Engineering Commons^™

Component Testing And Characterization Of An Innovative Pressurized Sand Damper For The Response Modification Of Structures, Konstantinos Kalfas

Civil and Environmental Engineering Theses and Dissertations

This study is partly motivated by the need to develop sustainable energy dissipation devices that do not suffer from oil leakage due to failure of their end seals and from displacement limitations; and partly from the need to develop a robust damper that consists only of traditional civil engineering materials (sand and steel) in association with the use of post-tensioned steel rods with which practitioner civil engineers are familiar. Past failures of fluid dampers are both disruptive and costly, therefore not in-line with the current design paradigm of sustainable engineering, where the design and construction of structural systems shall meet …

Data From: Warming Of The Columbia River, 1853 To 2018, Malia Hanae Scott, Stefan Talke, David Jay, Heida Diefenderfer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Datasets

Water temperature is a critical ecological indicator; however, few studies have statistically modeled century-scale trends in riverine or estuarine water temperature, or their cause. Here, we recover, digitize, and analyze archival temperature measurements from the 1850s onward to investigate how and why water temperatures in the lower Columbia River are changing. To infill data gaps and explore changes, we develop regression models of daily historical Columbia River water temperature using time-lagged river flow and air temperature as the independent variables. Models were developed for 3 time periods (mid-19 th , mid-20 th , and early 21 st century), using archival …

Improving Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Performance Through Streamlined Automation, Mohammad Dehghan Banadaki, Soroosh Torabi, William Strike, Ann Noble, James W. Keck, Scott M. Berry

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has enabled us to describe Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in populations. However, implementation of wastewater monitoring of SARS- CoV-2 is limited due to the need for expert staff, expensive equipment, and prolonged processing times. As WBE increases in scope (beyond SARS-CoV-2) and scale (beyond developed regions), there is a need to make WBE processes simpler, cheaper, and faster. We developed an automated workflow based on a simplified method termed exclusion-based sample preparation (ESP). Our automated workflow takes 40 min from raw wastewater to purified RNA, which is several times faster than conventional WBE …

Investigating The Use Of Recurrent Neural Networks In Modeling Guitar Distortion Effects, Caleb Koch, Scott Hawley, Andrew Fyfe

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Guitar players have been modifying their guitar tone with audio effects ever since the mid-20th century. Traditionally, these effects have been achieved by passing a guitar signal through a series of electronic circuits which modify the signal to produce the desired audio effect. With advances in computer technology, audio “plugins” have been created to produce audio effects digitally through programming algorithms. More recently, machine learning researchers have been exploring the use of neural networks to replicate and produce audio effects initially created by analog and digital effects units. Recurrent Neural Networks have proven to be exceptional at modeling audio effects …

Efficient Recycling Of Waste Rubber In A Sustainable Fiber-Reinforced Mortar And Its Damping And Energy Dissipation Capacity, Haodao Li, Wu Jian Long, Kamal Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A Great Number of Waste Tires Are Discarded in Landfills, Occupying Land Resources, and Severely Endangering the Ecosystem. Upcycling These Wastes as Aggregates to Partially Substitute Natural Sand and Develop Structure-Function Integration in Concrete Structures is a Desirable Solution. in This Study, a Sustainable Fiber-Reinforced Rubberized Mortar with Superior Material Damping and Moderate Strength is Developed by Combined Use of Waste Crumb Rubber (WCR) Incorporated at 0, 30%, and 60%, by Volume of Sand, and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Fiber Added at 0, 0.5%, and 1%, by Volume, in a High-Volume Fly Ash Binder System. Low-Temperature Plasma (LTP) Pre-Treatment of the …

Engineering Cell–Ecm–Material Interactions For Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Calvin L. Jones, Brian T. Penney, Sophia K. Theodossiou

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The extracellular microenvironment regulates many of the mechanical and biochemical cues that direct musculoskeletal development and are involved in musculoskeletal disease. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a main component of this microenvironment. Tissue engineered approaches towards regenerating muscle, cartilage, tendon, and bone target the ECM because it supplies critical signals for regenerating musculoskeletal tissues. Engineered ECM–material scaffolds that mimic key mechanical and biochemical components of the ECM are of particular interest in musculoskeletal tissue engineering. Such materials are biocompatible, can be fabricated to have desirable mechanical and biochemical properties, and can be further chemically or genetically modified to support cell …

Inter-Wythe Slip Design Criteria For Non-Composite Insulated Walls, Abdelrahman Awawdeh, Fray F. Pozo-Lora, Marc Maguire

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Non-composite insulated wall connector design is governed by ICC-ES AC320. This standard works entirely in the loading domain, asking the engineer to prevent connector failure due to tension and shear loading. In this paper, the authors discuss additional criteria related to thermal loading and out-of-plane wind loading that create displacement demand in the non-composite connectors. Loads suitable for such analyses are not well defined. Loads are assumed and demonstrated herein and shown to cause significant displacement demand on connectors. Limited non-composite wythe connector testing is available, and some results are presented here. A comparison indicates that outright failure of non-composite …

Unleash The Heat: Exploring Geothermal Energy Perspectives And Energy Literacy In São Miguel, Azores, Lena Mcdonough

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The green energy transition is moving ahead in EU countries at very different paces, and there are some key challenges that all regions currently face in trying to phase fossil fuels out of their energy mixes. One of these challenges is that most regions simply cannot harness enough renewable energy sources and simultaneously have the storage technology for creating a baseload power source as reliable as oil, coal and natural gas. That is, unless you sit in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on the boundary of three tectonic plates, with a continuous and reliable renewable energy source beneath your …

Geopolitics Of Semiconductor Supply Chains: The Case Of Tsmc, Us-China-Taiwan Relations, And The Covid-19 Crisis, Aditya Sehgal

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As the demand for more advanced forms of technology continues to grow, so does the global importance and reliance on semiconductors. This research paper examines the impact of semiconductor shortages on both consumer and military production, as well as the geopolitical implications embedded within the global supply chain.

The paper begins by providing an overview of semiconductors, the global semiconductor market, and the impact of COVID-19 on the industry’s supply chain. It also discusses the importance of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in the industry and its role in addressing semiconductor shortages.

Next, the paper discusses the impact of …

Paved With Good Intentions? A Geopolitical Analysis Of The Belt And Road Initiative In Central And Eastern Europe, Vincent Zhang

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The objective of this analysis is to reveal the geopolitical and geoeconomic significance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to the region of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Launched in 2013 as a proposal for increased economic interconnectivity between China and Kazakhstan, the BRI has since grown to encompass hundreds of countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. The region of CEE is of note as it is coterminous with important regional groupings like the 14 + 1 Cooperative Framework between China & CEE and a point of overlapping interests from actors like the European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty …

Incorporating Variability In Kytc Planning And Project Development, Reginald Souleyrette, Teng Wang, Riana Tanzen, Arnold Stromberg

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Transportation planning and design decisions are typically made using point estimates of traffic and safety measures. This report addresses the uncertainty of data used to make these decisions. It focuses on two data elements — project safety ratings and volume estimates from traffic counts. For safety ratings, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow (SHIFT) crash history score is used as a case study. Confidence intervals are developed for the Cabinet’s new safety metric, which incorporates estimates of future crashes by severity as well as excess expected crashes above safety goals. For traffic counts, the report develops …

Warming Of The Columbia River, 1853 To 2018, Malia Hanae Scott, Stefan Talke, David Jay, Heida Diefenderfer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Water temperature is a critical ecological indicator; however, few studies have statistically modeled century-scale trends in riverine or estuarine water temperature, or their cause. Here, we recover, digitize, and analyze archival temperature measurements from the 1850s onward to investigate how and why water temperatures in the lower Columbia River are changing. To infill data gaps and explore changes, we develop regression models of daily historical Columbia River water temperature using time-lagged river flow and air temperature as the independent variables. Models were developed for 3 time periods (mid-19 th , mid-20 th , and early 21 st century), using archival …

