Engineering Commons^™

An Optimization Modeling Framework To Evaluate Civilians Response Under Active Shooter Violence Situations, Joseph G. Kerlin

Theses and Dissertations

Workplace safety is under serious threat due to the increasing trend of active shooter violence in recent years. Therefore, it becomes essential that the safety of a workplace is rigorously and, most importantly, methodologically assessed against active shooter violence. To serve this purpose, this study proposes a machine learning-optimization framework to assess the safety of a building against possible active shooter violence. First, several state-of-the-art machine learning models are employed to predict an agent’s movement decisions (with directions) under different violence scenarios. The predictions are then utilized in a mixed-integer linear programming model to maximize the agent’s utility under a …

Enhancing The Performance Of Dowel Type Fasteners And A Case Study Of Timber Truss Failure, Lon A. Yeary

Theses and Dissertations

This document will outline the findings of three separate and independent studies: Study 1: In or around 1972, an experimental building was constructed. One of the intents of the construction project was to demonstrate advancements in wood building construction design. It was value-engineered throughout. That is, its materials and systems were intended to function at or near design capacity. In 2019, part of the roof of the structure collapsed. This case study investigates two potential factors that led to the failure: stress concentration in excess of the 12 allowable stress for 2 × 4 web members and insufficient plywood sheathing …

Systemic Opportunities To Improve Older Pedestrian Safety: Merging Crash Data Analysis And A Stakeholder Workshop, Jason C. Anderson, Sirisha Kothuri, Christopher M. Monsere, David S. Hurwitz

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper presents a framework for improving older pedestrian safety in regard to serious (fatal and incapacitating) crashes, using Oregon as a case study. On review of state and federal practices pertaining to older pedestrian safety, 4 years of crash data identified 112 older (≥ 65 years) pedestrian serious injury crashes. These data were explored for factors that might be addressed systemically using two methods. First, raw frequencies in the crash data were assessed to determine trends and crash-related factors that are overrepresented. Second, a random forest analysis was conducted to determine important variables for predicting older pedestrian serious injury …

Monolithically Integrated Microscale Pressure Sensor On An Optical Fiber Tip, Jeremiah C. Williams, Hengky Chandrahalim

AFIT Patents

A passive microscopic Fabry-Pérot Interferometer (FPI) pressure sensor includes an optical fiber and a three-dimensional microscopic optical enclosure. The three-dimensional microscopic optical enclosure includes tubular side walls having lateral pleated corrugations and attached to a cleaved tip of the optical fiber to receive a light signal. An optically reflecting end wall is distally engaged to the tubular side walls to enclose a trapped quantity of gas that longitudinally positions the optically reflecting end wall in relation to ambient air pressure, changing a distance traveled by a light signal reflected back through the optical fiber.

Evaluation Of Selected Computer Software For Concussion Recovery And Diagnosis, J.P. Jensen

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Acquired traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions, impact many athletes participating in sports, particularly at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. The risks posed by concussions – particularly when an athlete suffers repeated injuries – demands that protocols and tools be developed to maximize athlete health and safety. Computer technology can perform critical roles in the analysis and management of concussions. While specialized devices in the areas of imaging and impact sensing, are most associated with concussion management, researchers within the last two decades have increasingly explored the incorporation of various consumer technologies into the identification and treatment of …

Data Management In Web Applications To Balance Performance And Security, Caleb Marcoux

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

As web applications become increasingly popular, many are running several calculations and data processing on the client machine, it is important to consider data management practices on the front-end of these web applications. Typically, some data from the server is stored in the client's memory or hard disk. How much data should be stored for how long, as well as many other considerations, influence the time and space performance of the web application, as well as its security. In this thesis, we explore several challenges, solutions, and design patterns in web application data management through the lens of a senior …

Aerodynamic Effects Of Phase Offset Between Synchronized Propellers In Hover, Nathan Welker, Daniel Maynes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Emerging advances in electric-propulsion technology are enabling aircraft to use distributed electric propulsion (DEP) to increase efficiency and maneuverability. The implementation of DEP effectively decreases the spacing between propellers, introducing complex aerodynamic interactions that are not well understood. This study presents the use of stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (SPIV) to obtain 3D velocity measurements of the flow fields of phase locked and synchronized propellers at close proximity in a side-by-side configuration. These experiments were performed to explore the aerodynamic effect of phase offset between the propellers. It was found that while the propeller interactions cause an induced upwash and a …

Internal Wave Generation By Multiple Peak Topographies, Natsha Wilson, Julie Crockett

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Internal waves are generated in the oceans and atmosphere and play an important role in their energy budgets. The semidiurnal oscillation of the tides over topography in the oceans combined with the density stratification can create internal waves that radiate away from their source. The effect of multiple peaks on a single topography has on internal wave generation is explored. Initial results begin to show that multiple ridges create two parallel IW beams with smaller IWs between them compared to the single beam created by a one ridge topography. Kinetic energy is also tightly clustered at lower wavenumbers in Fourier …

Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding As An Alternative Jointing Method For Wing Spar Structures, Paul Blackhurst, Yuri Hovanski, Andrew Curtis

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding (RFSSW) is an emerging solid state joining process for thin sheet aluminum. Many researchers are developing RFSSW process parameters, thus enabling the use of RFSSW in many industries. Some work within this development has been on the application of RFSSW to wing spar stringer and skin joining. This is thanks to the RFSSW process being capable of welding the high-strength aluminum alloys used for wing spar construction. Traditionally wing spar joining has been achieved using rivets. This newer method has the potential to improve the strength, reduce the weight, and lower the cost of wing …

Acoustic Analysis Of The Delta Iv Heavy Launch Vehicle, Griffin Houston, Grant W. Hart, Kent L. Gee

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The Delta IV Heavy is an orbital heavy class launch vehicle that has been in operation since 2004. In this study, the overall sound power level and other acoustic properties of the Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle will be calculated and analyzed. Five data acquisition systems with a wide frequency bandwidth were placed in a far-field arc around a 2021 launch. Using a weighted mean to compare results across stations, a maximum overall sound pressure level (OASPL) of 140 dB and an average maximum polar directivity angle of 69 deg were calculated. An overall sound power level of 198 dB …

Development Of Optical Systems For In-Situ Measurements Of High-Temperature Combustion Plumes, Cara Frischkorn, Stephen A. Whitmore

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Results from proof-of-concept tests using fiber-optic cables inserted into the combustion port of a lab-scale hybrid rocket system are reported. The fiber optic cables transmit optical signals to miniature spectrometers and allow in-situ optical characterization of the combustion plume properties including flame temperature and combustion plume species. Multiple firings with burn durations varying from 5 to 25 seconds were performed. The fiber optic sensors survived all tests and resulting rocket performance data were correlated with in-situ optical spectra data. When the optical measurements were adjusted to account for the spectrometer transfer function and the resulting spectra were curve-fit to Planck's …

Ionosphere/Thermosphere Dynamics Obtained From Cosmic Satellite Observations, Layne Pedersen, Ludger Scherliess

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The morphology and climatology of thermospheric neutral winds play an important role in ionospheric and thermospheric dynamics. Thermospheric neutral winds effect temporal and spatial variations of ionospheric plasma which plays an important role F-region dynamics. However, direct observations of thermospheric neutral winds are historically limited both temporally and spatially [1]. For example, interferometric methods for measuring thermospheric winds are restricted to nighttime observations and cloudless conditions and are limited to relatively few locations. Space-based observations made by cross-track measurements from accelerometers as well as onboard interferometers and spectrometers provide valuable information of thermospheric winds but coverage is inconsistent over a …

Launch Vehicle Acoustics Research, Taggart Durrant, Carson Cunningham, Kent Gee, Grant Hart, Mark Anderson, Logan Mathews, Griffin Houston, Michael Bassett, Matthew Yancey, Samuel Olausson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

No abstract provided.

Rr Lyrae Metallicity In Gaia Data Release 2, Justin Bates, Fernando Araujo, Tyler Trotter, Jonathan Barnes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Metallicities of RR Lyrae stars can be determined by Fourier parameters of their light curves (Jurcsik and Kovacs 1996). Clementini et al. (2019) analyzed Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) for RR Lyrae stars and determined metallicities through this method. In this work we attempt to re-determine RR Lyrae membership of known globular clusters from the Gaia data and compare derived metallicities to published globular cluster metallicity values. Early results indicate that the Jurcsik and Kovacs method may be better for c-type RR Lyrae stars.

Selecting Appropriate Axis Of Movement For Accurate Breath Detection, Magaly Sencion, Joe Orr, Lara Brewer

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression can be characterized as a severe side effect of opioid therapy that is well known for causing high mortality rates in the postoperative period. Other than suppressing various respiration parameters, like those such as respiration rate or tidal volume, the effects of opioids can lead to irregular breathing patterns.

A 3-axis accelerometer has been proposed as an affordable respiratory sensor to detect suppressed respiratory drive. The challenge is to identify the best signal of three recorded axes.

