridge Design, Jordan Browning, Ryan Devitt, Adam Lambert, Beau Petersen, Dallin Polson, Colin Steele, Taylor Vaughn

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Utah State University Steel Bridge (USSB) has designed a bridge to compete at the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Student Steel Bridge Competition. The design process involves the analysis of many bridge alternatives to determine the most cost-effective bridge design. USSB analyzed both an under-span and over-arch bridge design based on weight, number of members, ease of fabrication, ease of construction, and vertical deflection. USSB found the over-arch bridge design to be the recommended alternative because of the minimal deflection it experiences under load compared to an under-span bridge.

USSB completed in-depth analysis using RISA 3D to design two …