Hydrogen Storage In Depleted Gas Reservoirs: A Comprehensive Review, Nasiru S. Muhammed, Md Bashirul Haq, Dhafer A. Al Shehri, Amir Al-Ahmed, Mohammad M. Rahman, Ehsan Zaman, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Hydrogen future depends on large-scale storage, which can be provided by geological formations (such as caverns, aquifers, and depleted oil and gas reservoirs) to handle demand and supply changes, a typical hysteresis of most renewable energy sources. Amongst them, depleted natural gas reservoirs are the most cost-effective and secure solutions due to their wide geographic distribution, proven surface facilities, and less ambiguous site evaluation. They also require less cushion gas as the native residual gases serve as a buffer for pressure maintenance during storage. However, there is a lack of thorough understanding of this technology. This work aims to provide …

Potential Of Flow Energy Reduction By Coral Reef: Hydrodynamic Analysis On Acropora Species, Faisal Karim

Theses

One of the most crucial components of the ocean ecology is coral reefs. Being environmentally sustainable, natural structures like coral reefs have recently drawn a lot of attention as a means of reducing the flow energy. The absence of scientific validations on the potential of coral reefs in reducing high-energy flow limits engineering applications of coral reefs to the benefit of civilization. In this research, extensive experimental studies were carried out to investigate the capabilities of coral reefs, to reduce high-energy flows. To determine the high-energy wave reduction by coral reefs, the coral roughness coefficient along with the coral structure …

Influencing Factors Of Ionic-Wind In A Spherical Structure Propulsion System For Silent Airplane, Tha’Er Khaled Ibrahem

Theses

Since the first airplane invented 100 years ago, most or all airplanes propulsion systems are based on moving parts powered by fossil-fuel which is impacting our environment by producing unwanted gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, greenhouse gases and more, furthermore, it is well known that there is a degradation in Oil & Gas resources on earth. Therefore, scientists are interested in finding an alternative way to fly an object. Recently, ionic wind-induced by Direct-Current (DC) Corona discharge have been introduced to enhance the future generation of airplanes without the need for moving objects. Corona discharge phenomena occurs when high …

Machine Learning Methods For Inferring The Number Of Uav Emitters Via Massive Mimo Receive Array, Yifan Li, Feng Shu, Jinsong Hu, Shihao Yan, Haiwei Song, Weiqiang Zhu, Da Tian, Yaoliang Song, Jiangzhou Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To provide important prior knowledge for the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation of UAV emitters in future wireless networks, we present a complete DOA preprocessing system for inferring the number of emitters via a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) receive array. Firstly, in order to eliminate the noise signals, two high-precision signal detectors, the square root of the maximum eigenvalue times the minimum eigenvalue (SR-MME) and the geometric mean (GM), are proposed. Compared to other detectors, SR-MME and GM can achieve a high detection probability while maintaining extremely low false alarm probability. Secondly, if the existence of emitters is determined by …

Data-Driven Modeling Of Student Performance In The Time Of Distance Learning, Iman Saad Megdadi

Theses

One of the important aspects that all academic institutions work towards improving is Student Performance. It is obviously the primary indicator of success or failure of institutions. Student performance predictions are vital to instructors and educational decision makers to help, across all levels, tailor learning according to the students’ needs. Therefore, it is essential for Higher Education Institutions to predict student performance in distance learning which has been, and remains, the primary method of learning in some countries due to Corona Virus pandemic. For this reason, this research is going to predetermine a fitting definition of student performance in time …

Heat Transfer Analysis Of Microchannels Heat Sink With Sidewall Fins, Ahmad Ala Eddin Rahhal

Theses

This study aims to investigate Microchannel Heat Sinks with side wall fins through a model-based approach. The primary objective of the project is to design and analyze the thermal performance of straight Microchannel Heat Sinks with square and triangle-shaped fins on sidewalls. To examine their performance, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation study is conducted using the ANSYS Fluent software. The study starts by creating a CAD model of the heat sink and then analyzing its thermal properties with the ANSYS Fluent software. From the CFD simulation study, numerical results are obtained for different operational and geometrical conditions. The study …

