Engineering Commons^™

Robust Distributed Scheduling Via Time Period Aggregation, Shih-Fen Cheng, John Tajan, Hoong Chuin Lau

Shih-Fen Cheng

In this paper, we evaluate whether the robustness of a market mechanism that allocates complementary resources could be improved through the aggregation of time periods in which resources are consumed. In particular, we study a multi-round combinatorial auction that is built on a general equilibrium framework. We adopt the general equilibrium framework and the particular combinatorial auction design from the literature, and we investigate the benefits and the limitation of time-period aggregation when demand-side uncertainties are introduced. By using simulation experiments on a real-life resource allocation problem from a container port, we show that, under stochastic conditions, the performance variation …

Robust Distributed Scheduling Via Time Period Aggregation, Shih-Fen Cheng, John Tajan, Hoong Chuin Lau

Shih-Fen Cheng

In this paper, we evaluate whether the robustness of a market mechanism that allocates complementary resources could be improved through the aggregation of time periods in which resources are consumed. In particular, we study a multi-round combinatorial auction that is built on a general equilibrium framework. We adopt the general equilibrium framework and the particular combinatorial auction design from the literature, and we investigate the benefits and the limitation of time-period aggregation when demand-side uncertainties are introduced. By using simulation experiments on a real-life resource allocation problem from a container port, we show that, under stochastic conditions, the performance variation …

Robust Distributed Scheduling Via Time Period Aggregation, Shih-Fen Cheng, John Tajan, Hoong Chuin Lau

Shih-Fen CHENG

In this paper, we evaluate whether the robustness of a market mechanism that allocates complementary resources could be improved through the aggregation of time periods in which resources are consumed. In particular, we study a multi-round combinatorial auction that is built on a general equilibrium framework. We adopt the general equilibrium framework and the particular combinatorial auction design from the literature, and we investigate the benefits and the limitation of time-period aggregation when demand-side uncertainties are introduced. By using simulation experiments on a real-life resource allocation problem from a container port, we show that, under stochastic conditions, the performance variation …

Community-Engaged Decision Modeling For Local Economic Development, Michael P. Johnson Jr., Sandeep Jani

Michael P. Johnson

This presentation contains current results from a research project to identify success metrics and decision opportunities for Boston Main Streets organizations. It represents an application of qualitative decision analytic methods for values and objectives design

Increased Awareness For Maritime Human Factors Through E-Learning In Crew-Centered Design, Gesa Praetorius, Aditi Kataria, Erik Styhr Petersen, Jens-Uwe Schröder-Hinrichs, Michael Baldauf, Nina Kähler

Michael Baldauf

In the past two decades, the need to address human factors in shipping through integration of ergonomics in the design of ships and shipboard equipment has increased significantly as a result of the technological development of modern ships. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations’ specialized organizationfor ship safety issues, has adopted a vision to address human factors as a key element for the improvement of maritime safety, and in that context acknowledges the human element as complex and multi-dimensional. IMO’s standards focus on the avoidance of human and organization error. But in spite of this, and despite the …

Exploring Bridge-Engine Control Room Collaborative Team Communication, Aditi Kataria, Eric Holder, Gesa Praetorius, Michael Baldauf, Jens-Uwe Schröder-Hinrichs

Michael Baldauf

The EC funded CyClaDes research project is designed to promote the increased impact of the human element in shipping across the design and operational lifecycle of ships. It addresses the design and operation of ships and ship systems. One of the CyClaDes’ tasks is to create a crew‐centered design case‐study examination of the information that is shared between the Bridge and Engine Control Room (ECR) that helps the crew coordinate to ensure understanding and complete interconnected tasks. This information can be provided in various ways, including communication devices or obtained from a common database, display, or even the ship environment …

Introducing The Concept Of Resilience Into Maritime Safety, Jens-Uwe Schröder-Hinrichs Phd, Gesa Praetorius, Armando Graziano, Aditi Kataria, Michael Baldauf

Michael Baldauf

The maritime industry is still characterized by prescriptive standards and reactive approaches in relation to safety and risk management to a large extent. For a very long time, responses to maritime accidents have been in terms of automation, regulation and training. While this as such is not wrong, it does not offer the full potential that concepts of resilience seem to suggest. The typical question that is predominately asked is still why things go wrong when accidents occur and search for causes and explanations is undertaken. An evaluation of the safety level achieved system and a focus on system components …

