Engineering Commons^™

Development Of An Augmented Reality Based Facility Layout Planning And Optimization, Tan Chee Hau

Student Works (2020-2029)

This study presents an augmented reality (AR) based facility layout planning (FLP) system with an optimization algorithm to assist facility layout designers in decision making. AR is a technology that blends virtual data such as 3 Dimensional (3D) model into the actual world. FLP is about the allocation of facilities to achieve smooth, efficient and effective processes. FLP’s research can be divided into the procedural approach, algorithmic approach, Virtual Reality (VR) and AR-based approaches. AR-based FLP effectively addressed the traditional FLP issues such as facilitating the addition of a new machine in an existing production floor, rearrangement of machines’ sequence, …

Real-Time Road Hazard Information System, Carlos Pena-Caballero, Dong-Chul Kim, Adolfo Gonzalez, Osvaldo Castellanos, Angel A. Cantu, Jungseok Ho

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Infrastructure is a significant factor in economic growth for systems of government. In order to increase economic productivity, maintaining infrastructure quality is essential. One of the elements of infrastructure is roads. Roads are means which help local and national economies be more productive. Furthermore, road damage such as potholes, debris, or cracks is the cause of many on-road accidents that have cost the lives of many drivers. In this paper, we propose a system that uses Convolutional Neural Networks to detect road degradations without data pre-processing. We utilize the state-of-the-art object detection algorithm, YOLO detector for the system. First, we …

Heterogenous Trip Distance-Based Route Choice Behavior Analysis Using Real-World Large-Scale Taxi Trajectory Data, Yajuan Deng, Meiye Li, Qing Tang, Renjie He, Xianbiao Hu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Most early research on route choice behavior analysis relied on the data collected from the stated preference survey or through small-scale experiments. This manuscript focused on the understanding of commuters' route choice behavior based on the massive amount of trajectory data collected from occupied taxicabs. The underlying assumption was that travel behavior of occupied taxi drivers can be considered as no different than the well-experienced commuters. To this end, the DBSCAN algorithm and Akaike information criterion (AIC) were first used to classify trips into different categories based on the trip length. Next, a total of 9 explanatory variables were defined …

First-Order Comprehensive Adjoint Method For Computing Operator-Valued Response Sensitivities To Imprecisely Known Parameters, Internal Interfaces And Boundaries Of Coupled Nonlinear Systems: I. Mathematical Framework, Dan Gabriel Cacuci

Faculty Publications

This work presents the first-order comprehensive adjoint sensitivity analysis methodology (1st-CASAM) for computing efficiently the first-order sensitivities (i.e., functional derivatives) of operator-valued responses (i.e., model results) of general models of coupled nonlinear physical systems characterized by imprecisely known or and/or uncertain parameters, external boundaries, and internal interfaces between the coupled systems. The explicit mathematical formalism developed within the 1st-CASAM for computing the first-order sensitivities of operator-valued response to uncertain internal interfaces and external boundaries in the models’ phase–space enables this methodology to generalize all of the previously published methodologies for computing first-order response sensitivities. The computational resources needed for using …

Sharpening Ecostress And Viirs Land Surface Temperature Using Harmonized Landsat-Sentinel Surface Reflectances, Jie Xue, Martha C. Anderson, Feng Gao, Christopher Hain, Liang Sun, Yun Yang, Kyle R. Knipper, William P. Kustas, Alfonso F. Torres-Rua, Mitch Schull

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Land surface temperature (LST) is a key diagnostic indicator of agricultural water use and crop stress. LST data retrieved from thermal infrared (TIR) band imagery, however, tend to have a coarser spatial resolution (e.g., 100 m for Landsat 8) than surface reflectance (SR) data collected from shortwave bands on the same instrument (e.g., 30 m for Landsat). Spatial sharpening of LST data using the higher resolution multi-band SR data provides an important path for improved agricultural monitoring at sub-field scales. A previously developed Data Mining Sharpener (DMS) approach has shown great potential in the sharpening of Landsat LST using Landsat …

Fsec Energy Research Center Highlights 2020, Brochure, Florida Solar Energy Center, Sherri Shields

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This 5-page "brochure" provides an overview of capabilities at the FSEC Energy Research Center. As Florida's statewide energy research center, FSEC has a 45-year history of basic and applied research excellence, which has grown in scope to include all aspects of renewable energy, energy storage, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency technologies. FSEC's education and outreach programs have trained thousands of energy practitioners and informed energy consumers. This document was originally created to inform City of Cocoa Council members about FSEC during their external visit to the Center in June 2020, during COVID-19. FSEC Art#: PIO-104

2020 Fall Engr333 A-Days Assignment, Matthew K. Heun

ENGR 333

The Fall 2020 semester ENGR333 class did not have an all-class project, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, we held a series of Alumni Days (A-days), in which an alumnus in an energy-related field shared their experiences with students. Students reviewed the alumnus’ CV and asked questions during an online class meeting.

Raman Spectra-Based Deep Learning: A Tool To Identify Microbial Contamination, Murali K. Maruthamuthu, Amir Hossein Raffiee, Denilson Mendes De Oliveira, Arezoo M. Ardekani, Mohit S. Verma

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Deep learning has the potential to enhance the output of in-line, on-line, and at-line instrumentation used for process analytical technology in the pharmaceutical industry. Here, we used Raman spectroscopy-based deep learning strategies to develop a tool for detecting microbial contamination. We built a Raman dataset for microorganisms that are common contaminants in the pharmaceutical industry for Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, which are often used in the production of biologics. Using a convolution neural network (CNN), we classified the different samples comprising individual microbes and microbes mixed with CHO cells with an accuracy of 95%–100%. The set of 12 microbes …

Permeable Road Pavement With Subsurface Precast Micro-Detention Storage: A Green Pavement Practice, Norazlina Bateni

Student Works (2020-2029)

Green infrastructure practices are uniquely applicable to address the relationship between land use and water resources through the replication of the natural hydrological process within the landscape. Implementation of such practices, especially green pavement can significantly improve the rainfall-runoff responses, and thereby minimise the occurrence of flood hazards, which may lead to uncountable economic losses. Common permeable pavements are typically composed of fine-layered particles attributed to low porosity. In this study, an innovative permeable pavement with a micro-detention pond storage (PPDS) system is proposed. It is a modified type of interlocking block permeable pavement consisting of a hollow cylinder with …

A Control System For A Constrained Two-Body Wave Energy Converter, Shangyan Zou, Ossama Abdelkhalik

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Wave energy can be used to power oceano-graphic buoys. A new switching control strategy is developed in this paper for a two-body heaving wave energy converter that is composed of a floating cylinder and two rigidly connected submerged hemispheres. This control strategy is designed to prevent excessive displacement of the floating buoy that may occur due to the actuator force. This control strategy switches the control between a multi-resonant controller and a nonlinear damping controller, depending on the state of the system, to account for displacement constraints. This control strategy is developed using a one-degree-of-freedom dynamic model for the relative …

Component Analysis Of Bio-Asphalt Binder Using Crumb Rubber Modifier And Guayule Resin As An Innovative Asphalt Replacer, Ahmed Hemida, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This research seeks to interpret the component analysis of an innovative bio-asphalt binder using guayule resin in addition to crumb rubber modifier (CRM) at high concentrations. Such asphalt modification aims to minimize the dependency on virgin asphalt binder and provide new solutions concerning sustainable, flexible pavement industry. Guayule resin is a promising bioresource for asphalt binder replacement. By now, it could be considered a no value byproduct extracted during the guayule natural rubber production. CRM is a recycled material derived from scrap tires. The provided interpretation could help in understanding the asphalt-rubber-guayule interaction mechanism. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), supported …

Usu Biological Engineering Researchers Get $1.9m Doe Grant, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Sept. 4, 2020 — The Department of Energy has awarded $1.9 million for a Utah State University study focused on improving wastewater treatment and the prevention of toxic algae blooms.

