Graduate Projects (Mechanical Engineering)

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    Simulation & Formation Control for Leader- Follower Wheeled Mobile Robots Based on Embedded Control Technique
    (2023-12-19) Jayasingha Appuhamilage, Chathusanka
    Formation control has garnered significant attention from researchers in recent times. This heightened interest can be attributed to its applicability in a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to search and rescue operations, agricultural coverage jobs, and area patrols. This surge in attention is primarily attributed to its ability to enhance efficiency, reliability, and the capacity to accomplish complex tasks effectively within these domains. Formation control for ground vehicles has particularly been useful for application such as cargo transportation, cooperative manipulation, and surveillance and exploration and many more [2]. Combining sensors on robots in a formation enables them to scan larger areas more quickly by directing sensors in different directions, surpassing the smaller area of coverage of a single robot can achieve during the same time. This enhances the efficiency of the search and exploration process compared to individual robot operations. For this project, a formation control strategy based on the embedded control technique for a leader-follower system was used. The proposed technique divides the formation control problem into two subtasks, which is different from the traditional design philosophy of basing the formation controller design directly on the formation tracking errors [3]. Two subtasks are virtual signal generator and trajectory tracking controller. The virtual signal generator achieves the desired formation control goal and outputs a reference signal to the trajectory tracking controller of the follower [3]. The embedded control technique reduces the complexity of directly implementing formation tracking errors while providing several other benefits as well. A predesigned mobile robot model in CoppeliaSim was used as the leader and follower. The robots were programmed to implement the controller and simulate the system. Finally, a number of tests were performed adjusting gains and observing the performance of the robots to identify the optimal performance gain values. Gains were adjusted with the goal of minimizing the error and reducing the motion jerk of the follower.
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    High-Performance Brick Mortar Mix to Optimize Moisture Management in Brick Wall
    (2023-08-16) XIA, HAI; Valeo, Caterina; Mukhopadhyaya, Phalguni
    The durability of exterior building envelopes is significantly impacted by the presence of water, particularly through the capillary rise mechanism that allows liquid water to penetrate building materials. This process affects both the energy efficiency and durability of buildings. To assess the capillary water intake into porous building materials, the water absorption coefficient is used as a characterization parameter. Additionally, the water vapor permeability of a material indicates its ability to allow moisture to diffuse and escape. In this project, two concentrations of zinc stearate (0.5% w/w and 1% w/w) were added to commonly used mortar. Following the ASTM standard test procedure, the liquid water absorption coefficients and water vapor permeability of brick, mortars, and brick mortar joints were determined. These experimental values were utilized as inputs for the hygrothermal performance analysis (numerical modelling) of the brick wall assembly. The experimental findings suggest that the addition of zinc stearate to the mortar can reduce water absorption capacity while simultaneously enhancing water vapor permeability. Numerical modelling results further demonstrate that the use of high-performance brick mortar materials can significantly improve the moisture management capability for brick walls in the marine-warm and humid climate of Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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    Prediction of Orthogonal Cutting Forces Based on Multi-fidelity Modeling
    (2023-04-26) Ahmadi, Keivan
    Simplified analytical models of chip formation mechanics (e.g. the well-known Merchant’s model) are widely used to compute the machining forces in orthogonal cutting operations. The accuracy of analytical models, however, diminishes when the cutting edge has a rounded shape, known as edge (or hone) radius, which is common for most cutting tools. Finite element (FE) simulation can be used to obtain more accurate predictions of the forces in the presence of edge radius, but FE is computationally expensive because it should numerically solve a thermo-mechanical contact problem with nonlinear material properties to model the plastic deformation and damage of the workpiece. The high computational cost of FE simulations indeed becomes crucial when the force model is used for process optimization or for online simulations in the digital twin of the machining process. In this research, we present a computationally efficient data-driven model with acceptable accuracy when compared to the FE simulation. The presented model combines the predictions of FE simulations (i.e., high-fidelity dataset) and the predictions of the analytical model (i.e., low-fidelity dataset) and generates a new regression multi-fidelity model. The high-fidelity dataset is generated by an FE simulation in Abaqus and using Johnson-Cook constitutive equation to model the plastic deformation and damage of an aluminum workpiece during chip formation. The low-fidelity dataset is generated by Merchant’s analytical model. In both datasets, the inputs are the tool rake angle and uncut chip thickness, and the outputs are the cutting and feed forces. In total, 440 data points (40 high-fidelity points and 400 low-fidelity points) are generated. Based on this dataset, a multi-fidelity model is trained and tested through the emulator-embedded neural network (E2NN) method. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) is then computed between the predictions of the trained model and the predictions from the FE simulation to quantify the performance of the presented multi-fidelity model. The results show a close agreement between the predictions of the high-fidelity and the multi-fidelity models. The computed RMSE was less than 8.5%. Yet, the accuracy would gradually improve by increasing the high-fidelity samples. Moreover, note that the computational time of a FE simulation is typically a few (~5) minutes while it is less than a second for the presented multi-fidelity model. The presented modelling approach therefore can efficiently replace high-cost FE simulations in process optimization or online simulations.
