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 of New 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 Materials 15. 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 engineering solutions 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 Summary The 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 specially designed electro-mechanical coupling device to derive the analog jerk signal and then processes it through the digital signal conditions. The challenge of the sensor development is the various noise levels in measuring a large level of jerk and bias from traditional signal conditioning such as filtering methods. The merit of the proposed method is that it will be able to provide a relatively reliable and accurate jerk sensor with a rather large dynamic range of measurement of earthquake engineering applications.

3D Jerk Sensor (G. C. Lee) contd Project 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-EXTSAFETEA LU 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 1 st workshop: monograph contents and research tasks 2 nd workshop: progress of monograph and outline of design 3 rd workshop: complete draft of monograph and tentative design 4 th 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 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 Proposal Page 1: Title of Proposed Study Your Name and Date ABSTRACT 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 Results 5. References (Provide only 6 – 10 most relevant references) 6. Budget and Budget Justification 7. 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