Analysis and Design of Wood Construction Platforms Using Instrumentation

Wood construction platforms are a common method for inexpensive, temporary soil stabilization under heavy machinery; however, platforms are not typically thought of as an engineered product. Review of literature has shown that only one design method is currently available and is specific to one type of platform configuration. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a design method that is simple, versatile and accurate. The proposed design method was intentionally developed so that the designer would have input in multiple areas of the design. Instrumentation allowed for increased insight into the mechanical behavior of the platforms. The objective of this research is to use measured strain, load, and deflection in conjunction with fundamental engineering mechanics principles to predict a single platform’s mechanical behavior on the ground. Results from this method compare favorably with the only other design guide available and improves the knowledge base by developing design guidance for any type of wood construction platform

The relationship between parental incarceration and African-American high school students\u27 attitudes towards school and family

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether African-American adolescent high school students who have (or have had) at least one parent incarcerated differed on several variables as compared to African-American adolescent high school students who lived with both parents and those who did not have an incarcerated parent but who lived with only one parent.;John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia was the institution studied for this project. John Marshall was chosen for several reasons: the student researcher had access to this population and it was believed that a majority of the students at this institution came from homes where at least one parent was (or had been) incarcerated.;Each student was administered the Children\u27s Depression Inventory (CDI), the Multidimensional Self Concept Scale (MSCS), and the Family Environment Scale (FES). In addition, data from students\u27 cumulative folders were analyzed: grade point averages, attendance data, standardized test scores, and disciplinary referrals (if any). Students also answered questions on a 14-item researcher-generated questionnaire. The questions, Likert in nature, assessed students\u27 feelings and perceptions about their family and school environments, as well as their parent relationships.;It was hypothesized that (1) there would be a difference between academic performance, daily absenteeism rate to school, classroom behavior, and attitudes towards school of African-American high school students who have (or have had) at least one incarcerated parent as measured by students\u27 transcripts, standardized test data, school attendance records, and teacher-generated disciplinary referrals and (2) there would be a difference on the variables of depression, self concept, and family environment among African-American adolescent high school students who have (or have had) at least one incarcerated parent and (a) African-American adolescent high school students who lived with both parents and (b) African-American adolescent high school students who did not have an incarcerated parent but who lived with one parent as measured by the Children\u27s Depression Inventory, the Multidimensional Self Concept Scale, and the Family Environment Scale.;The results of the study indicate that there were no differences in students who lived with both parents, in students who did not have an incarcerated parent but who lived with only one parent, and those who have (or have had) at least one parent incarcerated on the measures of depression, self concept, and family environment.;Further study is needed to determine the effects of parent incarceration on African-American school children

Towards a methodology for integrated freeform manufacturing systems development with a control systems emphasis

A variety of fully integrated Freeform Fabrication (FFF) systems have been developed, a selected group for research and several for commercialization. The design methodology behind most of them is not documented, standardized, or rational. It is important to understand that the final product from any integrated system is affected not only by the unit manufacturing processes themselves, but also by the extent the individual units are assimilated into an integrated process. Thus, a scheme consisting of eight steps and the salient five elements necessary to create or retrofit an existing system to achieve an Integrated Freeform Manufacturing System (FFMS) is proposed in this thesis. Specifically, mass-change, deformation and consolidation unit manufacturing processes are emphasized, as the priority is focused on rapid prototyping (RP) technologies. To illustrate the proposed scheme, the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) Laser Aided Manufacturing Process (LAMP) system is presented --Abstract, page iv

Analysis and Design of Wood Construction Platforms Using Instrumentation

Wood construction platforms are a common method for inexpensive, temporary soil stabilization under heavy machinery; however, platforms are not typically thought of as an engineered product. Review of literature has shown that only one design method is currently available and is specific to one type of platform configuration. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a design method that is simple, versatile and accurate. The proposed design method was intentionally developed so that the designer would have input in multiple areas of the design. Instrumentation allowed for increased insight into the mechanical behavior of the platforms. The objective of this research is to use measured strain, load, and deflection in conjunction with fundamental engineering mechanics principles to predict a single platform’s mechanical behavior on the ground. Results from this method compare favorably with the only other design guide available and improves the knowledge base by developing design guidance for any type of wood construction platform

A Review of Layer Based Manufacturing Processes for Metals

The metal layered manufacturing processes have provided industries with a fast method to build functional parts directly from CAD models. This paper compares current metal layered manufacturing technologies from including powder based metal deposition, selective laser sinstering (SLS), wire feed deposition etc. The characteristics of each process, including its industrial applications, advantages/disadvantages, costs etc are discussed. In addition, the comparison between each process in terms of build rate, suitable metal etc. is presented in this paper.Mechanical Engineerin

Automated Retrieval of Non-Engineering Domain Solutions to Engineering Problems

Organised by: Cranfield UniversityBiological inspiration for engineering design has occurred through a variety of techniques such as creation and use of databases, keyword searches of biological information in natural-language format, prior knowledge of biology, and chance observations of nature. This research focuses on utilizing the reconciled Functional Basis function and flow terms to identify suitable biological inspiration for function based design. The organized search provides two levels of results: (1) associated with verb function only and (2) narrowed results associated with verb-noun (function-flow). A set of heuristics has been complied to promote efficient searching using this technique. An example for creating smart flooring is also presented and discussed.Mori Seiki – The Machine Tool Compan

Automation of A Hybrid Manufacturing System through Tight Integration of Software and Sensor Feedback

This paper presents a framework for the automation of the Laser Aided Manufacturing Process (LAMP) lab at the University of Missouri-Rolla. The groundwork for the proposed system involves the integration of the LabVIEW software package and a PXI-8195 real time controller with several sensors and actuators. The incorporation of all key control parameters into one virtual instrument will help achieve the goal of an automated hybrid system. To achieve this goal, a five-phase plan, which will be further discussed in the paper, has been developed. The first phase of this plan, which includes the deposition of a thin walled structure without DNC communication between LabVIEW and the CNC has been achieved, and will be the focus of this paper

Exploring the relationship between social and financial support and academic success in allied dental programs

Social support has many affects on quality of life as well as student success.Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs states that lower level needs such as physiological and safety needs must be met in order for an individual to meet higher level needs, such as selfactualization. Social and financial support provide a means for students to have a variety of needs met. This research study was executed to investigate the nature of the relationship between social and financial support and student success in allied dental programs. This study surveyed people who attended and completed a CODA-accredited dental hygiene or dental assisting program in the United States, or who were in their final semester of such a program (N = 195). Instruments employing likert-type scales were utilized, and demographics were collected. Findings unveiled a positive relationship between academic success and general social support as well as social support from peers specifically. However, they also revealed that there is not a significant relationship between academic success and parental support or financial support. Data yielded information regarding the importance of social support in allied dental student success, which may help to direct how such programs encourage establishing of social bonds within cohorts. Finally, limitations and future directions are addressed

Developing A Sustainable Model for Impactful Academic Advising

The primary focus of this research is advising delivery models for community colleges. This capstone focused on the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), namely John Tyler Community College (JTCC). The research focused on delivering the most consistently supportive advising framework for faculty, staff, and students. A mixed-methods study was used by way of an online survey and in-person focus groups. Secondary data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) was used to compare JTCC to other colleges in the VCCS. This study also focused on best practices regarding academic advising and advisor development, evaluated the needs of current advising personnel, and provided academic advising strategies specifically for the JTCC student population. Using that information, this paper offers strategies for the successful implementation of new advising processes for institutions experiencing structural change