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Articles 901 - 930 of 993

Full-Text Articles in Applied Mathematics

A New Compensating Element For A Femtosecond Photoelectron Gun, Bao-Liang Qian, Hani E. Elsayed-Ali Jan 2001

A New Compensating Element For A Femtosecond Photoelectron Gun, Bao-Liang Qian, Hani E. Elsayed-Ali

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Design and analysis of a new compensating element for improving the electron pulse front and compressing the pulse duration in a femtosecond photoelectron gun are described. The compensating element is a small metallic cylindrical cavity in which an external voltage is applied in such a way that a special electric field forms and interacts with the electron pulse. This electric field reduces the distances between the faster and slower electrons inside the cavity and efficiently compensates for electron pulse broadening caused by the photoelectron energy spread and space charge effects. Poisson's equation and the equation of motion are solved to …


Alternative Principal Components Regression Procedures For Dendrohydrologic Reconstructions, Hugo G. Hidalgo, Thomas C. Piechota, John A. Dracup Nov 2000

Alternative Principal Components Regression Procedures For Dendrohydrologic Reconstructions, Hugo G. Hidalgo, Thomas C. Piechota, John A. Dracup

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

Streamflow reconstruction using tree ring information (dendrohydrology) has traditionally used principal components analysis (PCA) and stepwise regression to form a transfer function. However, PCA has several procedural choices that may result in very different reconstructions. This study assesses the different procedures in PCA-based regression and suggests alternative procedures for selection of variables and principal components. Cross-validation statistics are presented as an alternative for independently testing and identifying the optimal model. The objective is to use these statistics as a measure of the model's performance to find a conceptually acceptable model with a low prediction error and the fewest number of …


Finite Element Model Updating Using Antiresonant Frequencies, Keith W. Jones Mar 2000

Finite Element Model Updating Using Antiresonant Frequencies, Keith W. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The applications of antiresonant frequencies to finite element (FE) model updating are few and usually limited to numerical examples. This work uses antiresonant frequencies in the model updating of an experimental structure and analyzes the physical correctness of the updated model by using it to detect damage. Antiresonant frequencies were used in the FE model updating of a six-meter aluminum truss. The model used rigid links to model welded and bolted joints. Rigid link dimensions were used as parameters in an iterative update based on eigenvalue and antiresonance sensitivities. The first update used 11 natural frequencies and 21 antiresonant frequencies …


Selection Of Curricular Topics Using Extensions Of Quality Function Deployment, Paul Kauffmann, Abel Fernandez, Charles Keating, Derya Jacobs, Resit Unal Jan 2000

Selection Of Curricular Topics Using Extensions Of Quality Function Deployment, Paul Kauffmann, Abel Fernandez, Charles Keating, Derya Jacobs, Resit Unal

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Decision science can be an effective tool for enhancing organizational participation during strategic and complex decision making. This involvement develops a group consensus for relating organizational goals and the methods to achieve them. This paper describes an application of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to define curricular topics that meet program objectives. Based on the ability of QFD to establish relationships, the model identifies the most important topics and quantifies their impact on meeting program goals. The model was developed to support restructuring of a Masters of Engineering Management degree program. The model supported decisions in selecting and prioritizing the required …


Rotary Honing: A Variant Of The Taylor Paint-Scraper Problem, Christopher Hills, H. Moffatt Jan 2000

Rotary Honing: A Variant Of The Taylor Paint-Scraper Problem, Christopher Hills, H. Moffatt

Articles

The three-dimensional Row in a corner of fixed angle α induced by the rotation in its plane of one of the boundaries is considered. A local similarity solution valid in a neighbourhood of the centre of rotation is obtained and the streamlines are shown to be closed curves. The effects of inertia are considered and are shown to be significant in a small neighbourhood of the plane of symmetry of the flow. A simple experiment confirms that the streamlines are indeed nearly closed; their projections on planes normal to the line of intersection of the boundaries are precisely the 'Taylor' …


Mathematical Modelling Of Road Bumps, E. S. Massawe Dec 1999

Mathematical Modelling Of Road Bumps, E. S. Massawe

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

In this paper, a general mathematical model that may be used for construction of a road bump on an inclined road is developed. It is shown that if the parameters for the inclination are set to zero, the resulting model reflects the special case of a flat road. Existing experiences are briefly highlighted and a case study was done on different locations along the University Road to demonstrate the developed model.