Effect Of Competent Caliche Layers On Measuring The Capacity Of Axially Loaded Drilled Shafts Using The Osterberg Test, Rouzbeh Afsharhasani, Moses Karakouzian, Visar Farhangi

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

This study investigates the effect of the location of an O-cell hydraulic jack along the length of a drilled shaft in a full-scale Osterberg test performed in soils containing layers of caliche. The location of the hydraulic jack with respect to caliche layers influences the measurements obtained from the Osterberg test and the subsequent interpretation of drilled shaft capacity. In this study, drilled shaft capacities were derived utilizing data from 30 Osterberg full-scale field load tests in soils containing caliche layers. The hydraulic jack was placed at the midpoint of the drilled shaft length. Additionally, the Osterberg test data was …

Effects Of Tire Pressures And Test Temperatures On Permanent Deformation Of Direct Coal Liquefaction Residue Mixture, Suo Zhi, Ji Jie, Zhang Ran, Wang Zhe, Yao Hui, Dongzhao Jin

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The main objective of this research is to investigate the permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures containing direct coal liquefaction residue (DCLR) under various tire pressures and temperatures. Three types of asphalt mixtures, including control/DCLR/composite-DCLR modified asphalt mixture, were prepared by the Marshall design method. The rutting test was conducted under a tire pressure range of 0.7–1.0 MPa with a 0.1-MPa interval and at a temperature range of 55–70°C with a 5°C interval. Moreover, the dynamic stability and rutting depth of three asphalt mixtures were obtained to evaluate their resistance of permanent deformation. It was found that the rutting resistance of …

Mechanism Of Organic Odor Generation From Thermophilically Digested Biosolids, Jong-Min Kim

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

In anticipation to generate more stabilized biosolids, thermophilic anaerobic digestion systems are widely used to destroy greater sludge organics thus making them less odorous. In this study, single-stage thermophilic (at 55 ℃) and mesophilic (at 37 ℃) anaerobic digesters were studied to compare organic removal efficiencies and sulfur-based odor generation from their biosolids. Although the thermophilic system removed about 9% more volatile solids than the mesophilic system, about 55 times more odorous organic sulfur compounds were measured from dewatered thermophilic biosolids. Different methanogenic species were found to be responsible for malodorous dewatered biosolids from the thermophilic anaerobic digester.

Dictionary-Based Diabetes Distress Detection Mechanism Using Facebook Reactions, Marian Cynthia Martin

Student Works (2020-2029)

Over the last decade, the internet has paved the way for Facebook to become the digital hub for social networking transforming the ways of sharing information carrying rich and valuable information of users’ perspectives. Facebook support groups compromised of online diabetes communities facilitates users to connect to different people with similar conditions and share information wrapped in their own sentiments and emotions. Diabetes being a major life threatening health issue, results in diabetes distress among the online diabetes community. However, the detection of diabetes distress had been carried out manually using surveys and questionnaires, accentuating the lack of studies in …

An Affordable And Portable Palpable System For Sensing Breast Tissue Abnormalities, Cody J. Clarke

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

Due to the high cost of equipment and lack of trained personnel, manual palpation is a preferred alternative breast examination technique over mammography. The process involves a thorough search pattern using trained fingers and applying adequate pressure, with the objective of identifying solid masses from the surrounding breast tissue. However, palpation requires skills that must be obtained through adequate training in order to ensure proper diagnosis. Consequently, palpation performance and reporting techniques have been inconsistent. Automating the palpation technique would optimize the performance of self-breast examination, optimize clinical breast examinations (CBE), and enable the visualization of breast abnormalities as well …

