The study of rigid body rocking is applicable to a wide variety of structural and non-structural elements. The current applications range from bridge pier and shallow footing design to hospital and industrial equipment, even art preservation. Despite the increasing number of theoretical and simulation studies of rocking motion, few experimental studies exist. Of those that have been published, most are focused on a constrained version of the complete problem introducing modifications to the physical problem with the purpose of eliminating either sliding, uplift or the three dimensional response of the body. However, all of these phenomena may affect the response of an unrestrained rocking body. Furthermore, the majority of the experimental studies that have been published have used methods that are ill-suited to comprehensive three dimensional experimental analysis of the problem. The intent of this work is two-fold. First, to present a computer vision method that allows for the experimental measurement of the rigid body translation and rotation time histories in three dimensions. Experimental results obtained with this method will be presented to demonstrate that it obtains greater than 97% accuracy when compared against National Institute of Standards and Technology traceable displacement sensors. The experimental results highlight important phenomena predicted in some state-of-the-art models for 3D rocking behavior. Second, to present experimental evidence of the importance of characterizing the support medium as deformable instead of the commonly assumed rigid model. It will be shown in this work that this assumption of a rigid support may in some cases lead to non-conservative analysis that is unable to predict rocking motion and, in some cases, even failure.

This thesis studies the problem of estimating the interior structure of a collapsed building using embedded Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radios as sensors. The two major sensing problems needed to build the mapping system are determining wall type and wall orientation. We develop sensing algorithms that determine (1) load-bearing wall composition, thickness, and location and (2) wall position within the indoor cavity. We use extensive experimentation and measurement to develop those algorithms. In order to identify wall types and locations, our research approach uses Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurement between pairs of UWB radios. We create an extensive database of UWB signal propagation data through various wall types and thicknesses. Once the database is built, fingerprinting algorithms are developed which determine the best match between measurement data and database information. For wall mapping, we use measurement of Time of Arrival (ToA) and Angle of Arrival (AoA) between pairs of radios in the same cavity. Using this data and a novel algorithm, we demonstrate how to determine wall material type, thickness, location, and the topology of the wall. Our research methodology utilizes experimental measurements to create the database of signal propagation through different wall materials. The work also performs measurements to determine wall position in simulated scenarios. We ran the developed algorithms over the measurement data and characterized the error behavior of the solutions. The experimental test bed uses Time Domain UWB radios with a center frequency of 4.7 GHz and bandwidth of over 3.2 GHz. The software was provided by Time Domain as well, including Performance Analysis Tool, Ranging application, and AoA application. For wall type identification, we use the P200 radio. And for wall mapping, we built a special UWB radio with both angle and distance measurement capability using one P200 radio and one P210 radio. In our experimental design for wall identification, we varied wall type and distance between the radios, while fixing the number of radios, transmit power and the number of antennas per radio. For wall mapping, we varied the locations of reference node sensors and receiver sensors on adjoining and opposite walls, while fixing cavity size, transmit power, and the number of antennas per radio. As we present in following chapters, our algorithms have very small estimation errors and can precisely identify wall types and wall positions.

