Engineering Commons^™

Comparison Of The Commercial Provisions Of The 2020 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, 7th Edition With 2021 Iecc & Ashrae 90.1-2019, Florida Solar Energy Center, Bereket Nigusse

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This report provides comparison of the commercial provisions of the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation (FBC-EC) with the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHREA 90.1-2019. The first part developed code changes listing identifying energy and construction cost impacts. The second part analyzed energy and energy cost savings potential of the 2021 IECC and the 2019 ASHRAE 90.1 compared to the 2020 FBC-EC using prototype buildings energy model and simulation. And performed cost-benefit analysis of code changes with energy impact and provided recommendation for consideration by Florida Building Commission for addition to the 8th Edition (2023) …

An Evaluation Of Electrically Conductive Asphalt Mixtures For Electrically Heated Flexible Pavement Systems, Rahaf Hasan

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study is to develop Electrically Conductive Asphalt (ECA) mixtures with optimized electrical and mechanical properties for use in electrically heated asphalt pavements for anti-icing applications. Laboratory experiments were carried out to design ECA mixtures at varying dosages, using three graphite grades of different particle sizes, one virgin aggregate type, two binder grades, and one carbon fiber. The impact of graphite dosage and particle size on the volumetric properties and electrical resistivity of asphalt mixtures was assessed. Different factors with potential impact on the electrical properties were investigated, including the graphite particle size and dosage, the air …

Understanding Quote-Tweet Usage During The Covid-19 Pandemic, David Hardy Bean

Theses and Dissertations

The Covid-19 pandemic first entered the international news cycle with mixed levels of concern. How did people across the globe react to first encounters with this virus? For many it was like seeing for the first time the spewing ash of a volcano, or the receding tides of a tsunami. Many reacted with disbelief, not knowing the proper course of action for themselves or for their community. This study explores the topics of discussion and reactions to the pandemic through the lens of quote-tweets--from the initial confusion and disbelief to the eventual politicization, economic closures, and reopening events. Quote-tweets are …

In Situ Characterization Of Fiber-Matrix Interface Debonding Via Full-Field Measurements, Robert Livingston

Theses and Dissertations

Macroscopic mechanical and failure properties of fiber-reinforced composites depend strongly on the properties of the fiber-matrix interface. For example, transverse cracking behavior and interlaminar shear strength of composites can be highly sensitive to the characteristics of the fiber-matrix interface. Despite its importance, experimental characterization of the mechanical behavior of the fiber-matrix interface under normal loading conditions has been limited. This work reports an experimental approach that uses in situ full-field digital image correlation (DIC) to quantify the mechanical and failure behaviors at the fiber-matrix interface. Single fiber model composite samples are fabricated from a proprietary epoxy embedding a single glass …

The Matrix Revisited: A Critical Assessment Of Virtual Reality Technologies For Modeling, Simulation, And Training, George Demetrius Lecakes

Theses and Dissertations

A convergence of affordable hardware, current events, and decades of research have advanced virtual reality (VR) from the research lab into the commercial marketplace. Since its inception in the 1960s, and over the next three decades, the technology was portrayed as a rarely used, high-end novelty for special applications. Despite the high cost, applications have expanded into defense, education, manufacturing, and medicine. The promise of VR for entertainment arose in the early 1990's and by 2016 several consumer VR platforms were released. With VR now accessible in the home and the isolationist lifestyle adopted due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, …

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Β-Cardiac Myosin Mutation (P710r) Leads To Hypercontractility By Disrupting Super Relaxed State, Alison Schroer Vander Roest, Chao Liu, Makenna M. Morck, Kristina Bezold Kooiker, Gwanghyun Jung, Dan Song, Aminah Dawood, Arnav Jhingran, Gaspard Pardon, Sara Ranjbarvaziri, Giovanni Fajardo, Mingming Zhao, Kenneth S. Campbell, Beth L. Pruitt, James A. Spudich, Kathleen M. Ruppel, Daniel Bernstein