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    Structural Health Monitoring of the Marine Structure Using Guided Wave and UAV-based testing
    (2023-04-25) Gupta, Yugansh; Shi, Yang
    The marine industry encompasses a vast range of structures that can be challenging to access, and thus highly mobile systems can be useful for efficient structural health monitoring. This research aims to investigate the feasibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for deploying various non-destructive testing (NDT) methods to inspect steel structures. In addition, we are evaluating piezoelectric patches (PZT) based detection systems that can provide early warnings of corrosion and fatigue cracks. The study analyzes the pitch and catches method using time-of-flight (TOF) to detect cracks and defects, the UAV-based hammer percussion test for frequency response, and the use of an infrared-mounted camera on the drone for NDT purposes. The goal is to identify the best approach for monitoring the health of marine structures.
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    The Boundary and Excitation Effect of Non-Spherical Granular Material
    (2023-03-21) YASEEN, GHULAM; Nadler, Ben
    Non-spherical grains have been gradually receiving attention from both researchers and the industry because of their behavior. Even though these grains possess complex macroscopic orientations that are associated with different applications, such as the pharmaceutical industry, they sometimes can also cause challenges, like jamming while passing collectively through certain narrowed passages. Most published articles have presented studies about granular materials, based on spherical grains and have mainly examined the grain size but ignored the grain’s shape and orientation, especially concerning the interaction of these grains with their boundaries. Further, literature reported that the mechanical properties of the granular materials are critically affected by the alignment of non-spherical grains as conducted in various simulations and associated experiments. To explore more about the shape and orientational effect of non-spherical grains with respect to boundaries, a detailed initial-level observational study is done with the help of different boundary shapes and grains ranging from elongated rice to long cylindrical grains. The collision of grains with boundaries generates an orientational field that results from their interaction with boundaries and neighboring grains. This research shows that the excitation of grains occurs due to their collision with boundaries, and these boundaries can play an important role in the orientation of non-spherical grains. The study provides ‘thought-provoking’ directions for exploring more about the orientation of non-spherical grains.
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    Impact on building energy performance by deployment of dynamic insulation in residential buildings in Canada
    (2023-03-08) Shukla, Anoopkumar; Valeo, Caterina; Mukhopadhyaya, Phalguni
    This report summarizes the results of an analysis evaluating the energy performance of small residential buildings in Canada. Using the HOT2000, an energy simulation modelling program created and maintained by Natural Resources Canada, the goal of this work is to investigate dynamic insulations, run simulations, and assess the possible energy savings brought on by using dynamic insulation materials (DIMs) in exterior walls in place of conventional static insulation. DIMs can alter their thermal properties based on control procedures, unlike conventional static insulations, to accomplish desired goals. In this analysis, exterior walls with DIMs are controlled to minimize heating and cooling thermal loads in residential buildings, located in different climate zones in Canada. In particular, 2-step manual controls are used to switch the R-value of variable insulation between low and high levels based on the thermal interactions between the outside and inside a prototypical one-story home, thereby reducing heating and cooling requirements while maintaining thermal comfort. According to the analysis's findings, dynamic insulations can drastically lower the amount of energy needed to run heating and cooling systems. The use of 2-step control techniques operating DIMs, in particular, can lower yearly energy consumption by up to 44% for space cooling and by up to 33% for space heating, resulting in up to 36% annual energy savings.
