Engineering Principles

Acoustic Emission Testing

Before acoustic emission testing, oil storage tanks could only be checked for leaks by visually inspecting the inside tank floor. Most companies are usually required to have this done every five years. To do this, all oil in the tank would have to be drained. Following drainage, the whole tank would have to be sandblasted. Inspectors could then go inside the tank and check the floor for damage. This type of damage testing had several draw backs. All the oil that was in the tank upon draining would have to be disposed of; it could not be reused in any way. The price of this procedure could range from 15 to 20 lakh depending on the size of the tank. On top of the high price, the tank itself would be offline and unusable for about 3 months. Note: To view the entire case study, you must first login with your username and password. To create a username and password, click Register. Then you will be sent an e-mail to validate your entry. Once the account has been validated, you can login to this site to access full copies of the case studies.

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Functional Dormitory Design

37This case study describes a design problem faced by the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-Madras), a preeminent engineering institution in India, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), one of India’s largest construction firms. Due to the rapidly increasing student population, IIT-Madras needs to construct more on-campus residences (hostels). However, because it is situated on the beautiful Guidny National Park, the university is restricted to 24% land use.

L&T recently completed a new group of high-rise hostels for IIT-Madras, but the older, sprawling-style hostels remain a popular choice among students. The two designs vary greatly in the areas of thermal comfort and social function. This case study explores how to design thermally comfortable and socially functional spaces while minimizing university land use.

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Induction Welding Case Study

19For the year 2000, welding expenditures in the U.S manufacturing, mining, and construction industry were about $34 million.In order to test these welds in a non-destructive manner, nearly half a million radiographs are produced every year. Mr.R.J.Pardikar, Senior Deputy General Manager for the Quality/NDT division at the company, wanted a team at the Centre for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) lab, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras to conduct a feasibility study of the possible Nondestructive testing methods applicable to the problem or develop new methodologies to identify defects in induction pressure welds.

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Laser Ultrasonic Case Study

62The field of Nondestructive Testing (NDT) is a very broad, interdisciplinary field that plays a critical role in assuring that structural components and systems perform their function in a reliable and cost effective fashion. NDT technicians and engineers define and implement tests that locate and characterize material conditions and flaws that might otherwise cause planes to crash, reactors to fail, trains to derail, pipelines to burst, and a variety of less visible, but equally troubling events. These tests are performed in a manner that does not affect the future usefulness of the object or material. In other words, NDT allows parts and material to be inspected and measured without damaging them. Because it allows inspection without interfering with a product’s final use, NDT provides an excellent balance between quality control and cost-effectiveness.

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Lorn Manufacturing Case Study

lornmanuThe Lorn Manufacturing case study details the dilemma Jim Russell faced after losing three fingers in a horrible accident that occurred while he was cleaning a lap winder in an industrial plant. Who is responsible? Did Russell fail to follow procedure while performing his maintenance duties, or is it the manufacturer’s fault for not following proper safety guidelines when designing the machinery? Find out the jury’s verdict and learn about engineering ethics.

Students use this case study to develop an understanding of the following key objectives:

  • Implementation of safety procedures in a manufacturing plant
  • Application of codes and standards in professional environments
  • Qualifications engineers must have to serve as expert witnesses
  • Proper communication skills in a professional environment, such as a manufacturing plant

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