Introducing The Concept Of Resilience Into Maritime Safety, Jens-Uwe Schröder-Hinrichs Phd, Gesa Praetorius, Armando Graziano, Aditi Kataria, Michael Baldauf

Gesa Praetorius

The maritime industry is still characterized by prescriptive standards and reactive approaches in relation to safety and risk management to a large extent. For a very long time, responses to maritime accidents have been in terms of automation, regulation and training. While this as such is not wrong, it does not offer the full potential that concepts of resilience seem to suggest. The typical question that is predominately asked is still why things go wrong when accidents occur and search for causes and explanations is undertaken. An evaluation of the safety level achieved system and a focus on system components …

Virtual R&D Teams: A New Model For Product Development, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

Increased global competitions have urged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop new products faster. Virtual research and development (R&D) teams in SMEs can offer a solution to speed up time-to-market of new product development (NPD). However, factors that affect the effectiveness of virtual teams for NPD are still not adequately verified. This book presents the correlations between virtual R&D team constructs and virtual team effectiveness by developing a “Virtual Research and Development Team” (ViR&DT) model. The items, which may influence the effectiveness of virtual teams, are taken from the literature. Through an online survey and by application of structural …

From Human Reliability To Resilience & System Performance - Adapting To A Changing World, Gesa Praetorius, Fulko C. Van Westrenen

Gesa Praetorius

A Hybrid Approach Of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set Theory And Dematel Method To Prioritize Selection Criteria Of Bank Branches Locations, Amin Vafadarnikjoo, Mohammadsadegh Mobin, Sajjad Allahi, Ali Rastegari

Amin Vafadarnikjoo

Optimally locating new bank branches is a strategic decision in banking industry in order to stay competitive. The importance of this issue is primarily due to the fact that locating branches in appropriate sites is one of the main factors in absorbing and satisfying bank customers. This results in a core benefit for banks, particularly in a vibrant competition. In addition, without a set of well-chosen selection criteria and their prominence, the goal of locating suitable sites for bank branches would not be efficiently achieved. In this research, six most widely used criteria for bank branch location consideration are obtained …

A Servqual Model Approach Integrated With Fuzzy Ahp And Fuzzy Topsis Methodologies To Rank Life Insurance Firms, Mahdi Saeedpoor, Amin Vafadarnikjoo, Mohammadsadegh Mobin, Ali Rastegari

Amin Vafadarnikjoo

Ranking life insurance firms, particularly regarding customer-oriented criteria, has become a significant research priority of many insurance research centers. This is mainly due to the effective role of life insurance in improving the capital market and the role of service quality in customer satisfaction. This issue has remained one of the major topics associated with insurance industry which has not been sufficiently explored in the literature. This study aims at prioritizing insurance firms which hold the majority proportion of Iran's total life insurance market. Life insurers are assessed and ranked with regard to 5 criteria of customer service quality in …

A Meta-Heuristic Approach To Locate Optimal Switch Locations In Cellular Mobile Networks, Amin Vafadarnikjoo, Seyyed Mohammad Ali Khatami Firouzabadi, Mohammadsadegh Mobin, Afshan Roshani

Amin Vafadarnikjoo

With increasing usage of cellular phones, providing optimum communication service systems becomes a strategic decision to increase subscriber satisfaction. In order to respond to this growing demand it is essential to have a proper design of mobile networks by optimally locating facilities such as Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), switches, etc. In this study, a kind of honeybee-inspired algorithm called Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm is utilized to solve the problem of assigning cells to switches in the Personal Communication Services (PCS) networks. The model is mathematically developed as a binary non-linear problem with the objective of minimizing cost, which includes …

Consequence Analysis Of Bleve Scenario In The Propane Tank: Acase Study At Bandar Abbas Gas Condensate Refinery Of Iran, Saeed Nazari, Najmeh Karami, Hojjat Moghadam, Parvin Nasiri

Innovative Research Publications IRP India

The occurrence of incidents resulting from chemical releases requires preparatory measures. Despite special layers of protection in chemicalindustries to avoid such releases and subsequent consequences, human errors still occur and negatively contribute to failures in different activities include maintenance practices and operating control and so on. It is proven that one of the most devastating risk in the oil and gas companies is explosion, particularly BLEVE. Thus, the study of this phenomena and analysis of its consequences at various stages is necessary. Recent studies claimed that the predictionof damaging effectafter the explosion by mathematical models is necessary for its effective …

Microstructure And Wear Behavior Of As Cast Al-25mg2si-2cu-2ni Alloy, Geetanjali S. Guggari, Veena. Badiger, Dr. Shivakumar S