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    Researching City-scale Water Resource Improvement through Rainwater: Green Roof in Private Realm
    (2023-03-01) Wang, Junlin Jr; Valeo, Caterina Jr; Mukhopadhyaya, Phalguni Jr
    Rainwater management has been challenging for many jurisdictions, including the City of Vancouver, as population growth and climate change strain the drainage and sewer systems leading to implications for water safety. Urban rainwater runoff discharges directly to the sewer and drainage system and contributes to pollutants that are toxic to fish and other aquatic species. The green roof, a well-established green rainwater infrastructure, is an innovative approach to enhancing rainwater management and making the urban landscape more sustainable, environmental, and livable using vegetation. From the literature review, a green roof ensures the quality and quantity of collected rainwater, improves building energy efficiency, absorb air pollutants, reduce urban heat island effect and gas house emission, bring aesthetic benefits, and preserve habitat for displaced creatures. The ongoing green roof performance has restrictions on many factors: substrate layer depth, temperature, moisture condition, weather events intensity and period, and proper operation and maintenance. Overall, green roof retains precipitation effectively even aged, with a higher percentage in a moderate climate. Portland and Toronto prioritized on-site infiltration by green rainwater infrastructure in their rainwater management strategies and policies, although their approaches and requirements may differ. Portland and Toronto both have an independent green roof standard in addition to their rainwater management strategy. Portland focuses on a post-occupancy inspection program to monitor the green roof's ongoing performance, while Toronto established a Green Roof Bylaw to encourage the implementation of green roofs. Both cities have advanced strategies which could provide a valuable example with lessons learned from other jurisdictions, including City of Vancouver. This research aims to analyze the available green roof monitoring program in different cities with their establishing process and provide suggestions to jurisdictions for developing comprehensive monitoring programs in the private realm to ensure the implementation and performance of green roofs and other green rainwater infrastructures.
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    Adaptive Cruise Controller Design in Vehicular Applications
    (2022-12-07) Zhao, Yang; Shi, Yang
    As the most popular active safety driving technology, adaptive cruise control is favored by major car producers and their end-users. This report presents the history, and the functional and regulatory requirements of the ACC (adaptive cruise control) systems, and also introduces three popular controllers and their design approaches. Then a full or partial realization of the ACC function is accomplished by modelling of the ACC system in MATLAB/ Simulink (R2021b) and using the three controllers for simulation respectively. Finally, through a set of designed test scenarios and the simulations accordingly, the designs of the ACC systems are validated, followed by a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of each control methodology.
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    Graphical performance characterization of membrane modules for RO and PRO processes
    (2022-11-05) Moreira, Luiz; Struchtrup, Henning
    Environmental issues have been stricken our planet in different areas. Current worldwide problems, for instance, water shortage and the increasing demand for energy can be mitigated by employing technological mechanisms, such as a well-established osmotic process for salt water desalination known as reverse osmosis (RO), and a promising technology for generating power from salinity gradient sources, called pressure retarded osmosis (PRO). This work aims to mathematically model the core component of RO and PRO systems, which is the membrane module, working in different conditions and graphically characterize its efficiency using performance indicators to support researchers and people in industry to design and implement RO and PRO systems in a less complex and more reliable way. To reach this goal, segmented mathematical models of a 5-inch scale Toyobo HP5255SI-H3K hollow fibers membrane module were developed for the RO and PRO processes using the solution-diffusion and friction-concentration polarization transport models, mass balances and pressure drop equations. After validating the models and performing simulations, the performance curves obtained were able to provide the optimum values of inlet parameters for both RO and PRO processes that led to generate the best results in terms of volume flow rate and salinity of permeate, recovery ratio, salt rejection rate, power density and net power output. In addition, some interesting discoveries were acquired from the results such as an unused portion of membrane area in the radial direction and the influence of flow velocities on entropy generation, salt and water fluxes within the membrane module in the RO process, as well as how input parameters as hydraulic pressures and flow rates impact power generation in PRO systems and how to mitigate the reverse salt flux in this process. Finally, the possibility of integrating RO and PRO systems to desalinate salt water and produce power from the resulting permeate and brine solutions is also discussed and arguments on the reasons why such systems would not work with current technology are presented.