Fast Full-Wave Electromagnetic Forward Solver Based On Deep Conditional Convolutional Autoencoders, Huan Huan Zhang, He Ming Yao, Lijun Jiang, Michael Ng

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This letter proposes a novel deep learning (DL) based fast solver for the electromagnetic forward (EMF) process. This proposed fast full-wave solver for EMF process is designed based on the deep conditional convolutional autoencoder (DCCAE), consisting of a complex-valued deep convolutional encoder network and its corresponding complex-valued deep convolutional decoder network. The encoder network makes use of the input consisting of the incident electromagnetic (EM) wave and the contrast (permittivities) distribution of the target domain, while the corresponding decoder network predicts the total EM field illuminated by the input incident EM wave. The training of the proposed DCCAE solver for …

Review Of Current Coal Rib Control Practices, Dogukan Guner, Samuel Nowak, Taghi Sherizadeh, Maurice Sunkpal, Khaled Mohamed, Yuting Xue

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The instability of coal ribs in underground mines continues to result in the injuries and fatalities of mine workers. The proper estimation and evaluation of primary and secondary support for coal ribs is still a challenging problem in the field of ground control science and requires further research and study. Although mining operations have various support design criteria and support methodologies for strata control, most rib support designs are still based on experience and local practices. This review study is intended to summarize the currently applied practices for rib support and control in various countries and mining conditions. Firstly, critical …

Sharprazor: Automatic Removal Of Hair And Ruler Marks From Dermoscopy Images, Reda Kasmi, Jason Hagerty, Reagan Harris Young, Norsang Lama, Januka Nepal, Jessica Miinch, William V. Stoecker, R. Joe Stanley

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: The removal of hair and ruler marks is critical in handcrafted image analysis of dermoscopic skin lesions. No other dermoscopic artifacts cause more problems in segmentation and structure detection. Purpose: The aim of the work is to detect both white and black hair, artifacts and finally inpaint correctly the image. Method: We introduce a new algorithm: SharpRazor, to detect hair and ruler marks and remove them from the image. Our multiple-filter approach detects hairs of varying widths within varying backgrounds, while avoiding detection of vessels and bubbles. The proposed algorithm utilizes grayscale plane modification, hair enhancement, segmentation using tri-directional …

Closure To "Some Insights On Flow Over Sharp-Crested Weirs Using Computational Fluid Dynamics: Implications For Enhanced Flow Measurement", Joseph M. Sinclair, S. Karan Venayagamoorthy, Timothy K. Gates

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Relationships Between Residence Characteristics And Nursing Home Compare Database Quality Measures, Brian J. Puckett, Erica E. Ryherd, Natalie Manley, Carey S. Ryan

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Objective: This study evaluated relationships between physical characteristics of nursing home residences and quality-of-care measures.

Design: This was a cross-sectional ecologic study. The dependent variables were 5 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Compare database long-stay quality measures (QMs) during 2019: percentage of residents who displayed depressive symptoms, percentage of residents who were physically restrained, percentage of residents who experienced 1 or more falls resulting in injury, percentage of residents who received antipsychotic medication, and percentage of residents who received anti-anxiety medication. The independent variables were 4 residence characteristics: ownership type, size, occupancy, and region …

Indirect Bridge Monitoring Using Crowdsourced Smartphone Data From Passing Vehicles, Jase Sitton

Civil and Environmental Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Bridges become susceptible to deterioration and damage as they age and are subjected to continually increasing demands. Bridge inspections help insure the integrity and safety for service and are conducted on a regular, but usually infrequency, basis. Traditional evaluation methods include visual inspections and permanent sensor installations. Visual inspections are both time and labor intensive and often require bridge closure or service interruption, while cost and logistics complications often prevent practical, widespread deployment of permanent sensor installations. Sensors, including smartphones, in moving vehicles may be used to monitor bridge condition over time and provide valuable insight into the dynamic behavior …

Design, Simulation, Modeling, And Implementation Of Triboelectric Nanogenerator (Teng) Sensors For Automotive Applications, Sam Ali

Dissertations

Triboelectricity is a promising technique for energy harvesting in which mechanical energy converts to electricity for powering small electronic devices. This method of energy harvesting serves as an alternative to traditional battery power sources and can significantly benefit low-power sensing applications by generating unlimited electrical energy. This study focuses on the development of flexible triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) and energy harvesting devices for various applications in the automotive industry.

