Engineering Commons^™

The Effects Of Organic Compounds On Inhibition Of Hydrogen Permeation Through A Mild Steel Membrane, H. A. Duarte, D. M. See, Branko N. Popov, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

The effectiveness of 5-(4-pyridyl)-2,7-nonadiene, and 1 phenyl-2-propyn-ol (PP) on inhibition of the hydrogen evolution reaction on a 1010 steel membrane and on the degree of hydrogen ingress into the membrane was determined. Hydrogen evolution rates and permeation currents were monitored as a function of time at different applied potentials. In the presence of 0.5 g/liter PP in the electrolyte, the hydrogen discharge and permeation current density were inhibited by 98 and95%, respectively.

As-Is Evaluation & Process Design Of The 17/18 Foot Refrigerator At General Electric In Decatur, Alabama, Yongke Thio, Nicole Hagood

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

An Intercomparison Of Two Tunable Diode Laser Spectrometers Used For Eddy Correlation Measurements Of Methane Flux In A Prairie Wetland, David P. Billesbach, Joon Kim, R.J. Clement, S.B Verman, F.G. Ullman

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

An intercomparison was made between two tunable diode laser spectrometers used to measure methane fluxes by the eddy correlation technique at a prairie wetland site. The spectrometers were built by Unisearch Associates Inc. of Concord, Ontario, Canada, and Campbell Scientific Inc. of Logan, Utah, and were models EMS-50 and TGA-100, respectively. The fluxes were found to agree very well with each other in the range of 0 to 42 mg 􏰑 m-2 h-1.

The TGA-100 was observed to exhibit offset drifts. Most of the time, when the offset was only slowly changing (as compared to the eddy correlation averaging time), …

Estimation Of Surface Snow Properties Using Combined Millimeter-Wave Backscatter And Near-Infrared Reflectance Measurements, Ram M. Narayanan, Sandy R. Jackson

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

Knowledge of surficial snow properties such as grain size, surface roughness, and free-water content provides clues to the metamorphic state of snow on the ground, which in turn yields information on weathering processes and climatic activity. Remote sensing techniques using combined concurrent measurements of near-infrared passive reflectance and millimeter-wave radar backscatter show promise in estimating the above snow parameters. Near-infrared reflectance is strongly dependent on snow grain size and free-water content, while millimeter-wave backscatter is primarily dependent on free-water content and, to some extent, on the surface roughness. A neural-network based inversion algorithm has been developed that optimally combines near-infrared …

A Method To Partially Suppress Is1 And Ma1 For Ds Ss Cdma Wireless Networks, Beata J. Wysocki, Tadeusz A. Wysocki

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications (to 2015)

We propose a method to partially suppress ISI and MAI for US SS CDMA schemes in wireless LANs. The method can be regarded as an alternative approach to combat ISI and in particular MAI by the use of advanced multiuser detection. Instead of using very sophisticated detectors, we propose introduction of a simple modification to the carrier waveform which results in very substaiitial reduction in cross-correlation belween users and an off-peak auto-correlation. The method can be applied to any DS SS CDMA scheme, but should be particularly useful in the case of short spreading signatures, as is the case of …

An Integrated Approach To Simulation And Activity-Based Costing For Evaluating Alternative Manufacturing Cell Designs, Robert Williams, Paul Savory, Rodney Rasmussen

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

One effective technique for improving manufacturing efficiency involves the application of group technology part families and manufacturing cells. Selection of the best or optimum configuration of the manufacturing cell relies on the experience and judgment of the cell designer. This paper describes how activity-based costing (ABC) concepts can be integrated into a discrete-event simulation model and be used to evaluate manufacturing cell configurations. The output of the combined ABC simulation model provides a detailed “Bill of Activity” which allows the cell designer to consider costs as a critical factor in the cell design problem. Alternative cell configurations studied in this …

Selecting For Random Drug Testing At Union Pacific Railroad, Jennifer Meyer, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Many industries have recently implemented programs to detect and deter the use of recreational drugs in the workplace. The transportation industry has received careful government attention, particularly where the safety of the public may be seriously affected by employees who use drugs. Following federal guidelines, Union Pacific Railroad first implemented a random drug-testing plan in 1990. Because the assigned jobs, shifts, and work locations of many railroad employees change frequently, defining the selection population was particularly challenging. In its continuing efforts to validate and improve this plan, Union Pacific Railroad sought an external evaluation to determine the fairness of its …

Simulating Queue Scheduling Policies For A Spacecraft Simulator, Paul Savory, Gene Saghi

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The mission of the Cassini spacecraft is a unique opportunity to gain insights into major scientific questions about Saturn, the creation of the solar system, and the conditions that led to life on Earth. In preparation for the launch, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory developed a software simulator to emulate the hardware data-control system of the spacecraft. Its primary use is to validate and verify commands that will be transmitted to the spacecraft. To improve the performance of the simulator, we used the SIMAN simulation language to model numerous queue-scheduling policies. Implementation of the simulation results combined with a software-code redesign …

Volumetric Exchanges Between A Managed Marsh And A Coastal Estuary, Ashok Pandit, John H. White, Antonis A. Kakoullis, Satish B. Akula, James R. David

Mechanical and Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The dominant term in the estimation of net flux calculation, between a marsh and a source of tidal water is often the exchange of water. The purpose of this study was to provide a description of the methodology used to estimate the volumetric exchange of surface waters between a managed marsh and the Indian River Lagoon during the managed and unmanaged periods. The paper also documents the simplifying assumptions that had to be made to estimate the exchanges both during the managed and unmanaged period. These assumptions had to be made either because the data were limited mainly due to …

Adaptive Critic Based Neurocontroller For Autolanding Of Aircraft With Varying Glideslopes, Gaurav Saini, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, adaptive critic based neural networks have been used to design a controller for a benchmark problem in aircraft autolanding. The adaptive critic control methodology comprises successive adaptations of two neural networks, namely `action' and `critic' networks until closed loop optimal control is achieved. The autolanding problem deals with longitudinal dynamics of an aircraft which is to be landed in a specified touchdown region in the presence of wind disturbances and gusts using elevator deflection as the control for glideslope and flare modes. The performance of the neurocontroller is compared to that of a conventional PID controller. Neurocontroller's …

Carbon Frp Strengthening Of Doubly Curved Precast Pc Shell, M. Barboni, A. Benedetti, Antonio Nanni

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper a recent rehabilitation project completed in Italy using carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) unidirectional sheets is examined. This technology was selected for the strengthening of a doubly curved, precast, prestressed concrete (PC) shell. The shell was part of the roof of an industrial building and had experienced severe localized damage due to accidental heat radiating from a flue. The selection of the CFRP system involved the screening of different repair procedures with relation to the constraints imposed by the owner: limited disturbance to the industrial process, safety of the occupants, low cost, and durability. In addition, the …

Multiobjective Optimization Design With Pareto Genetic Algorithm, Franklin Y. Cheng, Dan Li

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a constrained multiobjective (multicriterion, vector) optimization methodology by integrating a Pareto genetic algorithm (GA) and a fuzzy penalty function method. A Pareto GA generates a Pareto optimal subset from which a robust and compromise design can be selected. This Pareto GA consists of five basic operators: reproduction, crossover, mutation, niche, and the Pareto-set filter. The niche and the Paretoset filter are defined, and fitness for a multiobjective optimization problem is constructed. A fuzzy-logic penalty function method is developed with a combination of deterministic, probabilistic, and vague environments that are consistent with GA operation theory based on randomness …

Performance-Based Testing Of Chemical Stabilizers, Thomas M. Petry

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Chemical stabilizing agents have been introduced that have performed in field applications to improve the behavior of earth materials. The same agents and materials subjected to standardized laboratory tests have often resulted in no improvement. For example, the tests often require pulverization of materials to finer states than are needed in the field or may require remolding when field applications are done in situ, as with injection applications. Some of the physical tests do not place treated materials in a situation resembling conditions in the field, yet they are applied to determine the use of these agents. The experiences of …

