senior design showcase 2016

May 2, 2016 | 1:30 - 3 p.m. Tate Student Center Grand Hall

SHOWCASEuniversity of georgia college of engineering

s e n i o r d e s i g n



Schedule of Events10:30 a.m. Project set up begins for students at Tate Grand Hall (5th Floor)

11:30 a.m. Lunch provided to students, faculty mentors & industry sponsors

12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Judging of projects

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Judges meet to decide winners

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. General public viewing of projects

2:30 p.m. Awards presented to winning student teams

3:00 p.m. Clean-up (begins at the completion of the award presentation)

Event Map

2015-2016 Senior Design Project List

Project/Table #

Project Title Student Team Faculty Advisor Sponsor/Client

01 Feasibility of a Siphon Spillway for Lake Oglethorpe

James Bale, Sawyer Newton, Kendall Peterman, James Davis, Hunter Hardeman, Seyram Ahedor

Tollner Homeowner’s Associ-ation

02 Georgia Power Company Homer Cir-cuit C1422 Solar Study

Thomas Chan, Nicolas Fink, Eduardo Silva, Charles van Brackle

Mohammadpour Georgia Power

03 Two Way Direct Line of Site Texting Without Satellite or Cell Tower Cov-erage

Darious Mack, Michael Lastinger, Chase Tenewitz, Isaac Kim

Johnsen US Army

04 Darius Glover’s Capable Cart Eli Long, Katie Homeyer, Joffre Ri-vera, Olufeyisayo Bab-Oke, Spencer Brunson

Pidaparti Darius Glover

05 TICA Sustainable Manufacturing Tate Hutwagner, Mitchell Lynn, Tae-sik Oh, Jacob Worthington

Thompson Toyota Industries Com-pressor Parts America, Co. (TICA)

06 Design of an Optimized Dry Hopping Operation

Thomas Greer, Jenny Blackwell, Ja-cob Davis, Bryan Grommersch, Luis Andrade, Nicholas Stom

Lawrence Terrapin Brewing Com-pany

07 Design of a Low-Maintenance, Lead-Free Uninterruptible Power Supply for Personal Computers

Kasandra Sandoval, Paul Sertwotka, Aaron Patrick, Myles Craig

Haidekker Dr. Mark Haidekker

08 CENGR Design of a Moonbuggy Vehi-cle for NASA Competition

Alex Locke, Austin Bethea, Tamami Lillis, Wesley Smith, Thomas Decker, Michael Oyeyemi, Sarah Signal

Pidaparti NASA Competition

09 A Low Cost and Robust Device for Pneumonia Diagnosis

Chris Lenear, Dawn Dagen, Jenna Alsaleh, Rui Mei

Pidaparti Dr. Ramana Pidaparti

10 Smart App for Monitoring TBI Severity Bryan Hooper, Adam Hagen, Nicho-las Szakal, Michael Hudson


11 Manufacturing the Next Generation of Vaccines: Non-egg based platform for Influenza Vaccine – Team A

Paul Cray, Shahrukh Jiwani, Zayra Delagado, Leigh Karas, Wahaj Imam

Kastner AIChE Student Design Competition

12 Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries: Commercial Manufacturing Facility

Alex Roman, Nikki Thai, Andrew Lyon, Alyssa Ghuman, Nicholas Winter


13 Design and Scale a Hydrogenation/Hydrodeoxygenation Process Using Noble Metal Washcoated Carbon Monoliths

Dylan Maxwell, Lexi Atkins, Ryan Droese, Colter Creswell, Chris Tippins

Kastner Applied Catalysts/Ap-plied Ceramics Inc.

14 Design and Evaluation of Virtual Keyboards used in Pilot Touch-Screen Displays

Stefan Smith, Danny Mason, Erik Lockhart

Johnsen Gulfstream

15 Immersive Call Center Simulation Tool Stephen Kirkland, Deric Doan, Young Joe, Michael Melatti

Johnsen AT&T

16 Outage Management System for Plant-ers Electrical Membership Corporation

Trey Dozier, Troupe Tabb Gattie Planters Electrical Mem-bership Corporation





2015-2016 Senior Design Project List

Project/Table #

Project Title Student Team Faculty Advisor Sponsor/Client

17 Design Heuristics That Teach Concep-tual Design

Colin Beckford, Patrick Howard, Jacob Hood, Daniel Cribbs


18 Manufacturing the Next Generation of Vaccines: Non-egg based platform for Influenza Vaccine – Team B

Billie Hardigree, Courtney Jackson, Fayaz Jamil, Christian Matthews, Henry Fawole


19 Gulfstream Aircraft Ditch Design and Testing

Patrick Boll, Tim Keller, Brad Bahor-ich

Davis Gulfstream

20 Terrapin Bottling Line & Steam System Design

Damon Dunwody, Michael Perleoni, Nick Thompson

Lawrence Terrapin Brewing Com-pany

21 Design of a Liquid Sensor With An Automatic Vial Stopper

Devon Montgomery, Lee Turner, Stephen Winkler

Thompson Aalto Scientific

22 City of Metter Caney Branch Flood-plain Assessment

Joseph Brittain, Amy Brooks, Amber Liepse

Durham/Christian City of Metter

23 City of Metter Recycling Assessment Dessa Dunn, Jake Durrette, Jennie Mathis

Durham/Christian City of Metter

24 City of Clarkesville Sewer & Water Pipe Bridge

Mark Hain, Molly Schenck, Spencer Benfield

Durham/Christian City of Clarkesville

25 City of Chattahoochee Hills Garrett’s Ferry Bridge Rehabilitation

Abby Caballero, Lauren Shannon, Max Ovett, Carson Coley

Durham/Christian City of Chattahoochee Hills

26 City of Whigham Sewer Collection and Treatment Facility Design

Bill Mapes, Chris Parker, Juan Urue-ta, Nick Wilson

Durham/Christian City of Whigham

27 Grove Way-Bush Street Modification Project

Eric Malinowski, Jason Shivar, An-drew Swicegood, Tony Vicent

Durham/Christian Pond & Company

28 Haley Street Land Development Site Design

Graham Stovall, Casey Johnson, Kyle Cotter

Durham/Christian Dovetail Civil Design

29 Hart County Recreational Complex Elevated Walkway

Sokngim Kim, Molly Nelson, Katelyn Stallings, Amanda Rostin

Durham/Christian Hart County

30 Jackson County Water and Sewer Au-thority Distribution System Improve-ments

Taylor Hebert, Matthew Sullivan, Kerby Wood

Durham/Christian Jackson County Water and Sewer Authority

31 Grady County JDA Heritage Industrial

Complex Site Design and Structural Review

Trevor Evans, Steven Williams, Aus-tin Etheridge, Dillon Davis

Durham/Christian Grady County

32 City of Sandersville Traffic Assessment and Design

Mackenna Perkins, Katherine Shayne, Tyler Lukaszewicz

Durham/Christian City of Sandersville

33 The Summit at Mars Hill Land Devel-opment Design

Haley Daniel, Will Scherer, Kathryn Cody

Durham/Christian Dovetail Civil Design

34 Grady County Land Planning and Water Distribution System for Tired Creek Lake

Joanna Keen, Sara DeBlois, Cody Cole

Durham/Christian Grady County

35 Wormsloe Historic Site Solar Panel Design

John DeRosa, Brooke Spreen, Gar-rett Steck, Samantha Trulove

Durham/Christian Wormsloe Historic Site

PROJECT 1

Feasibility of a Siphon Spillway for Lake Oglethorpe

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA College of Engineering

TEAM MEMBERSJames BaleSawyer NewtonKendall PetermanJames DavisHunter HardemanSeyram Ahedor

FACULTY ADVISORDr. Bill Tollner

CLIENTLake Oglethorpe Homeowners Association

Lake Oglethorpe, a 20-acre lake located in Arnoldsville, Georgia is experiencing significant eutrophication due to nutrient runoff and organic matter accumulation. Currently the water released from the lake is pulled from the top of the lake, where dissolved oxygen is high and organic content is low.

Withdrawing water from the bottom of the lake instead of at the surface would aid in nutrient removal and in preventing further eutrophication. In this project we design a siphon spillway that will pull water from the bottom of the lake, removing the organic matter and anoxic water that is in the lower strata of the water.

Watershed analysis of the the lake and surrounding area were conducted to determine an appropriate flow rate for the siphon spillway, as well as choose the most appropriate route of the spillway. The flow rate of the siphon spillway aids in the analysis of nutrient removal as it is extracted from the lake over time to reverse eutrophication.

PROJECT 2

TEAM MEMBERSThomas ChanNicolas FinkEduardo SilvaCharles van Brackle

FACULTY ADVISORDr. Javad Mohammadpour

CLIENTGeorgia Power

Georgia Power Company’s Advanced Solar Initiative was created in 2012 to encourage the development of solar power production in the state. As a result, Georgia Power chose Banks County in 2014 as the location of a new solar production facility, and this site was brought online in late 2015.

The purpose of this project is twofold: firstly, to assess the current site’s impact on circuit C1422’s substation transformer bank. Secondly, we are to analyze the Homer circuit and Banks County in order to make a recommendation to Georgia Power as to the best possible locations for future solar production sites in the area.

We performed a circuit analysis for the peak loading of the 2015 year to study the site’s impact on the substation transformer bank. Our project also includes our selection of the best possible sites for solar expansion, as well as a payback period analysis for a solar company choosing the possible sites.

Georgia Power Company Homer Circuit C1422 Solar Study

2016 Senior Design Showcase

PROJECT 3

Two Way Direct Line of Site Texting Without Satellite or Cell Tower CoverageTEAM MEMBERSDarious MackMichael LastingerChase TenewitzIsaac Kim

FACULTY ADVISORDr. Kyle Johnsen

CLIENTU.S. Army

The Department of Defense, hunting industry, and medical industry use many forms of communication. Technology seemed to have developed too fast and skipped a phase of texting capabilities. Currently, the only way to text between individuals is through cell phone coverage or satellite.

The Department of Defense identified a need to text in an austere environment where cell coverage is not available and satellite use is over complicated. Given the need for silent and secure communication, the team developed a device that can handle two-way texting without the use of cell towers or satellites. The maximum distance for direct line of sight communication is 610 meters.

The device is convenient for the mentioned parties as far as accessibility, portability, and ease of use is concerned. It is wearable, lightweight, durable, battery-powered, rechargeable, backlit for low-light scenarios, and has a vibrating alert feature when messages are received.

PROJECT 4

Darius Glover’s Capable CartTEAM MEMBERSEli LongKatie HomeyerJoffre RiveraOlufeyisayo Bab-OkeSpencer Brunson

FACULTY ADVISORDr. Ramana Pidaparti

CLIENTDarius Glover

Darius Glover, a paraplegic, came to the University of Georgia College of Engineering with the idea that he wanted individuals in wheelchairs to be able to shop independently. He has firsthand experience with the difficulties individuals in wheelchairs face while shopping.