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    Measurement of High-Frequency Milling Forces with Dynamic Compensation
    (2022-04-28) Jullien-Corrigan, Alan; Ahmadi, Keivan
    Piezoelectric dynamometers are widely used to measure cutting forces during milling operations for diagnostic, process monitoring, and research and development purposes. However, the bandwidth of tooth passing frequencies that can be measured has an upper limit due to the electromechanical dynamics of the measurement device. As a result, high-frequency forces cannot be accurately measured. Even if an effort is made to match the cutting conditions to the specifications of the dynamometer, the higher harmonics of the tooth-passing frequency are still affected so that the resulting measurements are distorted. In this work, two new (for milling applications) methods are presented to reconstruct the machining forces from the distorted measurement signal and compared to an existing method, the Augmented Kalman Filter (AKF). The first method implements a Sliding Mode Observer (SMO) to estimate the machining forces at each time-step from the measured signal. The second method, referred to as Regularized Deconvolution (RD), considers the convolution sum of the input machining force and the impulse response of the system, and then reconstructs the machining force signal by regularizing a related inverse problem. All three methods are implemented in a simulation study that imitates the cutting conditions used in a latter experimental cutting test in which the above methods are again used to recover the true machining forces and their relative performance evaluated and compared. A transfer function model of the electomechanical dynamics of a Kistler dynamometer is identified and incorporated into the simulation study and the experiment. The results of this work find that, while all three methods reconstruct the true machining forces reasonably well, SMO has clear advantages for processes carried out over time in which the system dynamics changes. AKF also performs better than RD, but is not robust against variations in system dynamics. Despite its drawbacks, RD does have the advantage of being the method that only requires one parameter to be tuned, whereas the other methods require the tuning of two or more parameters.
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    Path Planning using Deep Q-learning Network and Artificial Potential Fields for a Robot Formation
    (2022-04-28) Yang, Yang; Constantinescu, Daniela
    A common path planning in robotics is the artificial potential field method. The artificial potential field is the superposition of the attractive potential field generated by the target and the repulsive potential field generated by the obstacles. The total force on a robot moving in the artificial potential field is the sum of the attractive force from the attractive field and the repulsive force from the repulsive potential field. The robot then moves in the direction of the total force, whose direction is along the negative gradient of the artificial potential field. If the artificial potential field has a unique minimum at the target, the robot will reach it without hitting obstacles. However, if the artificial potential field has multiple minima, the robot may arrive at a location with locally minimum potential. The total force on the robot is zero at such a local minimum and drives the robot towards it in its neighbourhood. Therefore, the robot becomes stationary and cannot arrive at the target. Deep Q-learning network has been proposed to overcome the local minima problem of robot path planning based on artificial potential field. This project investigates the impact of combining deep Q-learning network with an artificial potential field, as proposed in [1], to achieve path planning for a robot formation. Specifically, it uses a deep Q-learning network to guide the robot formation to the target in an artificial potential field created by an environment with multiple targets and obstacles. Deep Q-learning network is a type of deep reinforcement learning, that is, it combines reinforcement learning and deep learning. As in [2], a black-hole potential field is also added in the artificial potential field. Simulation results show that deep Q- learning network can good results in the fixed artificial potential field. Out of 40 tests, a robot reaches the target without hitting any obstacles in 37 tests. However, the deep Q-learning network does not improve path planning performance in different artificial potential fields. During training in four different artificial potential fields, the robot can not achieve collision-free path planning in two of them. Out of four tests, the robot achieves collision-free path planning in three tests. Similarly, the robot formation successfully finds the target in the fixed artificial potential field. Out of eight tests, all tests are successful.
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    Investigation of Wave Variable Control on Bilateral Teleoperation System with Constant Time Delays
    (2021-12-23) Sun, Xizhe; Constantinescu, Daniela
    Teleoperation Systems allow human operators to perform complex tasks in remote and hazardous environments. A wide variety of applications based on teleoperation systems, including space exploration, undersea detection, minimally invasive surgery etc. have made great contributions to our society. Various feedbacks like sound, visual and haptic feedbacks are sent to the user in order to enhance the user experience and improve system performance. With the help of haptic feedbacks, human operators can achieve remote control and interact with an inaccessible environment. However, time delays between the master and the slave may cause instability. To guarantee the stability and improve the transparency, many approaches such as passivity-based control, adaptive control, robust control, and sliding mode control are widely researched. This project studied Wave Variable Control approach in teleoperation systems, one of passivity-based control theories, and discussed its advantages and disadvantages.
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    Development of a Finite Element Analysis Workflow for Studying Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
    (2021-06-13) Shirzadi, Hooman; Giles, Joshua W
    The primary articulation of the shoulder joint is a multi-axis synovial ball and socket joint. By having a loose connection, it provides a wide range of motion; however, this means the joint lacks robustness and is prone to damage most commonly from shoulder dislocations. Rotator cuff tears also cause major problems by limiting the ability to lift the arm into abduction positions. It is common that this insufficiency aggravates arthritis within the shoulder. The study focuses on methods for investigating, describing and quantifying the effects of implant geometric properties on fixation and contact mechanics for a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty implant. The investigation presents the result of finite element analyses under heavy loading condition on a reverse shoulder implant. These finite element results are validated through comparison to experimental data on the same prosthesis. The implant is modelled using MIMICS (Materialise, Leuven, BE) and imported into SolidWorks and then ABAQUS (Simulia, Providence, USA) to analyse the distribution of displacement across the scapula. Details of interaction, boundary conditions, loads and material properties are all obtained from research and applied to the model to portray realistic behavior. The micromotion displacements of the implant were observed in the current study. The models follow the expected trends of the mechanics and what was seen in the experimental data and thus the modeling workflow makes sense overall. This can help to demonstrate the differences between different surgical options (e.g. various reverse implant designs), which may provide a basis from which improved designs can be built and allow more accurate methods to be developed in analyzing shoulder implant effectiveness. However, the method presented here needs further refinement to calibrate the models before it could be utilized in order to answer clinical questions.
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    Anisotropic Rheology of Non-spherical Grains
    (2021-03-08) Ozyuksel, Barbaros; Nadler, Ben
    The flow of granular materials is the subject of various academic research and industrial applications. The rheology of granular materials spans from packing, sorting and transportation of the pharmaceuticals to the study of avalanche dynamics. The rheology of shape isotropic (spherical) materials has been studied extensively and successful constitutive stress response models are present in the literature. In most real-life applications the grains are shape anisotropic (ellipsoidal), and their rheological and mechanical response is more complex than spherical grains. The shape anisotropy of the grains brings the effect of the grain orientation to their response. Isotropic granular rheology models neglect the effect of the grain orientation and shape on the mechanical response of the system. This report proposes a novel continuum stress response model based on isotropic granular rheology and utilizes a kinematic continuum model to capture the effect of the grain orientation. The representation theorem has been used to obtain the full description of the novel isotopic tensor valued function of the tensor variable. Dissipation inequality applied as a guide during the construction of the continuum model. The model predictions showed good agreement with the available experimental results of the simple shear flow at the steady-state. To reveal the complete capabilities of the model, the 2-D simple shear flow was studied. The results indicated that the model well captured the nonmonotonic behaviour of the effective viscosity of the flow caused by the effect of grain shape and the orientation with two material parameters. This study revealed the future application potential of the proposed phenomenological model, and concluded as a successful step forward in understanding and modelling the complex character of the shape anisotropic granular materials.