Security Analysis Of The Anonabox Pro, Devi Sowjanya Vempati

LSU Master's Theses

The security posture of critical network appliances, such as routers, switches, and firewalls, is crucial as these devices provide the first line of defense against malicious actors. As there is typically no endpoint security software, such as anti-virus available for these devices, it is crucial that vendors release timely updates for vulnerabilities and that customers apply them quickly. The research effort documented in this thesis describes a developed methodology for triaging known vulnerabilities in network devices, assessing the security posture of device vendors, and locating likely weak points in released firmware images. To highlight this methodology, the Anonabox security appliance …

Historical Changes In Planform Geometry Of The Amite And Comite Rivers And Implications On Flood Routing, Kathleen E. Harris

LSU Master's Theses

The Amite River Basin is a 2,220 square-mile basin spanning from southwest Mississippi through southeast Louisiana, encompassing Baton Rouge and its suburbs. In response to historic flooding in August 2016 and other major flood events in the past several decades, the basin has been the subject of a number of studies to quantify the impacts of changes in land-use and reduction in river length and sinuosity. However, there have yet to be relationships defined between the changes in the historical river planform and the resulting flow, stages, and subsequent flood depths. River lengths and sinuosity were measured from the 1930s …

Usu Team Awarded $1.1m For Critical Zone Research, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

News Release — Sept. 3, 2020 — Utah State University researchers will join the National Science Foundation’s Critical Zone Collaborative Network Coordinating Hub to improve collaboration among engineers and scientists studying the Earth’s Critical Zone.

Preface, Shahram Latifi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

Interactions Between Dry Vibratable Tundish Linings And Steel Melts, Tyler M. Richards, Ronald J. O'Malley, Jeffrey D. Smith, Todd P. Sander

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Interactions between two tundish working linings and molten steel were investigated using industrial samples and laboratory testing. Periclase-based dry vibe linings from two production facilities were sampled and examined after casting: one containing 30 wt.% olivine and one without olivine. Cathodoluminescence imaging, secondary electron microscopy, energydispersive spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis were performed to characterize the interactions. An experiment was developed to replicate the conditions found in a production tundish on the laboratory scale. Results comparing interactions observed in laboratory lining tests and commercial lining samples for the two lining materials are presented and discussed.

The Influence Of Ti, Nb And V On The Hot Ductility Of As-Cast Microalloyed Steels, Madhuri Varadarajan, Laura Bartlett, Ronald J. O'Malley, Semen Naumovich Lekakh

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Microalloying with Ti, Nb and V, both individually and in combination, is a common method for producing steels with high strength and toughness. However, interaction with other elements and impurities can lead to cracking during continuous casting and rolling. The hot ductility of commercially cast V, Nb and Nb-V-Ti steels has been investigated using two experimental methods: tensile testing utilizing a servo-hydraulic load frame with a resistance furnace and thermomechanical testing using rapid joule heating. The temperature-dependent ductility of these steels is compared for both test methods. Factors that influence the ductility of these steels are discussed.

Development And Testing Of A Bridge Rail For Low-Volume Roads, Scott K. Rosenbaugh, Jacob Delone, Ronald K. Faller, Robert W. Bielenberg

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

A new steel bridge rail was developed for use on low-volume bridges. The railing consisted 31-in. tall, 12-gauge Wbeam guardrail mounted on S3x5.7 posts, which were supported by steel square-tube sockets attached to the side of the bridge deck. The sockets were to be attached to the steel C-channel that is typically placed along the edges of rural bridge decks in the state of Nebraska. The bridge railing was developed for use on both 7-in. thick cast in place decks and 12-in. thick prestressed concrete beam slabs.