In this study, Three-dimensional (3D) airflow and dispersion of pollutants were modeled under various excess wall temperature and traffic rate using the RNG k-£` turbulence model and Boussinesq approximation, which was solved numerically using the finite volume method. The street canyon is 60 m long (=L) and 20 m wide (=W). The height of five-story buildings on both sides of the street are about 16 m (=H). Hence, the street canyon has an aspect ratio (AR=H/W) of 0.8 and a length to width ratio of 3 (=L/W). Vehicle emissions were estimated from the measured traffic flow rates and modeled as banded line sources. 3D simulations reveal that the vortex line, joining the centers of cross-sectional vortices of the street canyon, meanders between street buildings. Notably, there is also a horizontal vortex within street canyon. Pollutant concentrations decline as the height increases, and are higher on the leeward side than on the windward side. The ratio of CO pollutants between leeward side and windward side is related to wind velocity. As wind smaller than 0.7 m/sec , the ratio is 1.23¡Fhowever, the ratio is 2.03 with more wind speed above 1.2 m/sec. The CO concentration reveals that the predicted values generally follow the hourly zigzag traffic rate, indicating that CO is closely related to the traffic emissions in a street canyon. The 3D airflow in the street canyon is dominated by both wind fields on buildings top and street exit. The 3D simulations reveal that air flux is 50% higher than 2D. Entrainment of outside air reduces pollutant concentrations, thus reducing concentrations of CO¡BNOx¡Band SO2 by about 51%¡B68% and 70% ,respectively. Thermal boundary layers are very thin. Entrainment of outside air increases and pollutant concentration decreases with increasing heating condition. For T = 5 K, the upward velocity on leeward side increases by about 10%, Also, the downward velocity on windward side decreases by about 28 %. Furthermore, simulation showed that the averaged inflow speed in the lateral direction increases by about 100% as compared with T = 0 K. Hence, the pollutant concentrations with T = 5 K is ony 50% of those without heating. Simulations are followed measurements in street canyon. The averaged simulated concentrations with no heating conditions are about 11~24% and 22~36% lower than measured for CO and NOx , respectively. For heating conditions and without outside traffic source, the averaged simulated concentrations with T = 2 K are 29~36% lower than the measurements. Even at T = 5 K , the concentrations are only about 54% of those without heating, due to the fact that pollutant dilution is enhanced by buoyancy force as to having more outside air entrained into the canyon. However, when traffic emissions outside two ends of canyon were considered, the simulated CO concentrations are 23% and 19% higher than those without outside traffic sources at T = 0 K and T = 2 K, respectively. Traffic-produced turbulence (TPT) enhances the turbulent kinetic energy and the mixing of temperature and admixtures in the canyon. Although the simulated means with the TPT effect are in better agreement with the measured means than those without the TPT effect, the average reduction of CO concentration by the TPT is only about 5% at a given height and heating conditions. Factors affecting the variations between this work and other studies are addressed and explained.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the static and dynamic architecture of supraspinatus throughout its volume in the normal and pathological state. The architecture was first investigated in cadaveric specimens free of any tendon pathology. Using a serial dissection and digitization method tailored for supraspinatus, the musculotendinous architecture was modeled in situ. The 3D model reconstructed in Autodesk MayaTM allowed for visualization and quantification of the fiber bundle architecture i.e. fiber bundle length (FBL), pennation angle (PA), muscle volume (MV) and tendon dimensions. Based on attachment sites and architectural parameters, the supraspinatus was found to have two architecturally distinct regions, anterior and posterior, each with three subdivisions. The findings from the cadaveric investigation served as a map and platform for the development of an ultrasound (US) protocol that allowed for the dynamic fiber bundle architecture to be quantified in vivo in normal subjects and subjects with a full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear. The architecture was studied in the relaxed state and in three contracted states (60º abduction with either neutral rotation, 80º external rotation, or 80º internal rotation). The dynamic changes in the architecture within the distinct regions of the muscle were not uniform and varied as a function of joint position. Mean FBL in the anterior region shortened significantly with contraction (p<0.05) but not in the posterior. In the anterior region, mean PA was significantly smaller in the middle part compared to the deep (p<0.05). Comparison of the normal and pathological muscle found large differences in the percentage change of FBL and PA with contraction. The architectural parameter that showed the largest changes with tendon pathology was PA. In sum, the results showed that the static and dynamic fiber bundle architecture of supraspinatus is heterogeneous throughout the muscle volume and may influence tendon stresses. The architectural data collected in this study and the 3D muscle model can be used to develop future contractile models. The US protocol may serve as an assessment tool to predict the functional outcome of rehabilitative exercises and surgery.

