Engineering Commons^™

Reasons Of Acceptance And Barriers Of House Onsite Greywater Treatment And Reuse In Palestinian Rural Areas, Rehab A. Thaher, Nidal Mahmoud, Issam A. Al-Khatib, Yung Tse Hung

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

© 2020 by the authors. In the last twenty years, house onsite wastewater management systems have been increasing in the West Bank's rural areas. The aim of this research was to reveal, in the context of providing onsite GreyWater Treatment Plants (GWTPs) for wastewater management in the rural communities in Palestine, the local population's perceptions, in the sense of acceptance of and barriers towards such a type of wastewater management, so as to figure out successes, failures and lessons. The data collection tool was a questionnaire that targeted the households served with GWTPs. The findings show that 13% of the …

Simulation Analysis On Ballistic Deflection Of Projectile Obliquely Penetrating Into Concrete, Jianfeng Xue, Peihui Shen, Xiaoming Wang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In order to study the trajectory deflection law of projectiles obliquely penetrating into concrete targets, based on the theory of rigid body kinematics and cavity expansion, the penetration motion differential equations of ogive-nosed projectile were established. The variation rules of trajectory offset and invasion depth were given in different initial conditions through the programming calculation and numerical simulation by MATALB and ANSYS-LYNA software. The calculation results agree well with experimental data. The results show that the influence of penetration depth and deflection angle increase with the oblique angle increasing. The influence of ballistic deflection decreases with the …

Effect Of Socioeconomic Factors On Kentucky Truck Driver Crashes, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Shraddha Sagar, Samantha Wright, Aaron Berry Cambron

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky crash data for the 2015-2016 period reveal that per capita crash rates and increases in crash-related fatalities in the state outpaced the national average. To explain why the U.S. Southeast sees higher crash rates than other regions of the country, previous research has argued the region’s unique socioeconomic conditions provide a compelling explanation. Taking this observation as a starting point, this study uses an extensive crash dataset from Kentucky to examine the relationship between highway safety and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Its focus is single- and two-unit crashes that involve commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and automobiles. Using binary logistic …

User-Rated Comfort And Preference Of Separated Bike Lane Intersection Designs, Christopher Monsere, Nathan Mcneil, Rebecca Sanders

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Improved bicycle infrastructure has become increasingly common in the United States as cities seek to attract new riders, including the demographic who do not feel comfortable riding with motor vehicle traffic. A key tool in designing low-stress networks is the use of separated or protected bicycle lanes, and intersections are the critical links. This paper presents an analysis of the perceived level of comfort of current and potential bicyclists from 277 survey respondents who rated 26 first-person video clips of a bicyclist riding through mixing zones, lateral shifts, bend-in, bend-out, and protected intersection designs. A total of 7,166 ratings were …

Spectrum Analyzer-Based Phase Measurement For Near-Field Emi Scanning, Shubhankar Marathe, Zongyi Chen, Kaustav Ghosh, Hamed Kajbaf, Stephan Frei, Morten Sorensen, David Pommerenke, Jin Min

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Often, electromagnetic interference (EMI) scanning applications require phase and magnitude information for the creation of equivalent radiation models and far-field predictions. Magnitude information can be obtained using a spectrum analyzer (SA), which is relatively inexpensive compared to phase resolving instruments such as vector network analyzers (VNAs) and oscilloscopes at tens of GHz. This paper introduces and optimizes a cost-effective SA-based phase measurement method and compares the results to a VNA and oscilloscope-based methods for EMI signal sources. The measured-phase distribution obtained from the three different instruments is additionally compared with the simulated phase determined from full-wave simulation. The three measurement …

A Review Of The Latest Insights Into The Mechanism Of Action Of Strontium In Bone, Daniella Marx, Alireza Rahimnejad Yazdi, Marcello Papini, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Interest in strontium (Sr) has persisted over the last three decades due to its unique mechanism of action: it simultaneously promotes osteoblast function and inhibits osteoclast function. While this mechanism of action is strongly supported by in vitro studies and small animal trials, recent large-scale clinical trials have demonstrated that orally administered strontium ranelate (SrRan) may have no anabolic effect on bone formation in humans. Yet, there is a strong correlation between Sr accumulation in bone and reduced fracture risk in post-menopausal women, suggesting Sr acts via a purely physiochemical mechanism to enhance bone strength. Conversely, the local administration of …

