Engineering Commons^™

Editorial For Special Issue “Design, Modeling, Optimization And Control Of Flotation Process”, Fardis Nakhaei, Ahmad Hassanzadeh, Luis A. Cisternas

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Utilizing Ensemble Learning In The Classifications Of Ductile And Brittle Failure Modes Of Uhpc Strengthened Rc Members, Woubishet Zewdu Taffese, Yanping Zhu, Genda Chen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study aims to achieve the swift and precise classification of ductile and brittle failure modes in flexural reinforced concrete (RC) members, specifically those with tension sides strengthened by ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC). Employing six ensemble learning techniques—Bagging, Random Forest, AdaBoost, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, and LightGBM—the authors utilize a comprehensive dataset comprising 14 features, which include manually labeled failure modes obtain from load–deflection curves. The model training spans four scenarios, varying in the inclusion or exclusion of features describing the cross-sectional area of RC members and moment resistance. XGBoost emerges as the most effective classifier, achieving an impressive 84% accuracy …

Modeling Injury Severity Of Truck-Involved Crashes Under Covid-19 Regulatory Changes, William Mckenzie

Civil and Environmental Engineering Master's Project Reports

At the start of the pandemic the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued declaration No. 2020-002 which included a long list of goods given temporary emergency relief (deregulation) from national statutes 49 CFR Parts 390-399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that oversee trucking. In particular, this granted emergency relief from Title 49 CFR § 395.3: maximum driving time for motor carriers or their drivers, regarded as hours-of-service (HOS), and subsequently further expanded to include short-haul trips, adverse driving conditions, break requirements, and sleeper berths. Regulations which play a crucial role in establishing the safe operation and management of …

Rethinking Wind In Kentucky, Lawrence E. Holloway, Aron Patrick, Dan M. Ionel

Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky Faculty Publications

Recent analyses and developments suggest that wind energy could play a role in Kentucky's future power generation mix. This recent change in outlook for Kentucky wind has been driven by three factors: (1) improved wind turbine technologies, (2) improved economics, and (3) recent analyses showing improved grid reliability due to wind's complementarity to solar power generation.

Annual Report 2024, Brandy Mcknight, Estevan Garcia

College of Engineering and Science Annual Reports

I'm excited to share that the 2023-2024 academic year has been another success. While the year has had its share of challenges, our faculty, staff, and students have met every one with the indomitable Bulldog spirit that has defined our University and College for decades.

Faculty and staff continue to impact students through their steady guidance and commitment to the Tenets of Tech, and our students continue to grow - not just academically, but as the leaders of tomorrow. The problems they are solving here have a real and lasting impact on the world around us. You'll learn about some …

Multifunctional Models In Digital And Physical Twinning Of The Built Environment—A University Campus Case Study, Genda Chen, Ibrahim Alomari, Woubishet Zewdu Taffese, Zhenhua Shi, Mohammad Hossein Afsharmovahed, Tarutal Ghosh Mondal, Son Nguyen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Digital Twin (DT) Concept Has Been Developed for a Single Function in Previous Studies. This Study Aims to Empower DTs with a Layered Integration of Multifunctional Models in the Built Environment. It Develops a Framework of DT Modules in Three Hierarchical Tiers: Region, Asset, and System; Defines a New Concept of the Degree of Digital Twinning (DODT) to the Real World by the Number of Models Enabled by a Common DT Platform; and Enables Spatiotemporal Analysis in Multiple Scales to Couple Nonstructural with Structural Building Components and Connect the Built Environment to Planning Constructions. While the Asset and System …

10 Meters To Disaster: The Challenges Of Premature Application Of Circular Economy Strategies In Jakarta’S Waste Management Structure, Almira Bowo

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Jakarta's complex issue of waste management encompasses a multitude of challenges that include inefficiencies in infrastructure, a lack of public awareness of the consequences of an inadequate waste system, socioeconomic disparities, and a deficiency in intersectoral collaboration. The urgency for holistic and sustainable solutions that prioritize proactive waste collection is underscored by the complexities of these dynamics. This field study paper argues that the attention that is being drawn towards trending waste management innovations, which are reactive strategies, could bring the waste crisis in Jakarta to an even more critical state. The sections will critically examine current waste management efforts …