Application Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Arton Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Art, Silas Kajuna Dec 1999

Application Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Arton Of Vibrational Techniques In Determination Of Dynamic Properties Of Agricultural Products-State Of The Art, Silas Kajuna

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Vibration is one of the techniques employed in the determination of dynamic properties of fruits and vegetables. It entails generation of a mechanical or acoustic vibrational signal which is propagated through the flesh of the agricultural material. A transducer is either attached or held close to the specimen to monitor the propagation of the signal through the specimen. The manner in which the signal is transmitted through the material is analyzed, and the dynamic properties of the specimen which relate to its firmness or its internal being are derived. The technique has been around for the past 30 years or …


Development And Application Of Adaptive Dynamic Grids For Wake Vortex/Ground Interaction, Ilker Emin Türkgeldi Jul 1999

Development And Application Of Adaptive Dynamic Grids For Wake Vortex/Ground Interaction, Ilker Emin Türkgeldi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

An adaptive and dynamic grid approach is developed for the numerical computations of wake vortex flow problems with ground interaction. The unnecessary grid points at the far field of the original, large, single zone grid are removed for computational efficiency. Next, the grid is modified into an adaptive one, where the fine core region keeps track of the vortices and can be split into two regions when the vortex separation distance exceeds a specified limit length. In the final step a multi zonal feature is added to this grid by means of two embedded grids placed at the vortex centers …


Model Updating By Adding Known Masses And Stiffnesses, Philip D. Cha, Lisette G. De Pillis Jan 1999

Model Updating By Adding Known Masses And Stiffnesses, Philip D. Cha, Lisette G. De Pillis

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

New approaches are developed to update the analytical mass and stiffness matrices of a system. By adding known masses to the structure of interest, measuring the modes of vibration of this mass-modified system, and finally using this set of new data in conjunction with the initial modal survey, the mass matrix of the structure can be corrected. A similar approach can also be used to update the stiffness matrix of the system by attaching known stiffnesses. Manipulating the mass and stiffness correction matrices into vector forms, the connectivity information can be enforced, thereby preserving the physical configuration of the system, …


Turbulent Burning Model For Premixed Gaseous Mixtures, E Mushi Dec 1998

Turbulent Burning Model For Premixed Gaseous Mixtures, E Mushi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A turbulent burning model for premixed gaseous mixtures has been successfully developed. The model assumes instant burning of vortex Tubes of the order of Kolmogorov scale followed by burning of larger eddies of the order of Taylor micro scale. These eddies burn ar a rate dependent On the stretch rate. The influence of turbulence on the burning rate is introduced in the form of probability density function which gives the probability that a given mixture under turbulence will undergo burning rather than being quenched. The model has been validated againsi experiments involving turbulent explosions in a fan stirred bomb. Model …


A Comparison Of Three Numerical Methods Of Solutions Of Equations Describing Unsteady Gas Flow At Pipe Boundaries In Reciprocating Compressor Systems, M Mkumbwa Dec 1998

A Comparison Of Three Numerical Methods Of Solutions Of Equations Describing Unsteady Gas Flow At Pipe Boundaries In Reciprocating Compressor Systems, M Mkumbwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A number of finite difference schemes are available to study pressure fluctuation effects in unsteady pipe flows. This paper presents a comparison Of the predictions made by three such schemes of unsteadyjlow effects in a number of reciprocating compressor pipe-work systems. The finite difference schemes considered were;- a first order scheme known as the method Of characteristics, two second order schemes which were the Leapfrog method and MacCormacVs method. A reciprocating compressor simulation computer program was coupled with equations describing the cylinder thermodynamic processes with the pipe flow equations for steady non-homentropicflow. The comparison presented takes into account both the …


Estimating The Usle - Soil Erodibility Factor In Developing Tropical Countries:A Case Study In Tanzania, Metthew Mulengeral Dec 1998

Estimating The Usle - Soil Erodibility Factor In Developing Tropical Countries:A Case Study In Tanzania, Metthew Mulengeral

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Developing countries in the tropics are facing more soil erosion problems than the developed temperate countries. These developing countries have no accurate locally applicable equation(s) for predicting soil erosion or for planning and implementation of soil conservation measures. Furthermore, These countries do not have the necessary resources to develop the soil loss prediction equation(s). Existing empirical equations like the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) if modified to suit tropical conditions can be useful a tool in soil erosion control in the region for a foreseeable future. In this paper equations'for estimating the soil erodibility factor in the USLE for tropical …


Extracting Consistent Weight Ratio Matrices From Inconsistent Judgement Matrices., Christian Alphonce Dec 1998

Extracting Consistent Weight Ratio Matrices From Inconsistent Judgement Matrices., Christian Alphonce

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The Analy,'ic Hierarchy Process (AHP) developed by Saaty Inore (han a decade ago has been widely applied in diverse decision making problenls ranging from socio-economic planning to engineering designs. One of the basic steps of this popular decision support tool is concerned with estimating a ratio scale of a set of entities from their inconsistent pairwise comparison judgement matrix. A number of estimation procedures for this purpose have been proposed. These include Saaty's eigenvector meihod, various geometric means methods, and methods using logarithmic least squares, least squares. and means Transformanons, amongst O,'hers. One Thing conunon to all these Inethods is …


Three-Dimensional Calculation Of Contaminant Transport In Groundwater At A Dover Afb Site, Tariq O. Hashim Dec 1998

Three-Dimensional Calculation Of Contaminant Transport In Groundwater At A Dover Afb Site, Tariq O. Hashim

Theses and Dissertations

Macroscale rate-limited sorption modeling was tested using a production transport code, the GMS/FEMWATER ground-water modeling package. The code (Version 1.1 of FEMWATER. dated 1 August 1995) was applied to a 3D conceptual model developed from a field site at Dover AFB, DE. A simulation was performed of a 200 hour contaminant injection pulse followed by clean water flushing. A moment analysis performed on the resulting breakthrough curve validated code self-consistency. Another injection pulse simulation showed that retardation temporally delays the breakthrough peak. Transport simulations of pulsed clean water pumping of the test cell with a prescribed initial contaminant distribution demonstrated …


Validation Of Waimss Incident Duration Estimation Model, Wei Wu, Pushkin Kachroo, Kaan Ozbay Oct 1998

Validation Of Waimss Incident Duration Estimation Model, Wei Wu, Pushkin Kachroo, Kaan Ozbay

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

This paper presents an effort to validate the traffic incident duration estimation model of WAIMSS (wide area incident management support system). Duration estimation model of WAIMSS predicts the incident duration based on an estimation tree which was calibrated using incident data collected in Northern Virginia. Due to the limited sample size, a full scale test of the distribution, mean and variance of incident duration was performed only for the root node of the estimation tree, white only mean tests were executed at all other nodes whenever a data subset was available. Further studies were also conducted on the model error …


Maximally Disjoint Solutions Of The Set Covering Problem, David J. Rader, Peter L. Hammer Jul 1998

Maximally Disjoint Solutions Of The Set Covering Problem, David J. Rader, Peter L. Hammer

Mathematical Sciences Technical Reports (MSTR)

This paper is concerned with finding two solutions of a set covering problem that have a minimum number of variables in common. We show that this problem is NP­ complete, even in the case where we are only interested in completely disjoint solutions. We describe three heuristic methods based on the standard greedy algorithm for set covering problems. Two of these algorithms find the solutions sequentially, while the third finds them simultaneously. A local search method for reducing the overlap of the two given solutions is then described. This method involves the solution of a reduced set covering problem. Finally, …


Development And Evaluation Of A New Soil Erosion- Productivity Index Model (Sepim), Metthew Mulengera Jun 1998

Development And Evaluation Of A New Soil Erosion- Productivity Index Model (Sepim), Metthew Mulengera

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A soil erosion-productivity model which considers rhe effect of soil water storage Capacity. crop evapotranspiration, soil chemical and physical properties inrporrantfor Crop growth has been developed. The model is shown to give good predictions and it promises to be an improvement over the former productivity Index (PI). It also promises to give more reliable results than the currently used /nodels which consider only soil water storage capacity and crop e ' 'apotransp iration.


Trigonometric Transforms For Image Reconstruction, Thomas M. Foltz Jun 1998

Trigonometric Transforms For Image Reconstruction, Thomas M. Foltz

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation demonstrates how the symmetric convolution-multiplication property of discrete trigonometric transforms can be applied to traditional problems in image reconstruction with slightly better performance than Fourier techniques and increased savings in computational complexity for symmetric point spread functions. The fact that the discrete Fourier transform a circulant matrix provides an alternate way to derive the symmetric convolution-multiplication property for discrete trigonometric transforms. Derived in this manner, the symmetric convolution-multiplication property extends easily to multiple dimensions and generalizes to multidimensional asymmetric sequences. The symmetric convolution-multiplication property allows for linear filtering of degraded images via point-by-point multiplication in the transform domain …