Physiology Faculty Publications

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited form of heart disease, associated with over 1,000 mutations, many in β-cardiac myosin (MYH7). Molecular studies of myosin with different HCM mutations have revealed a diversity of effects on ATPase and load-sensitive rate of detachment from actin. It has been difficult to predict how such diverse molecular effects combine to influence forces at the cellular level and further influence cellular phenotypes. This study focused on the P710R mutation that dramatically decreased in vitro motility velocity and actin-activated ATPase, in contrast to other MYH7 mutations. Optical trap measurements of single myosin molecules revealed …

Fluid-Structure Interaction Of Nrel 5-Mw Wind Turbine, Mohamed Sayed Elkady Abd-Elhay

Theses and Dissertations

Wind energy is considered one of the major sources of renewable energy. Nowadays, wind turbine blades could exceed 100 m to maximize the generated power and minimize produced energy cost. Due to the enormous size of the wind turbines, the blades are subjected to failure by aerodynamics loads or instability issues. Also, the gravitational and centrifugal loads affect the wind turbine design because of the huge mass of the blades. Accordingly, wind turbine simulation became efficient in blade design to reduce the cost of its manufacturing. The fluid-structure interaction (FSI) is considered an effective way to study the turbine's behavior …

On-Chip Nanoscale Plasmonic Optical Modulators, Abdalrahman Mohamed Nader Abdelhamid

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis work, techniques for downsizing Optical modulators to nanoscale for the purpose of utilization in on chip communication and sensing applications are explored. Nanoscale optical interconnects can solve the electronics speed limiting transmission lines, in addition to decrease the electronic chips heat dissipation. A major obstacle in the path of achieving this goal is to build optical modulators, which transforms data from the electrical form to the optical form, in a size comparable to the size of the electronics components, while also having low insertion loss, high extinction ratio and bandwidth. Also, lap-on-chip applications used for fast diagnostics, …

Cross-Junction Based Metasurfaces: A Roadmap To Fano Resonances, Mirna Soliman

Theses and Dissertations

The first part of the thesis presents a summary of the classification of materials, followed by the development of metamaterials and their salient role. Then, a study of metamaterials and the evolution of these 3D structures to 2D, known as metasurfaces, have been discussed. Moreover, the physics and practical interest behind Fano resonance have been discussed. Furthermore, the physical fundamentals guiding the performance of both the metamaterials and metasurfaces, including the temporal coupled-mode theory and the generalized laws of reflection and refraction, have been intensely investigated, along with some of the outstanding properties of the metamaterials. Then, a comparison between …

Heated Assembly And Transfer Of Van Der Waals Heterostructures With Common Nail Polish, Kristine L. Haley, Jeffrey A. Cloninger, Kayla Cerminara, Randy M. Sterbentz, Takashi Taniguchi, Kenju Watanabe, Joshua O. Island

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

Recent advances in the manipulation and control of layered, two-dimensional materials has given way to the construction of heterostructures with new functionality and unprecedented electronic properties. In this study, we present a simple technique to assemble and transfer van der Waals heterostructures using common nail polish. Commercially available nail polish acts as a resilient sticky polymer, allowing for the fabrication of complex multi-material stacks without noticeable fatigue. Directly comparing four commercially available brands of nail polish, we find that one stands out in terms of stability and stacking characteristics. Using this method, we fabricate two top-gated devices and report their …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Translucent Wood Composite Using Egyptian Hardwoods: Casuarina & Eucalyptus, Sherif Elia

Theses and Dissertations

Due to climate change and global warming, there is an increasing need for sustainable solutions in all industries. As one of the most important and growing industries worldwide, the construction industry has a huge responsibility towards the environment. It is responsible for the consumption of vast amounts of resources and consequently generating massive quantities of waste. Also, as the building sector is responsible for consuming large portions of the world energy and electricity, such buildings' efficiency and sustainability must be considered. While the world is working on balancing between consuming less and recycling more while maintaining the construction materials' effectiveness …

Impact Of Green And White Roofs On Air Handler Filters And Indoor Ventilation Air, Pradeep Ramasubramanian, Irvan Luhung, Serene B. Y. Lim, Stephan C. Schuster, Olyssa Starry, Elliott T. Gall

