Matching Items (10)
Filtering by
- All Subjects: Optimization
- Creators: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program
Description
This project compared two optimization-based formulations for solving multi-robot task allocation problems with tether constraints. The first approach, or the ”Iterative Method,” used the common multiple traveling salesman (mTSP) formulation and implemented an algorithm over the formulation to filter out solutions that failed to satisfy the tether constraint. The second approach, named the ”Timing Formulation,” involved constructing a new formulation specifically designed account for robot timings, including the tether constraint in the formulation itself. The approaches were tested against each other in 10-city simulations and the results were compared. The Iterative Method could provide answers in 1- and 2-norm variations quickly, but its mTSP model formulation broke down and became infeasible at low city numbers. The 1-norm Timing Formulation quickly and reliably produced solutions but faced high computation times in its 2-norm manifestation. Ultimately, while the Timing Formulation is a more optimal method for solving tether-constrained task allocation problems, its reliance on the 1-norm for low computation times causes it to sacrifice some realism.
ContributorsGoodwin, Walter (Author) / Yong, Sze Zheng (Thesis director) / Grewal, Anoop (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2022-05
Description
The objective goal of this research is to maximize the speed of the end effector of a three link R-R-R mechanical system with constrained torque input control. The project utilizes MATLAB optimization tools to determine the optimal throwing motion of a simulated mechanical system, while mirroring the physical parameters and constraints of a human arm wherever possible. The analysis of this final result determines if the kinetic chain effect is present in the theoretically optimized solution. This is done by comparing it with an intuitively optimized system based on throwing motion derived from the forehand throw in Ultimate frisbee.
ContributorsHartmann, Julien (Author) / Grewal, Anoop (Thesis director) / Redkar, Sangram (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2022-05
Description
The goal of this project was to conduct a preliminary performance analysis of an early Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) design by Lockheed Martin. NGAD is a sixth-generation air superiority initiative for the United States Air Force (USAF), not to be confused with the United States Navy variant, looking to replace the F-22 Raptor due to rising tensions with China in the Pacific. A three-stream double-bypass adaptive cycle engine (ACE) model was developed in MATLAB to analyze thermodynamic states throughout the engine and generate performance data such as thrust and fuel requirements. The variable area bypass injectors (VABIs) of an ACE allow it to improve range and thrust while also reducing spillage drag when compared to a standard low-bypass turbofan for military aircraft. The aircraft was simulated at 15, 16, 17, and 18 km, and at a cruise Mach of 1.8, in accordance with expected NGAD requirements. Engine performance data was then used, alongside rough aerodynamic data based on the aircraft’s geometry, to determine the ideal wet weight, dry weight, and wing loading for an assumed air-superiority mission profile. Plots of wet weight, wing span, and wing area as functions wing loading were used to visualize the design space for a given mission.
ContributorsTokishi, Shane (Author) / Wells, Valana (Thesis director) / Dahm, Werner (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The purpose of this paper is to provide a new and improved design method for the Formula Society of Automotive Engineering (FSAE) team. There are five tasks that I accomplish in this paper: 1. I describe how the FSAE team is currently designing their car. This allows the reader to understand where the flaws might arise in their design method. 2. I then describe the key aspects of systems engineering design. This is the backbone of the method I am proposing, and it is important to understand the key concepts so that they can be applied to the FSAE design method. 3. I discuss what is available in the literature about race car design and optimization. I describe what other FSAE teams are doing and how that differs from systems engineering design. 4. I describe what the FSAE team at Arizona State University (ASU) should do to improve their approach to race car design. I go into detail about how the systems engineering method works and how it can and should be applied to the way they design their car. 5. I then describe how the team should implement this method because the method is useless if they do not implement it into their design process. I include an interview from their brakes team leader, Colin Twist, to give an example of their current method of design and show how it can be improved with the new method. This paper provides a framework for the FSAE team to develop their new method of design that will help them accomplish their overall goal of succeeding at the national competition.
ContributorsPickrell, Trevor Charles (Author) / Trimble, Steven (Thesis director) / Middleton, James (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
A model has been developed to modify Euler-Bernoulli beam theory for wooden beams, using visible properties of wood knot-defects. Treating knots in a beam as a system of two ellipses that change the local bending stiffness has been shown to improve the fit of a theoretical beam displacement function to edge-line deflection data extracted from digital imagery of experimentally loaded beams. In addition, an Ellipse Logistic Model (ELM) has been proposed, using L1-regularized logistic regression, to predict the impact of a knot on the displacement of a beam. By classifying a knot as severely positive or negative, vs. mildly positive or negative, ELM can classify knots that lead to large changes to beam deflection, while not over-emphasizing knots that may not be a problem. Using ELM with a regression-fit Young's Modulus on three-point bending of Douglass Fir, it is possible estimate the effects a knot will have on the shape of the resulting displacement curve.
ContributorsSexton, Thurston Bryant (Author) / Takahashi, Timothy (Thesis director) / Jones, Donald (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor)
Created2015-05
Description
Carbon emissions have become a major concern since the turn of the century. This has increased the demand of hybrid vehicles in United States market. Hence, there is a need to make these vehicles more efficient. This thesis focuses on creating a thermal model that could be used for optimization of these vehicles. The project was accomplished in collaboration with EcoCar3, and the temperature data obtained from the model was compared with the experimental temperature data gathered from EcoCar's testing of the vehicle they built. The data obtained through this study demonstrates that the model was accurately able to predict thermal behavior of the electric motor and the high-voltage batteries in the vehicle. Therefore, this model could be used for optimization of the powertrain in a hybrid vehicle.