The study is organized into four projects. In the first project, various polymeric materials were used to investigate the performance of different TENGs. Four designs (D1, D2, D3, and D4) of flexible …

Hybrid Fes-Exoskeleton Control: Using Mpc To Distribute Actuation For Elbow And Wrist Movements, Nathan Dunkelberger, Jeffrey Berning, Eric M. Schearer, Marcia K. O'Malley

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Introduction: Individuals who have suffered a cervical spinal cord injury prioritize the recovery of upper limb function for completing activities of daily living. Hybrid FES-exoskeleton systems have the potential to assist this population by providing a portable, powered, and wearable device; however, realization of this combination of technologies has been challenging. In particular, it has been difficult to show generalizability across motions, and to define optimal distribution of actuation, given the complex nature of the combined dynamic system. Methods: In this paper, we present a hybrid controller using a model predictive control (MPC) formulation that combines the actuation of both …

Review Of Current Coal Rib Control Practices, Dogukan Guner, Samuel Nowak, Taghi Sherizadeh, Maurice Sunkpal, Khaled Mohamed, Yuting Xue

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The instability of coal ribs in underground mines continues to result in the injuries and fatalities of mine workers. The proper estimation and evaluation of primary and secondary support for coal ribs is still a challenging problem in the field of ground control science and requires further research and study. Although mining operations have various support design criteria and support methodologies for strata control, most rib support designs are still based on experience and local practices. This review study is intended to summarize the currently applied practices for rib support and control in various countries and mining conditions. Firstly, critical …

Review Of Current Coal Rib Control Practices, Dogukan Guner, Samuel Nowak, Taghi Sherizadeh, Maurice Sunkpal, Khaled Mohamed, Yuting Xue

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The instability of coal ribs in underground mines continues to result in the injuries and fatalities of mine workers. The proper estimation and evaluation of primary and secondary support for coal ribs is still a challenging problem in the field of ground control science and requires further research and study. Although mining operations have various support design criteria and support methodologies for strata control, most rib support designs are still based on experience and local practices. This review study is intended to summarize the currently applied practices for rib support and control in various countries and mining conditions. Firstly, critical …

Analysis Of Eccentrically Loaded Frp Partially Wrapped Reinforced Concrete Columns Subjected To Combined Environmental Erosion, Zhiqiang Gu, Congjie Wei, Chenglin Wu, Danying Gao, Peibo You, Dong Wei

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Behavior of Eccentrically Loaded Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Partially Wrapped Reinforced Concrete (RC) Columns under Combined Environmental Erosion Was Investigated in This Paper. Circular RC Columns Were Firstly Subjected to Chloride Erosion Where the Target Corrosion Degree (0, 10 %, and 20 %) is Obtained with Externally Applied Current. This Was Then Followed by Partially Strengthening with 2-Ply of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Strips as Well as 50 Freeze–thaw Cycles. Series of Eccentric Compression Tests Were Conducted with Ranging Eccentricities of 0, 5 Mm, 10 Mm, and 15 Mm. for Comparison, the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Partially …

Detecting Fast Frequency Events In Power System: Development And Comparison Of Two Methods, Hussain A. Alghamdi, Midrar Adham, Umar Farooq, Robert B. Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In power systems, frequency deviation from nominal value can occur due to reasons such as loss of generation, loss of load, or major faults in the grid. Such frequency fluctuations can lead to serious subsequent outages and damages to both end-user and utility equipment. Therefore, a proper frequency deviation detection methodology must be in place to effectively identify frequency events in a timely manner. This manuscript provides a comparative analysis between two frequency deviation detection algorithms. One is based on signal processing and statistical analysis. The other is a regression-based algorithm. Both of these algorithms have multiple adjustable parameters, making …