Various welded and bolted socket-to-channel attachment designs were evaluated through dynamic bogie testing …

New Experimental Apparatus To Investigate Hot Tearing Behavior In Steel, Yanru Lu, Laura Bartlett, Ronald J. O'Malley, Semen Naumovich Lekakh, Mario F. Buchely

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Hot tearing is a complex thermomechanical phenomenon occurring in the semi-solid region. Strain in this region can induce cracking and localized alloying element segregation. An apparatus for investigating hot tearing was developed utilizing a servo-motor controlled cylinder to apply a pre-determined amount of strain to the solidifying shell. A special mold was developed using filling and solidification modeling to ensure that dendrite growth was perpendicular to applied strain. A computer-automated system was utilized to control the strain and strain rate and measure the force and displacement. Solidification experiments utilizing AISI 1020 steel validated the apparatus capabilities and optimized testing parameters.

Peritectic Behavior Detection In The Fe-C-Mn-Al-Si Steel System Using Fiber Optic Temperature Mapping, Muhammad Roman, Damilola Balogun, Rex E. Gerald Ii, Laura Bartlett, Jie Huang, Ronald J. O'Malley

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Peritectic reactions can cause surface defects and breakouts in continuous casting and the peritectic region is often avoided by adjusting the chemical composition of the steel to cast outside of the peritectic sensitivity range. However, the combined effects of C, Mn, Al, and Si on the boundaries that map peritectic region are still disputed for many advanced high strength steel grades. An apparatus for performing controlled solidification experiments is being developed to characterize the effects of chemical composition on the uniformity of shell growth during solidification using a copper chill mold with an embedded fiber-optic temperature sensor that enables high …

Scale Formation On 430 Stainless Steel In A Simulated Slab Combustion Reheat Furnace Atmosphere, Richard Osei, Semen Naumovich Lekakh, Ronald J. O'Malley

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Scale formed during slab reheating can be difficult to remove by high-pressure descaling, having a negative impact hot roll surface quality. A large-capacity thermogravimetric apparatus that replicates the combustion atmosphere and temperature in a slab reheat furnace was used to investigate scale formation on 430 stainless steel. Effects of reheating parameters (temperature, time and atmosphere) on oxidation kinetics were investigated. Oxidized samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction to document the microstructure and morphology of scale. Mechanisms for the formation of multi-layered oxide structures that complicate oxidation kinetics and scale removal are discussed.

A Modified Johnson-Cook Model Incorporating The Effect Of Grain Size On Flow Stress, S. Ganguly, Mario F. Buchely, K. Chandrashekhara, Semen Naumovich Lekakh, Ronald J. O'Malley

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The mechanical properties of steel are influenced by grain size, which can change through mechanisms such as nucleation and growth at elevated temperatures. However, the classic Johnson-Cook model that is widely used in hot deformation simulations does not consider the effect of grain size on flow stress. In this study, the Johnson-Cook model was modified to incorporate the effects of austenite grain size on flow stress. A finite element model was employed to characterize the effects of grain size on the flow stress for different steel grades over a range of temperatures (900⁰ to 1300⁰). Simulation results show good agreement …

Structural Design Example -- Four Span Metal Building Z-Purlin Line Supporting A Standing Seam Roof, Christopher D. Moen

American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Specifications, Standards, Manuals and Research Reports (1946 - present)

This example provides a step-by-step strength calculation of a 4-span continuous Z-purlin system supporting a standing seam roof.

Design inputs are defined first, including cross-section dimensions and orientation, span lengths, roof slope, and bracing provided by the standing seam to the purlin line. The calculations consider gravity (downward) and suction (uplift) loadings.

Research Overview On Modeling And Solution Of Aerospace Tt&C Scheduling Problem, Qingqing Yan, Huairong Shen, Qiongling Shao

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The research of Aerospace TT&C Scheduling (ATT&CS) is very important, because of its support for TT&C scheme decision-making and TT&C resource net constructing. The classification and resolution flow of the ATT&CS problem were introduced. Then, the modeling methods and related key techniques, such as designing of object function, analysis of constraints, and priority determining, were analyzed. The solving algorithms and conflict resolution methods were summed up, and the major categories of algorithm were evaluated. The main content of scheduling evaluation research was summarized. The possible future researches for related techniques were discussed based on the analysis of development and …