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    Comparison of different machine learning algorithms to predict mechanical properties of concrete
    (2021-01-19) Koya, Bhanu Prakash; Caterina, Valeo; Rishi, Gupta
    Concrete is the most widely used construction material throughout the world. Extensive experiments are conducted every year to measure various physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of concrete involving a hefty amount of money and time. This work focuses on the utilization of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to predict a wide range of concrete properties and avoiding unnecessary experimentation. In this work, six mechanical properties of concrete namely Modulus of Rupture, Compression strength, Modulus of Elasticity, Poisson's ratio, Splitting tensile strength and Coefficient of thermal expansion were estimated by applying five different ML algorithms viz. Linear Regression, Support Vector Machine, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting models on the Wisconsin concrete mixes database. Further, these ML models were evaluated to identify the most suitable model that can reliably predict the mechanical properties of concrete. The approach followed in this research was verified using the 10-fold Cross- Validation technique to get rid of training and testing split bias. The Grid Search Cross Validation method was used to find the best hyperparameters for each algorithm. Root mean squared error (RMSE) and Nash and Suctcliffe Efficiency (NS) results showed that the Support Vector Machine outperformed all other models applied on the datasets. Support Vector Machine predicted the Modulus of Rupture at a curing age of 28 days with an NS score of 0.43 which is 34% and 26% better than the NS scores of Random Forest and Gradient Boosting advanced algorithms, respectively. This suggests that the Support Vector Machine algorithm with its NS score further improved can be used for predicting new data points at least for potentially similar systems.
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    Thermo-electrochemical Model of a Zinc-air Flow Battery
    (2020-12-27) Murphy, Stephen Alan; Rowe, Andrew Michael
    As renewable energy production has become more popular in society, the need for large scale energy storage has increased. By storing energy from sources such as solar and wind power, energy can be produced when it is most feasible and dispatched when there is demand. Such infrastructure would significantly increase the viability of renewable energy technologies. Zinc-air batteries are a promising type of energy storage system which has the potential to solve the grid energy storage problem. A thermo-electrochemical model was developed to provide an order-of-magnitude approximation of the performance of a novel zinc-air battery which has separate charge and discharge stacks coupled with a large fuel storage reservoir. This configuration enables independent scaling of system discharge output power, charge speed, and energy capacity. Because of this flexibility, the system could be tailored to various projects as needed where there may be more importance on some performance characteristics over others. The model was validated using a reference case where the results were evaluated. The capabilities of the model were discussed, including the advantages and disadvantages. The model performs well for order-of-magnitude level approximations of system performance, and opportunities to refine the model in the future were suggested.
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    Tensile and Bending Testing of 3D Printed Materials for Scoliosis Brace
    (2020-08-18) Dela Torre, Manuel; Dechev, Nikolai
    This work investigates the mechanical properties of 3D printed polymers namely Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Polypropylene (PP), which underwent the process of tensile and bending testing. The PP material is utilized in the production of scoliosis braces as shown in Figure 1. 3D printing has evolved in recent years and it has become widely used in several engineering applications for its numerous advantages summarized in this document. The purpose of this work is to determine the most suitable material for 3D printing scoliosis braces, which one can use as a reference to gain insights as it applies to other parts involving 3D printed PLA and PP materials in general. When tensile testing, the PLA and PP samples are printed in two orientations – on their side and upright. The nozzles used to print the PLA samples are 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. The samples are tested and the results are compared and evaluated. The other 3D printing parameter examined in this work is infill density, specifically 50% and 100%. This parameter is used to identify which setting significantly affects the weight of mechanical parts, cost, and production speed. PP samples show great flexibility, as some of the samples are stretched without breaking. The upright 3D printed orientation PP samples have higher Ultimate Tensile Strength and Young’s Modulus than side 3D printed orientation samples. This experiment shows that for the side printed 3D samples, the PLA dominates in terms of tensile strength compared to the upright print orientation. The samples printed with the bigger nozzle have a higher tensile strength. The 100% infill density has more than double the strength compared to 50% infill density. This document shows the breaking loads during the bending test of PLA samples and the bending loads of PP samples. When bending testing PLA samples, side printed samples clamped on the wide side show the highest strength, while side printed samples clamped on the short side illustrate predictable breaking load. Upright printed samples show unpredictable strength evident by some samples being able to hold big loads before breaking whereas some break at small loads. For PP bending testing, 3D printed samples made of Ultimaker and Formfutura filaments are compared which resulted in a slight difference of deflections in different loads. There are three design criteria for scoliosis brace material such as strength, flexibility and impact resistivity. This project focuses only on testing the strength and flexibility of material by tensile and bending testing.