ContributorsMuthuvenkatesh, Nikhil (Author) / Mayyas, Abdel (Thesis director) / Patel, Jay (Committee member) / W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
The main objective of this project was to continue research and development of a building integrated solar thermoelectric generator (BISTEG). BISTEG is a promising renewable energy technology that is capable of generating electrical energy from the heat of concentrated sunlight. In order to perform R&D, the performance of different TEG cells and TEG setups were tested and analyzed, proof-of-concepts and prototypes were built. and the performance of the proof-of-concepts and prototypes were tested and analyzed as well. In order to test different TEG cells and TEG setups, a TEG testing apparatus was designed and fabricated. The apparatus is capable of comparing the performance of TEGs with temperature differentials up to 200 degrees C. Along with a TEG testing apparatus, several proof-of-concepts and prototypes were completed. All of these were tested in order to determine the feasibility of the design. All three proof-of-concepts were only capable of producing a voltage output less than 300mV. The prototype, however, was capable of producing a max output voltage of 17 volts. Although the prototype outperformed all of the proof-of-concepts, optimizations to the design can continue to improve the output voltage. In order to do so, stacked TEG tests were performed. After performing the stacked TEG tests, it was determined that the use of stacked TEGs depended on the Fresnel lens chosen. If BISTEG were to use a point focused Fresnel lens, using a stack of TEGs could increase the power density. If BISTEG were to utilize a linear focused Fresnel lens, however, the TEGs should not be stacked. It would be more efficient to lay them out side by side. They can be stacked, however, if the energy density needs to be increased and the costs of the additional TEGs are not an issue.
ContributorsPark, Andrew (Author) / Seager, Thomas (Thesis director) / Margaret, Hinrichs (Committee member) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
A new uniaxial testing apparatus that has been proposed takes advantage of less costly methods such as 3D printing of tensile fixtures and image reference markers for accurate data acquisition. The purpose of this research is to find methods to improve the resolution, accuracy, and repeatability of this newly designed testing apparatus. The first phase of the research involved building a program that optimized the testing apparatus design depending on the sample being tested. It was found that the design program allowed for quick modifications on the apparatus in order to test a wide variety of samples. The second phase of research was conducted using Finite Elements to determine which sample geometry reduced the impact of misalignment error most. It found that a previously proposed design by Dr. Wonmo Kang when combined with the testing apparatus lead to a large reduction in misalignment errors.
ContributorsAyoub, Yaseen (Author) / Kang, Wonmo (Thesis director) / Kashani, Hamzeh (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2022-12
Description
It is becoming increasingly necessary for orbiting mission vehicles to rendezvous with target
satellites in or near geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO), for example to perform on-orbit
inspection, servicing, or refueling, or for various types of military proximity operations. The
rendezvous of the mission vehicle with the target often must be initiated on short notice and
achieved quickly. The total rendezvous time and the propellant consumed in performing the
rendezvous are the two main considerations in choosing an optimal waiting orbit and transfer trajectory for the mission vehicle. Propellant-efficient transfer options include a Hohmann transfer or bi-elliptic transfer, though faster but less efficient transfers can also be considered. The waiting orbit for the mission vehicle can be chosen anywhere from LEO to GEO, though waiting orbits above GEO can also be considered, and both prograde and retrograde orbits can be considered. The chosen waiting orbit determines the time between successive rendezvous opportunities and the required orbit transfer time, as well as the amount of propellant needed to perform the rendezvous. The relative importance assigned to reducing propellant consumption versus reducing the rendezvous time depends on the mission. Therefore, this project conducts an in-depth Keplerian analysis of such mission-optimized waiting orbits and transfer trajectories for GEO target rendezvous, and will determine the optimal configuration for any given relative emphasis on reducing the rendezvous time versus reducing propellant consumption.
ContributorsLewis, Megan (Author) / Dahm, Werner (Thesis director) / Middleton, Jim (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This thesis explores how simulation-driven design can enhance the performance and efficiency of solar panel mounting clamps. With solar energy infrastructure expanding, there's an urgent need for hardware that is lightweight, cost-effective, and durable under environmental loads.
This study aims to bridge the gap between traditional mechanical design and modern
computational tools by comparing clamp designs based on engineering theory with those
refined through finite element and topology optimization using ANSYS. Three clamp geometries were modeled and analyzed under realistic loading conditions derived
from ASCE 7-16 standards. Each design was evaluated both in its theory-based form and after undergoing structural optimization. Material selection was a parallel focus, weighing the
mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, manufacturability, and economic viability of
aluminum, regular steel, and galvanized steel. G90 Commercial Steel B emerged as the best
candidate, offering a practical balance of strength, durability, and cost.
Simulation results demonstrated that optimized clamps could significantly reduce material usage without compromising structural integrity. Clamp 1 and Clamp 2 achieved over 24% weight reduction each, while Clamp 3, limited by its design constraints, prioritized stress reduction instead. These outcomes emphasize that design geometry and boundary conditions play a critical role in optimization potential.
Ultimately, this research confirms that integrating simulation tools with engineering design
practices leads to more efficient structural components, particularly in applications where cost,
weight, and reliability are crucial. The methods developed here provide a foundation for future
work in adaptive clamp systems, environmental load simulations, and manufacturable design
refinement.
ContributorsFuad, Nafis (Author) / Murthy, Dr. Raghavendra (Thesis director) / Solanki, Dr. Kiran (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05