Orientador: Ruis Camargo Tokimatsu / Resumo: A modelagem tridimensional muito já contribuiu com a indústria do entretenimento e agora tem sido amplamente utilizada na manufatura e criação de novos produtos. A possibilidade de se ter um modelo de um produto a um preço menor e com uma maior rapidez tem feito essa técnica ser cada vez mais aceita em todas as áreas da engenharia. Quando já se tem um modelo real e deseja-se realizar alguma modificação, simulação ou mesmo replicar o produto, a engenharia reversa muito pode contribuir, pois permite a obtenção do modelo tridimensional a partir do objeto real. Os equipamentos de digitalização tridimensional têm um alto custo de investimento, mesmo os de baixa precisão. A comunidade de entusiastas de software e hardware livre busca também distribuir e popularizar o conhecimento compartilhando suas descobertas e contribuindo abertamente com outras iniciativas. Buscamos nesse projeto construir um scanner 3D utilizando software e hardware livre utilizando componentes de baixo custo e fácil aquisição, estabelecendo seus limites técnicos, estimulando assim a adoção de técnicas de engenharia reversa. O processo de calibragem, captura e pós tratamento da nuvem de pontos obtidas foi detalhado na construção de modelos para comparação de dimensões e levantamento de características da superfície do material. / Mestre

Submitted by Sandro Moreira (moreira.sandro@gmail.com) on 2017-01-18T18:23:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SandroMoreira-DissertacaoMestradoFinal.pdf: 12934831 bytes, checksum: a63cb94b201b877dc272a7bccad284bc (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-01-23T19:48:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 moreira_ss_me_ilha.pdf: 12934831 bytes, checksum: a63cb94b201b877dc272a7bccad284bc (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-23T19:48:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 moreira_ss_me_ilha.pdf: 12934831 bytes, checksum: a63cb94b201b877dc272a7bccad284bc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-06 / A modelagem tridimensional muito já contribuiu com a indústria do entretenimento e agora tem sido amplamente utilizada na manufatura e criação de novos produtos. A possibilidade de se ter um modelo de um produto a um preço menor e com uma maior rapidez tem feito essa técnica ser cada vez mais aceita em todas as áreas da engenharia. Quando já se tem um modelo real e deseja-se realizar alguma modificação, simulação ou mesmo replicar o produto, a engenharia reversa muito pode contribuir, pois permite a obtenção do modelo tridimensional a partir do objeto real. Os equipamentos de digitalização tridimensional têm um alto custo de investimento, mesmo os de baixa precisão. A comunidade de entusiastas de software e hardware livre busca também distribuir e popularizar o conhecimento compartilhando suas descobertas e contribuindo abertamente com outras iniciativas. Buscamos nesse projeto construir um scanner 3D utilizando software e hardware livre utilizando componentes de baixo custo e fácil aquisição, estabelecendo seus limites técnicos, estimulando assim a adoção de técnicas de engenharia reversa. O processo de calibragem, captura e pós tratamento da nuvem de pontos obtidas foi detalhado na construção de modelos para comparação de dimensões e levantamento de características da superfície do material. / The three-dimensional modeling has contributed much to the entertainment industry and has now been widely used in manufacturing and creating new products. The possibility of having a model of a product at a lower price and a higher speed have made this technique is increasingly accepted in all fields of engineering. When there is already a real model and you want to make any changes, simulation or even replicate the product, reverse engineering can greatly contribute, as it allows to obtain three-dimensional model from the real object. The three-dimensional scanning equipment have a high investment cost, even low accuracy. The community of enthusiasts of open source and open hardware also distribute and popularize knowledge sharing his findings and openly contribute to other initiatives. We seek in this study, build a scanner 3D using free software and hardware components using low-cost and easy acquisition, establishing its technical limits, stimulating the adoption of reverse engineering techniques. The calibration, capture and post-treatment process of the cloud of points obtained was detailed in the construction of models for comparison of dimensions and survey of surface characteristics of the material.

