Engineering Commons^™

Direct Digital Control Of A Liquid Level Control Unit, Barbara Viehman Lytle

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A system was developed to allow undergraduate engineering students the capability of simulating various types of control modes in a laboratory environment. The use of digital control and common industrail components such as transducers, recorders, and valves was implemented.

Modification to an existing bench scale process control system is outlined and demonstrated. A computer program was written which interfaces with the hardware and data acquisition software allowing the user many options to study control processes under a variety of conditions. A wide range of parameters can be selected. System parameters can be saved on disk or printed directly. Data are …

Optical Interferometric Formation Of Phased Array Antenna Footprint/, John E. Sherwood

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A 40 dB gain RF Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) matched to a photodiode input is designed using TOUCHSTONE (S-parameter based CAD software), built, and tested. The RF LNA formed the detector of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer constructed with single mode fiber, coupler, Gradient Index Rod Acousto-optic modulator (ADM) . (GRINROD) lenses, and an The ADM is used to frequency shift the optical frequency by 125 MHz, and the motion of a GRINROD lens is used to produce an optical phase shift that is recovered at the detector as an electrical phase shift by using heterodyne detection . Finite Hankel transforms are …

Parametric Shape Generation Of Aerodynamic And Structural Objects For Aerodynamic, Structural And Radar Cross-Section Analysis, Franklin C. Basile

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes the design and development of software to parametrically build three-dimensional aerodynamic objects or shapes for various engineering design and analysis activities. The software is designed to generate and display sufficient geometric output to completely define the object. Parameters are entered through a prompting sequence which determines the type of object and the amount of geometry needed to describe the object. Geometry created by this program will act as the baseline model for aerodynamic , structural, and radar cross-section analysis. An integral part of the program is the complete 3-D viewing capability. Interactive global display capability allows for …

Building Knowledge Systems For The Manufacturing Support Environment: A User's Approach, Vernon Joseph Tracy Jr.

Theses

Knowledge systems provide a largely untapped resource for accomplishing productivity gains in the manufacturing support disciplines. Major corporations, usually under the guidance of newly formed Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) departments, are rushing to develop large knowledge systems. These large systems offer the promise of a considerable payback and therefore deserve their current attention. There also exists a wealth of smaller projects that if identified and developed, could contribute to improved corporate performance. The shortage of knowledge engineers has been the major reason why small knowledge system applications in the manufacturing support areas are not being vigorously pursued. This paper presents an …

Material Characterization Of Hot-Mix Recycled Bituminous Pavements : Executive Summary, Leonard E. Wood, Ahmed Samy Noureldin

JTRP Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

An Automatic Quantitative Image Analysis System For Construction Materials : Executive Summary, Dexiang Shi

JTRP Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Structural Behavior Of High Strength Concrete Prestressed I-Beams, Volume Ii: Executive Summary, M. Keith Kaufman, J. A. Ramirez

JTRP Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of Effects Of Routine Maintenance On Highway Surface Conditions : Informational Report, Turki Ibrahim. Al-Suleiman, Kumares C. Sinha

JTRP Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Prototype System For Snow Route Design And Management, J. R. Wright

JTRP Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of The Micro-Surfaces Of Fiber Glass, Window Glass, Bottle Glass, And Quartz Crystal Through The Use Of Scanning Electron Microscopy, Raymond C. Friedrichsen

Graduate Research Papers

The problem of this study is to investigate the surfaces of quartz crystal, bottle glass, window glass, and fiber glass, to determine if there are any substantial differences in their structures when compared to a fiber optic material. The investigation will be done with the aid of the scanning electron microscope {SEM).

Technical Report El-88-18: Reliability Of The Federally Owned Water Main System, Donald V. Chase, Lindell Ormsbee, Thomas M. Walski

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Mechanics Faculty Publications

The reliability of the Federally Owned Water Main (FOWM) system was examined, and recommendations to improve system reliability are made. The existing FOWM system is very dependent upon three different pipe links.

The first and most important link is the Francis Scott Key Bridge river crossing. This link carries the entire FOWM supply, and if taken out of service, an alternate means of supply must be used. At present, the only alternate source of supply is through interconnections with the adjacent Arlington County, Virginia, system.

The second vital link is the 30-in. steel main which extends from the Key Bridge …

Boundary Layer On A Continuous Flat Plate In Parallel Flow With Similar And Non-Similar Boundary Conditions, Vaughn H.M. Faber

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a computational analysis of the incompressible laminar boundary layer on a continuous moving surface. The skin friction and heat transfer variations on a moving plate with similar and non-similar (constant) mass transfer at the wall are obtained for 210 cases for the similar boundary solution and 60 cases for the non-similar solution.

Both cases were solved numerically using the fourth order Runge-Kutta algorithm. For the non-similarity case, the local non-similarity method as described by Sparrow, Quack and Boerner was used. The analysis shows that the shear stress for both the similar and non-similar cases is higher when …

Rise Time To Frequency Correlation Of Crosstalk In Coupled Microstrip Lines, Charles Michael Fletcher Jr.

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An examination of forward crosstalk in microstrip transmission lines is presented through a computer simulation using SPICE. A non-resistive lumped L-C transmission line model is modified to include capacitive and inductive coupling from adjacent lines. Two adjacent microstrip transmission lines are modeled, and simulation results in both the time and frequency domains are shown. The time domain or transient analysis looks at the effect of rise times on crosstalk. Rise times in the range of 100 to 1000 nanoseconds (ns) are considered. The frequency analysis shows the crosstalk frequency response over the range of 100 to 1600 kilohertz (kHz). The …

A Study Of The Reaction Kinetics For The Thermal Oxidation Of Dilute N-Heptane Vapors In A Plug Flow Reactor, Steven Hunter Ramsey

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

During August through October, 1986, experiments were conducted with the aim of devel oping kinetic relationships for the thermal oxi dation of dilute n-Heptane vapors in air using a Lindberg tube furnace reactor. This project was designed to be the first step in the ultimate goal of research ing the effe cts upon the combustion of dilute organic vapors when certain chemicals are added to the combustion stream. These chemicals are postulated to form free radicals and thus enhance the oxidation of organ i cs . Comparison of the kinetics before and after the addition of t he free radical …

A Cellular Algorithm For Data Reduction Of Polygon Based Images, Robert James Caesar

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT The amount of information contained in an image is often much more than is necessary. Computer generated images will always be constrained by the computer's resources or the time allowed for generation. To reduce the quantity of data in a picture while preserving its apparent quality can require complex filtering of the image data. This paper presents an algorithm for reducing data in polygon based images, using different filtering techniques that take advantage of a priori knowledge as to the images' content. One technique uses a novel implementation of vertex elimination. By passing the image through a sequence of …

Prediction Of Erosion On Cut Or Fill Slopes, Jen-Chen Fan

JTRP Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

The Development Of Optimal Strategies For Maintenance, Rehabilitation And Replacement Of Highway Bridges, Vol. 1: The Elements Of The Indiana Bridge Management System (Ibms), Kumares C. Sinha, Mitsuru Saito, Yi Jiang, Sudhir Murthy, Ah Beng Tee, Mark D. Bowman

JTRP Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

South East Missouri Lead Belt - A Review 1987, Johh L. Watson

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The south-east Missouri Lead Belt is, and has been for many years, a major world producer of lead concentrate. This paper reviews the current mill operations in the area and presents detailed information on equipment, operating parameters and metallurgical performance. © 1988.

Mrp, Jit, And Opt: A Comparison On The Production Floor, Donna M. Denicole Christopher

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

In order to compete in manufacturing, industry realizes it must work more efficiently with its resources. Three manufacturing techniques have been developed to assist industry in this challenge --MRP, JIT, and OPT. This paper compares these three techniques. It concentrates on the factors that affect production after vendor materials are in-house. A brief discussion of some of the implementation difficulties a company may face during the transition to a new philosophy is also addressed. Finally, a case study of a low volume, highly technical military project is evaluated and analyzed.

Management Considerations Of Productivity Issues For Local Government, Scott M. Gilbertson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This report examines the issues needed to be addressed by a municipal manager and provides guidelines to follow when establishing a productivity measurement and improvement program. Examined in detail is the relationship of the municipality's quality of service delivery in relationship to productivity. The concerns of productivity in the public sector at the national and local levels are also identified.

Numerous difficulties are encountered when attempting to measure and improve productivity. Many of these difficulties are presented and several are discussed in detail. To overcome the identified difficulties, there are a number of techniques available, some of which are recently …

Comparison Of Subsurface Cavity Investigations Using Earth Resistivity, Seismograph And Ground Penetrating Radar, Dennis M. Filler

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Sinkhole formation in the Central Florida area has become a serious problem. The subsurface exploration method for cavity detection is indeed needed prior to sinkhole development. this research study compares the effectiveness of earth resistivity, seismograph and ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods in the detection of subsurface cavities. A resistivity instrument measures a material's resistance to electric currents. The seismograph measure the propagation velocity of a medium refracting compressional waves. The GPR transmits and receives electromagnetic pulses reflecting off subsurface interfaces.

Tests were conducted at two sites: a model test site at the University of central Florida, Orlando, and a …

Some Reasons Why New Technologies Are Not Always Successful - Specifically Directed Toward Cim, Shuk Fong Lai

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

To keep the competitive edge, many companies constantly implement new technologies. However, the implementation of these new technologies are not always successful. Why?

Problems with implementation of new technologies can be either technical or managerial. This paper presents research limited to management problems and suggests the necessary changes. It also outlines the important factors in the decision-making process and the criteria for a successful implementation of a Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) system. Many experts believe that CIM is the ultimate solution to slow and reverse the decline of the U.S. global manufacturing market. However, some companies that have implemented CIM …

The Application Of Transfer Matrices In The Dynamic Analysis Of Planar Elastic Mechanisms, Richard Kent Lindenberg

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Transfer matrices are used in the dynamic analysis of planar elastic mechanisms. Mechanism motion is discretized by dividing the motion into a finite number of intervals over which the mechanism is considered to be an instantaneous structure with constant geometry. Transfer matrix methods are then used to calculate the natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes of the instantaneous structure. A transfer matrix relating the continuous, non-zero components of the state vector across a pin joint is developed. An elastic four bar mechanism and a crank slider mechanism with a rigid crank and elastic connecting rod are analyzed using lumped mass …

A System For Measuring The Phase Difference Between Two Points Of A Propagating Laser Beam, Jefferson E. Odhner

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An optical system has been designed, analyzed, implemented, and calibrated which measures the phase difference between two points of a propagating laser beam. The system is a quadrature interferometer whose detector outputs are processed by a computer. This quadrature interferometer measures both the phase and amplitude variations between two points of a laser beam after the beam passes through turbulence . These measurements are in turn processed by a computer to isolate the phase variations from the amplitude variations. Further statistical analysis which can be performed on these phase variations should provide an understanding of the phase fluctuations of propagating …

Method For Sizing Mos Transistors For Vlsi, Matthew J. Amatangelo

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Determining the device width to length ratios has typically been an iterative process for the custom IC digital design engineer. After the logic design phase is complete for a particular circuit, the designer would make an educated guess at the device sizes. Then by trial and error, using SPICE or another circuit simulator, suitable sizes would be determined. Unfortunately, this approach is time consuming and the resulting sizes are often a good bit larger than they need to be to maintain a certain speed because of the lack of a rigorous sizing methodology. This paper describes a method for reducing …

A Proposed System For Determination Of Percent Cloud Cover, Carol L. Emrich

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A method for determining percent cloud cover by taking two consecutive images using different color contrast filters, specifically a red filter and a blue filter, is described. This method (RF/BF estimate) involves dividing the "red" image by the "blue" image, pixel by pixel, and determining the percentage of pixels in the resultant image with intensity values of one. This is the percent cloud cover. The RF/BF estimate is based on the different effects of molecule and particle scattering of electromagnetic waves in the visible portion of the spectrum. These two types of scattering, Rayleigh and Mie scattering respectively, are described …

The Design Of A Dual Method Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition System, David B. Cox

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

For the fabrication of semiconductor devices, solar cells, and infrared detectors, thin film deposition methods are required. Of the deposition methods currently available including MBE, LPE, and MOCVD; MOCVD is preferred due to its relatively low cost per wafer, versatility, and high wafer throughput. Requirements which must be considered in the design of a deposition system are discussed. An MOCVD system is designed such that MOCVD can be carried out by plasma enhanced deposition (PED) or low pressure metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (LPMOCVD). As a result of the inherent characteristics of the two methods, a wide range of operational temperatures …

Effects Of 0.5 Weight Percent Boron On Cobalt Aluminide, Kevin Thomas Slattery

Masters Theses

"A study was made on the effects of adding 0.5 weight percent boron to the ordered intermetallic Cobalt Aluninide. Thirty gram (30g) specimens were induction melted in an pure argon atmosphere and cast into a copper alloy bar mold. The addition of boron raised the modulus of rupture from 30.1 to 44.3 ksi; increased the Knoop microhardness from 543 to 693; reduced the average grain size from 190 to 70 microns; and gave a more equiaxed grain structure. X-ray diffraction detected the presence of a second phase, AlB , 12 in the material containing boron. Scanning electron micro-scopy revealed that …

Paraffin Deposition Property Measurement Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Kevin Lynn Thornsberry

Masters Theses

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) has been used in past studies to identify the cloud points of diesel fuels, lube oils, jet fuels etc. and it has been assumed that its application extends to all paraffinic hydrocarbons. To verify this and to investigate the possible application of Differential Scanning Calorimetry to the production phase of the petroleum industry, the onset of wax crystallization is compared with ASTM cloud point for a number of paraffinic mixtures including a variety of crude oils. Results show cloud point can be determined for crudes using DSC. Additionally, wax content can be found on a known …

Sessile Drop Studies Of Aluminum On Sapphire, Ke Wen K. Li

Masters Theses

A sessile drop technique employing a drop placement method has been used to investigate the wetting behavior and interfacial phenomena between aluminum and single crystal α-alumina. Measurements were made under a flowing mixture of H₂ and He atomsphere from 1200°C to 1600°C. Acute contact angles decreased continuously in all cases during the 8-hour experimental time. Neither the oxygen partial pressure of the flowing gas nor the orientation of the single crystal alumina substrate affected the contact angles, but the shapes of crystals grown at the substrate-metal interfaces were dependent on the orientation of the substrate surface to some extent. …