Systems Engineering Commons^™

The Effect Of A Knee Support On The Biomechanical Response Of The Low Back, Yu Shu, Zongliang Jiang, Xu Xu, Gary A. Mirka

Gary A. Mirka

Stooping and squatting postures are seen in a number of industries (e.g., agriculture, construction) where workers must work near ground level for extended periods of time. The focus of the current research was to evaluate a knee support device designed to reduce the biomechanical loading of these postures. Ten participants performed a series of sudden loading tasks while in a semisquat posture under two conditions of knee support (no support and fully supported) and two conditions of torso flexion (45 and 60°). A weight was released into the hands of the participants who then came to steady state while maintaining …

Global Positioning System Systems Engineering Case Study, Air Force Center For Systems Engineering, Patrick J. O'Brien, John M. Griffin

AFIT Documents

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Surface Residual Stresses In Friction Stir Welds Due To Laser And Shot Peening, Omar Hatamleh, Iris V. Rivero, Jeds Lyons

Iris V. Rivero

The effects of laser, and shot peening on the residual stresses in friction stir welds (FSW) has been investigated. The surface residual stresses were measured at five different locations across the weld in order to produce an adequate residual stress profile. The residual stresses before and after sectioning the coupon from the welded plate were also measured, and the effect of coupon size on the residual stress relaxation was determined and characterized. Measurements indicate that residual stresses were not uniform along the welded plate, and large variation in stress magnitude could be exhibited at various locations along the FSW plate. …

Integrating Game Technology And Discrete Event Simulation To Analyze Mass Casualty Scenarios, Jason Loveland

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In the last 10 years, video games have become complex simulation environments with high resolution 3D graphics enabled by powerhouse rendering engines, multi-player client server networks, user friendly displays and graphical user interface , while remaining relatively inexpensive. There is a critical need for systems engineering analysis and rapid trade studies due to changes in operations caused by current events such as terrorist attacks, asymmetric threats, natural disasters, etc. Modem games provide a unique way to visualize and interact with these complex environments, scenarios, missions, and operations. A discrete event simulator (DES) provides an environment to model system architecture behavior, …

A Risk- And Fuzzy Set-Based Methodology For Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration Military Utility Assessment Design, Thomas James Meyers

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) and derivative, rapid acquisition programs offer timely solutions to critical military needs by assessing the utility of technologies mature enough to be fielded without application of traditional, defense system development processes. Military utility assessments (MUA) are ACTDs' most critical features, but the lack of a standard for identifying assessment criteria tailored to specific demonstrations risks poorly informed acquisition decisions and the military operations those decisions are intended to support.

The purpose of this research was to develop and deploy a methodology for identifying measures of effectiveness integral to advanced concept …

A Structured Systemic Framework For Software Development, Kevin Macgregor Adams

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop and apply a systems-based framework for the analysis of software development project performance. Software development project performance is measured at the project level; that is, cost, schedule, and product quality that affect the overall project. To date, most performance improvement efforts have been focused on individual processes within the overall software development system. Making improvements to sub-elements, processes, or sub-systems without regard for the overall project is a classic misbehavior entered into by practitioners who fail to use a holistic, systemic approach. Attempts to improve sub-system behavior are at odds with The …

An Exploratory Study Of Iso 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems Using The Iso/Iec 15504 Architecture, Paul Richard Shimp

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to provide an exploratory study on the implementation and issues regarding Quality Management Systems as defined by ISO 9001 :2000 using the architecture of ISO/IEC 15504. The recently published ISO/IEC 15504 series of standards provides a framework to assess processes and determine levels of capability. With the use of this framework, the study will focus on the assessment and identification of problem areas requiring focus for continual improvement within an ISO 9001 :2000 quality management system.

The structure of this paper is as follows: Section 1 provides a background discussion of ISO 9001 :2000. …

Information Management Principles Applied To The Ballistic Missile Defense System, John M. Koehler Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Information systems (IS) have evolved over the last 50 plus years from individual components with single functionality to grand architectures that integrate multiple individual business functions into global organizational enterprises. Similarly several military systems with the single mission of missile defense have evolved in service stovepipes, and are now being integrated into a national and global missile defense architecture. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is currently tasked with developing an integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) capable of defending against all ranges of ballistic missiles in all phases of flight in defense of the homeland, our deployed forces, and our …

