Engineering Commons^™

Terrain Characterization Via Machine Vs. Deep Learning Using Remote Sensing, Jordan Ewing, Thomas Oommen, Jobin Thomas, Anush Kasaragod, Richard Dobson, Colin Brooks, Paramsothy Jayakumar, Michael Cole, Tulga Ersal

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Terrain traversability is critical for developing Go/No-Go maps for ground vehicles, which significantly impact a mission’s success. To predict the mobility of terrain, one must understand the soil characteristics. In-situ measurements performed in the field are the current method of collecting this information, which is time-consuming, costly, and can be lethal for military operations. This paper investigates an alternative approach using thermal, multispectral, and hyperspectral remote sensing from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform. Remotely sensed data combined with machine learning (linear, ridge, lasso, partial least squares (PLS), support vector machines (SVM), and k nearest neighbors (KNN)) and deep learning …

Sustainability In Concrete Masonry With Natural Pozzolans, Ceiley L. Davis

Architectural Engineering: Graduate Reports

To achieve greater sustainability in masonry construction for the Western market it is common to replace masonry grout's partial cement content with waste pozzolans. As waste pozzolans are in limited supply, as the coal burning market in the West diminishes, this research investigates viable grout mixtures which replace cement with Natural Pozzolans, a more plentiful sustainable replacement. The present work investigated the percentage of Natural Pozzolans that can be partially substituted for cement for grout mixtures to achieve an axial compressive strength of 2000psi within 28 and 56 days of curing. To determine efficacy per ASTM 476-22, “Standards Specifications for …

The Design And Construction Of A Radio Telescope, Avery Elizabeth Bunting, Kira Hope Tolman

Architectural Engineering

Two architectural engineering students and an electrical engineering student worked together to design and build a radio telescope that is capable of using hydrogen line astronomy to map the galaxy. The telescope is made entirely out of aluminum, which, combined with small deflection limits, made for an iterative design process that focused primarily on constructability and supporting the desired outcomes of the electrical side.

Xenabloom, Sophia Maglabe, Ryer Lauth, Elizabeth Shaw, Sheyna Rongong

Architectural Engineering

Proposal for an architectural and structural design of a shade structure at the Leaning Pine Arboretum, employing the Xenaform typology of Poly Shells, LLC.

Lever Drive Wheelchair With Gear-Changing Concept, Dylan Hsu, Julian Hermosura, Anugrah Murali, Brian Burke

Interdisciplinary Design Senior Theses

The team has taken notice of the limitations disabled people in wheelchairs experience in everyday life due to the insufficiencies of their wheelchairs. The purpose of this project is to create a wheelchair that is affordable for users and enables them to have more freedom when it comes to their areas of travel. Our wheelchair would allow patients to be more integrated into society by not only having more freedom in the areas that they can travel, but also to be a part of the economic society by potentially providing services to people with their updated mode of transport.

The …

A Primer On Working With Longitudinal Student Unit Records, Russell Long, Richard A. Layton, Marisa K. Orr, Susan M. Lord, Matthew Ohland

School of Engineering Education Faculty Publications

Longitudinal, student-level data are a rich resource for characterizing how students navigate the terrain of higher education. Learning to work effectively with such data, however, can be a challenge. In this paper, we share some of our experiences over years of conducting research with the Multiple Institution Database for Investigating Engineering Longitudinal Development (MIDFIELD). MIDFIELD contains individual student-level records for all undergraduate students at 19 US institutions with over 1.7 million unique students. This paper focuses on our lessons learned about processing longitudinal data to prepare it for analysis. We describe and define the steps that we take to process …

Impact Of Traffic On Air Pollution In A Mid-Sized Urban City During Covid-19 Lockdowns, Nathan Hay, Otito Onwuzurike, Somesh Roy, Patrick J. Mcnamara, Margaret L. Mcnamara, Walter M. Mcdonald