Thus, our design objective was to design a shopping cart that attached directly to a personal wheelchair in order to create a more independent shopping experience. We wanted our shopping cart to be adaptable to a wide variety of wheelchairs on the market. The cart needed to be able to maneuver through a store and around other people. The holding capacity needed to be capable of holding a variety of goods. Lastly, the cart should be very easy to use so that any shopper feels comfortable using this helpful technology.

PROJECT 5

TICA Sustainable Manufacturing


TEAM MEMBERSTate HutwagnerMitchell LynnTae-sik OhJacob Worthington FACULTY ADVISORDr. Sid Thompson

CLIENTToyota Industries Compressor Parts America, Co. (TICA)

TICA’s massive plant in Pendergrass, Georgia strives for fluidity and efficiency at every point in the manufacturing process. However, areas remain in which it could improve.

The assigned task for our team was to improve operations at TICA, creating a more cost-efficient company while lessening their environmental impact. As a result, our team investigated rainwater harvesting, solar energy sources, streamlining HVAC systems, insulating factory ovens, uses for spent foundry sand, water treatment, and redirecting waste heat from ovens.

With these proposals, the team recommended projects as well as included financial reports detailing estimated costs of installation and how much the company can expect to save.

PROJECT 6

TEAM MEMBERSThomas GreerJenny BlackwellJacob DavisBryan GrommerschLuis AndradeNicholas Stom FACULTY ADVISORDr. Thomas Lawrence

CLIENTTerrapin Brewing Company

Dry hopping is the process of adding dry hops to fermented beer in order to enhance its flavor and aromas. Currently at Terrapin Beer Company, hundreds of pounds of hops are loaded manually into the top of approximately 25-foot tall fermenters. Not only is this process time consuming and labor intensive, but also dangerous for workers.

Additionally, Terrapin Beer Company currently has no means of recirculating the beer during dry hopping. The objective of this project is to develop a system to efficiently and safely deliver the hops into the fermenter and recirculate the beer while keeping all of the workers on the ground. A recirculation process promises to reduce dry hopping times and improve beer quality by allowing for increased and more rapid contact between hop pellets and beer.

We broke up this project into two different parts. The “Two Stage Design” is defined as a dry hopping system that features separate hop addition (stage 1) and beer recirculation (stage 2) systems. These systems function in separate, yet complementary fashions. Our design includes detailed plans for each stage as well as a cost analysis.

Design of an Optimized Dry Hopping Operation


PROJECT 7

Design of a Low-Maintenance, Lead-Free Uninterruptible Power Supply for Personal ComputersTEAM MEMBERSKasandra SandovalPaul SertwotkaAaron PatrickMyles Craig

FACULTY ADVISORDr. Mark Haidekker

CLIENTDr. Mark Haidekker

The objective of our project is to design an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) that does not use lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries, which power conventional UPS’s, degrade within 2-3 years of operation, after which they become hazardous waste and are relatively expensive to replace. In addition, the charger circuit in the UPS tends to overheat in the case of a battery failure and poses a fire hazard.

Our group will determine a method of using another type of rechargeable battery -- specifically, lithium-ion based batteries -- that has better longevity and a lesser environmental impact than lead-acid batteries. Our UPS will be able to power a 500W system for 10-20 minutes. The focus of the project is on the energy storage methods including the size, voltage, capacity, behavior, and arrangement of the batteries in our system. We will also provide guidance for products that can be used in the inverter and power conversion stages. We will not provide a detailed design of the complete UPS, because this relies on known technology.

PROJECT 8CENGR Design of a Moonbuggy Vehicle for NASA CompetitionTEAM MEMBERSAlex LockeAustin BetheaTamami LillisWesley SmithThomas DeckerMichael OyeyemiSarah Signal


CLIENTNASA Competition

Due to technological advances over the past few decades, space exploration has become more feasible and expansive. The purpose of this project is to redesign an existing moonbuggy attempt by a previous group of students for the NASA competition.

The moonbuggy must be capable of successfully navigating a simulated terrain in an efficient amount of time. Our design must also adhere to engineering specifications and guidelines set forth by NASA. The existing moonbuggy design attempt is shown in Figure 1. The moonbuggy was divided into five sub-systems (drivetrain, steering, chassis, wheels, and suspension), and it was determined after inspection and testing of the subsystems that the steering, drivetrain, and wheels needed to be redesigned. Because of size constraints, the seats in the moonbuggy were also reconstructed.

Using Quality Function Deployment diagrams, the group determined the optimal modifications for these subsystems. A rack and pinion steering system replaced the existing steering system in order to offer both mechanical advantage and efficiency in turning. For the drivetrain the team designed disc brakes and a flange to attach the brakes to the front axle. The redesign of the wheels included placing wider wheels in the rear compared to the front. A buffer was placed between the tread and the rim in order to simulate air pressure. Through the use of these modifications, the moonbuggy will be able to navigate the simulated terrain efficiently as well as safely.

PROJECT 9

A Low Cost and Robust Device for Pneumonia DiagnosisTEAM MEMBERSChris LenearDawn DagenJenna AlsalehRui Mei


CLIENTDr. Ramana Pidaparti


As undiagnosed pneumonia persists to be a leading cause of death in third world countries, especially among children, the need for a low-cost and reliable solution is avidly being sought after.

From our preliminary research, we believe that pneumonia can be detected using our algorithm, which employs the use of a mere two to three sensors. We have designed a single, robust, and low-cost device which interfaces a stethoscope, thermometer, and pulse oximeter with a smartphone. Anyone using this device, through its complimentary smartphone application, should be able to easily read and understand the output, which will suggest the urgency with which one should see a medical professional.

This product has the advantages of reducing the training healthcare workers need and limiting the time these healthcare workers have to spend around sick patients. We hope that these benefits will improve the accuracy of diagnosis, reduce the spread of illness, and save the lives of those inflicted by pneumonia.

PROJECT 10

Smart App for Monitoring TBI SeverityTEAM MEMBERSBryan HooperAdam HagenNicholas SzakalMichael Hudson



Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused everyday by falls, sports, vehicular accidents or violent assaults. The National Academy of Sciences states that there is a need for software or a device that can diagnosis a TBIs quickly and accurately.

The need stems from how it can be difficult for a TBI to be diagnosed from a biomedical image, as a trained professional is required.

The application will facilitate this difficult task by applying analysis via software while also assisting the education of factors in TBI diagnosis.


PROJECT 11

Manufacturing the Next Generation of Vaccines: Non-egg based platform for Influenza Vaccine – Team ATEAM MEMBERSPaul CrayShahrukh JiwaniZayra DelagadoLeigh KarasWahaj Imam

FACULTY ADVISORDr. Jim Kastner

CLIENTAIChE Student Design Competition

A non-egg based manufacturing platform for influenza vaccine was designed using insect cells to produce influenza virus-like particles (VLPs).

Currently, most influenza vaccine is produced by using chicken eggs to grow viral stocks which are then inactivated and used to provoke an immune response after vaccination. There is a critical need for a non-egg based platform due to slow turnover times, high vulnerability to market volatility in egg procurement, and an inability of egg allergic individuals to be vaccinated.

Insect cells are preferable with an ability to quickly grow large amounts of cell culture, a quicker turnaround time, and the ability to produce VLPs, which are noninfectious. Currently, only one company produces influenza vaccine in this way but there is a high level of interest in exploring this technology with a goal of replacing egg-based vaccines entirely.

A representative schema for the production of 160 million quadrivalent flu vaccines was produced to show the efficacy of the platform.

PROJECT 12

Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries: Commercial Manufacturing FacilityTEAM MEMBERSAlex RomanNikki ThaiAndrew LyonAlyssa GhumanNicholas Winter



Spinal cord injury (SCI) regenerative therapy is the process of using stem cells’ self-renewal capabilities to replace damaged neural cells. Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have proven transdifferentiation properties that allow MSCs to be used for SCI therapy. Since treatments are in their early stages, production of MSCs has been limited to bench scale bioreactor systems that can only produce a small amount of cells.

To combat this problem, we have designed a custom facility that will have the means to produce neural cells for the treatment of 12,000 SCI cases a year. The manufacturing facility contains 10 bioreactors that will be run 10 times each, with each vessel containing 100 liters. The bioreactors are fully automated and control dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature.

Both upstream and downstream processes have been designed to ensure safe handling of the stem cells before they are shipped to an offsite location to be used in patients.

PROJECT 13

Design and Scale a Hydrogenation/Hydrodeoxygenation Process Using Noble Metal Washcoated Carbon MonolithsTEAM MEMBERSDylan MaxwellLexi AtkinsRyan DroeseColter CreswellChris Tippins


CLIENTApplied Catalysts/Applied Ceramics, Inc.


Applied Catalysts have commissioned the design of a continuous flow reactor operating under Taylor Flow conditions in order to produce 10 million pounds of aniline a year using nitrobenzene and hydrogen as reagents. The design must utilize their proprietary noble metal wash coated monolith catalysts.

Monolith catalysts are long solid pieces of carbon support with channels running along their entire length. The porous support is impregnated with a noble metal that will act as the catalyst. When compared to batch reactors used for hydrogenation, continuous reactors have increased productivity because they require less down time. The carbon monolith reactor resembles traditional packed bed reactors. However, the advantage carbon monoliths have over traditional packed bed reactors is that they drastically decrease pressure drop. Decreasing pressure drop ensures constant hydrogen saturation and increased conversion of nitrobenzene along the length of the reactor.

Our design was based on operating the reactor 16 hours a day, 351 days a year to account for holidays, repair, and cleaning times. Our proposed design includes upstream processing, in depth reactor design, and proposed downstream separations processes. First, nitrobenzene and isopropanol (solvent) are mixed and preheated in a continuous stirred tank agitation vessel. Also, a supply of gaseous hydrogen is preheated to the desired reaction temperature.

Utilizing a system of automated manifolds and t-fittings, the gas phase hydrogen is introduced into the liquid phase nitrobenzene/isopropanol at a specific volumetric flow rate to maintain Taylor Slug flow. The reactor portion consists of 30 reactors with diameters of 2.5 centimeters and a length of 30 centimeters. The reactor bundle is jacketed in an ethylene glycol heat exchanger to mitigate the risk of runaway reactions and explosion. A nitrobenzene conversion of 95% is attained with this reactor geometry. After the reaction ceases, the products are cooled and removed from the system using a back pressure regulator. Residual hydrogen will be purified and recycled using a membrane separator. Aniline will be purified and isopropanol will be recycled by utilizing distillation.


PROJECT 14

Design and Evaluation of Virtual Keyboards used in Pilot Touch-Screen DisplaysTEAM MEMBERSStefan SmithDanny MasonErik Lockhart


CLIENTGulfstream

A prototyping software-based keyboard was designed in Unity 3D to explore the characteristics of a keyboard that contribute most to speed and accuracy of input by pilots of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. The software allows for the variation of keyboard characteristics to physically change the functionality of the keyboard and provides two tests for analyses of the varied characteristics. The end use of this keyboard software will allow Gulfstream the tool for rapid prototyping of the keyboard layout to best improve speed and accuracy of input of pilots.

PROJECT 15

Immersive Call Center Simulation ToolTEAM MEMBERSStephen KirklandDeric DoanYoung JoeMichael Melatti


CLIENTAT&T

Call center employees typically encounter unexpected situations and must perform a variety of tasks daily. Each customer presents different problems, questions, or requests. Call center employees must work in a fast-paced environment. They must be capable of learning new skills, and working with a variety of customers. This encourages companies the desire to provide novice employees with a wide range of tasks. Multiple customer scenarios in a simulated environment allow their employees to have an accurate and true experience and develop skills to provide the highest quality customer service.

Despite technology’s improvement, training space for call centers have not improved concurrently. There are minimal options currently available that analyze language use in conjunction with business responsibilities, while reporting on each other in a coordinated manner. Our team will be using Unity to build a simulation application to train call center employees to be successful in the field.

PROJECT 16

Outage Management System for Planters Electrical Membership CorporationTEAM MEMBERSTrey DozierTroupe Tabb

FACULTY ADVISORDr. David Gattie

CLIENTPlanters Electrical Membership Corporation

Planters Electric Membership Corporation was formed in 1936 and was the 17th rural electric utility in the nation. Planters is a Touchstone Energy® Partner and is a member-owned electric Membership Corporation providing electric service to the people of Georgia in Burke, Jenkins, Screven, Bulloch, Effingham, Emanuel and Richmond counties.

Planters EMC is in dire need of updating their current outage management system to a system that is far more efficient and technologically advanced. The utility needs to develop a procedure that will allow them to improve response times, locate outages more precisely, effectively dispatch crews in critical times, and provide the public with accessible information regarding current outages.

The goal of this project will be to design and create a new, state-of-the-art system the company may utilize to bring power back to their members in desperate times.

PROJECT 17

Design Heuristics That Teach Conceptual DesignTEAM MEMBERSColin Beckford Patrick HowardJacob HoodDaniel Cribbs



As part of the design process, students are required to conduct concept generation to find potential solutions. Developing learning resources involving design heuristics is one way to teach conceptual design to students.

The overall goal of this project was to develop a set of design heuristics using Concept Knowledge theory and demonstrate its usefulness in innovative design solutions. The learning materials that were developed include the creation of biomimicry inspired case studies, heuristic learning cards with application examples, and a user-friendly website to display our findings. The uses of design heuristics were introduced to facilitate the process of developing a final reliable design model for a human-powered vehicle. Findings demonstrate how the integration of biological knowledge can be used to generate unique, innovative, and multifaceted design solutions.



PROJECT 18

Manufacturing the Next Generation of Vaccines: Non-egg based platform for Influenza Vaccine – Team BTEAM MEMBERSBillie HardigreeCourtney JacksonFayaz JamilChristian MatthewsHenry Fawole



The purpose of our project is to develop a non-egg based influenza vaccine production process. The vast majority of current influenza vaccines are produced through an egg based system, which prevents those with egg allergies from receiving the vaccination and can also be jeopardized through the outbreak of avian flu.

Our group chose to utilize insect cells for the expression of influenza virus like particles (VLPs), specifically Sf-9 cells. The cells will be infected through a baculovirus vector after expansion of the insect cell density, and VLPs will be purified and recovered in our designed downstream processes. Our influenza vaccine is produced to meet environmental safety standards and to follow Good Manufacturing Practices.

PROJECT 19

Gulfstream Aircraft Ditch Design and TestingTEAM MEMBERSPatrick BollTim KellerBrad Bahorich

FACULTY ADVISORDr. Ben Davis

CLIENTGulfstream

Ditching is the forced landing of an aircraft on water in an emergency situation. To ensure structural integrity of a given aircraft during a ditching maneuver, the complex loading associated with a water landing must be understood.

Through parallel scale-model testing and analytical modeling efforts, this project attempted to develop a test-validated approach to calculating ditching loads on a Gulfstream G550 (and similar) aircraft. Test articles include a launch rig and a scale model of the G550 airframe outfitted with accelerometers and pressure transducers.

This project was presented to UGA Engineering by Gulfstream at a meeting in Savannah in the Spring of 2015. Gulfstream would like to use this project to acquire data on scaled ditching tests to bring to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to show compliance with FAA ditching requirements.

The data produced during this project will directly benefit the Loads and Dynamics team at Gulfstream. The objective of this project is to produce data regarding acceleration and pressure of the scaled model with respect to time.

PROJECT 20

Terrapin Bottling Line & Steam System DesignTEAM MEMBERSDamon DunwodyMichael PerleoniNick Thompson

FACULTY ADVISORDr. Thomas Lawrence

CLIENTTerrapin Brewing Company

Terrapin Beer Co. is in the midst of a multi-year planned expansion program. In order to reach their expansion goals that were set approximately five years ago of an up to eight-fold increase in capacity, they have identified a need to expand all of their processes from bottling to brewing. As part of this expansion, Terrapin wants to quadruple the current output of their bottling line and at least double their brewing capacity in the coming couple of years.

During this two-semester course sequence, our group conducted two projects that consisted of the evaluation and design recommendations for a new bottling line and their steam system.

PROJECT 21

Design of a Liquid Sensor With An Automatic Vial StopperTEAM MEMBERSDevon MontgomeryLee TurnerStephen Winkler

FACULTY ADVISORDr. Sid Thompson

CLIENTAalto Scientific

Aalto Scientific is an industry leader in private label/OEM control and calibrator sera, purified human proteins, and processed human and animal sera. Presently, their team hires quality control technicians to assess the fillings of vials. By eliminating the need for a technician in the filling area, Aalto desires a more efficient method for this verification by using a device capable of sensing and marking said vials from the 40μL volume with ±2.μL accuracy.

Through a year’s commitment of research and development, our team was able to provide a design capable of fulfilling Aalto’s needs. Our design incorporates a combination of system’s, process and mechanical engineering. We have developed a fully automated system capable of accurately recognizing, marking, and transporting misfiled vial throughout their filling process. Our design includes the use of three separate solution systems (½” CMOS camera, error identifying dot ID marker, automated conveying system) working together to achieve our goal.



PROJECT 22

City of Metter Caney Branch Floodplain AssessmentTEAM MEMBERSJoseph BrittainAmy BrooksAmber Liepse

FACULTY ADVISORSDr. Stephan DurhamDr. Jason Christian

CLIENTCity of Metter

Caney Branch is a small waterway that travels through the City of Metter, located in Southeast Georgia. During high rainfall events, the northeastern quadrant of Metter experiences flooding around the branch due to the channel being under-designed for larger storm events. Likewise, the existing channel is difficult for the city to maintain due to steep side slopes and debris.

To mitigate flooding and provide a more stable channel to maintain, we have conducted a field survey of the existing storm water structures and analyzed the watershed. This information has allowed us to develop a proposal to the City that includes a re-designed channel that will handle peak flow events, newly sized culverts at road crossings, and a detention pond to help control flow through the more populated areas of the city.

PROJECT 23

City of Metter Recycling AssessmentTEAM MEMBERSDessa DunnJake DurretteJennie Mathis


CLIENTCity of Metter

Currently, the only option for household recycling in the City of Metter and Candler County is a drop-off center located at the county landfill where minimal personnel are required to extract recyclables from the collected household trash. In order to extend the useful life of the current landfill and provide new opportunities for economic development, The City of Metter and Candler County requested a recycling assessment and implement plan as a proactive and community-based program with ultimate goals of providing curbside recycling.

The project team addressed the project scope with a three-phase plan that included both short-term and long-term options. The major component of this project included the design of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), a plant that separates and prepares recyclables for sale to end-markets. The final MRF design consists of an efficient single stream unit operation system that maximizes material processing and recovery. The proposed design will create economic growth opportunities for the City and County and subsequently divert trash to a reuse facility thereby prolonging the service life of the landfill.

PROJECT 24

City of Clarkesville Sewer & Water Pipe BridgeTEAM MEMBERSMark HainMolly SchenckSpencer Benfield

FACULTY ADVISORDr. Stephan DurhamDr. Jason Christian

CLIENTCity of Clarkesville

A sewer and water pipe are suspended above the Soque River in Clarkesville, Georgia. Because the pipes are suspended in mid-air, they are vulnerable to falling debris, and if collapsed or became compromised, the contents could discharge and contaminate the river. Currently, the structure is in compliance with the Environmental Protection Division; however, the City of Clarkesville is seeking help to provide additional protection in order to maintain future compliance. An added concern is the pipes are supported by a series of degraded telephone poles and suspension cables estimated to be 50 years old.

For these reasons, the city has requested a structure be designed in order to protect and support the pipes. Further, the new structure must allow access to the pipes for maintenance. The project team utilized STAAD Pro structural software to design a truss bridge outfitted with a series of pipe supports and catwalk. The scope of work included a complete structural design of the truss bridge, foundation supports, pipe supports, walkway, hydrologic analysis, architectural renderings of the completed structure, and estimated cost.


PROJECT 25

City of Chattahoochee Hills Garrett’s Ferry Bridge RehabilitationTEAM MEMBERSAbby CaballeroLauren ShannonMax OvettCarson Coley


CLIENTCity of Chattahoochee Hills

The Garretts Ferry Bridge is a two-lane concrete bridge that spans a small creek in the rural city of Chattahoochee Hills in southern Fulton County, Georgia. An assessment of the bridge was recently conducted by a Georgia Department of Transportation engineer under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, and the bridge was determined to be structurally deficient. An investigation of the bridge site revealed that the stream underneath has eroded the foundations, causing the abutments to fail and the bridge deck to settle.

The City of Chattahoochee Hills requested two possible options including a low impact, cost-effective repair solution as well as an entire bridge replacement. The team’s plan to repair the bridge involves installing new abutments and riprap, while the replacement plan involves demolishing the bridge and replacing it with box culverts and wing walls. The project scope included a comprehensive hydrological study of the site’s watershed, complete structural and architectural drawings for both solutions, and an economic analysis.


PROJECT 26

City of Whigham Sewer Collection and Treatment Facility DesignTEAM MEMBERSBill MapesChris ParkerJuan UruetaNick Wilson


CLIENTCity of Whigham

The City of Whigham requested the project team’s services to design a sewer collection and wastewater treatment system to improve the city’s infrastructure that will allow for future growth of the community.

With the addition of a newly constructed lake in Grady County as part of Tired Creek, the county and city officials wanted to have the proper infrastructure in place to handle the expected additional growth of Whigham. The city is currently on a septic system at each household and business in the downtown area.

During the project, multiple options for the wastewater treatment were reviewed and the best option was recommended to county and city officials. The selection of the treatment system was based on the cost of implementation, removal efficiency, operator time, ease of installation, and overall benefit to the community.

Flow calculations were completed using information from the US Census Bureau and standard flow rates per household. Proven as the most cost effective solution in materials, land use, and operation, bar screens were chosen as a preliminary treatment, two Imhoff tanks as the primary treatment, and a constructed wetland as secondary treatment.

The cost of installing the sewer system including excavation and pipe costs were added to the cost of constructing the bar screens, Imhoff tanks, and wetland. Ultimately, a total project cost was established and utilized in creating a rate structure per household on an annual and monthly basis.

PROJECT 27

Grove Way-Bush Street Modification ProjectTEAM MEMBERSEric MalinowskiJason ShivarAndrew SwicegoodTony Vicent


CLIENTPond & Company

The Grove Way-Bush Street project encompasses both the lowering of the intersection of Grove Way and Bush Street as well as the redesign of the Child Development Association parking lot. The intersection is to be lowered up to 5 feet in order to improve sight distance; doing so will improve the traffic safety in the surrounding neighborhood.

The Child Development Association’s current parking lot is situated on a 6-7% grade that slopes toward the structure. This configuration creates problems with both parents dropping off their children as well as deliveries to the institution. The parking lot remediation includes creating a constant grade throughout the property such that parked cars are no longer on a steep grade.

The required deliverables to the client for this project included a complete site design to include parking, traffic circulation, signage, roadway and parking markings per city and MUTCD regulations as well as the creation of demolition, grading and drainage, utility, and erosion control plans. Additionally, the project team developed a stormwater management design and four retaining wall structures.


PROJECT 28

Haley Street Land Development Site DesignTEAM MEMBERSGraham StovallCasey JohnsonKyle Cotter


CLIENTDovetail Civil Design

Haley Street is located in Marietta, Georgia as part of Cobb County. The site to be developed is a .47 acre site located on the corner of Haley Street and South Avenue. The existing property contains a single house as well as a shed and outdoor garage. The objective of the project is to develop a plan for a small residential community containing four units. The requirements included a site plan, utility plan, grading plan, landscape plan, erosion control plan and a general cost analysis.


PROJECT 29

Hart County Recreational Complex Elevated WalkwayTEAM MEMBERSSokngim KimMolly NelsonKatelyn StallingsAmanda Rostin


CLIENTHart County

MASK Engineering was tasked by the Hart County Board of Commissioners with designing a 493-foot elevated walkway located at the Hart County Recreational Complex, connecting two ends of a paved walking trail that currently circles the park.

During the initial construction phases of the Complex, underground springs surfaced in the wooded area of the park, creating a swampy region that is now classified as a wetland and protected under federal law. Because of the stringent requirements regarding wetland disturbance, the project team was required to design a pedestrian bridge that spans the entire wetland to ensure the area remains undisturbed. Both the elevated walkway and the pedestrian bridge designs meet ADA accessibility requirements.

Due to limited funding, the project team developed a design to minimize cost while retaining the architectural vision of the client. This project required the establishment of a specific walkway route, the design of an elevated walkway and pedestrian bridge meeting the AASHTO Pedestrian Bridge Code and subsequent structural codes, the creation of architectural and structural plans for the proposed bridge, walkway and foundation design, a hydrologic analysis, and cost analysis of the project.

PROJECT 30

Jackson County Water and Sewer Authority Distribution System ImprovementsTEAM MEMBERSTaylor HebertMatthew SullivanKerby Wood


CLIENTJackson County Water & Sewer Authority

The Jackson County Water and Sewerage Authority ( JCWSA) is the predominant water supplier for Jackson County, Georgia. They were founded in 1986 as an act of the Georgia General Assembly and operate as a quasi-governmental entity. Their first lines were installed in the early 1990’s and their rapid growth has resulted numerous hydraulic problems within the system.

Specifically, JCWSA has requested the evaluation and suitability of three currently unusable water storage assets for rehabilitation and service back into the system. The three water storage assets are the Arcade Water Tower, the East Jackson Water Tower, and the Georgia Power Ground-Level Water Storage Tank. All three assets are currently unusable due to unfavorable system pressures at their main line connections.

The three most feasible design options were relocation, rehabilitation, or demolition. The Arcade Water Tower is under-utilized in its current location and will therefore be moved to the corner of Skelton Road and Highway 332 where the system pressures allow a natural discharge from the tower. The East Jackson Water Tower will incur the addition of a variable frequency drive (VFD) controlled pumping layout held within a buried precast concrete vault. The vault will contain a 5 HP pump as well as check valves and an altitude valve to control the filling and discharge of the tower. The Georgia Power Ground-Level Water Storage Tank will be retrofitted with a VFD on each of its 60 HP pumps inside of the existing on-site pumping station, as well as a small section of bypass piping to allow flow out of the tank.

These modifications will allow JCWSA to retain their assets which will provide additional support to their water distribution network.



PROJECT 31

Grady County JDA Heritage Industrial Complex Site Design and Structural ReviewTEAM MEMBERSTrevor Evans Steven Williams Austin Etheridge Dillon Davis


CLIENTGrady County

The Heritage Industrial Complex in Cairo, Georgia, has served as a satisfactory work site for a variety of business over the last 50 years. The existing structure is composed of mostly steel support systems, concrete flooring, and masonry walls constructed at different periods throughout the complex life. The current condition of the complex includes rooms without roofs, support trusses with questionable structural integrity, rooms without floors, unclear traffic flow, and a site without a stormwater management plan.

The Joint Development Authority requested a review of the complex with guidance on how to improve the site and buildings in an effort to recruit additional tenant companies. The structural engineering review focused on two buildings within the complex and the site design involved accessing those two buildings. Due to safety concerns related to the project team evaluating the existing structure, a conservative approach was pursued to include demolishing the buildings and constructing new buildings.

Structural plans for the proposed metal buildings were generated to include loadings docks and a roof height of 30 feet. The addition of these buildings will provide approximately 53,000 sqft of leasable industrial space. The improvement plans for the site contain recommended demolition of current impervious areas, installation of curbing and gutter to route stormwater, placement of heavy duty pavement to provide a full loop around the complex, striped parking, and installation of proper storm water dry extended detention facilities.