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Rooftop surfaces near building outdoor air intakes may contribute to the mass loading on filters and compounds emitted to ventilation air downstream of the filter. In laboratory analyses, we characterized microbial composition, primary volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, ozone removal rates, and VOC emissions in the presence of ozone on filters collected from air handlers located on the green and white roof sections of a big-box retail store. Total DNA masses per area of filter were 26.3 ± 11.9 ng cm−2 and 6.3 ± 6.5 ng cm−2 for green and white roof filters respectively, with higher mass observed in winter …

Evaluating Human Factors In The Commercial Pilot-Airplane Airman Certification Standards, Alaba Gabriel Idowu

Graduate Student Works

This research aimed to identify risk management elements in the Commercial Pilot-Airplane Airman Certification Standards (ACS), and to evaluate tasks relating to or involving human factors. The investigation examined the risk management elements under each task in the Commercial Pilot-Airplane ACS and classified them under the preconditions for unsafe acts of the Human Factors Analysis Classification System (HFACS). The method of investigation was a qualitative research approach to determine the human factors element prevalent in the Commercial Pilot-Airplane ACS. Three research questions were stated: (1) Which factor under the preconditions for unsafe of HFACS has the highest number of tasks …

A Framework For Assessing And Designing Human Annotation Practices In Human-Ai Teaming, Suzanne Ashley Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis work examines how people accomplish annotation tasks (i.e., labelling data based on content) while working with an artificial intelligence (AI) system. When people and AI systems work together to accomplish a task, this is referred to as human-AI teaming. This study reports on the results of an interview and observation study of 15 volunteers from the Washington DC area as the volunteers annotated Twitter messages (tweets) about the COVID-19 pandemic. During the interviews, researchers observed the volunteers as they annotated tweets, noting any needs, frustrations, or confusion that the volunteers expressed about the task itself or when working …

Mac For Machine-Type Communications In Industrial Iot—Part I: Protocol Design And Analysis, Jie Gao, Weihua Zhuang, Mushu Li, Xuemin Shen, Xu Li

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In this two-part paper, we propose a novel medium access control (MAC) protocol for machine-type communications in the Industrial Internet of Things. The considered use case features a limited geographical area and a massive number of devices with sporadic data traffic and different priority types. We target supporting the devices while satisfying their Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements with a single access point and a single channel, which necessitates a customized design that can significantly improve the MAC performance. In Part I of this paper, we present the MAC protocol that comprises a new slot structure, corresponding channel access procedure, and mechanisms …

Mac For Machine-Type Communications In Industrial Iot—Part Ii: Scheduling And Numerical Results, Jie Gao, Mushu Li, Weihua Zhuang, Xuemin Shen, Xu Li

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In the second part of this article, we develop a centralized packet transmission scheduling scheme to pair with the protocol designed in Part I and complete our medium access control (MAC) design for machine-type communications in the industrial Internet of Things. For the networking scenario, fine-grained scheduling that attends to each device becomes necessary, given stringent Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements and diversified service types, but prohibitively complex for a large number of devices. To address this challenge, we propose a scheduling solution in two steps. First, we develop algorithms for device assignment based on the analytical results from Part I, when …

Interactive Expert System For Budgeting World Bank Consultancy Projects, Yosra Rafat

Theses and Dissertations

Cost estimating and forecasting are key components of the budgeting of any construction project. However, conventional approaches may result in uncertainty and usually do not utilize the organizational knowledge of past projects. Ideally, performing a cost estimation under the best predictions of the relevant future conditions, is the best approach of economic analysis to evaluate the optimum value for money. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence techniques, there are now several Machine Learning (ML) methods that are being studied to capitalize on accuracy gains with regards to cost estimating techniques to increase reliability during the tendering phase. This research aims …

Off-Chain Transaction Routing In Payment Channel Networks: A Machine Learning Approach, Heba Kadry

Theses and Dissertations

Blockchain is a foundational technology that has the potential to create new prospects for our economic and social systems. However, the scalability problem limits the capability to deliver a target throughput and latency, compared to the traditional financial systems, with increasing workload. Layer-two is a collective term for solutions designed to help solve the scalability by handling transactions off the main chain, also known as layer one. These solutions have the capability to achieve high throughput, fast settlement, and cost efficiency without sacrificing network security. For example, bidirectional payment channels are utilized to allow the execution of fast transactions between …

Assessment Of Carbon Dioxide Emission And Its Impact On High-Rise Mixed-Use Buildings In Egypt, Ahmed Salah Hamza

Theses and Dissertations

With Egypt's vision of 2030 focusing on sustainable development with a true emphasis on Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) emission reduction in the newly built cities and high-rise buildings, efforts are exerted on various levels towards accomplishing the vision’s goals. This is achieved through multiple tools and models associated with aiding the reduction of carbon emissions, yet not a clear one was introduced for the mixed-use buildings in Egypt.

