Engineering Commons^™

Experiences In The Integration Of Design Across The Mechanical Engineering Curriculum, Ashok Midha, J. M. Starkey, D. P. Dewitt, R. W. Fox

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Faculty of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University have effected a major change in the Purdue Mechanical Engineering program by integrating design throughout the curriculum. In doing so, a significant level of faculty interaction has been achieved as well. The goals of the curriculum revision are: (1) to improve student skills in how to solve open-ended design problems, (2) to reduce the core of the curriculum to allow flexibility in course selection, and allow time for solving design problems, (3) to improve student skills in team work and communications, and (4) to improve student skills in using …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Writing Across The Chemical Engineering Curriculum At The University Of North Dakota, Douglas K. Ludlow, Kirk H. Schulz

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In Order to Prepare Engineering Graduates with the Written and Oral Communication Skills Needed in their Professional Careers a Coordinated Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Program Has Developed in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of North Dakota. the Students Practice and Develop their Skills with Writing Assignments in Both Lecture and Laboratory Courses from the First‐year Level through the Fourth‐year Capstone Design Course. the Coordinated Approach, especially in the Four‐semester Laboratory Sequence, Allows the Students to Develop their Skills by Building on Communication Experiences in Previous Courses. the WAC Program at UND Including Writing and Public Speaking Assignments …

Estimation Of Resilient Modulus Of Fine-Grained Subgrade Soils, David Newton Richardson

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of A Multimedia Televised Distance Education Program For Engineering Majors, Bonnie Daily, Madison Daily

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The University of Missouri‐Rolla, the state's, "technological university," has proposed a televised distance education program that would originate on the UMR campus and be delivered to community colleges and four‐year institutions within the state not now offering engineering. The program would include the use of computer‐integrated multimedia classrooms at both the home site and remote sites and would permit two‐way transmission of video, audio, and data. Student response units would also be used at both sites to permit immediate feedback from the students to the instructor. Due to the cost of this proposal, it was determined a pilot study would …

Ai-Based Generation Of Production Engineering Labor Standards, Hulya Yazici, Colin Othniel Benjamin, James Mcglaughlin

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Increased automation of manufacturing is necessary to compete in today's worldwide markets. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for incorporating the automation with changing manufacturing environments needs to be investigated. Al techniques can assist in meeting the challenge of transforming shop floor production engineering data into appropriate production engineering labor standards in a timely, consistent, and cost-effective manner. Production heuristics can be incorporated into an expert system that can learn from the changing manufacturing environment. This paper presents a prototype expert system which transfers the knowledge of experienced methods engineers into a rule-based system to develop the appropriate job …

A Hierarchial Neural Network Implementation For Forecasting, B. Fulkerson, M. A. Ozbayoglu, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, a hierarchical neural network architecture for forecasting time series is presented. The architecture is composed of two hierarchical levels using a maximum likelihood competitive learning algorithm. The first level of the system has three experts each using backpropagation and a gating network to partition the input space in order to map the input vectors to the output vectors. The second level of the hierarchical network has an expert using fuzzy ART for producing the correct trend coming from the first level. The experiments show that the resulting network is capable of forecasting the changes in the input …

A Comparison Of Fam And Cmac For Nonlinear Control, Arit Thammano, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article compares a neural network-based controller, both local and global networks, with fuzzy associative memories (FAM) on a nonlinear problem. CMAC and FAM are chosen as representatives of local generalization networks. CMAC controller is trained off-line, therefore, it can response to the incoming input immediately. CMAC can interpolate its memory and give a reasonable control signal even the input has not been trained on. Backpropagation is picked as a representative of global generalization networks. All three systems are studied on a simple simulated control problem. This preliminary research will be adapted later to control the laser cutting machine. A …

The Integration Of Simulation And Reality For Education Enhancement And Training, Clarence Rasquinha, Stephen A. Raper

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Quite often, when engineers are exposed to a manufacturing environment on the job for the first time, they undergo a baptism by fire. The environment forces them to deal with situations that integrate many different bodies of knowledge. Reliance on concepts acquired in the academic environment is crucial to their success. Unfortunately, lacking in most academic environments, is any experience through which some or all of these concepts are integrated. In a continuing effort to enhance educational practices in Manufucturing/Systems Engineering programs and perhaps improve the preparedness of a young engineer, the CITE (Computer Integrated Technological Enterprise) tool offers educators …

Adaptive Critic Based Neural Networks For Control, Victor Biega

Masters Theses

"Dynamic Programming is an exact method of determining optimal control for a discretized system. Unfortunately, for nonlinear systems the computations necessary with this method become prohibitive.

This project investigates the use of adaptive neural networks that utilize dynamic programming methodology to develop near optimal control laws. First, a one dimensional infinite horizon problem is examined. The first part of this thesis considers problems involving cost functions with final state constraints for one dimensional linear and nonlinear systems. It also investigates a two dimensional linear problem. In addition to these examples, an example of the corrective capabilities of critics is shown. …

Observation Of A New Charmed Strange Meson, Kubota, Y.; Et Al., M. Thulasidas

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

No abstract provided.

Precision Measurement Of The Ds*+-Ds+ Mass Difference, Brown, D.; Et Al., M. Thulasidas

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We have measured the vector-pseudoscalar mass splitting M(D*+s)-M(D+s)=144.22±0.47±0.37 MeV significantly more precisely than the previous world average. We minimize the systematic errors by also measuring the vector-pseudoscalar mass difference M(D*0)-M(D0) using the radiative decay D*0→D0γ, obtaining [M(D*+s)-M(D+s)]-[M(D*0)-M(D0)] =2.09±0.47±0.37 MeV. This is then combined with our previous high-precision measurement of M(D*0)-M(D0), which used the decay D*0→D0π0. We also measure the mass difference M(D+s)-M(D+)=99.5±0.6±0.3 MeV, using the φπ+ decay modes of the D+s and D+ mesons.

On Fault Modeling And Testing Of Content-Addressable Memories, Waleed K. Al-Assadi, A. P. Jayasumana, Y. K. Malaiya

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Associative or content addressable memories can be used for many computing applications. This paper discusses fault modeling for the content addressable memory (CAM) chips. Detailed examination of a single CAM cell is presented. A functional fault model for a CAM architecture executing exact match derived from the single cell model is presented. An efficient testing strategy can be derived using the proposed fault model

Neural Network Enhancement Of The Los Alamos Force Deployment Estimator, Bobby Turner, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Force Deployment Estimator (FDE) is a decision support system. It allocates transportation resources given inputs such as forces to be deployed and their desired arrival times. Other inputs are assumptions about conditions that affect performance: carrier start time, node capacity, sustainment shipping time, bulk sustainment per day, ammo sustainment per day, unit start time, carrier service time, carrier round trip time, and carrier reassignment time. Outputs include the mean and standard deviation of estimated unit arrival times versus goal times, and data files for post-processing. However, when a goal time is not met, the simulator gives no explanation of …

Immittance Spectroscopy Of Smart Components And Novel Devices, Mohammad Anwarul Alim, Sanjida Khanam, Martin A. Seitz

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

AC small-signal immittance spectroscopy is employed as a viable tool to demonstrate electrical characterization, performance improvement, and quality assurance issues of smart materials-based components and novel devices. The variation in the ac response, complemented via dc measurements within a range of tolerating temperature, delineates competing phenomena occurring in the microstructures of these engineering material systems. The results are presented in a generic manner with possible explanations on the mechanisms for two selected Debye-like (nearly ideal) and non-Debye (non-ideal) low-capacitance resistors. This spectroscopic approach allows systematic development of a representative equivalent circuit, considered to be the characteristic of the devices and …

Reflection High-Energy Electron-Diffraction Study Of Surface Disorder And Anomalous Expansion Of Pb(100), D. Tang, H. E. Elsayed-Ali

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The temperature-dependent surface structural behavior of Pb(100) is studied using reflection high-energy electron diffraction. Anomalous surface expansion for temperatures between room temperature to about 500 K is observed. A high density of surface vacancies appears at temperatures above ~ 500 K. © 1994 The American Physical Society.

Automation Of Formation Flight Control, Vincent P. Reyna

Theses and Dissertations

The research contained in this thesis explores the concepts of Automated Formation Flight Control documented in three previous AFIT theses. The generic formation analyzed consists of a Leader and Wingman, with the Wingman referencing its maneuvers off of Leader maneuvers. Specifically, planar formation flight control concerning only heading and velocity changes is considered. Next, the vertical separation constraint is relaxed to allow wing maneuvers outside of the flight plane of the lead in order to minimize the energy expended by the wing in a maneuver. Analysis of the two forms of formation flight control investigated in this thesis reveals the …

Several Considerations Regarding The Variable Length Blade Rotor, Bogdan Popescu, Victor Giurgiutiu

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Measurement Of Cabibbo-Suppressed Decays Of The Τ Lepton, Battle, M.; Et Al., M. Thulasidas

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

No abstract provided.

Observation Of Inclusive B Decays To The Charmed Baryons C++ And C0, Procario, M.; Te Al., M. Thulasidas

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

No abstract provided.

Improvement Of Solar Salt Works Performance, J Katima

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Coal, asphalt, black oil paint, naphthol green b and alkali blue 6b were testedfor improvement Of solar energy utilisation in solar salt manufacture. It was found that the use of alkali blue 6b dye dissolved in raw seawater improves efficiency by 3.6 percent. Both modifications could increase solar salt works with a coal coated surface than one employing raw seawater dyed with alkali blue 6b.