Towards The Development Of A Defensive Cyber Damage And Mission Impact Methodology, Larry W. Fortson Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to establish a conceptual methodological framework that will facilitate effective cyber damage and mission impact assessment and reporting following a cyber-based information incidents. Joint and service guidance requires mission impact reporting, but current efforts to implement such reporting have proven ineffective. This research seeks to understand the impediments existing in the current implementation and to propose an improved methodology. The research employed a hybrid historical analysis and case study methodology for data collection through extensive literature review, examination of existing case study research and interviews with Air Force members and civilian personnel employed as …

Recommendations For A Standardized Program Management Office (Pmo) Time Compliance Network Order (Tcno) Patching Process, Michael Czumak Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Network security is a paramount concern for organizations utilizing computer technology, and the Air Force is no exception. Network software vulnerability patching is a critical determinant of network security. The Air Force deploys these patches as Time Compliance Network Orders (TCNOs), which together with associated processes and enforced timelines ensure network compliance. While the majority of the network assets affected by this process are Air Force owned and operated, a large number are maintained by external entities known as Program Management Offices (PMOs). Although these externally controlled systems provide a service to the Air Force and reside on its network, …

Selecting Electricity Generation Sources In Remote Locations, Kelly E. Kwan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of using a decision analysis technique for the selection of an electrical generation system for remote locations. Specifically, this thesis sought to answer five research questions addressing the types of energy sources used in remote locations, the decision-making processes used to identify these sources, the types of constraints incorporated in such a process, other valued factors, and their level of importance in relation to each other. The research questions were answered through a comprehensive literature review and the 10-Step Value-Focused Thinking Process on a specific case study in the National …

Ranking Maintenance Strategies From The Point Of View Of Lean Thinking: Group Decision Making Model By Using Borda Method, Mehdi Jafarian, Kamran Shahanaghi, Aliakbar Faegh, Majid Samsami

Mehdi Jafarian

The selection of maintenance strategies is a typical multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. There have been taken different maintenance strategies in order to obtaining optimistic maintenance strategy. In this paper we aim to rank different maintenance strategies from the point of view of lean thinking. After obtaining information from experts whose expertness is in field of maintenance, in order to ranking these strategies we form a group decision making model and solve this model by using Borda method. Finally we analyze its results

An Introduction To Maintenance, Kamran Shahanaghi, Mehdi Jafarian

Mehdi Jafarian

در فضای رقابتی امروز، بنگاه‏های اقتصادی در تلاشی مستمر برای دستیابی به کیفیت بالا، هزینه پایین، افزایش سرعت در ارائه کالا و خدمات و ... می‏باشند. بنابراین دستیابی به اهداف فوق را می‏توان در زمره مهمترین دغدغه‏های مدیران امروزی قلمداد نمود. نگهداری و تعمیرات نیز به عنوان یکی از مهمترین فرآیندهای یک بنگاه اقتصادی از این قاعده مستثنا نبوده و در زیر ذره بین مدیران و کارشناسان قرار گرفته است. در این مقاله سعی نویسندگان بر این بوده است تا برخی از مهمترین جنبه‏های پژوهشی مطرح در این حوزه را عنوان نمایند.

Optimization Models For The Single Machine Scheduling Problem With A Single Flexible Maintenance Activity And Stochastic Maintenance Activities Time, Kamran Shahanaghi, Azizolah Jafari, Mehdi Jafarian, Hamid Babaei, Hojat Mehrazmay, Majid Beikverdi, Ahmad Yazdian

Mehdi Jafarian

In this paper, modeling and solving of a single machine scheduling problem with a single flexible maintenance activity and stochastic maintenance activities time was considered. Also it assumes that the all activities are resumable. Chen solved and investigate complexity of this problem without probabilistic condition by Mixed binary integer programming (BIP) so we solving this problem with considering stochastic programming concepts. An example has investigated at the end chapter to show actual consequences by Lingo.

The Optimization Of The Threshold For The Preventive Maintenance Actions In A Condition-Based Maintenance Program Via Dynamic Programming Approach, Mehdi Jafarian, Majid Beikverdi, Kamran Shahanaghi, Zeinab Nezhadbiglari

Mehdi Jafarian

The last step of a condition based maintenance (CBM) program is maintenance decision-making. This step is the most important and the most critical stage of maintenance for executive personnel and management whom work on taking maintenance actions. This decision making would be done according to certain criteria such as risk, cost, reliability and availability. This paper considered a dynamic programming model to optimization of the threshold for the preventive maintenance actions in a condition-based maintenance program. The basis of this modeling is the average cost of maintenance actions, failures and exchanges. In this paper, we improved the memory of the …

Cbm With Economic Decision Making: A New Modelling By Markov Chain, Kamran Shahanaghi, Mehdi Jafarian

