CIE 500A Fall 2009

RESEARCH PROPOSALS

Professor George C. Lee

Lecture Outline (10/26/09)

• Definition of Research• Academic Research• Examples

Basic Research Agency Mission Agency Industry

• Graduate Student Research Proposals

Definition of “Research” (Webster’s)

• Basic Research• Problem-Focused Research• Applied Research• Industrial Research

• Classified Research• Academic Research• Interdisciplinary Research• Multi-disciplinary Research

Critical and exhaustive investigation having for its aim the discovery of new facts and their correct interpretation, the revision of accepted conclusions, theories, or laws in the light of newly discovered facts, or the practical applications of such new or revised conclusions, theories, or laws.

Distinguish the following types of research:

Definition of “Research” (cont’d)

New Knowledge Bases Research Results Applications

Basic Research, Development ofNew Knowledge

Applied Research and Problem-

Focused Research, with Specific Application Objectives

Development and Applications

Scope of University Research

Academic Research(Research Carried Out by University Faculty Members

and Graduate Students)Funding Sources:

University• All types

Federal Agencies• Basic Research Agencies (NSF, NIH)• Mission Agencies (NASA, DOD, DOF, DOT, etc.): problem-focused research (both basic and applied)

State and Local Agencies (also Mission Agencies)• Problem-Focused Research (Applied)

Industry• Knowledge Applications for Specific Objectives

Foundations• All types

Academic Research

Types of Research Funding

• Grants (mostly NSF, NIH, Foundation, University)• Contracts (mostly mission agencies, industry)

Distinguish “grant” and “contract” Distinguish “research fellowship,” “scholarship” and

“research assistantship” for graduate students

Academic Research

Review of Academic Research Proposals

• Peer Review (NSF, NIH, some mission agency programs) by individuals or panels (external experts)

• Agency Review by internal panels/committees external experts sometimes involved

• Industry/Foundation/University variable

Academic Research

Review Criteria of Academic Research Proposals

•Basic Research Agencies (e.g., NSF) Intellectual Merit (what’s new?) Broader Impact

•Mission Agencies (e.g., DOE) Guidelines specified in the RFP Mostly problem-focused basic or applied

research with a strong emphasis on “deliverables”

•Other (e.g., industry) variable

Example (NSF Proposal)

• I had an idea of a basic research proposal –

Development of a device to measure changes of acceleration for earthquake engineering applications.

• Studied possible programs in NSF that may be suitable for submitting a proposal.

• Visited the program directors and learn their views.

• Prepared a proposal.

NSF Home Page

NSF CMMI Division

1. Control Systems

2. Dynamical Systems

3. Engineering Design

4. GeoEnvironmental Engineering and GeoHazards Mitigation

5. GeoMechanics and GeoTechnical Systems

6. George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research

7. Information Technology and Infrastructure Systems

8. Infrastructure Management and Hazard Response

9. Infrastructure Materials and Structural Mechanics

NSF CMMI Division (contd)

10. Manufacturing Enterprise Systems

11. Machines and Equipment

12. Material Design and Surface Engineering

13. Material Processing and Manufacturing

14. Mechanics and Structures of Materials15. Nano and Bio Mechanics

16. Nano Manufacturing

17. Operations Research

18. Sensor Innovation and Systems

19. Service Enterprise Engineering

Sensors Innovation and Systems

SYNOPSIS

The Sensor Innovation and Systems program supports research on acquiring and using information about civil and mechanical systems to improve their safety, reliability, cost, and performance; knowledge base for development of advanced sensors for engineeringsolutions and strategic decision-making for safety, security, and reliability and for implementation of real-time adaptive system performance through dynamic response control, smart sensing, and innovative actuating capabilities that use the sensed information; innovative sensor technology development including micro devices based on five senses and their embedment, micro and wireless networks, analytical tools and strategies for health monitoring and diagnosis, and engineering for smart structures.

3D Jerk Sensor (G. C. Lee)Project SummaryThe objectives of the proposed research is to develop a new type of sensor to measure 3 dimensional “jerk” (derivative of acceleration) in earthquake ground motion and structural responses. Jerk is a very sensitive physical quantity. It is sensitive to high frequency noise. In particular, Some comparative studies show that using differential circuitry to process acceleration signal is not a stable and accurate approach to obtain jerk. The proposed approach uses a speciallydesigned electro-mechanical coupling device to derive the analogjerk signal and then processes it through the digital signal conditions.