The proposed plans aim to bring the existing site up to city code, provide potential tenants with marketable space, and provide a pathway for future development of the complex.


PROJECT 32

City of Sandersville Traffic Assessment and DesignTEAM MEMBERSMackenna PerkinsKatherine ShayneTyler Lukaszewicz


CLIENTCity of Sandersville

The City of Sandersville requested the project team to perform a downtown traffic assessment. Nicknamed the Kaolin Capital of the World, the City of Sandersville is located one hundred and twenty miles east of Atlanta in Washington County, Georgia, between Macon and Augusta. The city of six thousand residents includes a beautiful downtown square with a magnificent central courthouse and government offices, professional offices and local businesses.

The project team analyzed traffic usage patterns and created a design that includes new traffic flow, pedestrian crossings, bicycle amenities, and additional green space. The design conserves parking, with a net loss of only 4 parking stalls, while adding 14,000 square feet of green space and improving the safety and flow of traffic. The project deliverables included a complete set of civil site construction drawings, architectural renderings, and an economic analysis of the design.


PROJECT 33

The Summit at Mars Hill Land Development DesignTEAM MEMBERSHaley Daniel Will Scherer Kathryn Cody


CLIENTDovetail Civil Design

The Summit at Mars Hill is a 15-acre office complex located on Mars Hill Road in Watkinsville, GA. Tenants in this office complex frequently utilize the property for exercise and outdoor activities because of its rural and secluded character.

Dovetail Civil Design requested engineering services to design a fitness trail throughout the office complex for employees to use during daily activities. The design included a site design, landscape design, concrete trail design, detention pond design, retaining wall designs, and a cost estimation and analysis. The site plan includes amenities for workers to use such as a dog park, a playground, fitness stations, and picnic areas.

All project investments will be funded by monthly fees paid by office occupants in the complex.


PROJECT 34

Grady County Land Planning and Water Distribution System for Tired Creek LakeTEAM MEMBERSJoanna KeenSara DeBloisCody Cole


CLIENTGrady County

The Tired Creek Lake Authority in partnership with Grady County requested the design of a drinking water distribution system for the recently created Tired Creek Lake. Because Tired Creek Lake is a new development, the project team was required to develop land use plans in order to predict water demand for the future community that will surround the lake.

Locations of new roads were proposed to reach areas of the site currently without access and to provide two entry points to future major developments around the lake. As a result of the land planning in consultation with the client, the development was planned to include 2,531 single-family homes, 302 senior living units, 4,119 tourism lodging units, 520 RV sits, and 100 camp sites.

The water distribution network was modeled to optimize pipe sizes for the required pressure ranges, velocity requirements, and water demands as well as characterize pumping system performance characteristics. The team designed a potable water treatment and distribution system which included arsenic treatment, chlorine treatment, storage tanks, a pump station, as well as a control room.

A final cost and utility rate structure was provided to the client.


PROJECT 35

Wormsloe Historic Site Solar Panel DesignTEAM MEMBERSJohn DeRosaBrooke SpreenGarrett SteckSamantha Trulove


CLIENTWormsloe Historic Site

The Wormsloe Historic Site outside Savannah, Georgia, requested the design of two solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with the dual intent of offsetting electricity consumption and furthering the site’s legacy of innovation and education. Two net-metering designs are proposed—one for the century-old Barrow family library and one for the new UGA research dormitories.

Suniva 285W panels, Enphase microinverters, and IronRidge rails were chosen to maximize output and reliability while maintaining a reasonable cost. Six panels are to be installed for the library’s 1.7kW system, and fifteen panels are to be installed for the dormitories’ 4.7kW system. Based on previous power usage and on-site measurements, this is expected to offset approximately 100% and 38% of the buildings’ respective electricity use.

Struts were designed to suspend the library’s PV system between existing concrete parapets in order to protect the roof ’s waterproof membrane. Meanwhile, the dormitories’ system is to be anchored on an adjacent maintenance building with underground conduit routing the electricity back to the dorms.

A cost analysis confirms the financial viability of the dormitory installation but suggests that the library installation would have to be undertaken for reasons other than receiving an adequate return on investment. This margin is primarily attributed to the library’s low power draw and custom support system.

Thank you to our corporate partners for making these projects possible!

2015-2016 Faculty MentorsDr. Sid Thompson

Dr. Thomas LawrenceDr. Ramana Pidaparti

Dr. Jim KastnerDr. Stephan DurhamDr. Jason Christian

Dr. Bill TollnerDr. Javad Mohammadpour

Dr. Kyle JohnsenDr. Mark Haidekker

Dr. David GattieDr. Ben Davis

College of Engineering Program CoordinatorsDr. David Stooksbury, Agricultural EngineeringDr. James Kastner, Biochemical EngineeringDr. William Kisaalita, Biological Engineering

Dr. Stephan Durham, Civil Engineering

Dr. Takoi Hamrita, Computer Systems EngineeringDr. Mark Haidekker, Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Dr. John Schramski, Environmental EngineeringDr. Thomas Lawrence, Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering AdministrationDr. Donald Leo, Dean & UGA Foundation Professor in Engineering

Dr. Ramana Pidaparti, Associate Dean for Academic ProgramsDr. Lawrence Hornak, Associate Dean for Research

Michael Dukes, Director of Development & Alumni RelationsKelley Saussy, Director of Experiential Programs

Melissa Garber, Academic Manager

senior design showcase 2016

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