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    Energy Storage Using Osmotic Processes: A Thermodynamics Based Model
    (2020-05-04) Vickerman, Adam; Struchtrup, Henning
    Reliable, economic and efficient energy storage is needed to help shift from primarily fossil fuel generated electricity to clean energy. This report develops a thermodynamics based model for an osmotic energy storage (OES) system. This system uses reverse osmosis (RO) to store energy and pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) to produce power during the discharge cycle. Bottom up RO and PRO models were created in MATLAB for hollow fiber membrane modules. These models were then used in an overall OES system model. Preliminary results were produced, with a maximum round trip efficiency of 8.97\%. Note that operating conditions were not optimized, and higher efficiencies can be achieved using the model developed here. Salt leakage plays a large role in limiting system efficiency.
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    The Impact of Student Led Tutorials on First Year Students' Learning Outcomes
    (2019-08-31) Kadhum, Sohad; Buckham, Brad
    ENGR 141 Engineering Mechanics is a first-year course that is common to all of the University of Victoria engineering degree programs. Between 2013 and 2014, the course population grew by ~50% necessitating changes in the methods of assessment; adjustments included introducing multiple choice exam components for the first time and replacing instructor evaluated handwritten assignments with machine graded on-line problems. Over concern that these logistically motivated changes would exacerbate negative trends in student work and study habits and detract from the course’s emphasis on solution procedures and best practices, a pedagogically motivated change was also introduced. The tutorial periods were repurposed to create student driven exploration, analysis and solution of customized mechanics problems lying just beyond the scope of typical coursework. The current report outlines the motivations, implementation details and findings made over the duration of the first offering of the revised course in 2014 and the curriculum evaluation and review in the following years 2015-2019. A close-up observation was made to find out how students retain knowledge developed on midterms and tutorials. This was measured by looking at exam questions that were repeats of questions seen earlier in the year in these two activities. One of the major objectives was to make sure the students gain competency in tackling and solving complex statics problems into their simple constituents, it can generate confidence in best practices, their ability to apply these practices and their ability to attack complex problems. In the UVic Engineering Faculty, it was felt that the work habits acquired in ENGR 141 affect student performance in subsequent years of the program. The change of the curriculum addresses the concern of the sudden growth in the student population and the risk of not addressing more of the learners' need. The student led tutorials, involving presentation of group work and discussions, facilitate the students’ abilities to apply the fundamentals engineering concepts and theories in complex, but practical, applications while also increasing their retention of basic solution processes. The success rates were seen to be higher than the previous years 2008-2013. I observed that the number of failing grades in 2014 was the lowest since 2008, and that there was significant growth in the A+ and B letter grade brackets – approaching and eclipsing, respectively, the maximum number recorded over the previous 5 years. I feel we were able to help students who would otherwise finish in the D to E brackets to improve into the C bracket, and many students to elevate from the B- bracket into the B to B+ range. The work at the ENGR 141 was a good environment to introduce the learners to the skills needed to embark on their engineering journey. Group work, quality of work, confidence, and professional practice were the skills improved through the curriculum changes.
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