Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Behavior Of One-Way Reinforced Concrete Slabs With Polystyrene Embedded Arched Blocks, Ali Hussein Ali Al-Ahmed, Falah Hasan Ibrahim, Abbas Abdulmajeed Allawi, Ayman El-Zohairy

Faculty Publications

This study presents experimental and numerical investigations on seven one-way, reinforced concrete (RC) labs with a new technique of slab weight reduction using polystyrene-embedded arched blocks (PEABs). All slabs had the same dimensions, steel reinforcement, and concrete compressive strength. One of these slabs was a solid slab, which was taken as a control slab, while the other six slabs were cast with PEABs. The main variables were the ratio of the length of the PEABs to the length of the slab (lp/L) and the ratio of the height of the PEABs to the total slab depth (hP/H). The minimum decrease …

Encouraging Voluntary Government Action Via A Solar-Friendly Designation Program To Promote Solar Energy In The United States, Xue Gao, Casey I. Canfield, Tian Tang, Hunter Hill, Morgan Higman, John Cornwell

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Sustainable development requires an accelerated transition toward renewable energy. In particular, substantially scaling up solar photovoltaics (PV) adoption is a crucial component of reducing the impacts of climate change and promoting sustainable development. However, it is challenging to convince local governments to take action. This study uses a combination of propensity score matching (PSM) and difference-in-differences (DID) models to assess the effectiveness of a voluntary environmental program (VEP) called SolSmart that targets local governments to engage in solar-friendly practices to promote the local solar PV market in the United States. Via specific designation requirements and technical assistance, SolSmart simplifies the …

Challenges Of The Industrial Revolution Era 1.0 To 5.0 : University Digital Library In Indoensia, Merlin Apriliyanti, Ilham M

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study explains the development of the world of libraries to establish a very close relationship with the world of information technology. For this reason, facilities and infrastructure are needed to facilitate data and information retrieval quickly and accurately. Facing the challenges of the Industrial Revolution 5.0 era by utilizing information technology, libraries must also adapt to the times. Because the library has an important role, among others, as a source of information and the development of knowledge. Used libraries are still conventional to be converted into digital libraries. In essence, this development represents the desire of library users for …

A Systems Approach For Solving Inter-Policy Gaps In Dynamic Spectrum Access-Based Wireless Rural Broadband Networks, Pawel Kryszkiewicz, Casey I. Canfield, Shamsnaz Virani Bhada, Alexander M. Wyglinski

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, we articulate the challenge of multiple intersecting policies for the realization of rural broadband networks employing dynamic spectrum access (DSA). Broadband connectivity has been identified as a critical component of economic development, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and rural communities have been significantly (and negatively) affected by the lack of this important resource. Although technologies exist that can deliver broadband connectivity, such as 4G LTE and 5G cellular networks, the challenges associated with efficiently deploying this infrastructure within a rural environment are multi-dimensional in terms of the different dependent policy decisions that need to be considered. To …

Technical Inventory Management For College Of Liberal Arts, Sofya Shatalova

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This project is sponsored by California Polytechnic State University’s Information Technology Services (ITS) department aimed to help with the transfer of inventory management from ITS to the College of Liberal Arts’ departments. Currently, there are no guidelines on how equipment is handled and little to no information about the flow of equipment. This creates difficulty for faculty and staff within those departments to check out, look up, or keep track of equipment. The sponsor needs for each department to be responsible for their own equipment and to familiarize themselves with the old database system the ITS used.

After understanding the …

Identifying Characteristics For Success Of Robotic Process Automations, Charles M. Unkrich

Theses and Dissertations

In the pursuit of digital transformation, the Air Force creates digital airmen. Digital airmen are robotic process automations designed to eliminate the repetitive high-volume low-cognitive tasks that absorb so much of our Airmen's time. The automation product results in more time to focus on tasks that machines cannot sufficiently perform data analytics and improving the Air Force's informed decision-making. This research investigates the assessment of potential automation cases to ensure that we choose viable tasks for automation and applies multivariate analysis to determine which factors indicate successful projects. The data is insufficient to provide significant insights.

Training Logic And Random Forest Models To Predict It Spending, Jacob P. Batt

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force must modernize, but the distribution of funds for technology remains as tight as ever. To this end, the Air Force Audit Agency is looking to utilize machine learning techniques to enhance their capabilities. This research explores Logistic Regression and Random Forest modeling to streamline data collection and cost classification. The final Logistic Regression model identified 4 significant attributes out of the 36 given and was 85 accurate in predicting whether a purchase amount was over or under $10,000. To expand beyond binary classification, a six-category classification Random Forest model was developed. It identified 6 significant attributes and …

Evaluating The Military Medical Evacuation Dispatching And Delivery Problem Via Simulation And Self-Exciting Hawkes Process, Virbon B. Frial

Theses and Dissertations

The location, allocation, and utilization of military medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) resources significantly impact the quality and timeliness of medical care to injured troops. In 2009, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates introduced the Golden Hour mandate that entails the evacuation of critically-injured troops to military treatment facilities (MTFs) within an hour to prevent further complications. To develop high-quality policies that improve MEDEVAC system performance, several papers in the current literature assume that MTFs have both the capacity and capability of treating any patient, regardless of the type of injury. However, these assumptions are unrealistic when conducting high-intensity operations. While acknowledging MTF …

An Exploratory Analysis Of Time Series Econometric Data For Retention Forecasting Using Deep Learning, John C. O'Donnell

Theses and Dissertations

Officer retention in the Air Force has been researched many times in an attempt to better predict the personnel needs of the Air Force for the future. There has been previous work done in regards to specific AFSCs and how their retention compares to specific yet similar private sector jobs. This study considers different econometric time series statistics as a feature space and an average Air Force officer separation rate as the response variable for the multivariate time series analysis deep learning techniques. The econometric indicators used in this study are New Business Formations, New Durable Good Orders, and the …

Multiagent Routing Problem With Dynamic Target Arrivals Solved Via Approximate Dynamic Programming, Andrew E. Mogan

Theses and Dissertations

This research formulates and solves the multiagent routing problem with dynamic target arrivals (MRP-DTA), a stochastic system wherein a team of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (AUAVs) executes a strike coordination and reconnaissance (SCAR) mission against a notional adversary. Dynamic target arrivals that occur during the mission present the team of AUAVs with a sequential decision-making process which we model via a Markov Decision Process (MDP). To combat the curse of dimensionality, we construct and implement a hybrid approximate dynamic programming (ADP) algorithmic framework that employs a parametric cost function approximation (CFA) which augments a direct lookahead (DLA) model via a …

Comparison Of Lightning Warning Radii Distributions, Michael M. Maestas

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research investigating lightning warning radii about the Cape Canaveral space launch facilities have focused on reducing these radii from either 5 nautical miles (NM) to 4 NM or from 6 NM to 5 NM depending on the structures being protected. Some of these findings have suggested the possibility of both a seasonal difference (warm versus cold) and lightning detection events (cloud-to-ground lightning (CG) or total lightning (TL)) impacting these radii and associated risk levels. Utilizing the 2017-2020 data provided by the 45th Weather Squadron at Patrick Space Force Base via the Mesoscale Eastern Range Lightning Information System (MERLIN), this …

Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network With Prediction Smoothing And Adversarial Class Thresholds, Noah M. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image classification for each frame in a video is a very common technique. Unfortunately, CNNs are very brittle and have a tendency to be over confident in their predictions. This can lead to what we will refer to as “flickering,” which is when the predictions between frames jump back and forth between classes. In this paper, new methods are proposed to combat these shortcomings. This paper utilizes a Bayesian CNN which allows for a distribution of outputs on each data point instead of just a point estimate. These distributions are then smoothed over multiple …

Examining The Relationship Between An Aging Workforce And Logistics Performance Indicators, Daniel Parkhill

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day. The subsequent generation born between 1965 and 1976 is significantly smaller, referred to as the baby bust. As a result, this causes a talent shortage as Baby Boomers retire, leaving a workforce gap which the subsequent generation is not large enough to fill. This issue also has been recognized as a potential problem in the logistics community of the United States Air Force. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of workers age on key logistics performance indicators (LPIs) such as aircraft availability, product flow days, …