Soil Fatigue Hazard Screening Analyses Framework For Spacio-Temporally Clustered Induced Seismicity With Examples Of Damage Potential Due To Liquefaction, Merissa L. Zuzulock, Oliver Denzil S. Taylor, Norbert H. Maerz

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Current studies that focus solely on the cause of the increase in seismicity neglect to include considerations for effects of small magnitude cluster events on federal infrastructure. These effects can be almost undetectable at first, but if left unchecked can evolve into a larger issue. The need to reassess and potentially modify the established risk assessment practices for evaluations of federal infrastructure needs to be reviewed to ensure the continued ability of the structure to function as intended. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for hydroelectric power, flood protection, recreational areas, navigational channels and water supply along …

Smartphone-Tape Method For Calculating Body Segment Inertial Parameters For Analysis Of Pitching Arm Kinetics, Jay Sterner

Master's Theses

The objectives of this study were to (1) develop a non-invasive method (referred to as Smart Photo-Tape) to calculate participant-specific upper arm, forearm, and hand segment inertial properties (SIPs) (e.g. mass, center of mass, and radii of gyration) and (2) use those Smart Photo-Tape properties in inverse dynamics (ID) analyses to calculate injury-related pitching arm kinetics. Five 20- to 23- year-old baseball pitchers were photographed holding a baseball and analyzed using the Smart Photo-Tape method to obtain 3-D inertial properties for their upper arm, forearm, and hand. The upper arm and forearm segments were modelled as stacked elliptic cylinders and …

A Parametric Study Of Formation Flight Of A Wing Based On Prandtl's Bell-Shaped Lift Distribution, Kyle S. Lukacovic

Master's Theses

The bell-shaped lift distribution (BSLD) wing design methodology advanced by Ludwig Prandtl in 1932 was proposed as providing the minimum induced drag. This study used this method as the basis to analyze its characteristics in two wing formation flight. Of specific interest are the potential efficiency savings and the optimal positioning for formation flight. Additional comparison is made between BSLD wings and bird flight in formation.

This study utilized Computational Flow Dynamics (CFD) simulations on a geometric modeling of a BSLD wing, the Prandtl-D glider. The results were validated by modified equations published by Prandtl, by CFD modeling published by …

Fast Chirped Signals For A Tdma Ultrasonic Indoor Positioning System, Lauren M. Williams

Master's Theses

In this paper, a new concept for ultrasonic indoor positioning based on instantaneous frequency of ultrasonic signals is presented. Nonlinear phase characteristics of ultrasonic transducers introduce a frequency deviation in ultrasonic signals. By sweeping at very fast rates, a large spike in the deviation is introduced. The artefacts observable in instantaneous frequency estimations are highly localized and present an opportunity for accurate frequency detection. In order to be useful, the artefacts need to take place within the pulse and have sufficient magnitude for accurate processing. The system consists of a transducer transmitter and receiver pair, which have a center frequency …

Initial Orbit Determination Error Analysis Of Low-Earth Orbit Rocket Body Debris And Feasibility Study For Debris Cataloguing From One Optical Facility, Kyle Stoker

Master's Theses

This paper is predicated on determining the effectiveness of angles-only initial orbit determination (IOD) methods when limited observational data is available for low-Earth orbit (LEO) rocket body debris. The analysis will be conducted with data obtained from Lockheed Martin Space’s Space Object Tracking (SpOT) facility, focusing on their observational data from 2018 that contains tracking of rocket body debris for less than one minute per overhead pass. After the IOD accuracies are better understood, a feasibility study will follow that investigates the possibility of cataloguing LEO orbital debris from a single optical observation facility with similar observational capabilities as that …

Simulating Particle Packing During Powder Spreading For Selective Laser Melted Additive Manufacturing Using The Discrete Element Method In Abaqus, Priscilla Ng

Master's Theses

Metal additive manufacturing allows for the rapid production of complex parts that are otherwise impractical using conventional subtractive manufacturing techniques. Applications for additive manufacturing span across a broad array of industries including aerospace, automotive, and medical, among many others. One metric of printing success is material properties, including part density. While there has been extensive research completed for the density of printed parts, there is little published work concerning powder packing density on the build plate associated with powder spreading.

In this thesis, a Discrete Element Method (DEM) model was created in Abaqus to simulate the spreading behavior of particles …

Analysis Of The Tidal Range In The Sacramento San Joaquin Delta From 1857 To Present, Elena Szlemp

Master's Theses

The Sacramento San Joaquin Delta has been highly altered by human activity since the mid-1800s from mining, agriculture, dredging, and urbanization. Did the resulting modifications to channel width, depth, and length alter tidal range in the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta?