In this study, we tested an algorithm that could automatically detect the best signal of the three recorded axes (x,y, …

Construction And Characterization Of The Fiber Coupled Diode Laser For A Baga4se7 Non-Linear Optical System, Alexander Gibb, York Young, Brantson Wayman

Utah Space Grant Consortium

One way to probe tissue for disease is via long wave infrared spectroscopy. This technique uses wavelength dependent absorption of specific molecules which serve as early indicators of disease onset in human tissue.

Though proven to work, this method of using long wave spectroscopy to probe tissue is not widely used. This is because detectors that function in the long wave infra red (LWIF) are generally expensive, cryogenically cooled and slow.

Another deterrent is that typical LWIF light sources, such as quantum cascade lasers, (QCL) are difficult to tune over wavelength ranges spanning several microns. This limits the molecule types, …

Building A Foundation For Autonomous Navigation, David Goodrich, Ashton Young, Abraham Teng

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Using Robot Operating System (ROS), safely navigate obstacles in environments without human input. Given a GPS target, the robot should autonomously drive to the goal avoiding obstacles and impassable terrain. Build an environment map using odometry, camera and lidar information for future path planning.

Imaging Waves In Space, James Morley, Kim Nielsen

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Atmospheric gravity waves are disturbances in the atmosphere and near-space environments caused by displacement of air in a stable environment. These waves transport energy away from the source of the disturbance and can transfer large amounts of energy between atmospheric regions through wave dissipation. One of the regions of most energy transfer is the mesopause region, in the transition between the Earth's atmosphere and the near-space environment. This is a region that is difficult to observe, but the presence of certain atoms and molecules allows for remote sensing of faint emissions named airglow. As the waves passes through the airglow, …

Achieving Low-Variation Deployable Panels For Space Telescope Applications, Jared Hunter, Spencer Magleby

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology uses short bursts of high frequency laser light to gather data used for critical NRO and NASA measurements (atmospheric gases, surface topography, vegetation, etc.). Reducing the size and complexity of LiDAR satellites will lower cost and allow for more frequent missions.

Modeling Brown Dwarf Atmospheres In Preparation For Jwst Observations, Brayden Roberts, Joshua Lothringer

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Using three inputs, metallicity, effective temperature, and surface gravity, we can model a BD to simulate traits like pressure, temperature, density, spectra, etc.

By comparing the modeled spectra with observed spectra, we can make changes to our models to make them more accurate.

Emission Expedition: A Spectral Study Of 800,000 Galaxies, Saxon Stockton, Christian Draper

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Star forming regions and AGN are both strongly associated with emission lines. What can a large sample study of emission lines in galactic spectra tell us about the star formation and AGN history of the universe? We use data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to observe changes in the number of emission line galaxies, star forming galaxies, and AGN with redshift. We obtained the spectra for close to 800,000 galaxies out to a redshift of about z = 0.6 from Data Release 16 of the SDSS. This gives a sample size large enough to draw conclusions about the …

An Estimate Of The Distance To An Ser Using An Rr Lyrae Period-Luminosity Relationship, Cordelia Latham, Julia Kamenetzky

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Cepheid variable stars have been used as “standard candles” to find distances to other stars. The fluctuation of brightness in variable stars can help identify their distance by comparing the apparent luminosity to the absolute luminosity as determined by a relationship between the period of the fluctuation and the absolute luminosity of the star (called the period-luminosity relationship). Stars that have shorter periods with a lower luminosity than Cepheid variables can be classified as RR Lyrae stars, which are particularly useful for estimating distances to the oldest stellar clusters.

Byu Propulsion Development – Experimental Lox/Paraffin Hybrid Rocket, Jayson Davis, Lincoln Stewart, Logan Morse, David Andelin, Joshua Cook, Brennen Dover, Cameron Van Dyke, Cole Halverson, Elizabeth Barnett, Eric Christie, Gerritt Graham, Jacob Hansen, Jason Metten, Kendall Green, Matt Bozer, Oscar Escobar, Samuel Craven, Zachary Lyman, Courtney Payne, Ben Larson, Tyson Butterfield

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The "Blue Jay" is a 12 ft., LOX and paraffin hybrid rocket with a designed total impulse of 20,330 Ns. The rocket will have its maiden flight summer 2022 at the Friends of Amateur Rocketry with a target altitude of 10,000 ft. above ground level. The rocket is expected to weigh around 100 lbs. dry. This is BYU's first hybrid rocket, and one of the first LOX paraffin hybrids to be flown. The rocket is divided into four subsystems: structures and recovery, electronics and controls, plumbing, and propulsion.