This study examined the effectiveness of three instructional and assessment strategies on conceptual understanding of the DNA molecule. Specifically, a model building task was utilized to determine if physical model construction, digital model construction with a touchscreen tablet computer, or paper worksheet activity effected conceptual understanding during the initial exposure to an abstract science concept. The DNA molecule was chosen as an exemplary three-dimensional, abstract concept with physical and digital model building interventions. Conceptual understanding was measured using an objective quiz, a drawing of a DNA molecule, and a hand-written explanation of DNA. Conceptual understanding was measured immediately after intervention and again two months later. The study examined effects to conceptual understanding of model building by comparing physical models constructed using foam pieces and digital models constructed using a touchscreen tablet computer. A control group completed a paper worksheet activity on the topic of DNA. In all conditions, an instructional video about DNA was used to standardize the content taught. To account for the potential covariates of spatial ability and attitudes to scientific inquiry, participants completed a mental rotation test to measure spatial ability and an attitudes to scientific inquiry survey. A total of 161 students across six intact 9th-grade Living Environment classrooms participated in the study. The results from the three conceptual understanding measures were compared among the three groups at both immediate and delayed post-test timepoints as well as across the two post-test timepoints. For both immediate and delayed post-test, there were no differences among the groups for the objective quiz measure. However, the physical model group outperformed the digital model and control groups in both the drawing and explanation measures at both timepoints (p < 0.01). Across the two timepoints, the control group showed a significant degree of forgetting for the objective quiz measure (p < 0.001) and the digital group demonstrated a significant degree of forgetting for the objective quiz measure (p = 0.03) and drawing measure (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the delayed post-test and pre-test of the objective quiz for the physical model group (p < 0.001) and no significant difference between the post-test and delayed post-test for the objective quiz for the physical model group suggesting long-term conceptual understanding and retention. Overall, the physical model group demonstrated greater conceptual understanding at immediate and delayed timepoints for the drawing and explanation measures as well as significant retention of conceptual understanding of DNA as measured by the objective quiz across three timepoints. The digital model group demonstrated a greater degree of forgetting for objective quiz and drawing measures as well as underperformed in the three conceptual understanding measures at both post-test and delayed post-test timepoints. This suggests that the greater degree of physical, haptic manipulation of a three-dimensional model aids in conceptual understanding at all three measures as well as long-term memory when compared with the limited haptic interactions with a two-dimensional touchscreen device.

Enhanced biodegradation using carbon donor and microbial addition is being considered as a possible remediation technique for a trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated area in Sunset, Utah, west of the source area on Hill Air Force Base. As a precursor to any in situ remediation attempts, several laboratory treatability experiments are being conducted, including the construction of microcosms and flow-through columns. Nine large-scale flow-through columns were built using site groundwater and aquifer material. Bromide tracer tests were conducted to establish and understand the hydraulic conditions within the columns prior to the commencement of the TCE biodegradation experiments. Four predictive models were created to show potential degradation scenarios in the columns and in the field using microcosm data for various system treatments. Treatments selected for modeling indicated that carbon addition alone is insufficient in stimulating dechlorination of TCE. Microbial amendments will be necessary in the column systems when the TCE dechlorination experiments begin.

Networked virtual reality environments including virtual worlds devoted to entertainment, online socializing and remote collaboration have grown in popularity with the rise of commercially available consumer graphics hardware and the growing ubiquity of the Internet. These virtual worlds are typified by a persistent simulated three-dimensional space that communicates over a computer network, where users interact with the environment and each other through digital avatars. Development of these virtual worlds challenges the limits of the networking infrastructure, 3D streaming graphics techniques, and the distributed computing design of the virtual world systems that manages the simulation. In this dissertation, we explore solutions to different aspects of the overall problem of developing a general purpose, networked virtual environment, focusing on the networking and software system issues. Specifically, we show how to improve the networking infrastructure to better support the high packet-rate traffic that is typical of virtual worlds, efficiently stream terrain data for remote rendering, and construct a dynamically adaptive distributed systems framework suitable for virtual world simulations.

No description available.