In this study, archival tidal records were evaluated at many stations throughout the San Francisco Bay and Delta, with a focus on San Francisco, Rio Vista, Sacramento, and Stockton daily, monthly, and annual tidal ranges. Monthly and seasonally averaged tidal ranges were analyzed to determine seasonal changes. In addition, tidal range was compared to daily Delta discharge to consider the …

Investigation Of Experimental Variation Of Bovine Sphingomyelin As A Novel Ingredient For Ultraviolet Protection, Esther Chen

Master's Theses

Skin cancer is a prevalent disease that globally affects 2-3 million people per year [1]. This number is expected to grow tenfold as depletion of the ozone layer contributes to harsher rays reaching Earth’s surface [2]. A common way to protect against those ultraviolet waves is to apply sunscreen, however, recent reports call into question the safety of some active ingredients as they can enter through the skin into the bloodstream [3]. This thesis aims to investigate an alternative solution that uses bovine sphingomyelin (BSM) as photoprotective solution against UV irradiation.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of BSM against …

Surface Modifications Of Reverse Osmosis Membranes For Removal Of Bromide And Reduction Of Fouling, Joseph Seo

Master's Theses

Reverse osmosis (RO) is widely used for water reuse and desalination. Although RO membranes are known for their high salt rejection and practical permeate flux, their performance can be impaired by fouling, and their removal of some disinfection byproducts and their precursors (e.g., bromide, N-Nitrosodimethylamine [NDMA]) does not meet drinking water standards. RO membrane modifications have been widely studied to overcome these limitations. In this research, RO membranes were grafted with cationic polymers to induce a positive charge on the RO membrane surface. This modification aimed at enhancing the rejection of negatively charged bromide ions by removing them from solution …

A Study Of The Design Of Adaptive Camber Winglets, Justin J. Rosescu

Master's Theses

A numerical study was conducted to determine the effect of changing the camber of a winglet on the efficiency of a wing in two distinct flight conditions. Camber was altered via a simple plain flap deflection in the winglet, which produced a constant camber change over the winglet span. Hinge points were located at 20%, 50% and 80% of the chord and the trailing edge was deflected between -5° and +5°. Analysis was performed using a combination of three-dimensional vortex lattice method and two-dimensional panel method to obtain aerodynamic forces for the entire wing, based on different winglet camber configurations. …

Pocket Rocket: A 1u+ Propulsion System Design To Enhance Cubesat Capabilities, James M. Harper

Master's Theses

The research presented provides an overview of a 1U+ form factor propulsion system design developed for the Cal Poly CubeSat Laboratory (CPCL). This design utilizes a Radiofrequency Electrothermal Thruster (RFET) called Pocket Rocket that can generate 9.30 m/s of delta-V with argon, and 20.2 ± 3 m/s of delta-V with xenon. Due to the demand for advanced mission capabilities in the CubeSat form factor, a need for micro-propulsion systems that can generate between 1 – 1500 m/s of delta-V are necessary.

By 2019, Pocket Rocket had been developed to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 and ground tested in …

Quantitative And Qualitative Error Re-Analysis Of Tidal Datasets, Ernesto Andrew Ledezma

Master's Theses

Tidal data forms the basis for understanding and quantifying sea-level rise and tidal statistics. While quality assurance methods based upon spectral and harmonic analysis have been applied to individual tidal records, these methods have not been used to assess global tidal datasets. In this thesis, four west coast tidal records were examined using harmonic analysis methods to investigate uncertainty on a monthly averaged basis. Uncertainty was identified using a method that quantifies time lag as a linear regression of height difference between a predicted and measured tidal height and the predicted rate of change of tidal height. Errors identified through …

Conference Roundup: Smart Cataloging - Beginning The Move From Batch Processing To Automated Classification, Rachel S. Evans

Articles, Chapters and Online Publications

This article reviewed the Amigos Online Conference titled “Work Smarter, Not Harder: Innovating Technical Services Workflows” keynote session delivered by Dr. Terry Reese on February 13, 2020. Excerpt:

"As the developer of MarcEdit, a popular metadata suite used widely across the library community, Reese’s current work is focused on the ways in which libraries might leverage semantic web techniques in order to transform legacy library metadata into something new. So many sessions related to using new technologies in libraries or academia, although exciting, are not practical enough to put into everyday use by most librarians. Reese’s keynote, titled Smart Cataloging: …