Through this work, a significant gap was identified with respect to high-rise buildings carbon emission assessment in Egypt. This was a main driving force for this work in an attempt to …

Stock Market Manipulation Detection Using Continuous Wavelet Transform & Machine Learning Classification, Sarah Youssef

Theses and Dissertations

Stock market manipulation detection is important for both investors and regulators. Being able to detect stock manipulation and preventing it gives investors the confidence in the market fairness and integrity. It also helps maintaining liquidity of the stocks and market efficiency. Implementing data mining algorithms in manipulation detection is a relatively recent technique but in the past few years there has been an increasing interest in it's applications in this domain. The benefit of monitoring manipulative trade behavior is that it can be implemented on live feed of stock data, which saves a lot of time in detecting stock price …

Seamless Container Migration Between Cloud And Edge, Aditya Mohan, Jonathan Yezalaleul, Angeline Chen, Tamir Enkhjargal

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

Considering the limited resources of edge devices, it is essential to monitor their current resource utilization and device resource allocation strategies that assign containers to edge and cloud nodes based on their priority. Edge containers may need to be migrated to a cloud platform to reduce the load of edge devices and allow for running missions critical applications. In this case, we proposed a prioritization method to exchange containers between the edge and cloud, while trying to assign delay-sensitive containers to edge nodes. We evaluate the performance of running Docker container management systems on resource-constrained machines such as Raspberry Pi, …

Developing Inclusive And Sustainable Curriculum For Environmental Engineering Courses, Kauser Jahan, Sarah Bauer, Jagadish Torlapati, Tiago Forin

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering Departmental Research

Inclusivity and sustainability are becoming integral to the successful delivery of engineering course content. Teaching strategies that incorporate both are gaining momentum globally for engineering educators. Inclusive teaching strategies are based on making all students in the classroom feel valued and equal contributors. Strategies are based on developing curricular material that addresses students from a diverse background (socioeconomic status, race, gender, ethnicity, preferred orientation) and varying earning abilities. Research has shown that inclusive teaching strategies allow instructors to engage and bond with their students and the students bond with the course content. ABET, the accreditation arm for engineering programs has …

Effective Temperature Control For Industrial Friction Stir Technologies, Arnold David Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Systematic investigation of the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process shows that a fixed rotational velocity and feed rate may not yield uniform mechanical properties along the length of a weldment. Nevertheless, correlations between process parameters and post-weld material properties have successfully demonstrated that peak temperature and cooling rate drive post-weld properties. There have been many reported methodologies for controlling friction stir welding, with varying degrees of cost to implement and effectiveness. However, comparing data from uncontrolled FSW of AA 6111-T4 sheet with controlled FSW at temperatures ranging from 375 °C to 450 °C demonstrates that a simplified methodology of a …

Mechanical Engineering News, Georgia Southern University

Mechanical Engineering: News & Publications (2013-2023)

• Two Student Researchers Receive Engineering Awards

Application Of Compositional Data Analysis To Determine The Effects Of Heating Mode, Moisture Status And Plant Species On Pyrolysates, David R. Weise, Thomas H. Fletcher, Mohammad-Saeed Safdari, Elham Amini, Javier Palarea-Albaladejo

Faculty Publications

Pyrolysate gas mixtures are multivariate and relative in nature. Statistical techniques applied to these data generally ignore their relative nature. Published data for permanent gases (CO, CO2, H2, CH4) and tars produced by pyrolysing 15 wildland fuels were reanalysed using compositional data analysis techniques. Mass and mole fractions were compositionally equivalent. Plant species, moisture status and heating mode effects on compositional balances formed from subsets of pyrolysates were tested. Plant species affected the amount of phenol, primary and secondary/tertiary tars relative to permanent gases and relative amounts of single- and multi-ring compounds. Plant moisture status affected the amount of CO …