Thermodynamics And Transport Proper- Ties Analysis Of Natural Gas From Songosongo In Kilwa- Tanzania, G Mrema

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Analysis ofthermodynamics and transport properties was carried outfor six natu- ral gas samples from Songosongofield in Kilwa - Tanzania using PRO/II simula- for. Properties of most interest in gas processing (due to their influence on the sales value) such as density, specific gravity, critical parameters, bubble point and dew point, enthalpy, latent heat of vaporisation, molecular weight, boiling point and phase were investigated. In addition composition of the gas was com- pared with that from elsewhere. The gas was assumed to be at a temperature of 30C and a pressme of 150 bar before pressure let down station. Results indicated …

A Conceptual Approach To Water Resources Management For A Catchment In Tanzania, F Mwanuzi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

In hydrology/Water resources, normally rainfall data are available for longer periods than runoff data. Many attempts have been made to extend these runoff data by using system approach and conceptual models. The conceptual approach to simulate runoff at the outlet ofa catchment is based on the physical processes involved in the transformation of rainfall into runoff (river flow). In this paper a conceptual model, (SEAMOD) has been used. This model has a limited number of parameters to optimize when compared to other models like the sacramental model. Also it requires less input data. The model assumes that the storage is …

A Check Parameter Method For Use In Designing Relays, H Kadete

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Low quality magnetic steel available locally has been successfully used as core material for a relay. New design principles as well as construction procedure used in development of a prototype are presented. Then the new approach is assessed and found to deliver acceptable accuracy.

Critical Evaluation Of The Effects Of Changes Made To Roughing Filters Of Mpira-Balaka Plant On Its Treatment And Operational Performance, C Zulu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Mpira Balaka, a full scale rural water supply project was constructed in Ntcheu, Malawi, in 1988 utilising Slow Sand Filtration (SSF) as the main treatment process and roughing filtration as the pretreatment method,following the promo- tion of this technology by various international institutions. During the rainy seasons, the treatment plant for Mpira Balaka failed to cope with the high raw water turbidity, resulting into very short filter run times and hence also to unavoidable distribution Of very turbid water to the rural communi- ties as a result Of by-passing the filters. Of the fifty or so existing rural projects in …

Practical Aspects In Sensing Vrm Magneti- Sation Characteristics For Rotor Position Detection, N Mvungi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The detection of rotor position (stator/roror poles overlap) in a variable reluc- tance motor using the dependence of permeance on rotor position is the core of the effort to eliminate the need of a physical position sensor in the rotor shaft in the positional feedback operation of the motor. The reliability of the whole proc- ess Of eliminating the need of a physical sensor rests squarely On the ability to measure the instantaneous permeance ofa phase when the motor is in operation and at stand still. This paper presents an experimental investigation on the in- triguing problems of obtaining repeatable …

Comparison Of Air Traffic Control Candidate Ability With Simulator-Based Training Measures, Lawrence A. Tomaskovic

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to determine if the utilization of an experimental computer-based selection test battery would aid in the prediction of a candidate's performance when using an air traffic control computer-based simulation program. Each candidate completed the selection test battery, and then received air traffic control instruction using the air traffic control simulation program incorporated in the TRACON/Pro™ simulator system. The selection test battery results were correlated with the subsequent simulator scoring results.

The Effect Of Active And Passive Control On Air Traffic Controller Dynamic Memory, Esa M. Rantanen

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of automated and passive control on air traffic controller dynamic memory. The study consisted of two experiments, each involving a realistic ATC scenario for radar approach control with a mix of arriving and departing traffic. In Experiment I, the subjects performed manual control of the traffic while, in Experiment II, the scenario was highly automated and the subjects were tasked with only monitoring the situation. The dynamic memory performance was measured by interrupting the scenario and having the subjects recall the traffic situation at the moment of simulation interruption. The …

Final State Distributions For Electron Capture From Orientated Rydberg Atoms, Jee-Ching Wang, Ronald E. Olson

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Final state nim distributions are studied for electron capture from orientated circular Rydberg atoms. Strong orientation effects are found for all quantum numbers at collision speeds comparable to the electron orbital speed. Predominant population of large m states is observed when the plane of the circular orbit is nearly perpendicular to the incident direction of the projectile. The Ini distributions show structures due to quasi-Thomas scattering even at low relative collision velocities. © 1993 IOP Publishing Ltd.

On Stationary And Moving Interface Cracks With Frictionless Contact In Anisotropic Bimaterials, Xiaomin Deng

Faculty Publications

The asymptotic structure of near-tip fields around stationary and steadily growing interface cracks, with frictionless crack surface contact, and in anisotropic bimaterials, is analysed with the method of analytic continuation, and a complete representation of the asymptotic fields is obtained in terms of arbitrary entire functions. It is shown that when the symmetry, if any, and orientation of the anisotropic bimaterial is such that the in-plane and out-of-plane deformations can be separated from each other, the in-plane crack-tip fields will have a non-oscillatory, inverse-squared-root type stress singularity, with angular variations clearly resembling those for a classical mode II problem when …