Mars Rover Challenge, Miguel Urbina Rivera, Jake Nance, James Sorge, Austin Stone, Connor Mattson, Michael Bronson, Ben Glines, Ben Graff, Brad Ferguson, Dallin Cordon, Alex Wonnacott, Charlie Tainter, Mckay Christensen, Alejandro Brozalez, Joe Liechty, Daniel Cheney, Alexa Lindberg, Marc Killpack, Brianna Bischoff, Dinah Bronson, Chris Sypherd, Berrett Robinson, Kyle Rippstein, Blake Harsh, Matthew Wilding, Aaron Newman, Rock Kim, Colin Rubow

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Our objective is to develop a competition ready rover as defined by scoring 95% or higher in each of the four University Rover Challenge (URC) tasks, within a budget of 14,000 by March 14th, 2022

Long-Range Autonomous Aerial Package Delivery Via Aggieair 55-Pound Suas, Nathan Schwemmer, Tex Johnson, Chase Vance, Brandon Dearden, Stockton Slack, Cal Coopmans, Dan Robinson, David Crummitt

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This project includes the development of a package delivery system for AggieAir’s long-range sUAS to enable the vehicle to deliver packages autonomously to rural areas.

Lunar Mining: Designing An Improved Mining System, Evan Cleveland, Rian Simpson, Trevor Mcfarland, Chandler Millar, Alexander Charters, Arthur Steur, Andrew Tolton, Noah Graber, Rene Valles, Sebastien De Villiers, Leaticia Mimche, Nathan Yonkee, Jonathan Warner, Michael Lukowski, Daniel Robinson, Mandy Zheng, Haley Platas, Greyson Mitra, Najman Husaini, Alexander Gill, Lincoln Sand, Shing Ho, Parker King, Byron Liu

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The annual NASA Robotic Mining Challenge: Lunabotics tasks teams with building robots capable of traversing and mining simulated Lunar terrain. The material to mine is approximately 30-45 cm below the surface regolith, and is represented using gravel.

This year, Utah Student Robotics built upon an already successful platform from the 2020-2021 robot. With the biggest changes being the removal of the carbon fiber rocker bogie design and the implementation of a improved sliding mechanism to extend the digging module.

Simulated Icrh In A Vasimr, Benjamin Miera, Phil Matheson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

A Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) uses Ion Cyclotron Resonant Heating (IRCH) to heat a plasma near a magnet nozzle. Thrust is generated as the plasma expands through the nozzle. A VASIMR is expected to develop several Newtons of thrust and exhaust velocities of up to 50,000 m/s. Although the VASIMR plasma is collisional, an upper limit of the efficiency of a VASIMR may be explored by modeling the pumping of the magnetic moment of an ion with circularly polarized IRCH RF fields.

Nominally the magnetic moment of an ion, which is the ratio of its perpendicular kinetic energy …

Characteristics Of Reverse Hybrid Rocket Propellants Based On Nanomaterials, Sierra Padilla, Jessica North, Amber Stricklen

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The purpose of this project is to create dense and porous 3D macrostructures to store nanoenergetic hybrid propellants through the formation of graphene organogels and by incorporating fuel and inorganic oxidizers by applying the resulting compound to rocket propulsion. Graphene organogels raise the reactivity of the hybrid propellants because of the increased surface and volumetric area for more reactions to occur. Hybrid propellants have advantages over liquid and solid propellants, with lower toxicity and reactivity than either propellant on its own. The organogels also have an immense amount of mechanical strength. Since functionalized graphene oxide (FGO) structures have electrostatic interactions, …

Open Source Antenna Pattern Measurement System -- Phase Ii, Matthew Finger, Christian Hearn, Ren Fisher, Justin Knighton

Utah Space Grant Consortium

No abstract provided.

Asteroids, Binaries, And Cepheid Variables: The Abc's Of Ktp Observatory, Jade Hills, Alyssa Stauffer, Stacy Palen, Anemone Burkey, Erik Britton, Chloe Jones, Zachary Kennedy, Carson Matthews, Jordyn Redmond, Nathan Tanner

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The observatory research team spends time operating a telescope to gather data on countless astronomical targets, such as asteroids, binary star systems, and cepheid variables to name a few. Our team is made up of WSU undergraduate students pursuing studies in astrophysics, material science, and nuclear physics, and computer engineering. Our work as a team strengthens us as students and physicists by giving us opportunities to do our own research, experience in work that will prepare us for our fields, and a learning environment outside of a traditional classroom. We as a team work together closely alongside our advisor Dr. …