Mehdi Jafarian

فعالیت های نگهداری و تعمیرات در هر بنگاه اقتصادی از یک سو سبب کاهش هزینه های ناشی از عدم فعالیت دستگاه ها، هزینه های تعمیرات و سود از دست رفته، شده و از سوی دیگر به عنوان فعالیتی هزینه بر، هزینه های گاها سنگینی را به سازمان وارد می¬سازد. از این رو توسعه سیاست های نگهداری و تعمیرات و بهینه سازی هر یک از این سیاست ها، عاملی مهم در کاهش هزینه های سازمان خواهد بود. در این میان فرآیند نگهداری و تعمیرات مبتنی بر شرایط، به عنوان یکی از کاراترین سیاست¬های نگهداری و تعمیرات، با حذف فعالیت های نگهداری …

An Evaluation Of Real-Time Cognitive State Classification In A Harsh Operational Environment, Michael C. Dorneich, Santosh Mathan, Patricia May Ververs, Stephen D. Whitlow

Michael C. Dorneich

This paper describes an evaluation conducted with a full platoon of 32 Soldiers at Aberdeen Proving Grounds' MOUT site in Aberdeen, MD. The objective was to assess the cognitive workload classification techniques driven by neuro-physiological (EEG) and physiological (ECG) sensors. In a first ever evaluation of real-time cognitive monitoring in the harsh operational environment, the assessment culminated in a three phase, 24-hour mission consisting of a coordinated Route Reconnaissance, a Cordon and Search of a village, and a Hasty Defense operation. Task load levels were manipulated by introducing unexpected and unplanned events requiring re-planning and extensive coordination by the leadership …

Development Of Integrated Process Simulation System Model For Spent Fuel Treatment Facility (Sftf) Design, Yitung Chen, Sean Hsieh

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The major objectives will lead to a creation of framework that combines all the strengths of AMUSE’s complicated calculations, well-established commercial system process package and ISOPro’s flexible parameter optimization modules. Development of the process simulation code can be done using the solvent extraction process at Argonne National Laboratory in collaboration with the research team from Mechanical Engineering Department at UNLV.

Research accomplishments:

• Integrated the ASPEN-Plus process model with the ISOPro system engineering modeling package, developed by the UNLV team.
• Tested the simplified system process integration using the ISOPro package.
• Generated complete version of the ISOPro package user manual and tutorial. …

Adaptive Neural Network Based Stabilizing Controller Design For Single Machine Infinite Bus Power Systems, Wenxin Liu, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy, Donald C. Wunsch, David A. Cartes, Jagannathan Sarangapani, Mariesa Crow

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Power system stabilizers are widely used to generate supplementary control signals for the excitation system in order to damp out the low frequency oscillations. In power system control literature, the performances of the proposed controllers were mostly demonstrated using simulation results without any rigorous stability analysis. This paper proposes a stabilizing neural network (NN) controller based on a sixth order single machine infinite bus power system model. The NN is used to approximate the complex nonlinear dynamics of power system. Unlike the other indirect adaptive NN control schemes, there is no offline training process and the NN can be directly …

An Evaluation Of Mahalanobis-Taguchi System And Neural Network For Multivariate Pattern Recognition, Jungeui Hong, Rajesh Jugulum, Kioumars Paryani, K. M. Ragsdell, Genichi Taguchi, Elizabeth A. Cudney

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Mahalanobis-Taguchi System is a diagnosis and predictive method for analyzing patterns in multivariate cases. The goal of this study is to compare the ability of the Mahalanobis- Taguchi System and a neural-network to discriminate using small data sets. We examine the discriminant ability as a function of data set size using an application area where reliable data is publicly available. The study uses the Wisconsin Breast Cancer study with nine attributes and one class.

Development And Implementation Of The Bring Your Own Water Treatment System In Dense, Rural, And Mountainous Rwandan Communities, Maximilian Gold, Evan A. Thomas, Richard L. Byyny, Jean Pierre Habanabakize

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over a billion people in the world lack access to safe drinking water1. While numerous technological, medical, and educational solutions have been implemented for the benefit of disadvantaged communities, there is no 'magic bullet'. Instead, development agencies must partner directly with these communities to address their public health needs through appropriate technology solutions, backed up by education and assessment. The "Bring Your Own Water (BYOW) Treatment System" developed by the Engineers Without Borders-USA chapters at the University of Colorado at Boulder Chapter (EWB-CU) and the Johnson Space Center (EWB-JSC) is uniquely designed to address the water treatment requirements of two …

Modular Architecting For Effects Based Operations, Emel Meteoglu

Masters Theses

"Effects Based Operations (EBO) is a way of thinking for planning, executing and assessing any operations for the effects they produce, rather than dealing with actions, targets or even objectives. The literature on EBO has been growing day by day; however, there is still a need for modeling techniques and tools that provide more efficient and effective effects based assessment, planning and analysis in order to further develop the capabilities of the operations. In this context, this thesis presents an introduction to EBO by focusing on its methodology, its challenges and also its applicability in different systems. Moreover, this thesis …

Architecting System Of Systems: Artificial Life Analysis Of Financial Market Behavior, Nil Hande Ergin

Doctoral Dissertations

"This research study focuses on developing a framework that can be utilized by system architects to understand the emergent behavior of system architectures. The objective is to design a framework that is modular and flexible in providing different ways of modeling sub-systems of System of Systems. At the same time, the framework should capture the adaptive behavior of the system since evolution is one of the key characteristics of System of Systems. Another objective is to design the framework so that humans can be incorporated into the analysis. The framework should help system architects understand the behavior as well as …

Modeling Network Traffic On A Global Network-Centric System With Artificial Neural Networks, Douglas K. Swift

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation proposes a new methodology for modeling and predicting network traffic. It features an adaptive architecture based on artificial neural networks and is especially suited for large-scale, global, network-centric systems. Accurate characterization and prediction of network traffic is essential for network resource sizing and real-time network traffic management. As networks continue to increase in size and complexity, the task has become increasingly difficult and current methodology is not sufficiently adaptable or scaleable. Current methods model network traffic with express mathematical equations which are not easily maintained or adjusted. The accuracy of these models is based on detailed characterization of …

Enhanced Functional Analysis System Technique For Managing Complex Engineering Projects, Sofia Tan

Masters Theses

"This study presents an Enhanced Functional Analysis Systems Technique (EFAST) tool to facilitate communication amongst various stakeholders such as the customers, program managers, systems architects, and systems engineers. the EFAST maps the customer requirements to downstream system functions and subsystem/component requirements, and outlines the interactions between various system and subsystem level and activities using a top-down approach. A bottom-up approach is used to populate the system element cost and time estimates. The EFAST tool compares the budgeted development resources with the estimated development resources to provide a realistic picture for realizing project in terms of performance, cost, and schedule. The …

Cognitive Biases In Risk Management, William Thomas Siefert

Masters Theses

"This thesis contends that most Risk Management/Mitigation programs fail to be as effective as they could be due to a number of mostly overlooked drivers, such as motivation and cognitive biases. The issue of cognitive biases is very seldom addressed. When questioned, most engineers purport to not have any biases. They insist that they use only logic, reasoning, and math to make decisions. A set of data was collected and reviewed for this thesis. The data presented shows that cognitive biases do affect the risk management/mitigation process. Knowledge of these biases and their potential impact on a project will lead …

Security Architecture Methodology For Large Net-Centric Systems, Njideka Adaku Umeh

Masters Theses

"This thesis describes an over-arching security architecture methodology for large network enabled systems that can be scaled down for smaller network centric operations such as present at the University of Missouri-Rolla. By leveraging the five elements of security policy & standards, security risk management, security auditing, security federation and security management, of the proposed security architecture and addressing the specific needs of UMR, the methodology was used to determine places of improvement for UMR"--Abstract, page iii.

Executable System Architecting Using Systems Modeling Language In Conjunction With Colored Petri Nets - A Demonstration Using The Geoss Network Centric System, Renzhong Wang

Masters Theses

"Models and simulation furnish abstractions to manage complexities allowing engineers to visualize the proposed system and to analyze and validate system behavior before constructing it. Unified Modeling Language (UML) and its systems engineering extension, Systems Modeling Language (SysML), provide a rich set of diagrams for systems specification. However, the lack of executable semantics of such notations limits the capability of analyzing and verifying defined specifications. This research has developed an executable system architecting framework based on SysML-CPN transformation, which introduces dynamic model analysis into SysML modeling by mapping SysML notations to Colored Petri Net (CPN), a graphical language for system …

Enhancing Design Learning Using Groupware, Andrew Wodehouse, Ozgur Eris, Hillary Grierson, Ade Mabogunje

Ozgur Eris

Project work is increasingly used to help engineering students integrate, apply and expand on knowledge gained from theoretical classes in their curriculum and expose students to `real world' tasks. To help facilitate this process, the department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management at the University of Strathclyde has developed a web-based groupware product called LauLima to help students store, share, structure and apply information when they are working in design teams. This paper describes a distributed design project class in which LauLima has been deployed in accordance with a Design Knowledge Framework that describes how design knowledge is generated and …