Presently, the industry accepted method for determining the positive moment strength of gravity loaded standing seam metal roof systems is the "Base Test Method". The Base Test Method provides a means for determining the positive moment strength of a multiple span, multiple purlin line standing seam roof system using the results from a set of six single span, simply supported, two-purlin line experimental tests. A set of six base tests must be conducted for each combination of purlin profile, deck panel profile, clip type, and intermediate bracing configuration. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the possibility of eliminating some of the roof system parameters specifically, clip type, purlin flange width, and roof panel thickness. This study used the results from nine series of tests. Each series consists of 11 to 14 gravity loaded base tests. The first three series were used to examine the effects of clip type on the strength of standing seam roof system. The final six series was used to examine the effects of flange width and roof panel thickness. All nine series were constructed using Z-purlin sections with flanges facing the same direction (like orientation). Based on the results of this study, clip type, purlin flange width, and roof panel thickness all have an effect on the strength of standing seam roof systems. Although none of the roof components can be completely eliminated from the required test matrix, by using trend relationships an acceptable test protocol was developed that results in a significant reduction in the number of required base tests. / Master of Science

A large percentage of Southern Appalachian coal reserves are located in seams less than 36" thick. As thicker and currently more mineable, deposits are exhausted, methods of underground thin-seam extraction will have to be developed. These methods must be capable of removing coal efficiently and economically. Past experience with highwall mining of thin-seam coal has indicated that recovery rates tend to be lower than in conventional operations. It is suspected that this will also apply to underground thin-seam mining, regardless of proposed technology or mining method. A method of increasing recoveries from thin-seam mining operations is necessary in order to exploit thin-seam reserves. Backfilling is one alternative that may find applicability in thin-seam coal mining. The ability of backfill to provide additional ground support may enhance coal recovery by allowing for the design of undersized pillars. Backfill has been used extensively in hard rock mining but has found limited use in coal mining. Its adaptability to thin-seam coal mining has been examined and is presented in this thesis. Backfill is capable of providing additional ground support by restricting lateral deformation of surrounding coal pillars and roof. This additional support can result in significant increases in recovery from thin-seam coal deposits. However, the overall feasibility of backfill is dependent on the in situ behavior of the fill material, the properties of the fill, the effects of the filling method on the total mining operation, and the cost of filling per extra ton of coal recovered. The influence of these parameters has been studied and indicate that, in certain situations, backfilling for the purpose of increasing recovery rates from thin-seam coal mines is feasible. / Master of Science

It is predicted that coal mining in Southwest Virginia, and the economic stability that it brings to the area, will continue to decline over the next decade unless an environmentally sound, and economically viable means can be found to extract seams of high quality coal in the thickness range of 14 to 28 inches. Research into autonomous machine guidance, coupled with developments of thin-seam mining equipment, offer new opportunities for devising mining layouts suitable for extracting these thin seams in a cost effective manner. These layouts must involve well-planned transportation and ventilation routes that will allow safe conditions for personnel. This implies that the mining face, where coal is extracted, will be completely automated, ensuring the safety of the workers. This thesis presents a brief overview of current technologies utilized for underground coal mining in the United States. This is followed by a review of developments in highwall mining that are potentially applicable in underground mining of thin seams. Some past attempts at thin seam mining are discussed, and evaluated for their short comings. An overview of the more recent advances in the guidance systems for use in autonomous mining machines is also presented. The new advances that several manufacturers are developing to address the integration of mining and continuous haulage systems are also investigated. That background is employed in devising a conceptual mining system for the underground mining of coal seams in the 14 to 28 inch range of thickness. This thesis proves that adapting new technologies and concepts from existing ones can lead to meaningful advances in the field of natural resources recovery. This system utilizes a newly designed panel layout that takes into account haulage, supplying, ventilation, equipment, and machine guidance. This system is proposed to show that new ways can be developed to take advantage of the reserves in the 14 to 28 inch range of thickness. This shows that new technology and design innovation can turn currently uneconomic resources, into economic reserves. This kind of innovation is what is needed to keep this region of Southwest Virginia economically viable. This system is a huge step in the direction that thin-seam research needs to take. Most of the equipment suggested for this proposed system is already available. / Master of Science

We propose a method of adaptive image denoising using a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to select between multiple well-performing contemporary denoising algorithms for each pixel of a noisy image. We begin by proposing a simple method for realistically generating noisy images, and also describe a number of novel and pre-existing features based on seam energy, local colour, and saliency which are used as classifier inputs. Our SVM strategic image denoising (SVMSID) results demonstrate better image quality than either candidate denoising algorithm for images of moderate noise level, as measured using the perceptually-based quaternion structural similarity image metric (QSSIM). We also demonstrate a modified training point selection method to improve robustness across many noise levels, and propose various extensions to SVMSID for further exploration. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