The challenge of the sensor development is the various noise levelsin measuring a large level of jerk and bias from traditional signal conditioning such as filtering methods. The merit of the proposedmethod is that it will be able to provide a relatively reliable andaccurate jerk sensor with a rather large dynamic range ofmeasurement of earthquake engineering applications.

3D Jerk Sensor (G. C. Lee) contdProject Summary (contd)

Jerk is directly related to a physical damage process when a very rapid change of force can cause materials to fail structurally or to deform locally to the extent of molecular bond separation before a noticeable global displacement or deformation can be observed. Currently, jerk Is not extensively used in earthquake engineering. With the newly developed sensor, we can expect two direct applications: (1) Study jerk levels in earthquake strong motion; and (2) Develop jerk-based damage detection.

In addition, recent studies have shown that in near-field ground motions, PGC (peak ground acceleration) and PGV (peak ground velocity) are sometimes kinematically related. The correlation is determined by a moving coordinate that needs the derivative of acceleration to calibrate. One of the advantages of this coordinate system is to help decompose the acceleration into two portions, one of which is directly transformed into speed change, which is the main cause of velocity pulse, a confirmed near-field potential damaging character of ground motion.

A New Sensor of Measuring the Rate of Change of Acceleration

Example (DOT Proposal)

• I learned that FHWA has an interest in Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) from the Transportation Research Board (TRB) meeting, and other FHWA publications, etc.

• I discussed with several individuals and read all the literature and relevant references, and decided on

one specific aspect of ABC - ABC in high earthquake regions.

• Submit a proposal in response to agency announcement (RFP).

Federal Register Page

ABC Proposal Framework 1/2007 – 12/31/2010

Segmental Bridge Constructions in Seismic Regions

Subtasks (PI) TEA21-EXT SAFETEA LU

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Literature Review

2.1 Substructure (Lee)

2.2 Superstructure (Aref)

2.3 Scaling (Liang)

2.4 Shaking Table (Filiatrault)

2.5 System integration and Monograph (Team)

2.6 Design Examples and Draft Guidelines (Chen)

Detailed contents of monograph

1st workshop: monograph contents and research tasks

2nd workshop: progress of monograph and outline of design

3rd workshop: complete draft of monograph and tentative design

4th workshop: final monograph draft and recommended design guidelines

Delivery of both documents

Graduate Student Research Proposals• May be basic, problem-focused or applied

research.

• Your own idea Need an advisor e.g., developed from attending lectures

and seminars

• Your advisor’s idea He/She has an idea for students to work on.

• Your advisor has a grant or contract Research subject pretty much defined.

• In all cases you need to prepare a research proposal.

Graduate Student Research Proposals

For Class CIE500A Fall 2009

• Subject area may be something on your mind you wish to explore (either basic or applied).

• Subject area may stem from the lectures you learned so far.

• Whatever you do in this class is only for the purpose of developing your proposal skills. It will be unrelated to what you are (or will be) doing to satisfy your degree requirement.

Development of a Research (or Engineering Investigation) Proposal

I. The Process

1. Students are required to meet individually with the instructor at least once, no later than November 2, to define a subject and to select a list of references for review.

2. Submit a 2-page summary of the materials contained in the selected references no later than Friday, November 13.

3. Present the summary of your literature review (ppt) to the class on Monday, November 16. (15 minutes).

4. Preparation of Proposal between November 16 and December 14. Meet individually with the instructor at least once to discuss the contents and progress of your proposal.

5. Present your proposal to the class and an invited panel (ppt) on Monday, December 7 and receive comments and suggestions (20 minutes each).

6. Submit your written proposal on the scheduled date of the final exam.

Development of a Research (or Engineering Investigation) Proposal (Contd)

II. Format of ProposalPage 1: Title of Proposed Study

Your Name and DateABSTRACT

Page 2: Title of Proposed Study

Table of Contents

Pages 3-10: Body of Proposal

1. Motivation (Approximately ½ page)2. State-of-the-Art (Minimum 2 pages)3. Specific Objectives (Approximately ½ page)4. Research Plan, Milestones, and Anticipated Results5. References (Provide only 6 – 10 most relevant references)6. Budget and Budget Justification7. Appendices: Support Documents

Development of a Research (or Engineering Investigation) Proposal (Contd)

Requirements:

1. A professional job

2. Required sections: 1, 2, 3, 5

3. Optional sections: 4 (Required for distance learning students)

4. Total pages: 7-10 (12-15 for distance learning students)

5. Subject and References must be approved by the instructor

6. Format: Use manuscript guidelines of ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering