Faculty of Engineering, Technology, Applied Design & FineArt (FETADFA)

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/13

Browse

Browsing Faculty of Engineering, Technology, Applied Design & FineArt (FETADFA) by Author "Christopher, Senfuka"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Effect of Boron Content on Strain-Hardening Exponent in Recycled Steel
    (International Journal of Academic Engineering Research, 2020) Christopher, Senfuka; Paul, Kizito
    While the elastic zone in the deformation process of materials is mainly represented by a linear function of gradient E, the plastic portion has been characterized by various exponential functions with an exponent n that varies with its chemical composition, the level of work hardening and the material in question among others. Recycled steel, whose composition depends on the source and availability of its raw material, has an extremely vulnerable n-value. In this paper, the effect of the boron content in recycled steel on the n-value of thermo-mechanically treated bars made from it has been studied. To do this, TMT bars were subjected to tensile testing and the corresponding force extension diagrams plotted. The values of εi10 and εi20 for the interval between 10% and 20% deformation respectively were determined to correspond to the stress values σi10 and σi20 so that was calculated as the ruling n-value for each interval. Spectro-analysis was used to determine the chemical composition of the samples so that the percentage boron content by weight was plotted against the n-value. The growth of the n-value with boron content has been shown to obey a polynomial function and to enhance the tendency to strain-hardening, implying early onset of failure in pronounced cold deformation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Modeling Campaign Optimization Strategies in Political Elections under Uncertainty
    (International Journal of Scientific Research in Mechanical and Materials Engineering, 2018) Christopher, Senfuka; Paul, Kizito Mubiru; Maureen, N. Ssempijja
    In most political campaigns,the overall goal of every candidate is to maximize the number of voters during the election exercise.In such an effort,cost effective methods in choosing the optimal campaign strategy areparamount.In this paper, a mathematical model is proposed that optimize campaign strategies of a political candidate.Considering uncertainty in voter support and cost implications in holding political rallies,we formulate a finite state markov decision process model where states of a markov chain represent possible states of support among voters.Using daily equal intervals,thecandidates‟s decision of whether or not to campaign and hold a political rally at a given location were made using discrete time Markov chains and dynamic programming over a finite period planning horizon.Empirical data was collected from two locations on a daily basis during the campaign exercise.The data collected was analyzed and tested to establish the optimal campaign strategy and costs at the respective locations.Results from the study indicated the existence of an optimal state-dependent campaign strategy and costs at the respective political rally locations.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Stochastic Modeling of Internet Service for Profit Optimization in Uganda
    (IST-Africa, 2018) Christopher, Senfuka; Paul, Kizito Mubiru; Maureen, N. Ssempijja
    We consider an internet cafe faced with an optimal choice of bandwidth for internet users under stochastic stationary demand. The choice is made over uniformly time horizons with a goal of optimizing profits. Considering customer demand, price and operating costs of internet service, we formulate a finite state Markov decision process model where states of a Markov chain represent possible states of demand for internet service. A profit matrix is generated; representing the long run measure of performance for the Markov decision process problem. The problem is to determine an optimal bandwidth adjustment policy so that the long run profits are maximized for a given state of demand. The bandwidth adjustment policies are determined using dynamic programming over a finite period planning horizon. Results from a case study demonstrate the existence of an optimal statedependent option for bandwidth adjustment and profits in providing internet service.