Innovative Research Publications IRP India

The remarkable feature of the Aluminium is its low density and ability to withstand corrosion effect due to phenomenon of passivation. Structural components made from Aluminium and its alloys are vital to the aerospace industry and are important in other areas of transportation and structural materials. The oxides and sulphate are useful compounds of Aluminium based on its weight. In this work, an attempt has been made to utilize the combined effect of high cooling rate solidification, unique micro structural evolution mechanism of T6 heat treatment the advantages of hypereutectic Al-Si system alloyed with other elements such as Cu, Fe …

Cyclades – Crew-Centered Design And Operation Of Ships And Ship Systems For Safer Maritime Operations, Gesa Praetorius

Gesa Praetorius

Presentation given at "Maritim Sikkerhed – Sunhed og Miljø" in Nyborg, 27 August 2015.

Data And Analytics For Neighborhood Development: Smart Shrinkage Decision Modeling In Baltimore, Maryland, Michael P. Johnson Jr., Justin Hollander, Eliza D. Whiteman

Michael P. Johnson

Many older cities in the United States confront the problem of long-term decline in population and economic activity resulting in blighted conditions that make conventional revitalization initiatives unlikely to succeed. Smart shrinkage, a planning approach that emphasizes alternative land uses while preserving quality of life, offers a way for cities to remain desirable places to live and work. However, there is little research on empirical methods to support planning decisions consistent with smart shrinkage. We present results from two studies with planners from the City of Baltimore that provide novel insights regarding ways in which planners can perform vacant property …

Increased Awareness For Maritime Human Factors Through E-Learning In Crew-Centered Design, Gesa Praetorius, Aditi Kataria, Erik Styhr Petersen, Jens-Uwe Schröder-Hinrichs, Michael Baldauf, Nina Kähler

Gesa Praetorius

In the past two decades, the need to address human factors in shipping through integration of ergonomics in the design of ships and shipboard equipment has increased significantly as a result of the technological development of modern ships. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations’ specialized organizationfor ship safety issues, has adopted a vision to address human factors as a key element for the improvement of maritime safety, and in that context acknowledges the human element as complex and multi-dimensional. IMO’s standards focus on the avoidance of human and organization error. But in spite of this, and despite the …

Connecting Self-Efficacy And Nature Of Science Shifts In Undergraduate Research Experiences, Gina M. Quan

Gina Quan

Data And Analytics For Neighborhood Development: Smart Shrinkage Decision Modeling In Baltimore, Maryland, Michael P. Johnson Jr., Justin Hollander, Eliza D. Whiteman

Michael P. Johnson

Problem Tree & Italian Transport Companies, Sajjad Khaksari

SAJJAD KHAKSARI

Slides of Report: Production System Analysis & Italian Transport Companies; A briefly endeavor to modeling, 3th edition; Problem Tree; Production Functions (PF's); Organization Chart; Information Pattern; Standard Time; Make-span (MS); Modeling; DM's; Work Sequence; Report; Table of Agents; Table of Resources; Production System Analysis & Italian Transport CompaniesCourse of Prof. Agostino Villa; Politecnico di Torino, Student: Sajjad Khaksari; June 11, 2015;

Why Toyota And Honda Topped The 2002 J.D. Power Quality Study, Susan Lightle, Kenneth Yale Rosenzweig, John Talbott

Kenneth Y. Rosenzweig

Toyota again topped the annual J. D. Power and Associates quality study released in late May of 2002. Toyota scored the highest mark ever with l 07 defects per l 00 vehicles, while Honda came in second with 113 defects. The study was based on responses of approximately 65,000 new car owners queried during their first 90-days of ownership. These results do not surprise us, as we have been fortunate to make numerous sojourns to the Toyota plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, and observe the manufacturing processes. These trips were normally facilitated by a former Japanese student of ours, Minako Yanke, …

An Integrated Gray-Fuzzy Cause And Effect Approach To Determine The Most Significant Categories Of Project Risks, Amin Vafadarnikjoo, Mohammadsadegh Mobin, Christian Salmon, Nikbakhsh Javadian

Mohammadsadegh Mobin

Identifying critical risks in projects has become a core step in project risk management process; however, the nature of this step can be complex and unstructured, suggesting a benefit in research towards prioritizing project risks on the basis of a cogent method. This paper presents a Gray Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (GDEMATEL) method for prioritizing sources of project risk within a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) framework. The framework categorizes sources of risk via the Project Management Institutes’ (PMI) Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS). For this study, project expert judgments and preferences are the source of knowledge about project risk. …

