Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 92-94)

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.75-81).

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 67-68).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 191-196).

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (p.43).

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Automation of hydraulic earth moving and construction equipment is of prime economic and social importance in today's marketplace. A human operator can be replaced or augmented with a robotic system when the job is too dull, dirty or dangerous. There are a myriad of applications in both Government and Industry that could benefit from augmenting or replacing an operator of hydraulic equipment with an intelligent robotic system. A specific important situation is the removal of unexploded ordnance (UXO). The removal of UXO is a troubling environmental problem that plagues people around the world. This document addresses the danger that UXO pose to military groups in applications such as active range clearance and disposal of unexploded or dud munitions. Disposing of these munitions is a difficult problem, which first begins by determining their location. The process can be aided through the use of teleoperated hydraulic equipment, which allows the operator to be located at a safe distance from these munitions. In the past, converting a large piece of hydraulic construction equipment for teleoperated use has been an expensive task. An important result of this research is demonstrating that through readily available commercial products and existing design methodologies, such robotic tasks can be accomplished at relatively low cost and in a timely, reliable fashion. / Master of Science

High-resolution sonar systems are primarily used for ocean floor surveys and port security operations but produce images of limited resolution. In turn, a sonar-specific methodology is required to detect and classify underwater unexploded ordnance (UXO) using the low-resolution sonar data. After researching and reviewing numerous approaches the Multiple Aspect-Fixed Range Template Matching (MAFR-TM) algorithm was developed. The MAFR-TM algorithm is specifically designed to detect and classify a target of high characteristic impedance in an environment that contains similar shaped objects of low characteristic impedance. MAFR-TM is tested against a tank and field data set collected by the Sound Metrics Corp. DIDSON US300. This thesis document proves the MAFR-TM can detect, classify, orient, and locate a target in the sector-scan sonar images. This paper focuses on the MAFR-TM algorithm and its results. / by Lisa Nicole Brisson. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The dominant liberal peacebuilding critiques tends to focus on ‘states’ and the failure of interventions in rebuilding them. Consequently, a standardised critique has emerged largely because the critics apply a broad brush across a diverse range of contexts, programmes, issues and activities as illustrated by the lack of scrutiny on mine action and emerging contexts such as Somaliland. The liberal peacebuilding critics critique the standardised ‘one size fits all approach’ employed by interveners, yet they take the same approach. I therefore argue for the need to broaden the critique to include other elements and contexts of peacebuilding. I demonstrate that as an intervention mine action has intrinsic peacebuilding potential. However, the way mine action is implemented both globally and in Somaliland reflects the same dominant characteristics of the liberal peacebuilding critique i.e.; it is externally led; uses technical and standardised formulaic approaches; disregards local context thus failing to secure local ownership. Attributes that the critics argue have led to the failure and/or limited success of peacebuilding interventions. I therefore contend with the critics and demonstrate how these attributes have contributed to the challenges of implementing mine action activities thereby limiting mine actions ‘peace-ability’ potential in Somaliland. However, beyond the implementation modalities there are other factors that further contribute to limiting this potential; these include the Sector Actors; the Somaliland context i.e. the historical and political context, and the perception of Somaliland people. Thus in conclusion I argue for a nuanced critique that acknowledges the challenging realities of implementing programmes in challenging post conflict environments.

This study addresses the need for improved risk assessment (RA) during explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) at sea by highlighting the environmental and operational complexities of handling unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the marine environment. It discusses the increasing demand for offshore EOD due to the construction of offshore wind parks and initiatives proactively addressing UXO dump sites. Conducting EOD work professionally and diligently to prevent accidents and environmental contamination will, hence, continue to be of paramount importance. In an effort to understand the RA tools that are available to EOD experts, this work reviews ten RA methods and identifies a methodological gap, thereby revealing the need for a new EOD RA method. Consequently, it introduces a novel method named the Risk Assessment Model for Unexploded underwater Military Munitions (RUMMs). This model is based on a directed graph and considers properties and aspects of the UXO, the environment, and the EOD procedure. RUMMs, which can be used during early EOD planning states or immediately before UXO handling, calculates the probability of an undesired detonation, the consequence of an undesired detonation, and the complexity of the EOD operation. The model is extensively explored by means of local sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation to demonstrate its reliability. Subsequently, RUMMs is tested with twenty EOD operations, which yield plausible model outputs that are in line with expectations and real-world decisions. The model's consistent and reproducible results, unaffected by fatigue or time pressure, add a new layer of reliability to EOD decision-making.:1 Introduction 1.1 Offshore UXO in a Multi-Use and Multiple Stressor Environment 1.2 Focus, Scope, and Purpose of this Dissertation 1.3 Research Hypotheses 1.4 Structure of the Dissertation 2 The Issue of Offshore Unexploded Ordnance 2.1 Background and Context 2.2 UXO Properties 2.3 Potential Effects of the Presence of UXO 2.4 Conclusion—The Case for Explosive Ordnance Disposal 3 Offshore Explosive Ordnance Disposal 3.1 EOD frameworks 3.2 EOD procedure According to the Selected Framework 3.3 EOD in Practice 3.4 Environmental Properties Affecting EOD 3.5 Conclusion—The Case for EOD Risk Assessment 4 Review of Risk Assessment Methodologies 4.1 Risk—A Brief Overview 4.2 Preparation of the Offshore UXO and EOD Risk Assessment Review 4.3 Offshore UXO Risk Assessment Review 4.4 Conclusion—The Case for a Novel Method for EOD RA 5 Development and Description of the EOD RA Model 5.1 Background of the EOD RA Model 5.2 Development Process of RUMMs 5.3 Undesired Events 5.4 Exceptions, Inherent Risk and Residual Risk 5.5 Risk Receptors 5.6 The Two Model Layouts 5.7 RUMMs Factors 5.8 Omitted Factors 5.9 Model Outputs 5.10 Other RUMMs Functionalities 5.11 Model Limitations 5.12 Conclusion—The Case for Model Exploration and Testing 6 Methodological Exploration and Application 6.1 Local Sensitivity Analysis 6.2 Monte Carlo Simulation 6.3 Application of RUMMs 6.4 Revision of the Gap Analysis 6.5 The Future of RUMMs 6.6 Conclusion—The Case for Real World Application 7 Conclusion 7.1 Recap of the Research Hypotheses 7.2 Outlook on RUMMs 7.3 Recommendations for UXO and EOD Research 7.4 RUMMs’ Response to Other Demands 7.5 RUMMs and the Way Forward in Offshore EOD