Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Graduate Theses
Recent Submissions
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Modeling the Effect of Scan Path of Thermal Gradients during Selective Laser Melting via Finite Element Analysis
As industry competition and increasingly stringent safety concerns drive the need for increased part performance and decreased part weight, additive manufacturing methods are being turned to as an innovative fabrication ... -
Manufacturing Constraints for Topology Optimization: A Particle Diffusion Based Methodology
With the need for improved performance becoming more apparent in the engineering workplace, numerical tools like design optimization and topology optimization have been turned to in order to generate new unconventional ... -
Microstructural Characterization of 3D Deposited Metal Structures
The microstructure of deposited materials is characterized using a variety of techniques. The two specific types of deposited materials studied are electrodeposited nickel and additive manufactured stainless steel. A focus ... -
Advanced Devolatilisation model for Lagrangian particles in OpenFOAM
To study the devolatilisation process associated with coal combustion, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a very useful tool. The aim of this thesis is to accurately model coal devolatilisation at high temperatures ... -
Simultaneous Topology and Build Orientation Optimization for Minimization of Additive Manufacturing Cost and Time
The ever-present demand for increased performance in mechanical systems, with reduced cost and manufacturing time, has led to the adoption of computational design tools and innovative manufacturing methods. Among these ... -
Advanced Characterization of Hydrides in Zirconium
Zirconium and its alloys are of great importance to the nuclear power industry due to their unique combination of mechanical properties, low neutron-capture cross-section, and sufficient corrosion resistance under reducing ... -
Natural Convective Heat Transfer From Horizontal and Inclined Two-Sided Bodies of Finite Thickness
Natural convective heat transfer from two-sided flat plates that are horizontal or inclined to the horizontal has been numerically and experimentally investigated. The objective of the study was to investigate the influence ... -
Building Better Together: Understanding Interprofessional Collaboration and Student Perceptions in a Classroom Case Study
The disciplines of rehabilitation sciences and engineering are known work extensively in teams and require the competencies for effective collaboration as outlined by each discipline’s regulatory body. To make a positive ... -
Measuring Cognitive Load in a Clinical Setting: Medical Learning and Practice
Cognitive load theory is of particular relevance to the learning and practice of medicine, where task demands require a complex interplay of working memory, emotion, and stress. To better understand the role of cognitive ... -
Measurement of Pubic Symphysis Width in Different Birthing Positions Using Ultrasound
Studies have shown that certain postures, such as squatting and standing, may facilitate labour and birth and may be used by some practitioners. However, a rigorous biomechanical understanding of how different positions ... -
Manufacture of vertical walls with asymmetric incremental sheet forming
Single point incremental forming (SPIF) is a dieless sheet metal forming technique that can manufacture customised sheet metal components in a cost-effective manner. However, the process is still in the developmental phase ... -
Effect of fatigue-induced microdamage on the compressive properties of bovine trabecular bone
Understanding the effect of microdamage accumulation on the failure mechanisms of bone is important for treatment and prevention in degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis. The common sites of fracture in osteoporotic ... -
Detonation Propagation in a Liniarized Representation of a Rotating Detonation Engine
There has been increasing worldwide interest in research and development of Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs) as a propulsion system. A study was conducted to examine detonation behavior in a linearized representation of ... -
Diesel Spray and Premixed Methane-Air Ignition Behind a Reflected Shock Wave
This study investigates single-event ignition of diesel fuel injected into methane-air that is applicable to compression ignition dual fuel engine conditions. Post compression cylinder temperature and pressure conditions ... -
The Role of Cooling Rate on Microstructure in Sand-Cast Aluminum A205
Modern aerospace castings consist of highly complex geometries that require solidification simulations to optimize fill pathways so to control the thermal evolution and thus microstructure during solidification. Accurate ... -
Development and Design of BrailleBunny: a Device for Braille Literacy Education
Braille is crucial for social and economic opportunity and has been linked to higher rates of employment, education, financial self-sufficiency, and self-esteem. Braille literacy is decreasing, and the National Federation ... -
Study of Back-Stress and Void Damage in Dual Phase Steels Subjected to In-Plane Shear
The objective of this thesis is two-fold: to study the relationship between microstructural parameters and the work hardening and back-stress that develops in dual-phase (DP) steels using an in-plane shear test, and to use ... -
Two muscles are better than one: Co-contraction engages antagonistic muscles in response to perturbation
Co-contraction is a common strategy when performing difficult or unstable motor tasks. For example, we co-contract muscles of the arm when generating downward force to turn a screw and co-contract muscles of the leg when ... -
Altering Compliance of a Load Carriage Structure in the Medial-Lateral Direction
For work or recreation, many individuals transport heavy loads within a backpack. Carrying substantial weight while walking typically causes an increase in muscle activity, metabolic energy expenditure, and increases ... -
Multi-Stage Electrolysis for Reduction of Electricity Consumption in Hydrogen Production
A novel approach to perform electrolysis in stages is developed for reducing the share of electric work in the process and replacing the same with thermal energy. The study is divided into two parts, the first part is a ...