Team Air Combat Using Model-Based Reinforcement Learning, David A. Mottice

Theses and Dissertations

We formulate the first generalized air combat maneuvering problem (ACMP), called the MvN ACMP, wherein M friendly AUCAVs engage against N enemy AUCAVs, developing a Markov decision process (MDP) model to control the team of M Blue AUCAVs. The MDP model leverages a 5-degree-of-freedom aircraft state transition model and formulates a directed energy weapon capability. Instead, a model-based reinforcement learning approach is adopted wherein an approximate policy iteration algorithmic strategy is implemented to attain high-quality approximate policies relative to a high performing benchmark policy. The ADP algorithm utilizes a multi-layer neural network for the value function approximation regression mechanism. One-versus-one …

A Decision Analysis Framework To Consider Space Congestion In Orbit Selection, Anthony J. Correale

Theses and Dissertations

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is becoming more congested, which increases the risk to space missions. Decision makers will need to consider this increase in congestion as an increased risk within their mission engineering process. This thesis proposes a methodology to create and implement a value structure that quantitatively scores a range of orbits based on congestion factors of each orbit and how well each orbit meets mission requirements. This thesis demonstrates this methodology on a set of circular LEO orbits defined by altitude and inclination, and scores this illustrative scenario based on notional mission measures and expected number of encounters …

The Impact Of Visual Feedback And Control Configuration On Pilot-Aircraft Interface Using Head Tracking Technology, Christopher M. Arnold

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional control mechanisms restrict human input on the displays in 5th generation aircraft. This research explored methods for enhancing pilot interaction with large, information dense cockpit displays; specifically, the effects of visual feedback and control button configuration when augmenting cursor control with head tracking technology. Previous studies demonstrated that head tracking can be combined with traditional cursor control to decrease selection times but can increase pilot mental and physical workload. A human subject experiment was performed to evaluate two control button configurations and three visual feedback conditions. A Fitts Law analysis was performed to create predictive models of selection time …

A Thematic And Reference Analysis Of Touchless Technologies, Eric R. Curia

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to explore the utility and current state of touchless technologies. Five categories of technologies are identified as a result of collecting and reviewing literature: facial/biometric recognition, gesture recognition, touchless sensing, personal devices, and voice recognition. A thematic analysis was conducted to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the five categories. A reference analysis was also conducted to determine the similarities between articles in each category. Touchless sensing showed to have the most advantages and least similar references. Gesture recognition was the opposite. Comparing analyses shows more reliable technology types are more beneficial and diverse.

Inverse Optimization: Inferring Unknown Instance Parameters From Observed Decisions, Keith Batista

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to develop procedures that estimate selected, unknown parameters over an adversary's investment portfolio across a set of new or existing technologies. To solve for the selected unknown parameters, it is assumed that the adversary is maximizing the portfolio optimization problem and investing along the efficient frontier. The first technique is when an unknown risk attitude exists but all other parameters were known (i.e. expected return, variance, covariance). An adaptive line search technique that iteratively solved the portfolio optimization problem until the adversary's risk parameter was found. The second problem that was solved was when …

Life Cycle Analysis Of Hydrogen Fuel Derived From Aluminum Versus Diesel, Tyson S. Metlen

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense needs energy sources beyond petroleum products to effectively combat area denial strategies employed by its adversaries. Petroleum fuels are expensive, they have deleterious environmental impacts, and most of the world’s oil reservoirs are in volatile countries. A proposed alternative energy carrier is reacting aluminum with water to produce hydrogen and using the hydrogen as a fuel source. Normally aluminum forms a protective oxide layer that prevents continuous reaction but if aluminum is mixed with a 3.5% by weight gallium-indium eutectic, the oxide layer cannot form, and the reaction is sustainable. This study conducts a life cycle …

Geometric Generation Through The Merging Of Sysml, And Engineering Sketch Pad, Alexander J. Miesle

Theses and Dissertations

The United Stated Department of Defense (DoD) and Air Force (USAF) have placed increased emphasis on the utilization of modern systems engineering (SE) practices within the current and future acquisitions lifecycle. This call is driven by the current rate at which near-peer adversaries such as Russia and China are increasing their defense system capabilities and catching up or surpassing the Unites States in certain operational regions. To aid in the transition to a Digital Engineering and Digital Twin dominated acquisitions process, this thesis presents a method with which SysML and geometric tools can be linked within both new and existing …