FATIGUE AND QUAI-STATIC PERFORMANCE OF 3M …my.feit.uts.edu.au/pages/course/undergraduate/capsto… · Web viewCob is an alternative earth building material which consisting of clay,

Capstone Project D/HD Presentation Day Spring 2008

THE EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE OF COB STRUCTURES (6cp)Jean-Michel Albert-Thenet - S08-101

Supervisor : Bijan Samali Assessor : Hadi KhabbazMajor: Civil and Environmental Engineering

Large portions of the developing world reside in earthquake prone regions, with these communities often lacking the materials, skills and funds necessary to design and construct buildings that provide adequate resistance to earthquakes. This inevitably leads to poorly built structures and subsequently disastrous consequences when earthquakes occur, consequences which could otherwise be reduced. These challenges are of particular relevance to the earth building field, with some estimates suggesting that as much as 50% of the developing world lives in earth built homes. As such the earth building field faces a critical challenge to find housing solutions for these masses of people that, at the same time as providing sound structural resistance to earthquake imposed stresses, are also affordable, practical and sustainable.

Previous research at UTS has led to the development of highly successful appropriate reinforcement methods for adobe (mudbrick) structures. However, drawing from the experiences of earth builder Peter Hickson, who has undertaken earth building projects for rural communities in the Philippines, has led to the belief that in such humid tropical environments adobe structures may not be the most practical housing solution for these communities given the sometimes lengthy drying time required for mud bricks. Cob is an alternative earth building material which consisting of clay, sand and straw mixed together, is used to create monolithic walls, and in its application in the Philippines so far has proven successful.

However, only limited information is at hand regarding the earthquake resistance provided by cob structures. Accordingly our research project has sought to provide an indication as to the earthquake resistance cob structures can potentially provide. To achieve this, two 1:2 scale cob structures, each weighing over one tonne, were built in-situ at the University of Technology, Sydney, and tested by subjecting them to simulated earthquake conditions. Comparisons were made between the behaviour of bamboo-reinforced and unreinforced cob structures, and additionally by maintaining dimensional consistency between the test unit cob structures and specimens used in previous research into reinforced adobe (mud brick) methods; comparisons were also able to be made between the structural performances of the two earth building methods.

As well as being able to provide sound structural resistance to earthquakes, for cob as a building method to be considered a feasible housing solution for communities in earthquake prone regions of developing countries, consideration must also be given to the complexity of its building method and hence how easily this knowledge can be passed on to local people; its’ associated material and building costs; its appropriateness for the local environment; and its overall sustainability and environmental footprint. In addressing these questions, my individual role in this joint research project was to assess the feasibility of the use of cob as a housing solution for communities in earthquake prone regions of developing countries in terms of its affordability, practicality and sustainability by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of cob to alternative building methods more commonly used in developed countries and other earth building methods.

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AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE OF WALL TIES IN A REINFORCED CONCRETE WALL AND THEIR IMPACT ON CONSTRUCTION AND AXIAL CAPACITY AS OUTLINED IN AS3600 (6cp)George Andrianakos - S08-003

Supervisor : Anne GardnerAssessor : Chris WilkinsonMajor: Construction Engineering

This project investigates the use of wall reinforcement ties in a reinforced concrete wall. Further it reveals the impact wall ties have on the construction and axial capacity as outlined in AS3600.

The study is of interest as the inclusion of wall ties in the design of a reinforced concrete wall often results in a conflict of interest between the engineer and the builder. This alone is more than sufficient justification for the undertaking of such a project.

When designing a reinforced concrete wall the designer can choose whether he/she wants to specify wall ties in the design. AS3600 gives an increase of 50% axial capacity of a wall, when the ties are used. This project examines the code and the implications it has in the design of reinforced concrete walls. Further, it also examines and interprets the requirement of other worldwide standards in regard to wall ties and the design of reinforced concrete walls.

The project also investigates the origin and validity of the increased axial capacity as quoted by AS3600. Through research and the creation of a finite element analysis model this is examined. Conclusions about the stated design outcomes in AS3600 are drawn.

Reinforced concrete construction is not only limited to the greater design capacities achieved, but also the construction sequence of a member. The construction sequence is directly affected by the engineers design and the engineer must be aware of the construction issues faced by the builder. The engineer must strive to create the most ‘efficient’ design, in which the construction sequence must be considered. An outline of the construction sequence and the ramifications the inclusion of wall ties has on the construction sequence is considered.

Conclusions and recommendations on the use of wall ties in reinforced concrete walls are presented.

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INVESTIGATION ON THE DUAL INDIRECT CYCLE ENERGY RECOVERY (DICER) SYSTEM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY (6cp)Vahik (Vic) Avakian - S08-104

Supervisor: John DartnallAssessor: Guang HongMajor: Mechanical Engineering

As studies have shown and continue to show, it is very clear that Global temperatures have increased over the past several decades. The 2005 average temperature had risen by 0.42°C, making it the warmest year since records began in 1861. In 1994, 33% of households had air conditioning and this percentage increased to 60% by 2005. Minimizing energy consumption has been an important part in combating climate change. Studies have shown that the major energy consumers within households were heaters and coolers.

This Capstone thesis will investigate the UTS Dual Indirect Cycle Energy Recovery (DICER) systems. Demonstration of the DICER systems has recently been installed under NSW government grant.

This report details the effectiveness of these new systems in terms of their energy efficiency and their minimal effects on the environment. These systems, unlike conventional cooling systems, have a very low risk of causing legionnaires disease due to their construction. Another obvious advantage these systems have is that they use water as their primary refrigerant, unlike the other systems.

The reason for why these systems were implemented at UTS was due to the fact that they require much less energy compared to conventional vapour systems, as well as having the benefits of cooling outside air without adding any moisture.

To outline and highlight the potential of these systems, we will be installing and taking measurements of: relative humidity, water usage, temperature and energy consumption. The installation of these measurement devices has begun and will be directed by numerous UTS staff members and students. After installing these devices, the data from these will be directed towards a central database system where they will be stored and analysed for future research purposes.

This Capstone documents the instruments chosen, installation locations, research on the current DICER and compares it to conventional cooling systems. In addition, various AutoCAD drawings of the DICER 1500 plant room have been revised.

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PRACTICAL CONSIDERATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TUNNELS IN SOFT ROCKS (SOFT GROUND TUNNELLING) (6cp)Renaud-Christopher Barichard – S08-106

Supervisor: Hadi KhabbazAssessor: Behzad FatahiMajor: Civil Engineering

The purpose of this capstone is to identify, analyse and evaluate the construction methods available to tunneling engineers to manage the added risks of tunneling through soft rocks. Poor ground conditions (such as soft rocks) frequently cause delays to tunnel projects as modern excavation equipment is still inadequate to fully cope with these difficult situations. This topic is particularly important to engineers who are preparing to enter the tunneling industry to provide them with important background knowledge.

This capstone project is primarily based on a literature review of sources ranging from textbooks to academic journals. A thorough comparative study has been conducted to evaluate the strengths, usefulness and limitations of proposed methods particularly in accordance with Australian standards for soft ground tunneling. I have also included a number of case studies to support the information I have presented. Also Included throughout the project are detailed data, photographs and references from the Cable-West tunnel project currently under construction in Ultimo, Sydney.

As a result of my research, I have discovered that there are indeed a number of effective solutions available for managing the risks associated with tunneling through soft rocks. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages under different circumstances and the most efficient method can only be chosen after careful assessment of the ground conditions on a case by case basis. There is no absolute right or wrong method when tunneling through soft ground, however engineers must make an informed approach in order to maintain safety while maximising the excavation rate and keeping costs to a minimum.

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PROVIDING SUPERVISION IN A REMOTE ENVIRONMENT (12cp)Christopher Berry - A08-005

Supervisor : David LoweAssessor : Steve MurrayMajor : Computer Systems Engineering

The UTS Remote Laboratories provide an environment where students can learn using practical experiments through an internet connection and a computer. The remote labs allow for always available hardware that can be shared across subjects, or even educational institutions. This makes it possible for students to perform tasks in their own time, with instant access to preconfigured devices.

While the UTS Remote Laboratories provide a convenient way for students to complete experiments, they remove one of the crucial elements of laboratory learning, which is the ability to interact with a supervisor or tutor. Without this interaction, students may have trouble completing the tasks which could be avoided if a supervisor was on hand to answer student questions and guide them through the experiment. This thesis explores, and discusses alternatives to, a method to introduce the element of supervisor interaction into the remote environment, bridging the gap between physical and remote laboratory environments.

The ability to interact seamlessly in a remote environment is largely dependent on the underlying technology used. Using the technologies identified through research, a working example of remote student to supervisor interaction has been developed on top of the existing Remote Laboratories architecture. Technology such as web based desktop sharing and instant messaging play an important part in allowing students and tutors to interact in a useful and meaningful way. This has the advantage of conforming to and extending the “thin” web based architecture of the remote laboratories. The current architecture is extended further using a user interface tool kit, which enhances the user experience, and aides in enabling remote supervision through a more responsive and interactive user interface. The system developed gives a basis for further research and development in this area, and provides some insight into the effectiveness of remote supervision.

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WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN (WSUD) FOR CARLTON INDUSTRIAL AREA (6cp)Raul A. Cid - S08-014

Supervisor: Jaya KandasamyAssessor: Saravanamuth VigneswaranMajor: Civil Engineering

Kogarah Council always endeavours to create a better and sustainable future through new and innovative ways. Council’s Urban Sustainability Programs work in partnership with other government agencies aspiring to improve the capacity of communities and organisations to protect, restore and enhance the sustainability of the urban environment. One such project is the Carlton Industrial Sustainable Water Program.

The Carlton Industrial Sustainable Water Program endeavours to improve water management within the Carlton Industrial Estate with a particular focus on reducing urban runoff pollution to Kogarah Bay and Georges River.

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is a contemporary approach to urban stormwater management which explores more sustainable systems to ensure developments are designed, constructed and maintained so as to minimise the damaging effects on the surrounding environment.

In this investigational study, proposed treatment options utilising Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) techniques have been proposed to improve the first flush urban stormwater runoff within the Carlton Industrial Area. Kogarah Council has been amongst a few NSW municipalities who have taken the initiative in embarking on a comprehensive review of its water management practices. The capstone project has endeavoured to add on to these initiatives in an attempt to change the traditional drainage pits and pipes to a much broader approach to water cycle management.

The capstone has recommended applicable WSUD options on how water can be treated at source to improve water quality standards.

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NATURE-INSPIRED ROUTING PROTOCOL IN WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS (6cp)Jeffrey Chan - S08-009

Supervisor : Robin BraunAssessor : Johnson AgbinyaMajor: Telecommunications Engineering

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) have enormous potential for many applications, such as environment monitoring, traffic control, military surveillance and medical services. However, they have certain constraints such as memory, available power, computing power and durability.

Wireless Sensors are generally deployed in large numbers at a site. The wireless sensors connect to each other as a mesh network in an ad-hoc manner, with each node acting as a forwarder of information to an information sink. Due to the exposure of the sensor to the environment, the durability is reduced, often leading to inactive or broken nodes. Traditional routing protocols are not feasible in WSN due to the large overheads and the limited power available, and cannot react quickly to broken or inactive nodes without interference from an operator. This has lead to a lot of work on creating routing protocols to achieve optimal power utilization, robustness and self-management.

Many solutions take a hierarchical approach, requiring global knowledge of the network before routes can be set up. This may not be feasible in networks that contain thousands of nodes scattered in random positions. Another idea is data-centric routing protocols such as Directed Diffusion, which the communication focus is on the data and not the routes between nodes. This paper offers and discusses a solution that is scalable and data-centric which mimics ant colony behaviour, offering a distributed solution that may be more energy-efficient and robust. An Ant Colony Optimization (ACO)-inspired algorithm is used to help data packets determine what would be the optimized route from the source to the sink. To determine the feasibility and performance of this protocol, the energy efficiency and robustness was measured and compared with the performance of Directed Diffusion.

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APPLICATION OF ASPHALTIC CONCRETE AS IMPERVIOUS CORE OF EMBANKMENT DAMS (6cp)Shih Chin Chang – S08-112

Supervisor: Behzad FatahiAssessor: Hadi KhabbazMajor: Civil Engineering

The primary function of dams is to temporarily hold the water and stop the flow in the short period of time. Control of water flow has got various benefits for the society and also to the civilization growth. Dams could be classified into various types depending on the types of the superstructures, material used and the intend uses of the dam. Concrete dams include two major types, gravity and arch dams. Embankment dams include rock-fill and earth-fill dams. The selection among various types of dam superstructures is mainly depending on site condition concerning topography, foundation conditions, climate condition and availability of construction material. The requirement of some substructures is usually influenced by additional functions of dams and environmental conservation purposes.

Embankment dam is usually constructed of compacted and locally available material or other earth materials. These materials have no ability against water seepage. Asphalt concrete is a material that can act as permanent water barrier and has very high ductility against ground movement. Numerous issues are involved in the design and construction stages of the asphalt concrete as a core of embankment dams. The core material performance can be influenced primarily by asphalt cement content, aggregate types and properties. The control of manufacturing asphalt concrete also needs to be carefully monitored to meet the design specification during the construction stage.

At this research the available literatures related to properties of asphalt concrete incorporated with embankment dams are critically reviewed. Then, behaviour of asphalt concrete as an impervious core in the embankment dam is studied. In addition, application of asphalt concrete as an impervious element of barriers against waste and contaminated material is explained. Some case studied from the projects around the world is explained in details. It can be concluded that asphalt concrete material should be considered as impervious element of dams constructed in Australia.

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SPARK PLUGIN FOR THE SAKAI SYSTEM (12cp)Cameron Cronin - A08-016

Supervisor : Stuart NettletonAssessor : Keith WileyMajor: ICT Engineering

Peer and Self assessment is increasingly seen as a significant component in determining a student’s academic achievement, while also providing key feedback to allow reflection and improvement. To this end in 1999 a multi-disciplinary team from the University of Technology Sydney received funding in order to develop a web-based application to fulfill this requirement, the outcome being SPARK. In its current form SPARK is a stand-alone PHP application, what SPARK lacks is the deployment environment to allow it to be utilized as a service within a larger framework providing an assortment of services.

Sakai is an open-source Collaboration and Learning Environment (CLE) that has been implemented by a number of universities around the world and is currently being trialed by the University of Technology Sydney. Sakai is a Java-based, service-orientated application that can be extended by the use of third party developed services, referred to as tools. Considering UTS’s current interest in Sakai and the potential of it being adopted as the University’s primary CLE, there is undeniable value in developing SPARK to allow for it to be integrated into the Sakai environment.

While Sakai provides an ideal environment for SPARK, developing tools for Sakai can be a complex and lengthy process. In recent years there have been advances in design methods and environments, noticeably for web-based tools with Ruby on Rails and even more recently with JRuby-on-Rails. JRuby-on-Rails allows for applications to be developed more rapidly utilizing the MVC model (Model, View, Controller) while also allowing for the application to be integrated and deployed in a java environment such as Sakai.

This project intends to provide via proof-of-concept an example of how SPARK could be implemented as a service (tool) within Sakai. It also highlights the possibilities of using JRuby-on-Rails as an alternate development option for Sakai tool development.

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DESIGN AND OPTIMISATION OF FLUID BED PROCESSING OF VARIOUS CEREAL PRODUCTS (12cp)Luke Dawson - A08-017

Supervisor : John DartnallAssessor : Guang HongMajor: Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

Fluidisation is a process where a bed of solid particles are exposed to a vertical flow stream of fluid (air) which is increased until the fluid drag force of the bed is equivalent to the weight force. When this phenomenon occurs the particles change from a static (solid-like) state to a dynamic (fluid-like) state. Fluidisation exhibits many properties which are highly beneficial to cereal processing and as such the technique has been highlighted as being superior to conventional processing methods.

This project aims to design, build and optimise a fluidised bed apparatus to be used to perform a cooling process on a continuous cereal production line for Specialty Cereals Pty Limited. The nature of the project is such that the device will also be used as a means of practical experimentation into the use of this process for different processing operations on cereal products of various size, density and morphology. This requirement demands that the device be flexible in its operation.

The project involves analysing the different methods available to perform this cooling operation and their ability to be enhanced for other processing operations. Research into fluidised bed processing will then justify the investment necessary to design and build the device.

The design is then undertaken with the aid of consultation with industry professionals in many different fields. Construction of the device is performed through management of the skilled labour available, both out-sourced and in-house at Specialty Cereals. The optimisation phase of the project is the subject of recommendations for future work on the device.

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SENSING AND CONTROL FOR A SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM (12cp)Ben d'Espiney - S07-033

Supervisor : Jaffar MadadniaAssessor : Rob JarmanMajor: General Engineering

A UTS engineering research group is investigating the potential for using solar energy to offset some of the university's power consumption. Photovoltaic solar panels mounted vertically in a double-glazed facade may overcome the limitations of available roof space. When solar cells operate outside their preferred temperature range, their power output decreases. Keeping solar cells within a particular temperature range corresponds to higher efficiency operation. The focus of this project is to control the solar cells' operational temperature within a double glazed facade, by sensing the temperature and modulating air flow through the gap between the glass and solar cells.

A model of a double glazed photovoltaic system was constructed, to measure the effectiveness of the convective air flow cooling of the photovoltaic system. Sensors and data acquisition equipment were used to compare the performance of the solar panel in the model with and without air flow. The resulting data was analysed. A literature review was carried out looking into solar panel material properties and construction, the relationship between temperature and efficiency. The current research and development of photovoltaic technologies and similar building concepts was also investigated.

The use of air cooling in the air gap between solar panel and glass was found to significantly slow the heating of the panel when exposed to a source of radiant heat and light. This demonstrated the effectiveness of convection cooling at maintaining a higher efficiency.

The double glazed photovoltaic system model could be improved to allow more parameters to be varied. Including the air gap between the panel and glass, instrumentation to accurately quantify air flow and allow variable air flow speed. An optimal air gap may assist in reducing turbulence, making the convection cooling process more efficient at maintaining an optimal temperature range and power output. A taller model allowing a greater air temperature difference between the upper and lower sections would increase natural convection within the system. Finally, better decoupling of the heat and light sources would help in controlling variables and simulating natural environment.

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PROACTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT- THE INTEGRATION OF SYSTEM DYNAMICS (12cp)Arlene Severina D’Souza - A08-024

Supervisor : Ravindra BagiaAssessor : Mary WalmsleyMajor: Construction Engineering

The Objective of this study into Risk Management is to gain a better understanding of risk assessment and analysis. By undertaking this investigation I expect to document and exhibit a dynamic view of risk that is present in the construction industry today and the various strategies used to ensure the current frameworks of best practice are present. I have further substantiated my understanding of Risk Management by utilising System Dynamic theories in summarising the deficiencies in current Occupation Health and Safety Management Control Systems in the industry and thus presenting a Causal Loop Diagram of a specific construction industry safety risk incident.

Society in recent times has changed their perspective towards risk and safety in the industry, electing to integrate these concepts as essential business policies and practices. Driven by the current period of technological change, engineering innovation, fierce competition and increasing public concern regarding engineering projects risk and safety have become an industry priority. In this dynamic environment with the numerous complex problems and particular control requirements, it has to be noted that Risk Management cannot always be based on responses to past accidents and incidents, but must be increasingly proactive. System Dynamics gives users a level of understanding that allows for a proactive approach in assessing risk factors and relationships.

The project will investigate the numerous risks that are involved in the construction water engineering industry today by investigating real life case studies from John Holland Pty Ltd- Water Division, with particular reference to The Sunset Coast Water Project, which is a series of waste water treatment plants situated in Western Australia. My evaluation will include the process and procedures used to establish, identify, analyse, evaluate, treat and monitor risks. This project will use static modeling based on System Dynamics enabling a deeper understanding of Risk Management environments such as safety control systems.

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SUSTAINABLE FACADES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY TOWER BUILDING (12cp)Madia Downes - A08-022

Supervisor: Jaffar MadadniaAssessor: Bijan SamaliMajor: Civil and Environmental Engineering

As members of the Australian Technological Network [ATN], students, academics, and support staff at the University of Technology Sydney [UTS], have collaborated in projects to design, build and test energy saving devices at UTS buildings. This venture evolves in the application of building fabric materials that would result in sustainable façades refurbishment with regards to the UTS Tower Building.

In its sturdy structure, the UTS Tower has stood the test of time. Due to increasing energy demand, a review of its energy systems has led to sustainable energy options. However, modification to its facades offers an opportunity to balance heat losses with fundamental aesthetic appeal. The challenges raised are first, can the building maintain performance under the climatic changes as predicted by CSIRO research; secondly, contribute to the energy reduction targets, and lastly meet stakeholder requirements.

Novel experimentation in the optimisation of thermal performance and natural ventilation provide insight into sustainable façades options. Key materials and technologies considered in future scope of works are glazing, cladding and renewable energy systems. Engineering commercial investigations, literature reviews and lifecycle analysis aim to deliver a comparison of their viability in facade systems.

This analysis of performance with respect to passive design, suggests that ecological sustainable design [ESD] can be implemented within the fabric materials. This holistic approach would therefore result in extending the building’s service life; prevent ecological damage, improve energy efficiency, and enhance visual appeal.

A recommendation for future study rests on the production of “mock up” façade models to test areas of performance not covered in this report. This could open room for research to a variety of specialisations as already observed, within UTS. Furthermore, contribute to its sustainable commitment and pledge to the ATN in response against climate change.

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MAGNETIC BEARING WITH PERMANENT MAGNET BIAS (12cp)Zhentao Du - A08-025

Supervisor: Peter WattersonAssessor: Jianguo ZhuMajor: Electrical Engineering

In electrical machinery research, there are many developments concerning magnetic bearings which use magnetic field to levitate the shaft. Such systems allow the shaft to rotate at an extremely high speed without the friction and lubrication losses of conventional roller bearings. Researchers always apply active magnetic bearing to achieving such a bearingless effect since by Earnshaw’s theorem, passive magnetic bearings are impossible. However, active magnetic bearings using only current have one major drawback in that their power consumption is too high.

The hybrid magnetic bearing, examined within this capstone project, looks into the feasibility of using rare earth permanent magnets as a source of field bias, in turn significantly reducing power consumption without upsetting the overall performance of magnetic bearings. In order to achieve such objectives, a radial 2D magnetic-bearing prototype has been designed having a 45-degree geometrically offset stator with coils wound around its yoke, as opposed to winding the coils around its teeth.

The design procedure employed both magnetic circuit analysis and finite element analysis (FEA). Though the full field geometry is 3D, the field in the cross-sectional plane of the stator was solved by using 2D FEA, with a creation of uniform magnetic bias field enabled by introducing a boundary discontinuity on a cut to the origin. Two separate controllers were designed for the horizontal and vertical direction due to the control-decoupling effect produced by the 45-degree rotation of the stator. Two sets of Hall-effect sensors (taken from a previous capstone project) were installed for the vertical and horizontal directions with two channels of power amplifiers used together to achieve two separate channels of closed loop control systems. The magnetic-bearing prototype has been successfully manufactured and tested in comparison with the estimated values.

The final results indicate that this magnetic bearing system can levitate a 350 g shaft using an average of 1.6 W of electrical power, and reject disturbances resulting from a maximum of 95 g of oscillated loads.

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SUBSTATION DESIGN AND PROTECTION (12cp)Fawaz Elnuaimi - A08-028

Supervisor: Jianguo ZhuAssessor: Germane AthanasiusMajor: Electrical Engineering

This paper will discuss the Substation Design and Protection. Substation is the core part of any electric power system. This paper will have two main part of research; the first part will discuss the theoretical approach of the substation design, while the second part will present the practical approach of the substation design.

The theoretical approach of the substation design will provide a rich definition of the substation. It will explain the purpose and the types of the substation in the electric power systems. The theoretical approach will also describe the general theory of the substation deign. This description will include substation electrical requirements, fundamental electrical characteristics; hazards in the substation, environmental requirements, protection systems and the earthing system of the substation.

Another important issue that the theoretical approach will highlight is the process of the substation design. This will outline the steps that are typically followed for substation design. These steps include, applied service standard, description of network issues, substation capacity, load forecast, demand management and national electricity rules requirements. It will also include the options that are available for the proposed substation and clearly stated the preferred option, the engineering requirements for the substation components and the stakeholder relation plan. Finally, the theoretical approach will demonstrate a prototype of a typical substation stating the elements that may exist and enhanced with pictures.

The practical approach will demonstrate a specific case study for a chosen substation. The specific case study will study Kogarah Zone substation that EnergyAustralia currently building in Kogarah. This practical approach will explain the St George area network nature and will discuss the area demand issues. The study will also apply the theoretical approach mentioned earlier on the St George areas. Finally, the practical approach will give engineering requirements details of the components that this substation will have.

To conclude, this paper will demonstrate the purpose of this study that is to set a good basic substation design education guide for engineers.

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GROUTED SOIL ANCHORS – REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE SINGLE BORE MULTIPLE ANCHOR SYSTEM (6cp)Todd Ewart - S08-169


Grouted soil anchors are an important component of deep excavations. If used in conjunction with earth retaining structures, they become a valuable tool in the pursuit for more efficient and economical foundation and basement construction. Although there are a number of ground anchors available today, this research concentrates on grouted soil anchors and the developments associated with its use and success.

Foundation contractors are continually searching for more economical solutions for the problems their clients present to them. An economical soil anchor is one that meets the criteria set out by the client and is able to be constructed so that the foundation company makes a profit. The purpose of this study is to critically analyse a development in grouted soil anchors, which will provide foundation contractors with comparative information they can untilise in the design decision making process for various construction projects.

A critical literature review of earth retaining structures and the traditional grouted soil anchor is presented. A review and analysis of a specific development in these anchors is investigated and then compared to the construction and performance of traditional anchors. This specific development is the Single Bore Multiple Anchor System, which claims to produce much higher load results within in each anchor in comparison to a traditional anchor. As a result, fewer anchors are required for the same application. This will in turn lower the construction cost for contractors which will allow them to submit a more competitive price for future tender packages. Ultimately, contractors that adopt this anchoring system will have a competitive advantage of other foundation companies within the industry.

The outcome of this report shows a more economical system for anchoring earth retaining structures. This system not only lowers the cost of deep excavations and basement construction but facilitates to reduce material and resource wastage in the ever growing Australian ecological sustainable society.

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RE-PROGRAMMABLE DIGITAL GUITAR EFFECTS PEDAL (12cp)Tim Horsburgh - A08-046

Supervisor : Peter McLeanAssessor : Ben RodanskiMajor: Computer Systems Engineering

Digital audio effects units have traditionally fallen into two major categories, simple but inflexible or customisable but large & overly complex. This is especially evident in the guitar effects market, where the two major options are either a small single purpose pedal or a large multi function pedal (often the size of 3-5 pedals) or large rack unit.

The design brief of this project was to research, design & build a digital effects unit that was both small and highly configurable/customisable. This effect unit must be small enough to integrate into a musician’s effects pedal configuration. As it will most likely be used in a guitarist rig, it must also run from a common power source (9 V) and use common connectors (6.5 mm Mono Jacks). It must also be built to handle rough & rugged environments as most guitarists activate these pedals with their feet.

The software was designed and written to run in a stand alone embedded environment. It runs directly on the digital signal processor and does not use an operating system. Designing & implementing the software solution without an operating system allowed for greater understanding & learning opportunity about the interaction between the hardware & software layers.

The software framework was designed to allow each effect patch to be updated dynamically, allowing the pedal functionality to be quickly & easily changed for maximum flexibility. This will be demonstrated with multiple effects including Fuzz and Delay effects.

The complete circuit was designed as a 4 layer surface mount PCB. The circuit consists of a DSP, an analogue to digital (and D to A) signal conversion circuit, a microprocessor responsible for managing the User Interface, A UART to USB circuit and various external memory devices (such as SD-RAM & Serial Flash).

Usability of the pedal also played a large role in the design process. A distinct effort was made to keep the design as simple & uncomplicated as possible while still allowing the user to have as much freedom & ability to implement custom solutions. This is apparent in the simplicity of the user interface and the ease by which effects are changed through the provided software.

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DEVELOPMENT OF A MECHANICAL VIBRATION REMOTE LABORATORY EXPERIMENT (6cp)Luke Houghton - S08-023

Supervisor: Dikai LiuAssessor: Jianchun Li Major: Mechanical Engineering

Remote laboratories provide increased flexibility to students and staff by allowing them to complete experimental work from any location with internet access. They also provide cost savings by allowing more efficient use of expensive equipment.

This project describes the development of a mechanical vibration remote laboratory experiment that will help students gain a greater understanding of mechanical vibration and control systems. The experiment will aid students in visualising mechanical vibration and allow them to develop and implement a PID controller on a real system.

The mechanical vibration remote laboratory consists of a two degree of freedom ‘shear structure’, a shaker table to provide base excitation, displacement sensors to provide feedback and an actuator (eddy current damper) to control the system. A server and a mounted webcam allow the user to login remotely and view the apparatus. A data acquisition board and a LabVIEW user interface will facilitate data logging and allow the user to complete the experiment.

A time history analysis was completed to simulate the dynamic response of the structure to base excitation. The use of accelerometers for displacement measurement is investigated. This includes the evaluation of methods for converting acceleration to displacement, calibration of the accelerometers for testing, configuration of data acquisition devices and the creation of the corresponding LabVIEW virtual instruments. It is concluded that accelerometers can be successfully used to measure displacement however they do not provide the most practical solution for this experiment. The implementation of a PD controller is also investigated. A mathematical model is developed for the two degree of freedom structure and its transfer function is determined. Research into the modelling of eddy current dampers is undertaken and the component is implemented into the control system. The layout of a graphical user interface for the experiment is also proposed.

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PRODUCTIVITY OF DIFFERENT TUNNELING TECHNIQUES (6cp)Joshua Hungerford – S08-025

Supervisor: Hadi KhabbazAssessor: Behzad FatahiMajor: Construction Engineering

Tunnels are an important part of today’s infrastructure. With the demand for higher capacity, and improved transport and infrastructure systems in large cities, where land is scarce, tunnels are becoming more essential. Tunnels are not only used for infrastructure purposes but also in underground mining.

This study looks at and investigates the performance and productivity of different tunneling techniques. Tunneling is a complex operation and many different methods can be used to construct a tunnel. The three most commonly used methods in Australia are investigated in this study. The study then determines which method is the most productive for different strengths of rocks being excavated. The final objective of this study is to compare the difference in productivity between Australian tunnels and tunnels constructed overseas.

The three common methods considered in the report are: tunnel boring machine excavation, road-header excavation and excavation of a tunnel using the drill and blast method. These methods are examined separately and productivity determined taking into consideration common problems that may cause delay. A number of case studies are also outlined in this study showing productivity of each method when used on site. At the conclusion of the report each method is examined against the other two methods and a judgment is made of which method is the most productive.

The study only looks at the metres cut per shift not considering the time taken to line the tunnel. The study found that road-header machines cut more rock at a faster rate than the other two options. However, if the rock that needs to be excavated is relatively hard, the most productive method would be the tunnel boring machine. The study also found that the productivity of tunnel construction in Australia is of a high standard and in some cases is above that of the rest of the world.

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PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION NUMERICAL SOLUTION WITH APPLICATION TO HEAT INDUCTION (12cp)Nusreen Ispahany – S07-063

Supervisor : Quang HaAssessor : Steven SuMajor: Electrical Engineering

The ability to accurately simulate results from micro-structural and mechanical properties of a material is advantageous in time and cost for industry. We are now able to create a mathematical model to produce a time-lapsed report of the properties within a reasonable certainty of the final output.

The aim of this investigation is to analyse the temperature profile and phase transformation during the hardening process of steel by quenching. As steel is a very versatile material when exposed to various environmental considerations, it is important to know the final properties resulting from its heat treatment. Under different cooling rates, such properties as the hardness and ductility can differ. In our example we started with a typical low carbon containing steel heated to its Austenite point of 1000°K and observed its cooling pattern. By using the partial differential toolbox (PDEtool) with the MatLab environment, we computed the temperature pattern with respect to time from a PDE mathematical model involving the heat transfer process. The model was compared to empirical evidence from a prior trial to test its validity.

It is expected that this investigation may be further developed into a temperature control/monitoring system for industrial purposes. By using the partial differential toolbox present within MatLab, a program can be developed to allow the user to enter the characteristic details of the material to be studied. For example, the starting microstructure of the material may differ, in addition to the cooling process. By incorporating these parameters into a coded MatLab program, the user will be able to obtain a predicted result that is accurate and transferable for an industrial application.

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MOBILE PHONE ALERTING OF ENVIRONMENTAL SOUNDS FOR PEOPLE WITH A HEARING IMPAIREMENT (12cp)Andrew Jardine - A05-999

Supervisor : Hung NguyenAssessor : Steve MurrayMajor: Computer Systems Engineering

Sounds keep us aware of important events in our surroundings. A knock at the door, a baby cry, public announcements, and sounds from electrical appliances provide us with knowledge with which we can make decisions. This capstone project presents a technology for providing hearing impaired people with alerts about sounds through their mobile phone.

Current methods of providing alerts of environmental sounds consist of one or more signalling devices (such as a door knock detector) sending a radio frequency signal to a flashing lamp within the home, or to a vibrating pager worn on the body.

In this capstone project a proof of concept system has been developed for providing alerts of environmental sounds on a mobile phone. The system consists of two components. A module has been developed which can be embedded within existing electronic appliances or sound detectors. This module transmits data about sounds (such as their location and volume) through Bluetooth. It consists of a PIC microcontroller which interfaces through its serial port to a Bluetooth module. Secondly, mobile phone software has been developed which receives the Bluetooth signal, vibrates the phone, and presents alerts about sounds. The software was implemented in C++ on the Symbian platform.

