The substantial wave energy resource of the US Pacific Northwest (i.e. off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and N. California) is assessed and characterized. Archived spectral records from ten wave measurement buoys, operated and maintained by the National Data Buoy Center and the Coastal Data Information Program, form the basis...
Population counts of aquatic insects can be a credible indicator of the overall health of a waterway. Stonefly (Plecoptera) larva are very sensitive to chemicals present within the waterway, however obtaining population counts of the larvae can be very labor intensive and thus costly. The BugID project has been working...
Several standardized courses for Formula SAE (FSAE) testing are introduced and described with sufficient detail to be reproduced by any Formula SAE team. Basic analysis methods for the courses are given as well as explanations of how those analyses could be used. On-car data from the Global Formula Racing (GFR)...
Physical testing of composite sandwich panels in three point bending is an increasingly important aspect of qualifying a composite monocoque for Formula SAE competition. Required stiffness and strength values have increased over the past three years, and more of the monocoque's laminates must be tested as well. As a result,...
As the negative impacts of a fossil fueled electricity market are becoming more prevalent and destructive, the necessity for alternative energy techniques increases as well. However, before commercial implementation is underway, these alternatives must be assessed from three important perspectives: environmentally, economically, and socially, which are known as the three...
For many years, engine overhearing has been the major cause for vehicle breakdowns and engine malfunctions for most teams in Endurance events at Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) Series competitions. Additionally, with a growing importance of aerodynamics to the overall success of the Global Formula Racing at these events,...
The Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) has provided a platform
for teams like Oregon State’s own Global Formula Racing Team (GFR) to produce a
formula style race car and compete with other schools across the world. The GFR team
has used the same carbon fiber monocoque chassis since the...
Formula SAE is a collegiate engineering competition that has participants from around the globe. Of the 1000 points available throughout the event, 100 (10%) are dedicated to the fuel efficiency of the student built race cars. Competition rules allow either gasoline or E85, a mix of 85% ethanol and 15%...
This project examines the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model used by Global Formula Racing (GFR) to simulate external aerodynamics for a Formula SAE racecar. It seeks to improve the accuracy of the existing model by changing mesh and physics model parameters. Accuracy of the model is quantified through comparison to...
This project analyzes, tests, and redesigns an environmental control system for Global Formula Racing’s (GFR) dynamometer. It seeks to develop a working system to test GFR’s car engine under air conditions similar to those faced during competition. A model is developed to predict the performance of the environmental control system,...