Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

A Computer Simulation Model Of Waterhyacinth And Weevil Interactions, Kunter S. Akbay, F. G. Howell, J. W. Wooten

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

A personal computer simulation model termed "INSECT" has been developed to evaluate biological control of waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms.) by two species of weevil (Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, and N. bruchi Hustache). The model results were compared with the data from three different locations. For each data set, the simulated plant biomass, adult and larva populations were plotted against the 95% confidence intervals of the actual field observations. In many cases, the simulation results were within the 95% confidence intervals, and especially during the growing season, they indicated trends similar to those seen in the field data. However, there were …

Using Optimization And Simulation Techniques To Estimate Initial Weevil Populations, Kunter S. Akbay

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In this paper, a mathematical programming and simulation method is used to estimate the number of weevils (Neochetina bruchi Hustache, and N. eichhorniae Warner) necessary to initialize the INSECT model which simulates the biological control of waterhyacinth by the weevils. The objective is to estimate the initial input values for the adult population so that the sum of the absolute differences between the observed and the simulated numbers of weevils is minimized. In general, the simulated values using the initial values obtained from the mathematical programming problem were within the 95% confidence intervals of the actual field observations. Also, in …

Space Structures: Issues In Dynamics And Control, H. Benaroya, Mark L. Nagurka

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

A selective technical overview is presented on the vibration and control of large space structures, the analysis, design, and construction of which will require major technical contributions from the civil/structural, mechanical, and extended engineering communities. The immediacy of the U.S. space station makes the particular emphasis placed on large space structures and their control appropriate. The space station is but one part of the space program, and includes the lunar base, which the space station is to service. This paper attempts to summarize some of the key technical issues and hence provide a starting point for further involvement. The first …

Cotgame: Cotton Insect Pest Management Simulation Game, Kunter S. Akbay, R.W. Mcclendon, L. G. Brown

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

An interactive version of the Cotton and Insect Management (CIM) model was developed to aid individuals in improving their insect pest management decision making skills. This version, COTGAME, allowed the user to encounter situations and make decisions during the simulated cotton crop growing season. The intermediate results of these decisions were immediately delivered in the form of a report on the current status of the crop and insect populations. Based on the information presented in this status report, the user would make additional management decisions and take tactical actions. Once the harvest date had been reached, the economics of the …

Direct Observation Of Stacking Faults In Single Crystal T102 (Rutile) By Transmission Electron Microscopy, Michael R. Williams

Master's Essays (1922 - )

This study was undertaken to evaluate the stacking fault energy of single crystal rutile and to develop a model for the dislocation reaction.

Frictional Behavior Of Flat Sliding Surfaces, Elmer J. Weiter

Bachelors’ Theses

The objectives of this thesis are four in number. The first is to advance the basic understanding of the frictional behavior of materials in flat surface sliding, especially in the breakaway region where the coefficient of static friction is predominant. The second is to present an apparatus incorporating the use of flat contact surfaces, to provide accurate determination of the coefficient of static friction and some of the kinetic characteristics. The third is to establish a procedure of testing such that the static frictions is accurately analyzed to include variations with time and wear. The fourth objective is to establish …

8-Inch Gun Housing: Stresses In Side Walls And Rear Plate, Gerald W. Kinzelman

Bachelors’ Theses

Mr. Phileas H. Girouard, Chief Engineer of the Bureau of Ordnance, Washington, D. C., requested the author of this thesis to determine whether the 8-inch gun housing would safely withstand the forces imposed. It is the purpose of the thesis to show the reasoning followed by the author in proving that the housing was acceptable as designed. Mr. Sidney Hersh assisted in the computations.

The solution to this problem was urgently required before a prototype could be built and tested. At a later date, and independently of the author, a prototype of the housing was tested under the direction of …

Some Applications Of Statistical Quality Control Methods To The Preparation, Purchase And Calorimetry Of Steam Coal, Arthur P. Bellinghausen

Bachelors’ Theses

This thesis is an attempt to establish the applicability of a statistical method of quality control to several problems involving maintenance of fuel quality standards. Although the technique has found increasingly important applications in mass production industries, its use in analysis of fuel characteristics has been given little, if any, study if current catalogues of the literature are authoritative. Analyses of data drawn from publications of the Bureau of Vines have been used to test the limitations of the method. Original data collected by the author shows statistical control to exist over sufficient samples to assure the soundness of conclusions …

Zig-Zag Leakage Of An Induction Motor, Carl E. Matheis

Bachelors’ Theses

The object of the writer is to plot the maps of zig-zag leakage in an induction motor sir-gap for the four principle positions of the rotor slots with reference to the stator slots.

Efficiency Test Of An Ingeco Kerosene Engine, Andrew Keiding

Bachelors’ Theses

The object of this test was to increase if possible the efficiency of an Ingeco Kerosene Engine manufactured by the International Gas Engine Company of Milwaukee, the engine being rated as 12 Horse Power at 275 revolutions per minute. The increase in efficiency was to be produced by heating the fuel and by introducing the exhaust gases into the combustion chamber.

Test Of A 400 Pound Refrigerating Plant, Louis C. Fenelon, George C. Hoffman, Thomas H. Noon, John T. Watry

Bachelors’ Theses

The primary object of these tests was to obtain the capacity of the refrigerating plant under various conditions of suction and condenser pressure.

The secondary object was to obtain the cost of electric current and water per ton of ice melting capacity.

Incidental objects pertained to heat transmission per sq. ft. of surface through the cooling coil.

The Chemical Constituents Of Cast Iron And Their Effect On Its Physical Properties, Frank H. Paatsch

Bachelors’ Theses

Carbon is an element of great importance and very - extensively diffused in nature. It exists in large quantities in the mineral kingdom and is the most abundant constituent of animal and vegetable matter. It assumes a greater number of aspects than any of the elements we deal with in connection with iron. In the crystallized state it constitutes the diamond and more or less pure, it forms the substance called plumbago, graphite, black-lead, anthracite and bituminous coal, coke, animal and vegetable charcoal.

A Commercial Efficiency Test Of A Power Plant Located At Marquette University, Edward James Dunphy, James Edward Zimmermann

Bachelors’ Theses

The purpose of the test was to determine the coat of generating one kilowatt-hour of electrical energy under existing conditions of operation. The plant under test is located at the Marquette University Power House and consists of a Filer Stowell Company simple, horizontal, now-condensing Corliss steam engine, with an Allis Chalmers Company direct current generator belt­ connected, and one Fairbanks, Morse & Company horizontal return tubular boiler. The coal used during the test was Pocahontas screenings, costing three and twenty-five cents per ton of 2000 pounds, delivered in the boiler-room.