The advantage of this alerting method is that a person can be alerted to a wide range of sounds in any setting (at home, at work, or in a public place) using the same system. Since Bluetooth and mobile phones are becoming ubiquitous technologies, the system could be used in any location as a standard method for transferring data about sounds.

This project involves an analysis of the problem of providing alerts to hearing impaired people of environmental sounds and the details the design of the prototype. The system will be tested for its reliability at different ranges, and the ability of the receiver to receive data from multiple transmitters. It’s expected that the system will be reliable at a ten metre range.

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INSPECTOR GADGET (12cp)Justin Kumar - A08-068

Supervisor : Zenon Chaczko Assessor : Johnson AgbinyaMajor: Software Engineering

Mobile technologies came about by the need to communicate and access information whilst on the move. The primary driving factor for today’s mobile revolution is the realisation of the convenience and time saving benefits that mobile devices can offer to the everyday person, household or workplace. Continual development in the field of mobile technologies has resulted in the production of increasingly powerful and user friendly devices at costs lower than ever before. With mobile devices becoming increasingly accessible, their applications have become more seriously and broadly considered. Professions that would greatly benefit from advances in wireless technologies include those of vehicle inspectors or vehicle repairers.

Vehicle inspectors and repairers analyse and fix damaged vehicles on a daily basis. The process of recording an inspection commonly involves an inspector viewing a vehicle and taking mental or written notes of the damage and the repair work at hand. Upon returning to the office or workstation the inspector manually enters the notes onto a computer for record keeping. Some vehicle repair companies do not even store inspection or job records online and those that do don’t often have any image storage facilities to capture images of damaged vehicles.

The Inspector Gadget project utilises recent advancements in mobile technologies to offer a paperless method of capturing and storing inspection data thus eliminating the need for duplicate data entry. The project will involve the design of an online application to store job records with images and a wireless component that will allow inspectors to record jobs whilst on the move and upload the jobs to the storage system whenever convenient.

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THE UTILIZATION OF SOLAR POWER FOR MODEL BUILDING TO PROVIDER A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM (6cp)Zhuo Cheng Lin - S08-176

Supervisor: Jaffar MadadniaAssessor: Shami NejadiMajor: Mechanical Engineering

The purpose of this capstone project is to analyze and design the solar energy system for buildings by embedding the combination of active and passive solar power technologies.

The world requests the solution of environmental issues such as global warning and climate changes. It is necessary to have new development of energy generation system in order to eliminate and avoid the negative impact on the environment. Solar energy system has been introduced as the replacement of non-renewable energy generation system. However, the efficiency of solar energy system has not achieved the expected requirement, which prevents its distribution. High installation cost also reduces the demand of solar energy technology.

The report outlines the design of solar energy system including the improvement on the efficiency and the reduction on the cost of system installation. It is expected to improve the efficiency by using the combination of active and passive solar energy technologies on the design of system. This may also contributes on the decrease of installation cost.

Following by the discussion on the design, the results of the manufactured prototype will be stated and compared to the expectation from the original approach. There will be also statements of unexpected problems and solutions of them. It describes the achievement of learning outcomes during the real world manufacturing processes.

It is expected to have more investigation on the design of solar energy system and the improvement on its efficiency. There is still a large potential on the improvement of efficiency and the elimination of installation cost. As a recommendation, more solar energy technologies should be introduced to the solar power system, which could result in a better development on the energy generation.

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ROAD PAVEMENT DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE (6cp)Yang Liu - S08 – 043

Supervisor: Ken HalsteadAssessor: Alan BradyMajor: Civil Engineering

Concrete pavements have been used for highways, airports, streets, local roads, parking lots, industrial facilities and other types of infrastructure. When properly designed and built out of durable materials, concrete pavements can provide many decades of service with little or no maintenance.

The objective in preparing the report is to present and discuss the technologies of concrete pavement design, construction and maintenance so that the responsibilities of pavement engineers and the importance of effective collaboration among engineers with expertise in above areas can be reviewed and addressed.

The research has revealed that pavement that concrete pavement design is only one aspect associated with the achievement of sound pavement performance. Unless appropriate construction standards are met, material properties assumed during the design stage may not be achieved and pavement performance may fall well short of expectations. In addition, several maintenance considerations must be taken into account in pavement design because they can influence the type of wearing surface, which is adopted, the base and subbase material requirements or even the fundamental choice of pavement type.

Based on this study, it is recommended that engineers to understand materials selection, mixture proportioning, design and detailing, drainage, construction techniques,-and pavement performance. It is also important to understand the theoretical framework underlying commonly used design procedures, and to know the limits of applicability of the procedures. In addition, the successful design, construction and maintenance of concrete pavement require effective collaboration among engineers with expertise in geotechnical, design and in construction and maintenance.

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INVESTIGATION AND DESIGN OF NOVEL INTERFACES FOR THE MONITORING OF DOMESTIC POWER USAGE (6cp)Cassidy Lynne - S08-046

Supervisor: David LoweAssessor: Zenon ChaczkoMajor: Telecommunications Engineering

This project attempts to investigate how data, provided by multiple sensors, for the purpose of monitoring domestic power usage, may be presented through novel interfaces. While the notion of monitoring of domestic power usage may, in itself, not be original, current developments only make use of single sensory data sources. Such systems, while being efficient, leave open the possibility of using multiple sensors spread across each domestic current-consuming appliance. Such a network would provide the system with a rich set of data many more times that of current developments. In order to make proper use of such data, the project aimed to investigate how such data may be presented in novel ways.

The investigation adopted an exploratory approach with two dominant components. The first component describes the conceptual design of a system which makes use of a network of sensors and how such data may be presented. The second component involves the design and development of a prototype interface making use of a 5.7 inch colour touch screen LCD application kit. The prototype was then used as a method of gaining feedback on the appropriateness of the application kit and as an exemplar of the possibilities of future domestic environments.

As a result of the investigation, many conclusions were drawn based on the possibilities for increased data provided by multi-sensory networks. Perhaps the most significant recommendation lies in the critical role in which multi-sensory networks may have in the development of sustainable domestic environments.

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DESIGN OF A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A LOW NOx BURNER TESTING FACILITY FOR AALBORG INDUSTRIES PTY LTD (12cp)Daryl Maisey - A08-085

Supervisor : John DartnallAssessor : Guang HongMajor: Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

For many years Aalborg Industries has had plans to design and build a marine oil and gas burner testing facility to better the product and additionally reduce emissions while increasing efficiency. Due to the pressures of climate change and Aalborg’s responsibility to the environment, the burner testing facility was finally given approval to progress into the design phase.

Burning fuels such as marine diesel, crude oils and natural gases are excessively dangerous and must always be closely controlled to prevent failures and hazards occurring. An advance in modern technology has now allowed engineers to design and build automated control systems using various electronic sensors, programmable logic controllers and computers. These systems are able to safely monitor the conditions of the process and act upon undesirable situations by either changing physical variables or shutting the system down via a series of analogue and digital controlled valves.

This Capstone project plans to design the setup of this particular control system for the Low NOx burner testing facility including electrical wiring, programmable logic controller schematics, sensor arrangements and software programming including a human-machine interface.

The outcome of the project will be a set of drawings and schematics that allow Aalborg Industries to build the control system around the mechanical structure. Additionally, the human-machine interface and logic programming will be setup via a laptop computer, ready to receive ‘real’ inputs and transmit outputs.

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INVESTIGATION INTO ENERGY USAGE INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE SOURCES IN AN ELECTROPLATING PLANT (6cp)Hector Alonso Martin - S08-002

Supervisors : Phuoc HuynhAssessor : Terry BrownMajor: Exchange Undergraduate

Description of the problems giving rise to the project:

High usage and cost of electrical energy in heating solutions for the electroplating processes prompted this study. An electroplating plant was, at times, exceeding the limit of allowable electrical power supply. This caused power failures and affected production. There was in place a practice of reducing process temperatures, which compromised quality and slowed throughput.

Methods adopted to solve it:

1. Design of mathematical heat transfer model for the tanks to determine heat losses and asociated costs, helped by performed experiments

2. Investigate more economical solutions (considering both capital and operating costs and other sources of energy)

Achievements and their significance to the field of study:

A mathematical model developed, which represents the heat transfer from the tanks to the surrounds, provided better understanding of the different modes by which energy passes from the solutions and into the surrounds, and relative importance of each mode. The model’s validity and the influence of parameters (temperatures, quality of insulation, relative humidity, air injection for agitation, evaporation, etc.) were confirmed by laboratory experiments using a scaled down tank with the proportions of the factory tanks.

The favoured solution suggested was the installation of a natural gas fired boiler unit. As gas is a cheaper source of energy than electricity it will provide operational savings. The higher energetic efficiency (compared to electrical energy usage from power stations) that gas fired boiler units provide will allow for savings in primary fuel requirements, which helps to conserve natural resources, as well as to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions.

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THE DISTRIBUTION OF STRAIN IN BONDED POST-TENSIONED CABLES (6cp)Haris Michaels - S08-131

Supervisor: Chris WilkinsonAssessor: Anne GardnerMajor: Civil Engineering

Pre-stressed concrete has many advantages over conventionally reinforced concrete – longer spans without the corresponding increase in materials, and better durability and serviceability characteristics – and can be found in many construction elements, from suspended slabs and warehouse floors to dams, silos and other large storage facilities. It is a relatively new development in the construction industry, having been invented at the beginning of the 20th

century and only really implemented on a large scale after World War II, when the pressing need to rebuild required a more efficient utilization of available materials.

The performance of pre-stressed concrete is dependent on many factors, such as concrete mix design and pre-stressing system utilized. Consequently, much effort has been expended testing pre-stressed concrete under different conditions and utilizing different components. This report is an extension of that testing, and deals with the distribution of strain in the bonded dead-ends of post-tensioned cables.

Specifically, the distribution of strain in the bonded dead-ends of post-tensioned cables is measured using a series of strain gauges attached to an in-situ post-tensioning slab system. The objective is to measure the strain as a stressing force is applied – this force is applied in two stages, with the initial stress at 25% of the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) of the post-tensioning strand, and the final stress at 85% of the UTS of the post-tensioning strand. The results are documented and compared to expected theoretical values, and conclusions made regarding the effectiveness of the bonded dead-ends. All works are carried out in accordance with the relevant clauses of the relevant Australian Standards.

Aside from recording the strain, another key objective of this report is to develop an effective testing methodology on which more thorough testing can be based. This report details the possible development of this testing methodology, and the information which could be gained from such testing.

Finally, a summary of the project management tools and processes which have been implemented is provided. The effectiveness of these tools and processes is discussed and recommendations made for future testing.

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IDENTIFYING WAYS OF REDUCING NOISE EMISSION FROM ACTRONAIR RESIDENTIAL AIR CONDITIONERS DURING NIGHT-TIME OPERATION (12cp)Antonious Mickaeal – A08-092

Supervisor : Guang HongAssessor : Terry BrownMajor: Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering

Air conditioners have become essential basics in our daily lives, with nearly every home in Australia adopting one. Recently, with the increase in demand for air condition systems, noise emission from the condenser (external) unit has been a serious issue between neighbouring premises. If an air conditioner is noisy or is placed inappropriately, it can have some serious negative impacts on human life by affecting concentration, mood, and even causing loss of sleep. Some states within Australia consider air condition noise as illegal, given that it can be heard within neighbouring premises during night-time.

The airflow through the condenser fan is one of the factors causing the noise when the airflow becomes separated or turbulent. ActronAir, Australia’s leading air condition manufacturer, has recognized the need for reducing noise emission from their condenser units and have decided to conduct an investigation into the noise generated from the condenser unit fans.

Three typical products of condenser fans were selected in this investigation. Their noise levels with different rings around the fan were experimentally investigated. The spectra were analysed to find the dominating frequencies of the noise. The results from the investigation recommended the use of fans that had fewer blades, and a higher ring around each fan to reduce the flow-induced noise. Further investigations were conducted in search of the right fan and ring setup that will reduce the overall Sound Power Level (SWL) of the condenser unit.

The results showed that the fan noise depended on the ring’s structure and height. Based on the experimental investigation, a new ring was designed and tested. The results show that the new selected ‘EBM 3-blade’ fans, with the new ring height of 55mm, reduced the overall SWL of the condenser unit by approximately 9 dB(A). The Sound Pressure Level (SPL) of the fans, at different operating speeds, was also undertaken to provide ActronAir with sufficient information regarding airflow and the respective noise levels. This information will be used by ActronAir to design a control system that will operate the condenser unit quietly and efficiently during night-time operation.

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VIRIDIAN – DESIGNED TO PERFORM (12cp)Martin Mirakhour - A08-096

Supervisor : Nong ZhangAssessor : Terry BrownMajor: Mechanical Engineering

‘Viridian – Designed to Perform’ is the marketing slogan for an Electronic Gaming Machine. The development and testing of products is a method companies can use to improve future products; the specific objectives of this project being to analyse an engineering design, develop test parameters, conduct tests and validate, where applicable via simulation. These tasks are important metrics for Aristocrat engineering, and can be used for the development of design standards and can assist the broader engineering community.

There is an on going push for Aristocrat to continually improve its quality and standards. A project such as this will provide Aristocrat with the data and verification needed to ensure it is selling a premium product. A key technical assumption is that all components being tested will be able to withstand the forces produced by the doors opening and closing and this will be verified by reviewing relevant component specifications from suppliers and using industry experience to develop test parameters. In addition the project will have an economic benefit for Aristocrat and Aristocrat customers.

The results showed that Viridian was ‘Designed to Perform’, and is a great testament to the engineers involved. Reliability tests, in particular the slam tests, showed faultless results that had not been evident in previous unqualified testing. Strength tests showed minor issues but the machine overall, withstood significant forces to ensure that the integral part of the machine was secure and could be validated as ‘fit-for-purpose’.

Developing a product that is difficult to break into and able to withstand forces generated by destructive operational conditions will ensure venue service and operational costs are minimised and guarantee that Aristocrat has satisfied customers. A gaming machine that is reliable will mean minimal machine downtime and enhance Aristocrat’s reputation as being a market leader and supplier of quality gaming products around the world.

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AUTOMATION OF THE FIRST GAMBREL TRANSFER IN MEAT PROCESSING (6cp)David Neville - S08-053

Supervisor : Kenneth WaldronAssessor : Nong ZhangMajor: Mechanical Engineering

The Australian meat industry is operating within a global market and needs to compete on a global scale. The industry is currently faced with high labour costs and automation of processes currently performed manually may lead to considerable increases in efficiency benefiting the Australian meat industry.

This project was conducted by the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) in collaboration with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and is being sponsored by the Australian Meat Processor Corporation, Ltd. (AMPC). It describes a possible solution for automating the first gambrel transfer in the processing of lamb and calf carcasses at the CRF Colac Otway (CRFCO) plant near Melbourne, Australia.

The first gambrel transfer is a step in the meat processing process where the hoofs of the carcass need to be transferred from an open to a closed position where they are hung on hooks called gambrels. Current methods for the first gambrel transfer are dependent on manual labour and pose an OH&S issue. The repetitive nature of this task lends itself to automation.The proposed design solution is a passive five bar mechanism designed to replace the existing gambrels. Drawing power from the movement of the chain to which the gambrels are attached to perform the transfer. The gambrel transfer mechanism is to be retrofitted into an operational plant and hence the gambrels have been designed to operate within the current specifications of the plant. The proposed design, functions as a cheap, clean, and easily maintainable solution.The design now requires prototyping and further testing to validate the design before implementation.

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CROQUET VIDEO GAME SIMULATION (6cp)Sudarno Nguyen - S08-181

Supervisor : Warren YatesAssessor : Zenon ChaczkoMajor: Software Engineering

The objective of this project is to develop a video game simulation of Croquet

It is novel in two respects. In the first place it uses Flash technology which means it can be deployed across the web. The second is that rather than requiring thee user to specify the force and angle of their shot, they decide instead where they would like the balls to end up following the stroke. This makes the simulation experience much closer to playing a real game. Interest in playing the simulation is maintained by randomly perturbing the force and angle of the stroke that would be needed to place the balls in the desired position, so that they end up close to, but not precisely where they were intended.

This approach differs from the two other simulations of Croquet that are available. It makes the game much more useful for players who wish to develop their strategy skills at home in between real games.

Croquet is a complex game and developing the simulation has been a challenge. The underlying Physics of finite diameter balls colliding with each other and with hops have to be modelled. Some of the strokes in the game involve striking one ball of a pair of balls in contact. A further challenge is modelling the passage of a ball through a hoop, where the passage may not be “clean”. There are also rules about the sequence of strokes and what to do when a ball goes out and these all had to be implemented.

Apart from he Physics, there was the challenge of designing a user interface that was as simple and intuitive to use as possible yet maintain the actual size relationships between balls, hoops and field size.

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INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL OF TIMBER CONCRETE COMPOSITE FLOORS FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN AUSTRALIA (6cp)Ben Nugteren - S08-060

Supervisor : Keith CrewsAssessor : Bijan SamaliMajor: Civil Engineering

In Australia, the use of timber in structures in generally limited to domestic structures. However, with the development of engineered timbers, such as Glulam and LVL, it is possible to use these products to span longer spans (8-10m) under an office load (typically 3kPa), that are required in commercial buildings. This flooring system is further enhanced when combined with a concrete topping that acts as a composite section with the timber. Benefits from both the timber and concrete can be achieved, with several of the less desirable properties being eliminated by the other material.

This report has been developed to look at the various different flooring systems that are currently in use in Australia. This involves considering both design and construction issues, and also looking at BCA requirements for the building type. Looking at and investigating these products will provide an insight into the current market. With this information, the potential of the Timber Concrete Composite flooring system will become clearer.

The report will look at both the traditional cast insitu flooring systems and also precast systems, and compare these different construction types. Generally, the construction industry like to stay with the more traditional tried and tested methods of construction. As this is the case, prefabricated systems have faced several challenges over the past twenty to thirty years to gain acceptance in the market. Even today they only have a minor section of the market share, although there is still a lot of potential for this to be increased, as the full benefits of prefabricated systems become more clearly understood and accepted. This would be one of the challenges of the Timber Concrete Composite floor, as it not only is a prefabricated system, but the primary material is a construction material that is currently seldom used in this type of construction.

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DESIGN, BUILD AND TEST A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM FOR UTS BUILDINGS USING BIPV (12cp)Myung Park - A08-111

Supervisor : Jaffar MadadniaAssessor : Steven SuMajor: Electrical Engineering

The significance of adopting renewable, environmentally sustainable and efficient energy systems is highlighted by the economic costs of non renewable energy as well as the need to minimise the ecological impact due to ever increasing energy demands. The annual cost of non-renewable energy used in UTS-buildings accounts for almost fifty percent of the UTS’s annual budget. UTS has however, taken fundamental steps towards creating and committing to a practices promoting environmental sustainability.

In accordance to its continuous commitment to sustainability, the Vice Chancellors of UTS and five other VCs of other Australian Technical Network Universities signed an agreement to promote energy efficient projects by UTS students, academics and support staff to reduce carbon emissions; reducing the effects contributing towards climate changes.

This thesis provides extensive literary reviews of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, ongoing projects and various related research. My role as a member of an engineering research group, supervised by Dr Jaffar Madadnia, is to provide a report on the experimental work conducted on the designing, building and testing of a BIPV system for UTS buildings.

Single glazed and double glazed PV designs were meticulously analysed, evaluated and compared with selected benchmark models from the literary reviews in order to propose my own BIPV system design. Implementation of this proposed design was done taking into account the constraints of producing a system that was both environmentally sustainable and economically feasible, resulting in a system that produced superior electrical and thermal performance compared to benchmarked models.

Final recommendations are made into fascinating areas of research which maybe undertaken by other students interested in pursuing continual research in this field, which may contribute to ameliorating the BIPV system’s performance.

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CASCADE CONTROL OF SERVO MOTORS USING THE SYMMETRIC OPTIMUM PRINCIPLE (12cp)Hoang Phu Pham - A08-115

Supervisor : Quang HaAssessor : Steven SuMajor: Electrical Engineering

Motion control systems have been well-developed over the years. Servo applications of motion systems often require closed-loop control schemes, which, in contrast to open-loop schemes, address the need to improve transient response times, to reduce the steady-state errors, and to enhance robust performance in the presence of system parameter variations and external disturbances.

Generally, improving the transient response time aims to increase the system bandwidth. Faster response times allow system to settle quicker and maximise the servo performance of the controlled dynamics. Reducing the steady-state errors is required to improve the system accuracy. Engineering control designs always aim at reducing the sensitivity to parameters to tolerate fluctuations in parameters such as the incoming power line voltage, real time change in load inertia or mass, and also at enhancing robustness to load variations, for example, to cope with unexpected shaft torque disturbances.

The main objective of my project is to present a detailed documentation on the design and implementation of the DC motor controllers using PLCs. The current, speed and position of the shaft of DC motor will be controlled by using an Omron PLC to implement cascade PI control schemes. For the design, these controllers’ parameters will be comprehensively calculated based on the revisited Symmetric Optimum principle.

The servo system using a 10:1 Maxon gear-head DC motor has been modelled and simulated in software known as MatLab. The controller was then implemented on the Omron PLC and Op-Amp electronic circuitry.

There exhibit insignificant differences between MatLab simulation and experimental results, which show that the design concept is practical and viable for servo applications. Thus it can be sued for automation and analogue control demonstrations.

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URBAN COMPASS – THE INTERACTIVE OUTDOOR GPS GUIDE FOR BLIND PEOPLE (12cp)Gauri Pradhan - A08 -118

Supervisor: Zenon ChaczkoAssessor: Robin BraunMajor: Computer Systems Engineering

For the majority of blind people, the loss of sight is paralleled by a loss of independence.

Blind people do not have the ability to navigate to remote locations beyond their immediately perceptible environment. White canes and guide dogs cannot provide situational or contextual information, so the blind often have to rely on other people for movement and environmental interpretation.

The objective of this project is to investigate and develop a GPS system which will assist blind people to move around outdoors with more independence.

Although there are already numerous Travel Aides (TAs) for the blind currently on the market, only an extremely small proportion of the blind population actually use them. This is because these devices are very expensive, have complex keyboard user interfaces and are bulky to carry around. The reducing cost of GPS units coupled with the recent growth in the availability of GPS and voice recognition services through the internet presents an opportunity to create a solution for these issues.

The result of this capstone project will be the delivery of a functional proof of concept prototype which will allow users to get verbal GPS navigational information using an intuitive speech recognition interface.

The key priority of the prototype is to meet the user’s navigational needs while ensuring low cost and portability of the final solution. The system architecture’s includes a wireless interface that would ensure future additional of smart sensors and possibly other supporting subsystems.

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SOFT GRUND IMPORVEMENT BY STONE COLUMNS (6cp)Sajith Premananda - S08-068

Supervisor: Behzad Fatahi Assessor: Hadi KhabbazMajor: Civil Engineering

Soft soils could be defined as soft clays, clayley silts and peat. The undesirable soft soil properties, such as high compressibility, low bearing capacity, low permability, creep and high shrink/swell potential cause construction and maintenance difficulties. These issues could be overcome by treating the ground with an appropriate method. Ground improvement methods could be classified into five main categories, namely, flexible inclusion, semi rigid inclusion, rigid inclusion, above the ground stabilisation, and slope stabilisation methods.

Ground improvement using stone columns is a semi-rigid inclusion method which is one of the most suitable methods for soft cohesive soil improvement. The use of stone columns would improve the bearing capacity, reduce settlement, accelerate consolidation process, improve slope stability as well as resistance to liquefaction. Stone column construction methods could be categorised as land base and off shore base. The stone column construction involves the penetration of the ground and the partially replacing the in-situ soil with stones. Stone column design involves the identification of stone column failure modes, estimation of stone column properties and calculation of bearing capacities and settlements. Priebe, Equilibrium and Finite Element are the most commonly used methods for design purposes.

The case study presented in this research relates to the ground improvement using stone columns for RG Tanna Coal Terminal Expansion project in Queensland, Australia. The main purpose of the case study is to simulate a plate load test using Finite Element method. The finite element model developed in Plaxis code is axis symmetric which is suitable for a cylindrical stone column. The numerical results including predicted deformations have been compared with the field measurements. The field measurements are in very good agreement with numerical predictions. The procedure developed in this study to estimate stone column parameters can be adopted in practice for a precise ground improvement design.

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THE EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE OF COB STRUCTURES (12cp)Luke Punzet - S08-137

Supervisor : Bijan Samali Assessor : Hadi KhabbazMajor: General Engineering

Large portions of the developing world reside in earthquake prone regions, with these communities often lacking the materials, skills and funds necessary to design and construct buildings that provide adequate resistance to earthquakes. This inevitably leads to poorly built structures and subsequently disastrous consequences when earthquakes occur, consequences which could otherwise be reduced. These challenges are of particular relevance to the earth building field, with some estimates suggesting that as much as 50% of the developing world lives in earth built homes. As such the earth building field faces a critical challenge to find housing solutions for these masses of people that, at the same time as providing sound structural resistance to earthquake imposed stresses, are also affordable, practical and sustainable.

Previous research at UTS has led to the development of highly successful appropriate reinforcement methods for adobe (mudbrick) structures. However, drawing from the experiences of earth builder Peter Hickson, who has undertaken earth building projects for rural communities in the Philippines, has led to the belief that in such humid tropical environments adobe structures may not be the most practical housing solution for these communities given the sometimes lengthy drying time required for mudbricks. Cob is an alternative earth building material which consisting of clay, sand and straw mixed together, is used to create monolithic walls, and in its application in the Philippines so far has proven successful.

However, only limited information is at hand regarding the earthquake resistance provided by cob structures. Accordingly our research project has sought to provide an indication as to the earthquake resistance cob structures can potentially provide. To achieve this, two 1:2 scale cob structures, each weighing over one tonne, were built in-situ at the University of Technology, Sydney. The structures’ ability to resist earthquake stresses was then tested by subjecting them to simulated earthquake conditions.

My individual role in this joint research project was in assessing whether the resistance cob structures are able to provide to earthquakes can be considered adequate to be able to recommend the use of cob as a structurally sound housing solution for communities in earthquake prone regions. By maintaining dimensional consistency between the cob test specimens and specimens used in previous research into reinforced adobe (mud brick), and by simulating the same earthquake used in this previous research; comparisons were able to be made between the structural performances of the two earth building methods. Additionally by incorporating a system of horizontal and vertical bamboo-reinforcement into one of the cob specimens, an assessment was also able to be made regarding the effects of incorporating this particular reinforcement system on the structural performance of cob.

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SYSTEM INDEPENDENCE FOR ADEMPIERE OPEN SOURCE ERP (12cp)Grant Quick - A08-121

Supervisor : Stuart NettletonAssessor : Ravindra BagiaMajor: Software Engineering

As the complexity of organisations around the globe increases, the need to effectively manage business processes has never been more important. In order to remain viable in such an environment, organisations need to increasingly rely on technology to automate their processes. ADempiere provides world's best practice in an open source ERP environment that allows businesses to streamline and customise their operations.

This project materially enhances the competitiveness of many organisations by expanding ADempiere's capability from Intel processors to Power processors as used, for example, in IBM's highly regarded range of Power System servers. In addition, the application was ported to WebSphere Application Server, which is required for its industrial strength and compatibility with other service architectures in organisations.

To supplement these world first achievements, further research was carried out in database independence, performance testing and various other areas that will help the ADempiere community to continue developments in a direction of better system independence. Whilst the contributions of an individual are invaluable, the efforts of one person alone are not enough in a major business solution such as ADempiere. This research will help other individuals to undertake system independence projects for ADempiere in the future, which will ensure that the application remains relevant as new technologies emerge.

Publishing this work widely in the IBM Innovation network and in the ADempiere developer and support community has significantly added to reputation of the ADempiere community, IBM and above all to the prestige of the University in carrying out research in areas relevant to industry.

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HAVE THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE AND THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME? WOULD THEY BE BUILT TODAY AND IF SO, HOW? (6cp)Stephanie Rodgers - S08-139

Supervisor : Pam HazeltonAssessor : Alan BradyMajor: Civil Engineering

Demands for infrastructure are determined by society’s social, economic and demographic needs. Not only does the infrastructure have to satisfy these needs, but the construction techniques used must devise and ensure completion in a timely and cost effective manner.

In the 20th century many structural engineering challenges were encountered building the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. However, with the development of technology, social and political expectations, would similar or different challenges be faced, if these same structures were constructed in the 21st century.

Early in the 20th century, construction site fatalities were accepted as inevitable. The construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge resulted in the deaths of sixteen men compared with the fatality free Sydney Opera House. Workplace Health and Safety is a component that would have changed the design and construction of these two icons. Workplace Health and Safety expectations over the last century have evolved and have become an integral factor of all construction processes. In a span of just 40 years, social and political influences and legislation changed the construction industry’s outlook on Workplace Health and Safety. Today’s modern legislation requires the construction industry to accept responsibility for its worker’s safety and site work practices. In the event that these two icons were built today, new challenges including the impact of Workplace Health and Safety practices would be reflected in the construction techniques used on the site.

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A REVIEW OF FILTRATION PROCESSES USED IN WASTEWATER TREATEMT AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO WASTEWATER REUSE (6cp)Myles Rogerson - S08-070

Supervisor : Saravanamuth VigneswaranAssessor : Jaya KandasamyMajor: Civil Engineering

The primary focus of this paper is to review a number of filtration processes that have been utilised in the treatment of wastewater. To a lesser extent, this paper also takes into account wastewater reuse and the contribution that the filtration process as a whole makes towards this.

Initially, an understanding of the fundamentals that form the basis of filtration are introduced. In order to achieve this, a literature review has been undertaken that documents a collection of underlying principles that apply to filtration processes.

The paper then provides an extensive review of a number of different processes and technologies that have been used as methods of filtration. The paper focuses on filtration methods within industrial and municipal wastewater treatment contexts.

For filtration methods within an industrial context, a literature review has been undertaken of a number of technologies that includes pre-coat, cartridge, and membrane filtration.

The review completed for filtration processes within a municipal treatment context, combines a literature review with data collected from an operating treatment plant in Sydney. The primary filtration method that has been reviewed under a municipal treatment context is rapid filtration.

Finally, wastewater reuse and the contribution that the filtration process as a whole makes towards this, is reviewed. A number of case studies where filtration processes have been utilised in wastewater treatment schemes are documented.

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FINANCIAL SIMULATIONS WITH THE USE OF FIELD PROGRAMMABLE GATE ARRAYS (12cp)Brett Salisbury - A08-130

Supervisors: Tim AubreyAssessor: Sam ReisenfeldMajor: Software Engineering

Current methods of simulating the performance of a financial instrument, such as an option priced with the Black and Scholes model, require computational devices with significant processing and memory capacity. This project has looked at an innovative approach to achieve the required performance while at the same time reduce the cost of the hardware required through the use of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology. FPGAs are programmable logic devices offering a fast and flexible platform for algorithm implementation on dedicated hardware.

In this project, the entire Monte Carlo simulation of an options contract has been given an original implementation on a high-performance Xilinx FPGA device. This has required the implementation of several complex hardware units, including random number generators, arithmetic units, interrupt-driven event handlers, FIFO queues and many others. Pseudo-random numbers are generated at a much faster rate on the FPGA hardware than on a conventional Personal Computer (PC) through the use of multiple linear feedback shift operators that run in parallel. Arithmetic units operate in the IEEE 754 floating point standard, thus retaining the precision and dynamic range of software implementations. Floating-point performance is enhanced by the use of dedicated DSP slices made available on the FPGA device. The overall design has proved capable of avoiding performance bottlenecks and balancing use of FPGA resources.

This project demonstrates that the computational time for the simulation on an FPGA implementation is at least seven times faster than the same computation on a PC. This validates earlier work in this field indicating that a FPGA implementation would deliver a significant speedup, and permits continued development of a daughterboard hosting the design in a commercially viable implementation.

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PHYSICS PUZZLE GAME ON THE NINTENDO DS (12cp)Vijay Santhanam - A08-132

Supervisor : Lian LokeAssessor : Yusuf PisanMajor: Software Engineering

The physics puzzle game is a single player Nintendo DS (portable console) game designed to create engaging, interactive environments for children (school starters and up). Children can to solve puzzles, reach milestones and design their own levels. Providing a fun, educational activity to children of this age with the hand-held stylus can improve fine motor skills, exercise cognition and foster creativity. To balance educational goals with user experience goals of engagement and entertainment, the user centred design process ISO 13407 is followed.

The game is written in C++ using the libnds library for hardware abstraction and built using the devkitARM tool chain. A sub-set of OpenGL ES is used for drawing with hardware acceleration and a buffering technique to draw 3D to both screens. Both ARM processors are utilized – ARM9 for graphics and ARM7 for sound. The physics simulation engine library chosen is Box2D which provides real-time rigid body dynamics and was made to work in an embedded fixed point environment. Other utility libraries ported include tinyxml, libpng and loki. Design of the game extensively used modern C++ template techniques and design patterns to enable fine grained encapsulation and control for composability and configurability.

Robust design, compact & smart libraries glued together with a scripting language not only adds configurability but also facilitates much quicker iteration between designing solutions and evaluating their engagement with children aged five to eight. The process focuses on the child players and accommodates their characteristics. For example, voice instructions instead of text, playful interaction and puzzle tutorials aim to address the unique requirements of children. Future work can continue to add levels, tutorials and design environments.

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BEARING STRENGTH OF CONFINED CONCRETE (6cp)Craig Anthony Scheffers - S08-074

Supervisor: Ravi Sri RavindrarajahAssessor: Chris WilkinsonMajor: Civil Engineering

Fibre reinforced polymer strengthening systems can be used in a composite manner to provide lateral confinement for concrete elements. A number of concrete specimens were studied to determine the effect of externally bonded fibre reinforced polymer confinement on the bearing strength of concrete. As a part of the investigation, specific relationships were developed between the bearing strength and cylinder strength for confined concrete. The effect of the bearing ratio (total surface area to bearing area) on the bearing strength of confined concrete was also investigated. In addition, the crack propagation and failure mechanisms of confined concrete under bearing and uniaxial compression loads were analysed and compared to the behaviour of unconfined concrete.

It was determined that the bearing strength of concrete increased by providing externally bonded fibre reinforced polymer confinement. Analysis of the effect of the bearing ratio demonstrated that as the bearing ratio increased, the bearing strength of confined concrete increased in a linear manner. It was also found that the ratio of bearing strength to cylinder strength increased with an increase in bearing ratio for confined concrete. The influence of confinement on the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of concrete was also investigated.

Analysis of crack propagation and failure mechanisms of confined concrete under square bearing plates demonstrated that cracking initiated from the corner of the bearing plates across the top of the specimen and propagated downward on each of the specimen faces. The confined concrete resisted load beyond failure of the concrete core as the fibre reinforced polymer confinement actively provided support. Failure of the confined concrete occurred in a brittle explosive manner with loud acoustic emission as the fibre reinforced polymer confinement experienced excessive tension in the hoop direction.

Increases in bearing capacity of structural elements including concrete footings can be achieved with fibre reinforced polymer composites and benefit the civil engineering industry. This would be advantageous in projects with size constraints on the footings or in order to reduce the volume of concrete required and improve the cost-efficiency of footing solutions.

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DEVELOPMENT OF A RIG FOR TESTING A NEW GRASS CUTTING MECHANISM (12cp)Rahi Shakerian - A08-134

Supervisor : John DartnallAssessor : Garry MarksMajor: Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

This project is one three focusing on the design and construction of a test rig for supporting the benefits of a new grass cutting mechanism. The Counter Shear Cutting Method (CSCM) is the result of work completed by former students aiming to develop a more energy efficient grass cutting device. Hence this project looks at the development of the motor housing to be used with the test rig.

Before establishing the requirements for the motor housing, the project highlights major functional and environmental factors which question the continued use of conventional internal combustion rotary lawnmowers. This includes the release of harmful gases into the environment, rising maintenance costs, and noise pollution resulting from their use.

Upon establishing the need for a cleaner and more efficient lawn care product, the project analyses current products designed to provide similar benefits. This includes the combination of rechargeable batteries and electric motors in the form of cordless electric lawn mowers. The benefits of such devices is explored and used to specify ideal attributes for a commercial product using the CSCM.

A detailed discussion is provided on the parameters used for finding a suitable electric motor as the driving source for the motor housing. This is also supported by a review of current developments in Brushless Permanent Magnet D.C motors and the benefits of their use within a commercial product.

As a requirement for the CSCM, an adjustable counter shear plate is developed through analysis of studies completed by former students. Using their findings, a practical design has been developed for use with the motor housing. The project concludes with a discussion of issues faced and advice is provided for future students aiming to work with the test rig.

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SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT FOR SYDNEY (12cp)Sanjeev Shokeen - A08-135


Sydney’s population has increased considerably as compared other major Australian cites and this along with other factors has played a major role in causing a burden on its transportation system. The main goal of this capstone project is to highlight these problems and provide applicable and sustainable solutions.

This project provides a rigorous analysis of the current transportation situation in Sydney focusing mainly on public transport and providing practical solutions to improve the existing system. The key issues discussed include traffic congestion, automobile dependence and factors affecting sustainability.

A brief history of Sydney’s transport has been provided and also been compared with the current situation. Following this the major transportation issues like urban sprawl, excessive pressure on public transport and the rise of oil prices have been discussed in detail. Some examples from other cities that Sydney could implement have also been provided. A number of possible solutions have been provided to facilitate the sustainability needs of Sydney’s transportation. They include suggestions associated with changing the current government polices and integrated transport planning methods. Some recommendations regarding further research have also been added towards the end.

The final part of this research also contains results from a transport sustainability survey conducted mostly amongst the university colleagues to get a general perception of the public about Sydney’s transportation services and its satisfaction ratings. The overall findings from this survey indicated a general dissatisfaction from the public transport, especially associated with everyday train users.

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SOLAR THERMAL ELECTRICITY IN AUSTRALIA: A FEASIBILITY STUDY (12CP)Adrian Smit - S08-076

Supervisor: Rob JarmanAssessor: Deepak SharmaMajor: Civil and Environmental Engineering

With the growing concern over climate change there is becoming a pressing need to find an alternative energy supply that is both reliable and cheap but does not produce green house gasses. One alternative being suggested is Solar Thermal Electricity (STE). This technology replaces coal and gas fired power stations by using focused sunlight to create steam rather than by burning fuel. The rest of this technology operates largely the same as any conventional electricity generator; using the steam created to power a steam turbine to create electricity.

This report examines how this technology compares to other electricity producing technologies in terms of capital costs, operational costs, production costs and reliability. This report also looks at the potential for application of STE technology, its advantages and disadvantages over other technologies and the difficulties involved in developing this technology and how they can be overcome.

This report will also discuss the suitability of this technology for use in Australia and the plausibility of developing this technology to the point of it becoming the main source of grid electricity supply in Australia. This report then suggests what the Australian government could do to help develop this technology to that stage and in doing so greatly reduce green house gas production in Australia.

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INVESTIGATING THE POTENTIAL OF TIMBER CONCRETE COMPOSITE FLOORS FOR COMMERICAL BUILDINGS IN AUSTRALIA (6cp)Alexander Smith - S08-173

Supervisor : Keith CrewsAssessor : Bijan SamaliMajor: Civil Engineering

Traditional construction methods have ensured the safe erection of buildings for the past century and now form the benchmark for innovative design solutions. With the aim of all businesses to maximise their profitability, architects, engineers and builders are continually looking for ways to increase their profit margins. The various proprietary slab systems currently available in the market offer engineers and builders the opportunity to differentiate their tender proposals and thus increase their viability as a result.

However, with reluctance from builders to trial new systems, the benefits of composite proprietary systems have only just begun to come to the fore. Two composite slab systems, namely prestressed concrete and metal deck, continue to increase their market share in today’s construction industry as industry professionals continue to realise their full potential. With the market for composite systems by no means saturated, the viability of a new system will need to be designed to maximise those advantages, and mitigate the disadvantages, of the systems currently available in the market. The following paper is a review of the traditional, prestressed and metal deck systems as perceived by industry professionals, with the aim of assisting in the determination of the viability, and hence validity, of the introduction of a new composite slab system into the market.

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OBDII FUEL EFFICIENCY DISPLAY (12cp)Thomas Street - A08-141

Supervisor : Hung NguyenAssessor : Zenon ChaczkoMajor: Software Engineering

The price of fuel has been steadily rising over the last two years and there is global concern on the amount of carbon emissions from petrol engines. The project designs and implements a real time fuel efficiency display prototype to be used in a vehicle whilst driving. The display will provide feedback so that the user will be able to modify their driving patterns to drive more fuel efficiently. From driving more fuel efficiently the user will be able to save money on fuel bills and aid in producing a cleaner environment by lowering their carbon emissions.

The developed product uses the On-Board Diagnostic II (OBDII) interface available inside the vehicle to calculate fuel efficiency. A hardware system that contains an MSP430 microcontroller and Bluetooth module was constructed. This system connects to the OBDII interface inside the vehicle. The MSP430 requests OBDII data from the vehicle and uses it to perform fuel efficiency calculations. These calculations are transmitted via Bluetooth to an application running on a mobile phone, which displays the efficiency feedback to the user as they drive. The application is also able to log efficiency data and allows the user to analyse their efficiency away from the vehicle.

The project was completed in three stages. A research stage was conducted that investigated the best way to calculate fuel efficiency. In this stage a functional and design specification were produced that clearly defined the behaviour of the system. The second stage involved the implementation of the MSP430 and Mobile Phone Application in C and Java. Finally in stage three, the system was tested against the requirements and trial runs of the prototype were performed to verify the accuracy of the fuel efficiency display.

The project was completed successfully and several recommendations were made for future revisions of the product.

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CHARACTERISATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A CAPACITIVE SENSOR NETWORK FOR OBJECT RANGING AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE (12cp)James Symonds – S08-081

Supervisor: Dikai LiuAssessor: Gamini DissanayakeMajor: Electrical Engineering

When undertaking maintenance upon steel bridges, it is a requirement that the protective coating on the steel is removed, as well as any surface rust and other contaminants. Because of the hazardous and labour-intensive nature of sand-blasting surfaces manually, an autonomous robotic sandblasting platform is under development. Collisions with the surrounding environment are potentially destructive, as the forces that the actuators are capable of exerting can easily damage parts of the system and cause harm to surrounding objects or operators in its vicinity. Thus, in order to ensure collision free movement of the robotic arm and the overall safety of those in the proximity of the operation, the need for the whole arm to be enclosed in an active sensing field is evident.

In order to achieve this objective, a custom designed network of capacitive sensors has been under development. This study extends on this work by providing a rigorous method for measuring and visualising the fields of detection of these sensor nodes. This information is then used to provide a secondary source of collision protection in a force-field motion planning algorithm.

The solution developed uses precise movement of the end effector of a robot arm manipulator to provide a benchmark for accurate calibration of the sensor nodes. By repeatedly testing the field in a number of different physical orientations, the data can be combined to form a comprehensive field map.

The second phase of development integrates sensor data into a real-time three dimensional force feedback (3D-F2) control scheme. By combining knowledge of the exact position of every sensor with an accurately calibrated field, vectors describing virtual repulsive forces can be calculated. These forces are resolved against a motion plan created from a workspace environment map to ensure safe movement of the manipulator arm.

This study also provides a detailed literature review of proximity sensor technology with a focus on capacitance-based devices. This is followed by a synopsis of approaches to motion control of robotic systems; particularly those operating under the guidance of multiple sensor systems in unstructured environments.

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DETERMINATION OF AN APPROPRIATE COOLING WATER SYSTEM FOR A COGENERATION POWER PLANT APPLICATION, AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPLICATIONS INHERENT IN ITS SELECTION. (6cp)Jeremy Talbot - S08-144

Supervisor : Guang HongAssessor : Terry BrownMajor: Mechanical Engineering

Cooling water systems are vital in all power plants for ensuring safe and sufficient levels of heat extraction at the main and auxiliary equipment. Specifically this project is directed towards the cooling system of a cogeneration power plant.

Austrian Energy & Environment Australia (AE&E Australia) is the company creating a partnership for which this capstone project is being conducted. AE&E Australia is a world leader in the supply of thermal energy generation and environmental protection technology systems. A key business for this company is their design for cogeneration power plants.

It is known that there are a number of different configurations of cooling water systems appropriate for use on cogeneration plants, this project will address three in particular. The correct choice of which requires heavy consideration and time during the design phase of a power plant project. An outcome of this capstone project is to produce a set of guidelines or “engineering standard”, for use in aiding engineers at AE&E Australia in their decision on the most appropriate cooling water system configuration

This “engineering standard” is expected to contribute to the reduction of engineering time required for successfully obtaining a cooling water system design. Furthermore this document whilst acting as a reference is expected to promote confidence and fluent action from the engineer during the design of the system.

In addition to the engineering standard, It is the intention of this project to present the findings of a comparison between the three systems, serving as a point of reference in AE&E’s future cooling water system decisions. The comparison is for the most part based around the aspect of cost which is driven in some significant manner by components and their materials. Importantly, fouling and corrosion as well as maintenance become a ground for reasonable reflection of each configurations suitability. Thus the implications inherent in the selection of one configuration from another will be investigated, allowing for general learning on the topic of heat exchanger systems.

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AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE VIABILITY OF A TRANSVERSE FLUX DIRECT DRIVE GENERATOR FOR A WIND TURBINE APPLICATION (12cp)Robbie Thompson - S07-159

Supervisor : Peter WattersonAssessor : Jianguo ZhuMajor: Electrical Engineering

Directly driven wind generators have a number of advantages over constant speed generators with the primary advantage being the elimination of the gearbox. In the past, operating at low speed would result in a physically large generator but with the advent of Transverse flux generators (TFG) a smaller option exists. TFG’s generally have much higher torque densities than conventional machines and for this reason they are suited to low speed, directly driven, applications.

Unfortunately TFG’s are also high inductance machines which means some form of reactive power compensation is necessary. The cheapest method of compensation is a fixed capacitor bank connected either in series or in parallel. This project has investigated a 20kW TFG with both series and parallel capacitors connected to a diode rectifier and DC circuit. Phasor analysis has been performed resulting in the discovery that power generation is severely limited by the use of a constant DC voltage to load the diode rectifier. A model for a diode rectifier with constant voltage load developed by Caliskan et al. has been employed and extended for series and parallel capacitors with limited accuracy in the parallel case. Model predictions, circuit simulations, and actual test results have been analysed. In addition a number of generator assembly issues are discussed including the alignment of iron cores which was achieved by a specially made fixture developed during this project.

Several publications advocate series connected capacitors. In contrast to this, phasor analysis and circuit simulations suggest parallel capacitors to be a suitable option for wind turbines with fixed blade angles, for which the power should vary as speed cubed. With the exception of expensive controlled power electronics, parallel capacitors coupled with a diode rectifier and variable DC voltage provide the best approximation to an optimal load for high inductance transverse flux machines when operated at low speeds.

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OPTIMIZATION OF A 4-OUTPUT NEURAL NETWORK FOR A 2-CHANNEL-INPUT REAL-TIME BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACE (12cp)Adam Thwaites - S08-086

Supervisor : Hung NguyenAssessor : David DavisMajor: Computer Systems Engineering

The topic of this capstone project is centred in the field of Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs), an emergent technological field that ultimately seeks to seamlessly connect mind and machine. The potential applications for BCIs are great, particularly for the infirm and disabled. However, this field is still in its relative infancy and the capacity for advanced application is still limited. At the core of the technology, feature extraction and classification methods utilised by BCIs are varied between designs; though many in literature employ an optimised neural network model with some method of frequency-domain feature extraction.

This particular project seeks to design a real-time BCI using an optimised neural network model, while simultaneously proposing a simple yet effective approach to performing unsupervised electroencephalogram (EEG) feature extraction. Current BCIs in research utilise several electrodes for input and provide only 3 to 4 outputs, while yielding correct overall prediction probabilities between 70 – 85%. This project will strive to achieve similar probabilities, if not better, for a 2-electrode system with 4 interface outputs. Such improvements would be an important contribution to the field of BCIs.

A multithreaded C++ .NET Windows form application has been designed for this project. This application streams real-time EEG data via a USB connection from any of Thought Technology’s EEG devices, such as the ProComp 2 and FlexComp. The application then performs frequency-domain transforms and feature extraction on this raw EEG data, then passes this result into the inputs of an optimised neural network for classification and final system output, all whilst utilising minimal system overhead. These classified outputs can then be easily mapped to any integrated application, such as the directional movement of a wheelchair, the playback control for a media centre, or even the use of an on-screen mouse cursor.

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RESEARCH ON THE APPLICATION OF SOLAR TECHNOLOGY TO NEW BUILDINGS (6cp)Andrew Walker - S08-160

Supervisor: Jaffar MadadniaAssessor: Pam HazeltonMajor: Construction Engineering

The thesis reports on the problem of new property development emission of carbon in their construction and operation. The problem is based on existing carbon emissions and the incremental increase of further energy demands; the Fraser’s Broadway proposal is used as a case study to identify the significant effect of an additional residential and commercial construction using conventional energy sources. The cumulative impact of carbon emissions on the environment and cost to energy consumers are defined as the ultimate problem

The current energy market and trends are researched to be weighed against emerging energy technologies. A broad cross section of emerging solar technologies is detailed to search for applicable technologies to new property developments. The Fraser’s Broadway development in-depth case study details the process that took the initial concept plan to the new proposed plans that basically eliminates the use of coal power. The solution removes the reliance on coal power and is replaced with on-site gas-power generation in conjunction with limited PV panels.

In analysing the solution proposed in the case study I have recommended improvements to the design, my suggestion is the inclusion of Building Integrated Photo Voltaic (BIPV) modules into the initial design to substitute conventional construction materials. The improvements are detailed quantitatively in terms of carbon emissions and financial implications of my suggestion.

Further work on this topic can be the adoption of such energy systems into blocks of residential houses and industrial estates that are not considered a single development but can pool their energy demands and finance an energy system that is both environmentally and financially beneficial.

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HUMAN MACHINE INTERACTIONS USING PASSIVE BIOMETRIC FEEDBACK (THROUGH A COMPUTER MOUSE) (12cp)Adrian White - A08-155

Supervisor : Sarath KodagodaAssessor : Shoudong HuangMajor: Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering

The personal computer has become a standard fixture in most workplaces, educational institutions and homes. Use of computers around the world is continually increasing, yet there has been limited research into the effects of computer use on the health and well being of computer users. When research has been undertaken in these areas, it is frequently limited to controlled experiments, which cannot be guaranteed to represent real-world situations. Furthermore, the continual technological advancement in the computer industry means that the potential uses of computer systems are growing. Concurrent with the development of more intelligent systems, there are opportunities for the development of tools that can be used in Human Machine Interaction (HMI).

The purpose of this Capstone project is to respond to the issues outlined above, through the development of a computer mouse equipped with sensors to detect physiological signals from the hand of the user. The physiological signals detected are heart rate, muscle activity, electrodermal activity, and temperature. Grip force is also measured. The project includes the examination of signals recorded from the computer mouse, comparing them with specialised physiological measurement systems, and the identification of problems and challenges involved in recording physiological signals in a real-world application, instead of a controlled experiment situation.

The results obtained from the sensor-enabled computer mouse have potential impacts for several applications. First, the mouse may be used as a model for the development of a commercially available computer mouse to provide the user with information about their physiological state, known as biofeedback. Secondly, the mouse may be used as part of an investigation into HMI, where the computer system uses the physiological data from the mouse to adapt the system interface based on the physiological state of the user.

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ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE, COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN AUSTRALIA: AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROSPECTIVE IMPACT OF GREEN BUILDINGS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND MODERN SOCIETY. (6cp)Deborah Worsfold - S08-096

Supervisor : Ken HalsteadAssessor : Alan Brady/Pam HazeltonMajor: Construction Engineering

In today’s society, environmental issues such as Climate Change, The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming are gaining an ever increasing profile on the world’s media stage. According to leading environmental scientists, the associated affects of industrialisation on the environment should be of paramount concern. It is believed that if drastic measures are not taken to reduce the production of greenhouse gases, a potentially serious threat is posed to humanity. In Australia, commercial buildings produce a significant proportion of the national greenhouse emissions. By implementing sustainable building techniques within the commercial sector, it is believed that a substantial reduction in green house gas emissions will ensue. Sustainable building techniques also lower a development’s reliance on, and consequent depletion of, natural resources, primarily water and fossil fuel.

This document aims to provide an in depth investigation into the various aspects of ecologically sustainable development, with a particular focus on commercial developments within Australia. Evidence presented in the paper is based on the findings from current literature and the case study of two ‘sustainable’ commercial developments in Sydney. The paper not only focuses on the environmental matters encompassed within this complex idea, but also the prospective positive health and social impacts as well as the financial gains that are intrinsically linked to the implementation of environmentally sustainable projects.

Two case studies were conducted in an effort to highlight the relative ease in which sustainability can be inherently included, through innovative design and construction, within a commercial structure. The first development located at Double Bay, is completely operational. The second development, located in North Sydney, is under construction and will involve the execution of state of the art practices with respect to ESD. The projects provide an over view of the genesis of sustainability with respect to commercial properties in Australia.

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APPLICATION OF SOIL NAILING FOR SLOPE STABILITY PURPOSE (6cp)Victor Yeung - S08-097

Supervisor : Behzad FatahiAssessor : Hadi KhabbazMajor: Civil Engineering

Landslide is a common natural disaster around the world. Many human loss and injuries occur due to different types of landslide. Through the last couple of decades, different kind of landslide preventive measures had been developed for reducing the hazard. Each preventive measure has its unique technique and application benefit. One of the most common slope stabilization methods is soil nailing.

Soil nail application has been developed in the last 30 years. This method is growing rapidly and becoming more popular because of its advantages. Use of soil nail for reinforcing unstable slopes is one of the most favorable solutions in geotechnical engineering practice. Thus, soil nail application for slope stabilization will have a good potential for development in future.

This project will present the application of soil nail for slope stabilization. The benefits and limitations of soil nail and its construction procedure are described. In addition, design requirements and quality control specifications are explained. Slope stability analysis using “SLOPE/W” code is demonstrated and a design method of soil nail using Slope/W is described in detail. Two selected case studies, located in Hong Kong and Australia, are presented to demonstrate effectiveness of soil nail system for slope stabilization. These case studies present a typical design method used for soil nail walls. A simplified hand calculation method is compared with the limit equilibrium approach used in Slope/W code.

It should be noted that soil nailing is one of the methods used for stabilizing medium size slopes. Enhancing public education for the landslide hazard is the desirable way for preventing human loss and property damage in high landslide risk areas. In this study, some recommendations on increasing public awareness about landslide hazard are described as well.

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DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH-RISE ANALYSIS MODEL & QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON OF REACTIONS TO KNOWN SEISMIC EVENTS (6cp)John Zaccheo - S08-099

Supervisor: Bijan SamaliAssessor: Ali SalehMajor: Civil Engineering

This project investigates the response of a dynamically loaded 226 metre tall, 50 storey reinforced concrete tower designed for office space subjected to historical earthquake events. A response spectrum analysis is used to produce the reactions.

In order to evaluate the measured response quantities, the structure must first be modelled with some acceptable level of accuracy. This involves the inclusion of permanent and imposed actions evaluated in accordance with AS/NZS1170.1:2002, static wind actions evaluated in accordance with AS/NZS1170.2:2002, and static earthquake actions evaluated in accordance with AS1170.4:2007 to determine the worse case actions. The model output allows estimated geometric and action resisting values to be generated for the frame components. The purpose of this is to ensure the stiffness and frequency values obtained for the structure are comparable to that of a factual structure. Hence, a higher level of confidence in the validity of results is justified.

Following the calibration of the model to the common static conditions, an earthquake dynamic analysis is conducted using suitably generated design response spectrums from four obtained historical seismic events. From this, the maximum response of the structure will be determined as an output value from the model. Each of these reaction results will be compared to each other, as well as to the static reactions generated by the structural design action codes. Conclusions will then be drawn as to the effectiveness of the standards when providing guidelines for simulating dynamic actions as equivalent static forces for high-rise structures.

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FATIGUE AND QUAI-STATIC PERFORMANCE OF 3M …my.feit.uts.edu.au/pages/course/undergraduate/capsto… · Web viewCob is an alternative earth building material which consisting of clay,