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In this study, we evaluated the changes in air pollutant concentrations around Milwaukee, WI, during and after lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic for a period of 126 days. Measurements of particulate matter (PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀), NH₃, H₂S, and O₃ + NO₂, were made on a 74-km route of arterial and highway roads from April to August 2020 using a Sniffer 4D sensor mounted to a vehicle. Traffic volume during measurement periods were estimated from smartphone-based traffic data. From lockdown (March 24, 2020–June 11, 2020) to …

Elastic Buildings: Calibrated District-Scale Simulation Of Occupant-Flexible Campus Operation For Hybrid Work Optimization, Martín Mosteiro-Romero, Clayton Miller, Adrian Chong, Rudi Stouffs

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Before 2020, the way occupants utilized the built environment had been changing slowly towards scenarios in which occupants have more choice and flexibility in where and how they work. The global COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this phenomenon rapidly through lockdowns and hybrid work arrangements. Many occupants and employers are considering keeping some of these flexibility-based strategies due to their benefits and cost impacts.This paper explores how demand-driven control strategies in the built environment might support the transition to increased workplace flexibility by simulating various scenarios related to the operational technologies and policies of a real-world campus using a district-scale City Energy …

Investigation Of Natural Pozzolans: Analyzing The Practicality Of Natural Pozzolans As A Partial Substitute For Cement In Grout Production, Jadyn I. Breien, Andrew J. Baro, Logan T. Marino

Architectural Engineering

This senior project aims to investigate whether natural pozzolans are more sustainable than fly ash and a sufficient substitute for cement in the production of grout. By following the intent of the ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) standards, a conclusion will be made to determine if natural pozzolans can contribute comparable strength in compression. The objective is to prove that natural pozzolans should be utilized in the production of grout rather than alternatives such as fly ash because it can provide similar strength while being more economical and more sustainable.

The Center For Centering Dome, Olek Piechaczek, Ryan M. Scharf

Architectural Engineering

The Center for Centering seeks to create a large-scale healing center, conducive to individual centering of the mind and body. This mobile installation provides a relaxing, enclosed space while still maintaining a connection to the outdoors. The clients liked the idea of having a pop-up installation that could be easily set up as a touring display. With a deadline for installation looming in June 2022, a team of students had five months to design and manufacture the structure.

In winter 2022, the students developed custom geometry to minimize the number of individual parts and built a ¼ scale model of …

Wonder World, Liam M. Shaw, Briana Kuo

Computer Engineering

The main motivation for this project stems from a mutual lifelong love for video games, specifically sandbox games. These types of games, such as Mojang's Minecraft, ConcernedApe's Stardew Valley, and many more, have consistently provided us comfort in stressful times throughout our lives. Now, at the culmination of our undergraduate experience, the curriculum we have experienced throughout these past four years has provided us with the knowledge and resources that allows us to provide this same sense of comfort for others. Our game aims to encourage collaboration between two players through solving puzzles and minigames. In addition, our game seeks …

Interlaminar Tensile Properties Of Unidirectional And Woven Carbon Fiber Reinforced Toughened Epoxy Laminates, Eric Timothy Casey, Sean Mckalip Thompson

Materials Engineering

This project aims to develop a dataset on interlaminar tensile strength comparing unidirectional and woven thermoset matrix carbon fiber composites keeping ply count, matrix material, and fiber diameter constant. The interlaminar tensile strength is an important property relating to the delamination failure mode. Interlaminar tensile strength is determined using the ASTM D6415 testing standard. This test is a modified four-point bend test using a 90° curved beam test specimen. Laminates were produced by laying up pre-impregnated carbon fiber sheets onto a curved beam tooling. The unidirectional laminate was produced with 20 plies in a [0,0,90,0,0]₄ layup pattern. The woven …

Failure Analysis Of Variably Sized 4340 Steel Mandrels Utilized In The Production Of Seamless Superalloy Rings Through The Vertical Ring Rolling Process, Mikhail Alexeyevich Vasilyev, Joshua Brady Venz

Materials Engineering

Vertical ring rolling is a forging process which forms seamless metal rings through applying a large force at elevated temperatures onto component materials stabilized by cylindrical mandrels. Carlton Forge Works, a company which produces rings of superalloy materials such as INCO718 and 718Plus, is experiencing a consistent failure of mandrels due to extreme conditions. An analysis of the lifetime (bulk material, heat treatment, and use) was performed, which aided in the identification of process variables tied to mandrel failure. Experiments were formed surrounding three variables of the mandrel heat treatment: Austenitization temperature, quenching temperature, and tempering conditions, with the goal …

Filters For Fiji: A Modified Cracker Box Biosand Filter For Rural Fiji, Geneva Newell, Cameron Lowrey, Thomas Burt, Lexie Caterine

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Water quality remains a major issue throughout rural Fiji, as current solutions rely on outside organizations providing money or technology. The goal of Filters for Fiji’s research was to develop a sustainable water filtration method for the people of rural Fiji, through ethnographic and biological research. In order to be sustainable, the filter had to be inexpensive (less than USD$15), simply built and maintained, and suitable for the end-user. The driving question of the research was: can a plastic, modified biosand filter be constructed from materials that could be sourced locally in rural Fijian communities? To answer this question, feedback …

Effect Of Environmental And Ultraviolet Degradation On The Albedo Of Polyethylene Sheet Materials For Improved Energy Harvesting By Bifacial Photovoltaic Power Plants, William A. Jang, Roxy H. Jackson-Gain

Materials Engineering

Solar energy farms typically utilize monofacial photovoltaic (mPV) cells in their arrays to capture direct sunlight to produce renewable energy. However, the efficiency of these farms can be increased by 2 – 6% through the implementation of bifacial photovoltaic cells (bPV). These bPV cells function by capturing incident ultraviolet (UV) light energy that is reflected off the surface to increase its overall energy production. The amount of UV energy that is reflected is dependent on the albedo value of surface, which is a measure of energy reflectance. In this study, samples of unreinforced polyethylene (PE), scrim-reinforced polyethylene (SR-PE), and woven …

Covalent Adaptable Networks For Wood Coatings, Jachin Boaz Clarke

Materials Engineering

Wood swells and shrinks causing problems with seasonal humidity. Applying thick coatings of reactive finishes based on cross-linked polyurethane, epoxy, or polyesters can slow moisture-vapor exchange. However, the use of thick coatings leads to cracking and crazing sooner than thin finishes. This research proposes the addition of 3.3 mol % triazabicyclodecene, a conventionally used covalent adaptable network catalyst, in a commercially available polyester-based wood coating. The self-healing of the wood coating is tested using DMA stress relaxation and compression molding. The result from DMA renders inconclusive and compression molding indicates the novel wood coating oxidizes at elevated temperatures. The wood …

Design, Modeling, And Testing Of A Novel Inductor For Electric Vehicles: Iron Nitride Soft Magnetic Composites, Sydney F. Fultz-Waters, Jacob Krynock

Materials Engineering

New technology for electric vehicles (EVs) must meet the requirements of higher energy usage, lower costs, and more sustainable source materials. One promising material for EV power system components is iron nitride (IN) soft magnetic composites (SMCs) because of their competitive magnetic properties and high abundance of the source materials. As part of an ongoing program at Sandia National Laboratories, this project focused on using computer modeling to optimize the prototyping process for an iron nitride SMC toroidal inductor to reach a target inductance of 600 μH. Four inductors with different combinations of wiring (26 AWG and 20 AWG) and …

Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Vernier Machine With Single-Wound Dual-Stator And Spoke Permanent Magnet Rotor For Electric Vehicle In-Wheel Traction, Ali Mohammadi, Yaser Chulaee, Aaron M. Cramer, Ion G. Boldea, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

In this paper, a dual-stator axial flux permanent magnet machine with a spoke-type rotor for electric vehicle applications is investigated. The rotor PMs are positioned in a spoke-type field-concentrating arrangement, which provides high flux concentration. Two stators—one stator configuration with double-layer wound coils and another without winding—are employed. The usage of single-layer wound coils is possible in this topology, and by using this type of winding it is possible to implement advanced in-slot cooling systems. Analytical and electromagnetic finite element analysis (FEA) studies considering its geometrical and electrical properties have been performed on this machine. The performance indices for the …

