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Engineering abstracts

In 2018, Hadidi identified the following features in published abstracts in the field of engineering.

The general—or key—parts in engineering abstracts are as follows:

  1. Statement of the problem
  2. Hypothesis
  3. Method
  4. General conclusion
  5. Specific conclusion
  6. Implications
  7. Limitations or rebuttals
  8. Recommendation 

Hadidi (2018) identifies these sections in the sample engineering abstract below.

Sample engineering abstract

Glaus et al., 2011 as cited in Hadidi, 2018

Literature data for anion diffusion in compacted swelling clays contain systematic inconsistencies when the results of through-diffusion tests are compared with those of out-diffusion or tracer profile analysis. In the present work we investigated whether these inconsistencies can be explained by taking into account heterogeneities in the compacted samples; in particular increased porosities at the clay boundaries. Based on the combined results of out-diffusion, tracer profile analysis and the spatial distribution of the electrolyte anion in the clay, we conclude that the inconsistencies can indeed be resolved by taking into account a heterogeneous distribution of the total and the anion-accessible porosity. This, by definition, leads to a position dependence of the effective diffusion coefficient. Neglecting these effects results in a rather subordinate systematic error in the determination of effective diffusion coefficients of anions from through-diffusion tests with clay thicknesses in the centimetre range. However, stronger errors in terms of absolute values and conceptual interpretation may be introduced in out-diffusion tests and profile analyses of the diffused tracer. We recommend that anion diffusion tests should be accompanied by measurements of the total and anion-accessible porosity as a function of position in the direction of diffusion.

Key parts of the sample engineering abstract

Select the key part type for a specific example.

  • Statement of the problem
    Literature data for anion diffusion in compacted swelling clays contain systematic inconsistencies when the results of through-diffusion tests are compared with those of out-diffusion or tracer profile analysis.
  • Hypothesis
    In the present work we investigated whether these inconsistencies can be explained by taking into account heterogeneities in the compacted samples; in particular increased porosities at the clay boundaries.
  • Method
    Based on the combined results of out-diffusion, tracer profile analysis and the spatial distribution of the electrolyte anion in the clay...
  • General and specific conclusion
    We conclude that the inconsistencies can indeed be resolved by taking into account a heterogeneous distribution of the total and the anion-accessible porosity.
  • Implications
    This, by definition, leads to a position dependence of the effective diffusion coefficient. Neglecting these effects results in a rather subordinate systematic error in the determination of effective diffusion coefficients of anions from through-diffusion tests with clay thicknesses in the centimetre range.
  • Limitations or rebuttals
    However, stronger errors in terms of absolute values and conceptual interpretation may be introduced in out-diffusion tests and profile analyses of the diffused tracer.
  • Recommendation
    We recommend that anion diffusion tests should be accompanied by measurements of the total and anion-accessible porosity as a function of position in the direction of diffusion.

Glaus, M. A., Frick, S. Rosse, R., & Van Loon, L.R. (2011). Consistent interpretation of the results of through-, out-diffusion and tracer profile analysis for trace anion diffusion in compacted montmorillonite. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 123(1–2), 1-10. 

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