Optimization Of Aggregated Ev Power In Residential Communities With Smart Homes, Huangjie Gong, Dan M. Ionel

Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky Faculty Publications

Electric vehicles (EVs) tend to increase peak power for residences in the evening when house owners return home and begin charging. The aggregated EV charging demand can cause a sudden rise in the peak power at the distribution system level, resulting in a “dragon curve” Such phenomenon, combined with the “duck curve” that is caused by high photovoltaic (PV) penetration in residential communities, requires fast ramping rates and expanded capabilities for local distribution transformers and main feeder cables provided by the utility. As a solution, a residential energy storage system (RESS) can store surplus PV generation during midday and use …

Effect Of Soil-Structure Interaction On The Response Of Bridge Isolated With Rubber Bearing, Nitin Gopalakrishna Chandavar

Manipal Journal of Science and Technology

Soil-structure interaction effect on the analysis of continuous bridge provided with rubber bearings and subjected to earthquake ground acceleration is studied. The rubber bearing is provided between the piers and deck slab and also between abutments and deck slab. The finite element method is used to model both the bridge structure and the soil. A beam element is used to model the continuous bridge, whereas a four-noded plane strain element is used to model the soil. The response parameters considered for the study are the base shear and relative displacement between pier and deck slab. It is concluded from the …

Rapid Manufacturing Of Critical Industrial Parts: A Method Based On Reverse Engineering, Rapid Prototyping, And Coordinate Metrology, Immanuel Edinbarough, Aditya Akundi

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents a method of rapidly manufacturing industrial parts that are critical to the production. In order to assist the Advanced Manufacturing industry, a senior project team at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) applied Rapid Manufacturing (RM) to manufacture or fabricate critical machine parts used to maintain production machines. Failures of parts and tools in industrial settings cost money and hurt output. Usually, the problem arises when the tooling being used is one of a kind and repair or replacements come with long leadtimes. Other problems are encountered when original part or tool engineering drawing is …

Text Mining-Based Qualitative Student Assessment Of Interactive Simulation Learning Using Simio Tool – A Work In Progress, Aditya Akundi, Immanuel Edinbarough

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Computer simulations complement and extend the real-world components of industries and manufacturing organizations. Teaching simulation-based tools helps students in modeling and analyzing the behavior of real time systems. With the increased demand observed in products and technology consumption, manufacturing industries are evolving to embrace new technologies and initiatives. To keep the emerging workforce technically competent in current tools to understand and interpret manufacturing processes, this paper portrays an effort by the authors in introducing SIMIO i.e. a tool on Simulation of intelligent objects to undergraduate students at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and in understanding the influence of using …

Rainfall Manipulation Experiments As Simulated By Terrestrial Biosphere Models: Where Do We Stand?, Athanasios Paschalis, Simone Fatichi, Jakob Zscheischler, Philippe Ciais, Michael Bahn, Lena Boysen, Jinfeng Chang, Martin De Kauwe, Marc Estiarte, Daniel Goll, Paul J. Hanson, Anna B. Harper, Enqing Hou, Jaime Kigel, Alan K. Knapp, Klaus S. Larsen, Wei Li, Sebastian Lienert, Yiqi Luo, Patrick Meir, Julia E.M.S. Nabel, Romà Ogaya, Anthony J. Parolari, Changhui Peng, Josep Peñuelas, Julia Pongratz, Serge Rambal, Inger K. Schmidt, Hao Shi, Marcelo Sternberg, Hanqin Tian, Elisabeth Tschumi, Anna Ukkola, Sara Vicca, Nicolas Viovy, Ying-Ping Wang, Zhuonan Wang, Karina Williams, Donghai Wu, Qiuan Zhu

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Changes in rainfall amounts and patterns have been observed and are expected to continue in the near future with potentially significant ecological and societal consequences. Modelling vegetation responses to changes in rainfall is thus crucial to project water and carbon cycles in the future. In this study, we present the results of a new model‐data intercomparison project, where we tested the ability of 10 terrestrial biosphere models to reproduce the observed sensitivity of ecosystem productivity to rainfall changes at 10 sites across the globe, in nine of which, rainfall exclusion and/or irrigation experiments had been performed. The key results are …