Accommodating Spatio-Temporal Dependency In Airline Demand Modeling, Sudipta Dey Tirtha, Tanmoy Bhowmik, Naveen Eluru

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The objective of the current study is to examine monthly air passenger departures at the airport level considering spatial interactions between airports. In this study, we develop a novel spatial grouped generalized ordered probit (SGGOP) model system of monthly air passenger departures at the airport level. Specifically, we estimate two variants of spatial models including spatial lag model and spatial error model. In the presence of repeated demand measures for the airports, we also consider temporal variations of spatial correlation effects among proximally located airports by employing space and time-based weight matrix. The proposed model is estimated using monthly air …

Disturbance Observer-Based Control For Pmsg-Based Wind Turbiner Considering Unbalanced Grid Conditions, Moayad Alanani Maher

Theses

A typical Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG)-based wind turbine system consists of an electrical generator, Machine-Side Converter (MSC), Grid-Side Converter (GSC), dc-link capacitor, and a passive filter such as L filter or LCL filter to connect the GSC to the host grid. When the wind turbine operates under unbalanced grid voltages, a negative sequence component is introduced to the system. This negative sequence voltage can pose challenges for classical controllers to ensure an efficient control of the PMSG-based wind turbine system. On one hand, when the control objective is to ensure injecting sinusoidal and balanced three-phase currents to the grid, …

Deciphering The Controlling Factors For Phase Transitions In Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks, Tao Du, Shanwu Li, Sudheer Ganisetti, Mathieu Bauchy, Yuanzheng Yue, Morten M. Smedskjaer

Michigan Tech Publications

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) feature complex phase transitions, including polymorphism, melting, vitrification, and polyamorphism. Experimentally probing their structural evolution during transitions involving amorphous phases is a significant challenge, especially at the medium-range length scale. To overcome this challenge, here we first train a deep learning-based force field to identify the structural characteristics of both crystalline and non-crystalline ZIF phases. This allows us to reproduce the structural evolution trend during the melting of crystals and formation of ZIF glasses at various length scales with an accuracy comparable to that of ab initio molecular dynamics, yet at a much lower computational cost. …

Microwave Holography For Emi Source Imaging, Xin Yan, Jiangshuai Li, Wei Zhang, Kaustav Ghosh, Philippe Sochoux, Daryl G. Beetner, Victor Khilkevich

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Emission Source Microscopy Technique Can Be Utilized to Localize the Radiation Sources in Complex and Electrically Large Electronic Systems. in the Two-Dimensional Emission Source Microscopy Algorithm, Both Magnitude and Phase of the Field Need to Be Measured, and a Vector Network Analyzer or an Oscilloscope Has to Be Used as a Receiver, Resulting in Reduced Signal-To-Noise Ratio and Longer Measurement Time Compared to a Spectrum Analyzer (SA). in This Article, a Phase less Electromagnetic Interference Source Imaging Method is Proposed based on Microwave Holography. the Field Produced by the Device under Test is Not Measured Directly, Instead, the Interference Pattern …

Risk–Reward Share Allocation Under Different Integrated Project Delivery Relational Structures: A Monte-Carlo Simulation And Cooperative Game Theoretic Solutions Approach, Radwa Eissa, Mohamad Abdul Nabi, Islam H. El-Adaway

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Sharing of risks and rewards is considered to be one of the key benefits and principles of integrated project delivery (IPD). Despite its importance, risk–reward strategies are not implemented widely in IPD construction projects due to the lack of a well-defined basis for establishing adequate allocation plans. This paper fills this knowledge gap. This research followed a multistep methodology. First, the authors calculated the risk control valuations of all potential combinations of coalitions for IPD stakeholders. This was performed using interrelated steps of risk identification and quantification, risk assignment based on associated contractual analysis, establishment of a coordination network, and …

Toward Improved Shared Micromobility Implementation: A Data-Driven Approach To Overcome Challenges And Explore Next-Generation Acceptance, Myriam Zakhem