Optimal Power Sharing Speed Compensation In On-Road Wireless Ev Charging Systems, Donovin Lewis, Omer Onar, Veda Prakash Galigekere, Mostak Mohammad, Dan Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

Dynamic wireless charging of electric vehicles (EV) is an emerging technology with the potential to address range anxiety and reduce the size of batteries or provide charge sustaining operation. Charging demand for dynamic wireless charging systems (DWCS) varies greatly in response to location specific traffic behaviors including the number and speed of vehicles. This paper highlights the potential reduction of load variation with speed compensation and simulates opportunities to maximize the number of cars charged concurrently through ”power sharing” or altering power output to slower cars while maintaining a maximum delivered energy. An improved sub- minute model for synthetic traffic …

Merging Multiple Existing Geotechnical Databases, Charlie Sun, Brad Rister, Eileen Grady

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report discusses a project undertaken by Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) researchers to create a comprehensive geotechnical database for highway planning, design, maintenance, and repair. The project consolidated multiple geotechnical data sources into a unified database accessible to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) staff, enabling informed decision making and improving project outcomes. Databases were merged with great attention to detail, ensuring data integrity and coherence. A geotechnical data collector app developed as part of the project supports convenient and efficient data collection in the field, even when phones or tablets lack network connectivity. A rockfall rating app and landslide hazard rating …

Optimal Domain-Partitioning Algorithm For Real-Life Transportation Networks And Finite Element Meshes, Jimesh Bhagatji, Sharanabasaweshwara Asundi, Eric Thompson, Duc T. Nguyen

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

For large-scale engineering problems, it has been generally accepted that domain-partitioning algorithms are highly desirable for general-purpose finite element analysis (FEA). This paper presents a heuristic numerical algorithm that can efficiently partition any transportation network (or any finite element mesh) into a specified number of subdomains (usually depending on the number of parallel processors available on a computer), which will result in “minimising the total number of system BOUNDARY nodes” (as a primary criterion) and achieve “balancing work loads” amongst the subdomains (as a secondary criterion). The proposed seven-step heuristic algorithm (with enhancement features) is based on engineering common sense …

Santa Clara Radio Astronomy Project Ii (Scrap Ii), Logan Barnes, Michael Quang, Aria Rouzmehr

Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Theses

The Santa Clara Radio Astronomy Program (SCRAP II) is the continuation of the previous year’s radio astronomy project. Building off of last year’s proof-of-concept, the goal of this project is to design and build a parabolic radio telescope that will boast improved antenna performance, more efficient data acquisition, and cleaner post-processing. These improvements in design strive toward a larger goal of enabling the students of Santa Clara University to explore the depths of our universe from Earth. In this paper, we improve upon a horn antenna design that was used in the previous year with a parabolic antenna. This, combined …

Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown Modulation Of Physico-Chemical Parameters Of Surface Water, Karamana River Basin, Southwest India: A Weighted Arithmetic Index And Geostatistical Perspective, S. P. Prasood, M. V. Mukesh, K. S. Sajinkumar, K. P. Thrivikramji

Michigan Tech Publications

The coronavirus disease or COVID-19 pandemic continues imposing restrictions on the human population from full-scale normal/routine activities all over the world. This study primarily spotlights the consequences of the COVID-19-pandemic-lockdown on physicochemical parameters of water (samples) of the Karamana river system (KRS) during the pre-monsoons (or January) of 2021 and 2022, using the Weighted Arithmetic Index method and Geostatistical analysis (ArcMap 10.2). Even though the Karamana river supported the water needs of the people during the past several decades, the quality of water deteriorated due to the rising population and consequent anthropogenic activities. Hence, it is imperative to evaluate the …

Tandem Crane Lifts Of Long Span Ppcgs Case Study, Giovana Sousa

Construction Management

The goal of this research is to compile the data from tandem crane lifts, specifically of long span girders, to determine the proper configuration for this type of work. There have been numerous failed attempts at lifting long span girders, and these failures are all unique. Much of the findings until recently have tended to be job-specific and never became widely available for public knowledge. In learning about these cases and understanding the reasons for these failures, I hope to provide concise information so that future people can avoid repeating the same mistakes. The objective is to provide insight on …

Pcra-Icra Pre-Construction Risk Assessment/Infection Control Risk Assessment Course, Devin Alan Deiranieh

Construction Management

The Preconstruction Risk Assessment and Infection Control Risk Assessment (PCRA/ICRA) course is a collaboration between Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Construction Management Department, Cal Poly’s California Center for Construction Education, Green Advantage, LLC and Thomas Kommer, J.D. The goal is to create a certification course in which industry professionals become certified, signifying their knowledge and understanding of PCRA/ICRA practices associated with construction in the environment of patient care. The project began with the PCRA/ICRA manual authored by Stellar Performance, LLC. Working with Nicholas Schorno, the author developed the learning material for the course. The learning material consists of power point …

Well Pump Enclosure Upgrade & Custom Gate For City Farm Slo, Joey Martin

Construction Management

City Farm SLO sits on seventeen acres of the Calle Joaquin Agricultural Preserve. The non-profit organization aims to enable farmers, educate youth, engage the community, and promote regenerative farming. One of the prevailing issues on the farm was a lack of security for their well pump system on site. The existing fence was loose, flimsy, and wrapped around the pump’s control panels. Additionally, there was no locking gate to secure the enclosure and prevent vandalism. The main goals of this project were to provide an enclosure that was more secure, visually appealing, and would last a long time. To accomplish …

The Benefits And Intricacies Of Self-Performing Work For General Contractors, David Steven Economos

Construction Management

In the construction industry, the trend regarding self-performing services ebbs and flows as a result of the ever-evolving market and new patterns that influence the industry. Recent studies have indicated that contractors plan to increase the amount of work they self-perform in the future, however research on the analysis of benefits, intangible and tangible, and intricacies self-perform services provide for a company is scarce and minimal. This case study analyzed the perception, experience, and knowledge of three various contractors of different sizes who procure different sectors of work in different geographical locations of the United States. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, …

Mep Comparison Of 3d Printed Homes And Stick Framed Homes, Carsen Quick

Construction Management

New construction technology is one of the most intriguing subjects in the construction industry, and new technologies are constantly being developed and improved on. In recent years, 3D printing has been developed and introduced into the residential construction industry. The content of this report aims to showcase the promising new technology of 3D printing in residential construction. In order to create new knowledge on this subject, an MEP comparison between 3D printed homes and traditional stick framed homes will be analyzed. This project was done in collaboration with a Northern Californian construction company, Emergent 3D. A site visit with Emergent …

Comparative Analysis Of Construction Scheduling: Consultant-Led Vs. Project Team-Led Approaches, Elijah J. Stennett

Construction Management

Efficient and accurate construction scheduling plays a pivotal role in the successful completion of construction projects. Most construction companies understand this importance, and they heavily rely on their schedulers. This research paper investigates the advantages and drawbacks of employing a consultant-led scheduling approach compared to a scheduling process managed solely by the project team. To assess the effectiveness of the two scheduling approaches, two companies and their scheduling practices were analyzed, and project management individuals were interviewed from each company. The findings reveal that a consultant-led approach brings specialized expertise in scheduling software, provides advantages in court litigation, and provides …

Erratum To “Structure Of Tin Phosphate Glasses By Neutron And X-Ray Diffraction” [Journal Of Non Crystalline Solids:X 2c (2019) 100017] (Journal Of Non-Crystalline Solids: X (2019) 2, (S2590159119300305), (10.1016/J.Nocx.2019.100017)), U. Hoppe, Richard K. Brow, A. C. Hannon, M. V. Zimmermann

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The publisher regrets the following conflict of interest text was not published. • All the authors listed in this article have made Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; AND drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content; AND Final approval of the version to be published. • I also undertake that the article represents valid work. Neither this article nor any part of it has been copied or plagiarized from other works. • That the article has not been published so far …