Advancing Ecohydrology In The 21st Century: A Convergence Of Opportunities, Andrew J. Guswa, Doerthe Tetzlaff, John S. Selker, Darryl E. Carlyle-Moses, Elizabeth W. Boyer, Michael Bruen, Carles Cayuela, Irena F. Creed, Nick Van De Giesen, Domenico Grasso, David M. Hannah, Janice E. Hudson, Sean A. Hudson, Shin'ichi Iida, Robert B. Jackson, Gabriel G. Katul, Tomo'omi Kumagai, Pilar Llorens, Flavio Lopes Ribeiro, Beate Michalzik, Kazuki Nanko, Christopher Oster, Diane E. Pataki, Catherine A. Peters, Andrea Rinaldo, Daniel Sanchez Carretero, Branimir Trifunovic, Maciej Zalewski, Marja Haagsma, Delphis F. Levia

Engineering: Faculty Publications

Nature-based solutions for water-resource challenges require advances in the science of ecohydrology. Current understanding is limited by a shortage of observations and theories that can further our capability to synthesize complex processes across scales ranging from submillimetres to tens of kilometres. Recent developments in environmental sensing, data, and modelling have the potential to drive rapid improvements in ecohydrological understanding. After briefly reviewing advances in sensor technologies, this paper highlights how improved measurements and modelling can be applied to enhance understanding of the following ecohydrological examples: interception and canopy processes, root uptake and critical zone processes, and up-scaled effects of land …

Developing Transmedia Engineering Curricula Using Cognitive Tools To Impact Learning And The Development Of Stem Identity (Rtp), Glenn Ellis, Jeremiah Pina, Rebecca Mazur, Al Rudnitsky, Beth Mcginnis-Cavanaugh, Isabel Huff, Sonia Ellis, Crystal M. Ford, Kate Lytton, Kaia Claire Cormier

Engineering: Faculty Publications

This paper examines the use of Imaginative Education (IE) to create an NGSS-aligned middle school engineering curriculum that supports transfer and the development of STEM identity. In IE, cognitive tools—such as developmentally appropriate narratives, mysteries and fantasies— are used to design learning environments that both engage learners and help them organize knowledge productively. We have combined IE with transmedia storytelling to develop two multi-week engineering units and six shorter engineering lessons. An overview of the curriculum developed to date and a more detailed description of the engineering design unit is presented in this paper.

The curriculum is currently being implemented …

Alternative Epinephrine Auto-Injector, Joshua Wong, Uriel Nieves-Cruz, Tara Howard

Biomedical Engineering

Project: Alternative Epinephrine Injector started as a solution for Bianca Aleman’s little brother however the scope has evolved to include the many millions of individuals across the world who struggle with a life-threatening allergen. The stakeholders of this project are Cal Poly and Dr. Michael D. Whitt. Our goals are the following:

● Develop a foolproof method of injection that consistently delivers a dosage of epinephrine

● Be equal or less than the current size of an EpiPen (6 in)

● Be easy to transport or store when not-in-use

● Create an isolated environment where the epinephrine will not be …

Virtual Stethoscope - Otoscope, Ermen J. Elenes-Cazares, Ceasar A. Hurtado, Thomas M. Margolle

Biomedical Engineering

The purpose of this report was to develop a working prototype for a virtual stethoscope and otoscope. Sponsored by Courtney Farr, the virtual diagnostic care system – HouseCalls Mobile digital stethoscope/otoscope is meant for use by medical professionals and non – medical professionals for preliminary medical exams while physically not in a medical setting. The HouseCalls Mobile device is to characterize key biometric parameters such as breathing patterns, heart irregularities, and visual clinical evaluation of the inner ear. This device is intended for pediatric use.

Folded! High-Rise, Alejandra Bravo, Riley Joseph Denis

Architectural Engineering

The authors of this report are undergraduate Architectural Engineering students at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. This report documents their experience in an interdisciplinary studio of high‐rise building design and the process by which they produced a schematic design of a high‐rise residential building in San Francisco. It will address the organization of the studio, the development of concept as well as form and structure, the studies and structural analyses, as well as the review process and the competitions the final proposals were entered in, and include some final takeaways from each Architectural Engineering group member.

Full-Depth Reclamation Of Asphaltic Concrete Pavements, Tony L. Beckham, Brad W. Rister, Charlie Sun

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has used a full-depth reclamation (FDR) process over the past few years to rehabilitate asphalt pavements exhibiting widespread base failures. FDR transforms existing hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavement and underlying granular materials into a stabilized base layer. The stabilized layer is then overlaid with a new pavement surface layer. Until now, deciding when and how to use the FDR process has not been well specified in Kentucky — the Cabinet has commonly used a Special Note for Cement Stabilized Roadbed as guidance and relied on the contractor for acceptable materials design. Previous research conducted by the …