Flight Test And Handling Qualities Analysis Of A Longitudinal Flight Control System Using Multiobjective Techniques, John R. Anderson Mar 1998

Flight Test And Handling Qualities Analysis Of A Longitudinal Flight Control System Using Multiobjective Techniques, John R. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the application of optimal, multiobjective control theory control theory to flight control design for the approach and landing phase of flight. Five flight control systems were designed using classical, H2, H infinity, and Mixed H2/H infinity methods. The MATLAB™ MUTOOLS™ and AFIT MXTOOLS toolboxes were used to produce the optimal, multiobjective designs. These designs were implemented for flight test on the Calspan VSS I Learjet, simulating the unstable longitudinal dynamics of an F-16 type aircraft. A limited handling qualities investigation was performed. Model following was used in the design phase to meet handling qualities specifications. The designs …


Solving Geometric Knapsack Problems Using Tabu Search Heuristics, Christopher A. Chocolaad Mar 1998

Solving Geometric Knapsack Problems Using Tabu Search Heuristics, Christopher A. Chocolaad

Theses and Dissertations

An instance of the geometric knapsack problem occurs in air lift loading where a set of cargo must be chosen to pack in a given fleet of aircraft. This paper demonstrates a new heuristic to solve this problem in a reasonable amount of time with a higher quality solution then previously reported in literature. We also report a new tabu search heuristic to solve geometric knapsack problems.


A New Sequential Goodness Of Fit Test For The Three-Parameter Weibull Distribution With Known Shape Based On Skewness And Kurtosis, Jonathan C. Clough Mar 1998

A New Sequential Goodness Of Fit Test For The Three-Parameter Weibull Distribution With Known Shape Based On Skewness And Kurtosis, Jonathan C. Clough

Theses and Dissertations

The Weibull distribution finds wide applicability across a broad spectrum of disciplines and is very prevalent in reliability theory. Consequently, numerous statistical tests have been developed to determine whether sample data can be adequately modeled with this distribution. Unfortunately, the majority of these goodness-of-fit tests involve a substantial degree of computational complexity. The study presented here develops and evaluates a new sequential goodness-of-fit test for the three-parameter Weibull distribution with a known shape that delivers power comparable to popular procedures while dramatically reducing computational requirements. The new procedure consists of two distinct tests, using only the sample skewness and sample …


Improved Mathematical Modeling For Gps Based Navigation, Salvatore Nardi Mar 1998

Improved Mathematical Modeling For Gps Based Navigation, Salvatore Nardi

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is concerned with the development of new closed form GPS position determination algorithms that work in the presence of pseudorange measurement noise. The mathematical derivation of two closed form algorithms, based on stochastic modeling and estimation techniques, is presented. The algorithms provide an estimate of the GPS solution parameters (viz., the user position and the user clock bias) as well as the estimation error covariance. The experimental results are analyzed by comparison to the baseline results from the conventional Iterative Least Squares (ILS) algorithm. In typical GPS scenarios, the closed form algorithms are extremely sensitive to noise, making …


Optimal Pulsed Pumping For Remediation Of Aquifers When Sorption Is Rate-Limited, Lawrence J. Schmitt Dec 1997

Optimal Pulsed Pumping For Remediation Of Aquifers When Sorption Is Rate-Limited, Lawrence J. Schmitt

Theses and Dissertations

A variational optimization technique is developed to acquire an optimal schedule of pulsed pumping operations for use at existing pump-and-treat aquifer remediation sites. The optimization problem is stated as a minimization of a generic management objective functional, constrained by the contaminant transport equations in two-dimensional or three-dimensional flow models which account for rate-limited sorption. The two-dimensional case is fully developed and a first-order rate equation is used to describe the transport of sorbing contaminant. The first variation provides necessary optimality conditions that must be met by any optimal solution, in turn leading to a pulsed pumping schedule of operation. The …


The Rational Resolution Analysis: A Generalization Of Multi-Resolution Analyses With Application To To The Specific Emitter Identification Problem, Bruce P. Anderson Dec 1997

The Rational Resolution Analysis: A Generalization Of Multi-Resolution Analyses With Application To To The Specific Emitter Identification Problem, Bruce P. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The rational resolution analysis RRA is introduced and developed as a generalization of the integer, dilation multiresolution analyses MRA developed by Mallat and Meyer. Rational dilation factors are achieved by relaxing the condition on MRAs that successive approximation spaces be embedded. Conditions for perfect reconstruction are discussed and it is shown that perfect reconstruction is possible with specific constraints on the scaling function the scaling filter must have its roots on the unit circle. Furthermore, the required arrangement of the roots indicate the scaling function must be derived from a B-spline of some degree. It is proven the only compactly …