Bridge Engineering For The Elementary Grades, Douglas R. Carroll

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A one-hour presentation was developed to get elementary school students interested in engineering. The presentation begins with the students building six feet long, structurally sound bridge which they can crawl across. A pictorial presentation helps them learn to identify some of the different types of bridges: truss, stone arch, steel arch, concrete girder, cable-stayed, and suspension. They are introduced to the fundamental engineering concepts of tension and compression. These concepts are reinforced by demonstrating that if a tension member is replaced with a chain then the bridge is still strong, but if a compression member is replaced with a chain …

Eigenvalue And Eigenvector Determination For Damped Gyroscopic Systems, D. P. Malone, Don L. Cronin, Timothy W. Randolph

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Kentucky Traffic Accident Facts 1997 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FACTS report for 1997 is based on accident reports submitted to the Accident Unit housed in the Kentucky State Police Information Services Branch, Records Section. As required by Kentucky Revised statutes 189.635, “every law enforcement agency whose officers investigate a vehicle accident of which a report must be made...shall file a report of the accident...within ten days after investigation of the accident upon forms supplied by the bureau.” The stated purpose of this requirement is to utilize date on traffic accidents” for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth.” Data contained in …

Characterization Of Iron Oxides And Atmospheric Corrosion Of Steel, Sei Jin Oh

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The study of corrosion behavior was performed using three different analytical techniques, which provided information on the formation, development and layering of iron oxides on the corrosion products as a function of atmospheric conditions, exposure time and type of steel. In particular, the protective layer formed on weathering steel was investigated as a function of different amounts of alloying elements in the steel, atmospheric conditions and exposure times. Combined together, the results provided a better understanding of the atmospheric corrosion behavior of steel, and formed a part of database of the atmospheric corrosion characteristics.

Accurate characterization of the iron oxides …

University Of Missouri-Rolla Research On Cold-Formed Steel Structures, Wei Wen Yu, Roger A. Laboube

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

During the past 27 years, numerous research projects have been conducted at the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) under the sponsorships of the American Iron and Steel Institute, National Science Foundation, American Society of Civil Engineers, Metal Building Manufacturers Association, Steel Deck Institute, Metal/Lath Steel Framing Association, Chromium Center, Nickel Development Institute, and several steel companies located in the USA, Canada, and South Africa. The purpose of these investigations has been to study the structural strength of cold-formed steel members, connections, and structural systems. Some of the research findings have been used in the development of the AISI Specification for the …

Cold-Formed Steel Webs With Openings: Summary Report, Roger A. Laboube, Wei-Wen Yu, J. E. Langan, M. Y. Shan

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Based on a 3-year study that focused on the behavior of cold-formed steel beams with web openings, researchers at the University of Missouri-Rolla have developed simple, easy to apply design recommendations. The design recommendations address the limit states of web buckling resulting from bending, shear, web crippling, combined bending and shear, and combined bending and web crippling. The recommendations were developed based on the results of experimental and analytical studies of C-section beams. The C-sections, which are commonly used for wall studs and floor joists, are manufactured with web openings. Common web opening sizes are 38 x 102mm and 19 …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

A Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Study Of Γ-Crystallins Near Their Isoelectric Point, Paul Petitt, Michael Eugene Edwards, Daniel Forciniti

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, a small-angle neutron scattering study of γII-crystallins near their isoelectric point is presented. The experiments were carried out using protein concentrations of 5.7-85.7 mg/ml at temperatures in the range 11-60°C. The experimental data were analyzed using an ellipsoidal model for intraparticle correlations and the mean spherical approximation for interparticle correlations. Our studies revealed that γII-crystallins have a thick hydration layer, which is possibly due to the special arrangement of polar and ionic groups on their surface. The temperature scan shows that, as a result of relatively strong attractive forces, clusters of two, three, or higher oligomers are …

Additional Shear Wall Values For Light Weight Steel Framing, American Iron And Steel Institute

CCFSS Library (1939 - present)

No abstract provided.

Technology Acquisition And Utilization In Metal Goods, N. Alp, B. Alp, Yildirim Omurtag

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper analyzes the technology acquisition and utilization process in metal goods manufacturing organizations through a survey instrument which is conducted in the Mid-West region of the US. The goal of this study is to identify the channels, types, reasons, impacts, difficulties, and limitations of technology acquisition and utilization process in metal goods sector.

Artificial Neural Network Based Model For Computation Of Injection Mould Complexity, Rawin Raviwongse, Venkat Allada

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The cost of injection mould construction depends primarily on the mould complexity. The ability to estimate the mould complexity before releasing the final drawings for construction purposes will greatly help the designers to understand the implications of their design on cost. Mould complexity depends on several factors such as part geometry, parting line, materials, and number of cavities per mould. In most industries, the mould complexity evaluation is performed manually based on past experiences of mould makers. Faced with a shortage of experienced mould makers, there is a pressing need for development of computer-aided tools for mould complexity evaluation. In …

Innovative Applications Of Groupware For Solving Engineering Design Problems, Leslie F. Monplaisir, Colin Othniel Benjamin, Choayuan Lu

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In these case studies, groupware was used as a group decision-making environment to assist teams evaluating a quality function deployment framework for risk management and agile manufacturing system designs. In the first case, teams identified customers' requirements and risk categories for a research and development project. They then mapped the relationship between these customer requirements and the risk categories. In the second case, cross-functional teams collaborated in selecting the best layout for a cellular manufacturing facility. These experimental findings support the use of group decision systems by design and project teams required to manage R&D projects or to design agile …

Self-Assessment Of Total Quality Management Programs, Hung Yi Wu, Henry Allen Wiebe, John Politi

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Total quality management (TQM) has been increasingly accepted as a management philosophy. Criteria such as those contained in the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) often guide TQM implementation. However, reports indicate that fully assessing TQM efforts is difficult and hiring experts to help with this task is expensive. Using survey instruments is an attractive alternative to full-scale assessment. Despite the availability of many papers covering organizational performance assessment, few instruments specifically address TQM evaluation. Furthermore, none of the TQM assessment instruments has been subjected to rigorous validation; thus, only modest confidence can be placed in results obtained from their …

Hydro Unit Commitment In Hydro-Thermal Optimization, Chao-An Li, E. Hsu, Chung-Li Tseng, A. J. Svoboda, R. B. Johnson

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, the authors develop a model and technique for solving the combined hydro and thermal unit commitment problem, taking into full account the hydro unit dynamic constraints in achieving overall economy of power system operation. The combined hydrothermal unit commitment problem is solved by a decomposition and coordination approach. Thermal unit commitment is solved using a conventional Lagrangian relaxation technique. The hydro system is divided into watersheds, which are further broken down into reservoirs. The watersheds are optimized by network flow programming (NFP). Priority-list-based dynamic programming is used to solve the hydro unit commitment (HUC) problem at the …

A Biologically Inspired Connectionist Architecture For Directing Attention To Salient Visual Field Objects, David Lee Enke

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In an attempt to incorporate basic visual attention abilities into existing artificial vision systems, a neural model of the bidirectional interactions within and between the brain regions believed to be involved in human visual attention has been developed. This model currently gives an artificial vision system the ability to attend to salient, or pop-out features and objects within the vision system''s field of view. After a review of the physiology of human visual attention, a network model of the aforementioned neural interactions is presented, followed by a demonstration of its performance.

An Object-Based Evolutionary Algorithm For Solving Rectangular Piece Nesting Problems, Kanchitpol Ratanapan, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Nesting problems have been tackled by researchers using a vast number of algorithms in the past. Most of the algorithms, however, need to perform on a one-dimensional space. Therefore, the problem must be transformed into a one-dimensional space problem similar to the travelling salesman problem. Consequently, loss of solutions due to the dimensional reduction may occur. In this study, an object-based evolutionary algorithm for rectangular piece nesting problems is proposed. This methodology is created on truly two-dimensional space, allowing new mechanisms (i.e., individual representation, initialization, etc.) and new object-based genetic operators (i.e., hill-climbing, mutation, and recombination operators) to perform effectively …

Derivation Of Fuzzy Membership Functions Using One-Dimensional Self-Organizing Maps, Thomas E. Sandidge, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper discusses a system of self-organizing maps that approximate the fuzzy membership function for an arbitrary number of fuzzy classes. This is done through the ordering and clustering properties of one-dimensional self-organizing maps and iterative approximation of conditional probabilities of nodes in one map being the winner given that a node in the other map is the winner. Application of this system reduces fuzzy membership design time to that required to train the system of self-organizing maps.