Three Degrees Of Freedom Robotic Arm And Its Digital Twin Using Simulink – A Bibliometric Analysis, Bharath Suthar Mr., Arunkumar Bongale Dr, Satish Kumar Dr, Anupkumar Bongale Dr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The 3-degree Digital Twin robotic arm for freedom can diagnose the joints off-board by placing a torque in the robotic arm joint. MATLAB, Simulink®, SimscapeTM, and Simscape Multibody were the basis of this model. Virtual space with a virtual robot arm was connected to a physical space that was a 3D printed replica of the virtual space and robot arm, built using Unity (a modern Game Engine). The arm in the Digital Twin model was created using the hardware prototype’s dimensions, which were then used to simulate a real-world situation. With its revolute joints, the arm has a certain degree …

Minimally Invasive Delivery Of 3d Shape Recoverable Constructs With Ordered Structures For Tissue Repair, Shixuan Chen, Mark Alan Carlson, Xiaowei Li, Aleem Siddique, Wuqiang Zhu, Jingwei Xie

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Minimally invasive procedures are becoming increasingly more common in surgery. However, the biomaterials capable of delivering biomimetic, three-dimensional (3D) functional tissues in a minimally invasive manner and exhibiting ordered structures after delivery are lacking. Herein, we reported the fabrication of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-coated, 3D expanded nanofiber scaffolds and their potential applications in minimally invasive delivery of 3D functional tissue constructs with ordered structures and clinically appropriate sizes (4 cm × 2 cm × 1.5 mm). GelMA-coated, expanded 3D nanofiber scaffolds produced by combining electrospinning, gas-foaming expansion, hydrogel coating, and crosslinking are extremely shape recoverable after release of compressive strain, displaying …

Transport-Based Pattern Recognition Versus Deep Neural Networks In Underwater Oam Communications, Patrick L. Neary, Jonathan M. Nichols, Abbie T. Watnik, K. Peter Judd, Gustavo K. Rohde, James R. Lindle, Nicholas S. Flann

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Comparisons between machine learning and optimal transport-based approaches in classifying images are made in underwater orbital angular momentum (OAM) communications. A model is derived that justifies optimal transport for use in attenuated water environments. OAM pattern demultiplexing is performed using optimal transport and deep neural networks and compared to each other. Additionally, some of the complications introduced by signal attenuation are highlighted. The Radon cumulative distribution transform (R-CDT) is applied to OAM patterns to transform them to a linear subspace. The original OAM images and the R-CDT transformed patterns are used in several classification algorithms, and results are compared. The …

Personalized Digital Phenotype Score, Healthcare Management And Intervention Strategies Using Knowledge Enabled Digital Health Framework For Pediatric Asthma, Utkarshani Jaimini, Amit Sheth

Publications

Asthma is a personalized, and multi-trigger respiratory condition which requires continuous monitoring and management of symptoms and medication adherence. We developed kHealth: Knowledge-enabled Digital Healthcare Framework to monitor and manage the asthma symptoms, medication adherence, lung function, daily activity, sleep quality, indoor, and outdoor environmental triggers of pediatric asthma patients. The kHealth framework collects up to 1852 data points per patient per day. It is practically impossible for the clinicians, parents, and the patient to analyze this vast amount of multimodal data collected from the kHealth framework. In this chapter, we describe the personalized scores, clinically relevant asthma categorization using …

Certifying Computer Forensics Skills, Michael Charles Watson

Theses and Dissertations

Computer forensics is an ever-growing technological field of complexity and depth. Individuals must strive to keep learning and growing their skills as they help combat cybercrime throughout the world. This study attempts to establish a method of evaluating conceptual expertise in computer forensics to help indicate whether or not an individual understands the five basic phases of computer forensics: preparation, seizure of evidence, acquisition of data, analysis of data, and reporting the findings of the analysis. A survey was presented to a university class of 30 students taking a computer forensics course and as well as posted online asking computer …