Parameter Estimation For Real Filtered Sinusoids, Daniel R. Zahirniak Sep 1997

Parameter Estimation For Real Filtered Sinusoids, Daniel R. Zahirniak

Theses and Dissertations

This research develops theoretical methods for parameter estimation of filtered, pulsed sinusoids in noise and demonstrates their effectiveness for Electronic Warfare EW applications. Within the context of stochastic modeling, a new linear model, parameterized by a set of Linear Prediction LP coefficients, is derived for estimating the frequencies of filtered sinusoids. This model is an improvement over previous modeling techniques since the effects of the filter and the coefficients upon the noise statistics are properly accounted for during model development. From this linear model, a relationship between LP coefficient estimation and Maximum Likelihood ML frequency estimation is derived and several …


Correlation Of Finite Element Prediction And Experimental Measurements Of Aircraft Panel Structural Vibration, Olaf L. Storaasli Jul 1997

Correlation Of Finite Element Prediction And Experimental Measurements Of Aircraft Panel Structural Vibration, Olaf L. Storaasli

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

With the rapid development of computational capabilities and the implementation of complex tools for commercial finite element programs, predicting structural dynamics and related acoustics of complex structures is presently achievable. Structural finite element modeling is a design tool widely utilized for analysis of problems of all kinds. However, high frequency vibration of complex structures, such as the reinforced aircraft panel used for this study, currently does not correlate well with experimental measurements using conventional modeling methods. An investigation into the commonly used modeling techniques as well as the new tools of commercial finite element analysis packages for the prediction of …


Investigating The Use Of Kalman Filtering Approaches For Dynamic Origin-Destination Trip Table Estimation, Pushkin Kachroo, Kaan Ozbay, Arvind Narayanan Apr 1997

Investigating The Use Of Kalman Filtering Approaches For Dynamic Origin-Destination Trip Table Estimation, Pushkin Kachroo, Kaan Ozbay, Arvind Narayanan

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

This paper studies the applicability of Kalman filtering approaches for network wide traveler origin-destination estimation from link traffic volumes. The paper evaluates the modeling assumptions of the Kalman filters and examines the implications of such assumptions.


An Investigation Of Instantaneous Plume Rise From Rocket Exhaust, Paul F. Sand Dec 1996

An Investigation Of Instantaneous Plume Rise From Rocket Exhaust, Paul F. Sand

Theses and Dissertations

Rocket launches at Vandenburg Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Station produce exhaust clouds containing several toxic by-products, including HC1 and A12O3. These clouds rise to atmospheric stabilization heights, and then start dispersing and diffusing through the air. Upon reaching the ground, concentration levels of the toxins may present a human health risk. To predict these risks and concentration levels, range officials use a computer program titled the Rocket Effluent Exhaust Diffusion Model (REEDM). The version currently in use has been shown to underpredict the stabilization height of the exhaust cloud. This thesis examines the theory and algorithms used …


Dynamics And Control Of A Three Dimensional Gantry Crane With Cable Flexibility, Uchendu H. Eke Oct 1996

Dynamics And Control Of A Three Dimensional Gantry Crane With Cable Flexibility, Uchendu H. Eke

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The control of payload swing in industrial gantry cranes is a topic of widespread interest. In this thesis, the control of the swing of a payload idealized by a point mass assumption is investigated utilizing s, compact robotics matrix/vector representation of the dynamical model. In this form, this particular system can be viewed as sn underactuated manipulator with equal numbers of active and passive degrees of freedom. The full three dimensional model is developed and linearized by modelling the cable as a single thread of fiexible wire and the degree of dynamic coupling between the active and passive coordinates is …


A Study Of The Numerical Implementation Of Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Strategies, Rodney A. Taylor Jul 1996

A Study Of The Numerical Implementation Of Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Strategies, Rodney A. Taylor

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Design optimization provides an organized, systematic, and efficient method for obtaining design improvements based upon a specified measure of design performance. In the multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) environment efficient optimization techniques allow complex designs to be improved by managing conflicting disciplinary design goals so as to improve the global design. This thesis studies the implementation issues surrounding MDO techniques and strategies. To facilitate this investigation two testbed problems have been selected for study. These problems consider two approaches to the conceptual design of an aeroelastic wing. The first approach is based on an idealized, two-dimensional representation of an airfoil under …