An Integrated Ahp-Gis-Mclp Method To Locate Bank Branches, Sajjad Allahi, Mohammadsadegh Mobin, Amin Vafadarnikjoo, Christian Salmon

Mohammadsadegh Mobin

One of the most crucial decision making processes in banking is optimally locating new branches. This issue is highly important especially for private banks due to vibrant competition, limited budgets and high customer expectations. This study’s objective is to provide an integrated model for selecting optimal site location using available data sources and well accepted decision models, specifically Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Geographic Information System (GIS) and Maximal Covering Location Problem (MCLP).As a case study, we applied the proposed method for branch location of a private bank in the city of Rasht, Iran. The process identified the most commonly used …

An Integrated Gray-Fuzzy Cause And Effect Approach To Determine The Most Significant Categories Of Project Risks, Amin Vafadarnikjoo, Mohammadsadegh Mobin, Christian Salmon, Nikbakhsh Javadian

Amin Vafadarnikjoo

Identifying critical risks in projects has become a core step in project risk management process; however, the nature of this step can be complex and unstructured, suggesting a benefit in research towards prioritizing project risks on the basis of a cogent method. This paper presents a Gray Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (GDEMATEL) method for prioritizing sources of project risk within a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) framework. The framework categorizes sources of risk via the Project Management Institutes’ (PMI) Risk Breakdown Structure (RBS). For this study, project expert judgments and preferences are the source of knowledge about project risk. …

An Integrated Ahp-Gis-Mclp Method To Locate Bank Branches, Sajjad Allahi, Mohammadsadegh Mobin, Amin Vafadarnikjoo, Christian Salmon

Amin Vafadarnikjoo

One of the most crucial decision making processes in banking is optimally locating new branches. This issue is highly important especially for private banks due to vibrant competition, limited budgets and high customer expectations. This study’s objective is to provide an integrated model for selecting optimal site location using available data sources and well accepted decision models, specifically Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Geographic Information System (GIS) and Maximal Covering Location Problem (MCLP).As a case study, we applied the proposed method for branch location of a private bank in the city of Rasht, Iran. The process identified the most commonly used …

Applying Fram To Enhance Formal Safety Assessment In The Maritime Domain, Gesa Praetorius

Gesa Praetorius

Presentation given at the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) workshop in Olten, Switzerland, 12 June 2015.

Global Sensitivity Analysis Applied To Model Inversion Problems: A Contribution To Rail Condition Monitoring, René Schenkendorf, Jörn Groos

René Schenkendorf

Rising demands on railroad infrastructure operator by means of profitability and punctuality call for advanced concepts of Prognostics and Health Management. Condition based preventive maintenance aims at strengthening the rail mode of transport through an optimized scheduling of maintenance actions based on the actual and prognosticated infrastructure condition, respectively. When applying model-based algorithms within the framework of Prognostics and Health Management unknown model parameters have to be identified first. Which of these parameters should be known as precisely as possible can be figured out systematically by a sensitivity analysis. A comprehensive global sensitivity analysis, however, might be prohibitive by means …

Investigating Cavitation Peening Parameters For Fatigue Performance Using Designed Experiment, Mohammadsadegh Mobin, Afshan Roshani, Mahmood Mobin, Ali Rastegari

Mohammadsadegh Mobin

Mechanical surface enhancement techniques such as cavitation peening (CP) have various design parameters which can affect the fatigue performance of the part. In this study, a full factorial design of experiment is applied to investigate the effects of cavitation peening process parameters on the fatigue performance of carburized steel. These parameters include standoff distance, cavitation number, nozzle size, and exposure time. The response variables considered in this experiment include residual stress, surface roughness and austenitic ratio. Results obtained from full factorial design of experiment method were compared with the results from literature which applied Taguchi method. The comparison revealed that …

Aviation Technical Publication Content Management System Selection Using Integrated Fuzzy-Grey Mcdm Method, Ashley Skeete, Mohammadsadegh Mobin

Mohammadsadegh Mobin

The development of commercial maintenance and overhaul manuals for aerospace engines is requisite for certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Robust content management systems are used for authoring, publishing, and maintaining these manuals which must meet general industry standards as well as unique company requirements. Therefore, system selection is complex, requiring review of numerous criteria of both quantitative and qualitative nature and is highly dependent on expert judgment which includes uncertainty. In this paper, a major aerospace company was used as a case study for an integrated Fuzzy-Grey Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodology for the selection of a technical …