Civil and Environmental Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Rapid transportation advancements over the last several years have resulted in new personal mobility modes, such as shared micromobility (e.g., e-scooters, bikes, and e-bikes). These short-term rental vehicles expand transportation mobility by offering affordable, convenient, and efficient options that are easy to access. The rapid expansion of dockless micromobility systems presents major opportunities and challenges for cities, leading some to ban these services within their jurisdiction. To enhance the effectiveness of dockless shared micromobility services, address challenges created by these services, and achieve better implementation performance, cities need efficacious strategies to tackle major challenges. This dissertation contributes to the body …

Transport Of Multi-Phase Multi-Component Fluids In The Shallow Subsurface Influenced By Soil And Surface Boundary Conditions: Experimental And Numerical Study With Application To Natural Gas Leakage, Navodi Jayarathne

Civil and Environmental Engineering Theses and Dissertations

With the increased use of Natural Gas (NG) as a source of fuel, underground leak-related events are increasingly reported, and some are fatal. Subsurface migration and development up to flammable limits are highly dependent on leak characteristics, soil, atmospheric variables, and other surface and subsurface structural complexities. Although few studies have characterized the transient behavior of leaked NG in the shallow subsurface, the underlying mechanisms and their interactions are not well understood, which prevents prediction of the impact of environmental and operating conditions on gas migration. The study conducted a series of field scale-controlled release experiments and numerical simulations to …

The Dynamic Response And Damage Evolution Of High-Strength Concrete, Mohamed Abbas

Mechanical Engineering Research Theses and Dissertations

Concrete stands as the most extensively used construction material in both military and civil structural applications, attributed to its excellent durability and high impact resistance. Over the years, high-strength concrete (HSC) has evolved to withstand higher compressive strengths, making it a viable substitute for conventional concrete (CC) in many applications. Hence, HSC is commonly used for structures and structural elements that are exposed to extreme loading conditions such as hurricanes, wave impacts, ship-bridge collisions, explosions, earthquake loads, etc. The mechanical response of concrete subjected to dynamic loading conditions differs dramatically from its response under quasi-static conditions due to its inherent …

Time Series Models For Predicting Application Gpu Utilization And Power Draw Based On Trace Data, Dorothy Xiaoshuang Parry

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This work explores collecting performance metrics and leveraging various statistical and machine learning time series predictive models on a memory-intensive application, Inception v3. Trace data collected using nvidia-smi measured GPU utilization and power draw for two runs of Inception3. Experimental results from the statistical and machine learning-based time series predictive algorithms showed that the predictions from statistical-based models were unable to capture the complex changes in the trace data. The Probabilistic TNN model provided the best results for the power draw trace, according to the test evaluation metrics. For the GPU utilization trace, the RNN models produced the most accurate …

Effect Of Lunar Magnetic Field And Lunar Regolith Simulant On The Growth And Bioactive Compounds Production Of Chlorella Vulgaris Microalgae, Jeries Philip Butros Abedrabbo

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Since humans last went to the moon on the Apollo missions, there has been a fascination with inhabiting and colonizing other planetary objects, starting with the Earth’s Moon, Mars, and recently Jupiter’s moon, Europa. However, there is still lack of knowledge and science behind many of the extraterrestrial environmental effects on biological organisms living on Earth. Therefore, there is a need to study how such environments would affect these organisms. Moreover, how can we attain sustainable living in such environments as well through self-providing life support systems (LSS), without the need to provide for additional necessities back and forth from …

Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopic Detection Of Volatile Organic Compounds With Zinc Oxide And Metal-Organic Frameworks As Solid-State Sensor Materials, Papa Kojo Amoah

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The industrial revolution drove technological progress but also increased the release of harmful pollutants, posing significant risks to human health and the environment. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have various anthropogenic and natural sources, are particularly concerning due to their impact on public health, especially in urban areas. Addressing these adverse effects requires comprehensive strategies for mitigation as traditional gas sensing techniques have limitations and there is a need for innovative approaches to VOC detection.

VOCs encompass a diverse group of chemicals with high volatility, emitted from various human activities and natural sources. These compounds play a crucial role in …

Quasi-Static And Impact Load Response Of Bfrp-Reinforced Concrete Beams And Post-Terrorist-Attack Sub-Assemblages, José Luis Carrasquillo

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents the outcome of a theoretical and experimental study of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) reinforced concrete beams and post-terrorist-attack subassemblages subjected to either quasi-static or impact load. Both BFRP reinforcement as well as BFRP fabric are used in this investigation. The sub-assemblage consists of an otherwise two-span beam converted to a fixed-end single-span one owing to the loss of a middle column blasted off during the terrorist attack. The simply supported beams are subjected to a midspan quasistatic or an impact load. However, each sub-assemblage is subjected to a quasi-static load up to collapse to simulate the …

Combine Effects Of Heavy Storm, Sea Level Rise, And Wind-Induced Surge On Flooding In A Low-Gradient Coastal Watershed In Eastern Virginia, Rutvik Rajendrabhai Patel

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines and presents mechanisms of flooding in a low-gradient coastal watershed, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. The watershed comprises the North Landing River watershed and the West Neck Creek watershed, both characterized by a low topographic gradient. The analysis relied on examining simulations generated using one-dimensional and two-dimensional HEC-RAS models. These models were developed using a 1-m digital elevation model (DEM) obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). To calibrate and validate the models, unsteady flows resulting from historical hurricanes (e.g., Matthew, Sandy, and Isabel), southern winds, and/or rising sea levels were utilized. Some flows were caused …

Application Of The Fokker-Planck Equation For Quantifying Initial Condition Uncertainty Of Reversible Dynamic Systems, Troy S. Newhart

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Characterizing the behavior of dynamic systems requires the inclusion of initial conditions to propagate behavior forward in time. More realistic representations of system behavior quantify uncertainty about the initial conditions to assess sensitivity, reliability, and other stochastic response parameters. In many engineering applications, the uncertain initial conditions may be unknown given a desired response. This research applies the Fokker-Planck equation to reversible dynamic systems of select multi-dimensional nonlinear differential equations as a means for predicting the uncertainty about initial conditions. An alternating directions implicit numerical scheme is used to numerically solve the Fokker-Planck equation for both forward and reversed equations …

Pulsed Electric Fields Sensitize Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus To Antibacterial Therapies And Stimulate Host Immune Responses, Alexandra E. Chittams-Miles

Biomedical Sciences Theses & Dissertations

This research explores the impact of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) on two fronts: their immune stimulatory effects and their potential as a novel strategy to enhance the sensitivity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to clinically relevant antibiotics. While pulsed electric fields have been reported to have an immune stimulatory effect, the mechanisms responsible for these effects have yet to be determined.

Our investigation addresses the rising concern of MRSA derived skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Consistent with other publications, we found that nsPEF alone cause modest inactivation of planktonic MRSA. We then investigated the effects of nsPEF in …

Preserving Location Authenticity: Multi-Sensor System To Thwart Gps Spoofing In Self-Driving Vehicles, Peng Jiang

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The ubiquity of the Global Positioning System (GPS) has cemented its role as the cornerstone for an array of location-based services and navigation systems, spanning applications from autonomous vehicles and drones to maritime vessels and wearable technology. Nonetheless, ensuring the integrity of reported geographical coordinates poses a formidable challenge, owing to the proliferation of diverse GPS spoofing tools. This predicament is compounded by the pervasive availability of tools like Fake GPS, Lockito, and software-defined radios, enabling even unsophisticated users to commandeer and disseminate counterfeit GPS coordinates. This dissertation undertakes the task of devising an encompassing and resilient framework, integrating a …

Thermo-Elasto-Plastic Stability Of Biaxially Loaded Hollow Rectangular Section Steel Beam-Columns With Applied Torsion, George Adomako Kumi

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Presented herein is an experimental and theoretical study of biaxially loaded hollow rectangular section steel beam-columns with applied torsion at elevated temperatures. The theoretical analysis is based on a system of simultaneous materially nonlinear differential equations of equilibrium for which an iterative semi-analytic solution approach is formulated. Although the primary goal of this research is to study the influence of elevated temperatures on the steel member with the complex loading, rigorous analysis is also conducted of the member at ambient temperature for comparison. The experimental part of the study involves conducting tests on the members at both ambient and high …

Performing Information Extraction For Mission Engineering Applications, Samuel R. Koski

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The process of extracting structured data from unstructured and semi-structured text is manual, time consuming and error prone. Current natural language processing approaches for automating this process are difficult to verify for non-trivial and context-sensitive corpora. Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT have become a subject of considerable interest, opening a promising avenue of exploration. However, there is limited evidence on the performance of LLMs for information extraction.

In this dissertation, an approach is proposed to evaluate the accuracy of Stanford OpenIE and OpenAI's ChatGPT for this purpose. This includes comparing Resource Description Framework (RDF) triples extracted by each of …

Structural Characterization Of A Tritruss Module, Lauren M. Simmons

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The TriTruss is a novel structural module developed by researchers at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) that can be used in space to assemble large support structures for a variety of applications. One such application is the metering truss or primary mirror backbone support structure of an In-Space Assembled Telescope (iSAT). For the iSAT application, the TriTruss will be supporting mirror segments, payloads, and instruments, all of which require the TriTruss to have a high stiffness. Structural characterization from testing and analysis is needed to ensure the integrity of the struts that make up a TriTruss module is maintained when …

Guidebook For Project Management, Jill Asher, Keith Caudill, Travis Thompson, Jeff Jasper, Chris Van Dyke, Samantha Wright, Bryan Gibson, Pam Clay-Young, Candice Wallace

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

For the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) Department of Highways, project development encompasses all the work activities needed to move a transportation project from concept and project initiation to construction letting. Developing projects efficiently requires the adoption of sound project management practices. Although KYTC has a long track record of executing complex projects, doing so is increasingly challenging due to staff attrition and the attendant loss of institutional knowledge. Today’s entry- and mid-level project managers have more responsibilities than ever but lack a trusted source of guidance to help them manage projects from development through completion. The objective of this study …

Design And Simulation Of Flow Channel Of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (Pemfc), Rishya Shringhan Ravichandran

Masters Theses

In Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), flow channel plays an important role on the performance of the cell. This study mainly focuses on the simulation of flow channel under various conditions. A three-dimensional mode of PEMFC with 25cm² of active area was employed to simulate the flow channel of PEMFC which has various designs. The flow channel designs such as single serpentine, bi-serpentine and tri-serpentine channels were investigated using ANSYS FLUENT software. Initially, the flow channel width of 2mm was examined. The obtained results were compared to the experimental data to validate the model. Then, the dimension of …

Reducing Vehicle Licensing And Titling Fraud, Mallory Brown, Andrew Martin, Jeeyen Koo, Jennifer Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study reviews Kentucky’s vehicle licensing and registration program, evaluates methods of motor vehicle title fraud, examines current anti-fraud mechanisms in Kentucky, reports on vehicle titling and anti-fraud efforts in other states, assesses Ohio’s vehicle inspection program, and develops a proposal for a new Kentucky rebuilt title inspection program. Researchers developed the proposal based on historical Kentucky vehicle registration and titling data, a survey of other states, and other information provided by Kentucky’s Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing and other agency partners. Kentucky historical data revealed consistently high numbers of salvage title applications as well as spatial concentration in rebuilt …

Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes For The Detection Of Misfolded Proteins In Neuro-Degenerative Disorders, Stefanie Vining

Senior Honors Projects

Single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are one-dimensional carbon nanomaterials made up of a singular layer of graphene. These nanotubes can be functionalized with different molecules for various bio-sensing/imaging applications. SWCNTs are unique in their ability to be used as long-term multiplexed sensors due to their photostability and ability to remain fluorescent.

This project focused on the functionalization of SWCNTs to detect misfolded proteins for early detection of neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimers. Currently, there is no simple way to detect these misfolded proteins and diagnose for diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinsons, or ALS, and a confirmed diagnosis can take upwards of six …