It is not uncommon for underground coal mining to be conducted in the proximity of abandoned underground mines that are prone to accumulate water, methane or other toxic gases, and are often either poorly mapped or without good surface survey control. Mining into such abandoned voids poses a great safety risk to personnel, equipment, and production from inundation or toxic/explosive gas release. Often, surface or underground drilling is employed to detect the mine void and evaluate the hazards, sometimes with disastrous results. The use of guided waves within coal seams can be utilized to locate voids, faults, and abrupt seam thickness changes. The use of seam waves for void detection and mine planning has tremendous value and use. To demonstrate the feasibility of abandoned mine void detection utilizing coal seam seismic waves, two in-seam reflection surveys and a transmission survey were acquired at an abandoned underground mine near Hurley, Virginia. Numerical modeling of the seam waves was examined as well. The Airy phase was observed in the synthetic and real field data. Dispersion analysis of the field data shows reasonable agreement with the dispersion characteristics of the synthetic data. Using standard commonly available seismic reflection processing tools, a known and well-mapped mine was detected and located. Detection of the mine with both surveys indicates that ``exploratory'' drilling can be replaced by noninvasive seismic methods. Location, however, was not good enough to replace drilling entirely. Hence seismic methods can be used for detection, but if a potential void is detected, focused drilling should be applied for accurate mapping and circumvention of potentially hazardous areas. / Master of Science

Stremeckas Š. Strains and deformations state research of louded welded joint with circular soft seam: Master thesis of mechanical engineer / research advisor associate prof. habil. dr. A.Bražėnas, Šiauliai university, department of technologic, department of mechanical engineering. – Šiauliai, 2006. – 30 p. Welded joints has an important part in production of ships, machines, buildings and other important industrial parts. These joints are mostly in the concentration zones of important constructions from which belongs their strenght and durabily because during the work the proportional limits of materiais are exceeded and there static or cyclic elasto-plastic strain appears. Therefore investigations of these welded joints are very important. In the first chapter there is a review about mechanically heterogeneous welded joints. It describes parameters of simetric welded joint with simple soft seam. The second chapter presents analysis of separate welded joint parameters. Obtained analysis allows appraise condition of mild and hard materials and properly evaluate state of welded joint from which belongs construction strenght and durability.

In working to address the properties of laser welds of aluminum class 5000th These alloys are characterized by low strength and good corrosion resistance. Created a few sample welds on Yb-YAG optical laser, which is subjected to mechanical testing . Procedures are provided in the work of laser technology and welding, as well as general properties and defects in welds. Made welds was evaluated and listed the best welding parameters of the studied process parameters .

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The depletion of more attractive thicker and easily accessible coal seams in the central Appalachia will direct attention towards the extraction of coal seams thinner than 28 in. This thesis investigates the feasibility of an integrated mining and backfilling system applicable to thin seams. Two conceptual mining systems, namely Auger mining and Self Advancing Miner, have been proposed for this purpose. Both these systems are designed to remotely mine coal from the seams. Several attempts were made in the past to mine coal in a similar fashion but were not very successful due to several problems inherent to thin seams. The lack of effective steering techniques, accurate coal/rock interface and pillar thickness detection techniques were the main shortcomings of the systems. These problems were addressed in the proposed conceptual mining systems. Several coal/rock interface and rib thickness detection techniques currently available in the market or in the prototype stage have been discussed. Recent developments in coal/rock interface detection and direction sensing techniques have good potential in alleviating the previously encountered problems. Sensitivity analyses have been performed to assess the of effect critical mining parameters on the production potential of these systems. The self advancing miner has been found to be more promising than auger mining. Conceptual panels and face layouts for both systems have been included. Two types of filling methods namely pneumatic and hydraulic are considered applicable under thin seam conditions. A backfilling technique using rubber hoses for fill placement can be applied with both methods. Sensitivity analysis have been performed to establish the relationship between face operation cost, filling cost per ton and development cost per foot. Resulting analyses indicate that panel cost per short ton of coal is more sensitive to filling cost than on development cost. / Master of Science

This is a study in which landscape architecture is theoretically related to the "textile art." It establishes a theoretical analogy of the landscape as a kind of textual manifestation, "the landscape is a textile," and aims to establish new resemblances that show how the landscape and textile arts are related, not only with regards to the elements of composition, or to similarities between the elemental relationships that exist in both these arts, but to how the study of structure and form in the production of textiles may influence our understanding of the textile nature of the landscape. The first part of the research is developing a theoretical analogy between landscape and fabric. The process of making textiles is based on weaving and knitting, operations in which knots obviously play a most important role. The context of the urban landscape can also be viewed as a woven fabric of different threads, where knots are the summit of this interwoven textile. This study shows that the goal of landscape is to knit together the clusters of meaning so that the person can experience the unity that binds up these different qualities. Based on this theoretical analogy, the second part uses the "action research" method which in the context of this study would be a scholarly practice of design, "design-research." Both parts of the research are qualitative inquiry in nature and the qualitative manner of the investigation calls for an inductive investigation rather than a deductive one; theoretical discussions and the design section rely heavily on interpretation of the researcher. / Master of Landscape Architecture