DSpace collection: Master's Theses

Numerical investigation of self-piercing riveted dual layer joint

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:58:59 GMT

title: Numerical investigation of self-piercing riveted dual layer joint authors: Krishnappa, Uma Shankar
abstract: Self-piercing riveting (SPR) is a high-speed mechanical fastening technique for point joining of sheet-material components. SPR is becoming important in automotive applications for aluminium vehicle body assembly. However, compared with current sheet-metal joining processes in the automotive industry, the effects of various parameters such as mechanical properties, rivet setting methods and systems, methods of removing self-piercing rivets, etc. A study examining the effect of specimen configuration on the mechanical behavior of self-piercing riveted, dual-layer joints in aluminium alloys was conducted. It has observed that the specimen configuration had a significant effect on the strength and failure mechanism of a self-piercing riveted dual-layer joint. The basic aspects of SPR process forming by conducting both explicit and implicit analysis have been investigated in this thesis. It was found that the operating force-deformation curve of SPR process was determined by the rivet deformation force and its displacement. Under certain process conditions, an increase in inertia effect due to high velocity of metal forming process results was not significant to an extent. In this research, the springback characteristic parameters of the SPR process were also studied. The springback analysis carried out at the end of the forming process showed that the dimensional change in the part due to springback was not significant.
description: Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

Women of bleeding Kansas

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:58:59 GMT

title: Women of bleeding Kansas authors: Jackson, Leigh
abstract: In 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Kansas Territory was opened to settlement, and the those that emigrated to populate it would decide if it was to become a slave state. This popular sovereignty caused many struggles for power in the early history of the state. As Free-State antislavery emigrants began to travel to Kansas from the Northern United States, Missouri and other slaveholding Southern states responded, staking claims in Kansas Territory. Both sides intended to win at the ballot box, and widespread vote tampering and border skirmishes give this period in the state’s history the title of Bleeding Kansas. While the role of Kansas in the antebellum years is often cited in Civil War historical scholarship, Women who came to Kansas during the period have been overlooked. Traveling both from the North and South, they traded their homes and comforts for a new life and new struggles. The examination of these women’s lives and contributions can only serve to enhance the historical record. The historical record offers many diaries, letters and published books written by women who came to Kansas as Free-State supporters. These sources, along with more limited examples from Missouri women, offer insight to the role that the Women of Bleeding Kansas occupied. Ultimately, this research attempted to examine the lives of women in Kansas during the period, and identify and assign meaning and importance to their struggle. Women were an important part of the struggle for Kansas. Kansas entered the Union in 1861 as a Free State, due it part to the real contributions made by Kansas women.
description: Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Science, Dept. of History

Fatigue behavior of plasma spray coatings on polymer matrix composite materials

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:58:59 GMT

title: Fatigue behavior of plasma spray coatings on polymer matrix composite materials authors: Haqu, Ziaul
abstract: The majority of coated structural components are subjected to fluctuating internal and/or applied stress because of oscillating mechanical loads. The fatigue behavior of coatings and the overall cyclic failure response of coated structures have remained relatively unexplored. This study was an effort to investigate the fatigue behavior of plasma spray coatings on polymer matrix composite materials. Since no ASTM standard is available, we designed our own experiment to determine coatings suitability under cyclic loading, response in dynamic loading conditions, fatigue failure modes and fatigue life. Coatings were tested at different stress levels and frequencies. The stresses versus number of cycles (S-N) curves for the coatings were generated. The results indicate that the plasma spay coatings on polymer matrix composite materials are suitable for dynamic loading conditions.
description: Fatigue behavior of plasma spray coatings on polymer matrix composite materials

Optimal distillers distribution planning in an ethanol supply chain

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:58:59 GMT

title: Optimal distillers distribution planning in an ethanol supply chain authors: Iqbal, Qamar
abstract: With the increasing growth of the ethanol industry, the number of co-products is also expanding at a rapid rate. These co-products, namely distillers, can be used as cattle feed in feedlots. Currently, the major feed for cattle is corn, but if distillers are marketed successfully and farmers are educated about their usefulness and how to store them, then they could be remarkably successful in the feedstock market. Some issues associated with distillers need to be addressed and will be discussed in the next section. Since producing distillers does not require building new plants or purchasing new machinery, they are simply a welcome co-product (or by-product) of corn fermentation during ethanol production. Ethanol owners could make good revenue by marketing distillers, since they produce 3.2 million metric tons of dried distillers grains plus solubles annually.
description: Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering