Computational Engineering Commons^™

Metal Casting Furnace Design Development Using Computer Simulation, Ramadhan Wahyu Irianto, Yanuar R.A. Pradana, Suprayitno Suprayitno

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Metal foundries still rely heavily on crucible furnaces. The current furnace design, which is currently being used by the partner industry, has been found to be not properly designed and will result in a reduction in efficiency. CFD simulation will be used to find the optimal melting furnace design. This research simulation consists of 3 stages: pre-processing, solving, and post-processing. There are two furnace geometries, cylindrical and hexagonal, while the burner location will be divided into 3 positions, namely P1, P2, and P3. The most optimal furnace design will be used as a basis for the verification testing process. The …

Java Animated Software For Teaching The Frank-Wolfe Algorithm For Static Traffic Network Equilibrium, Zhi Li

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The popular Frank-Wolfe (FW) algorithm for solving the network equilibrium problems plays an important role in transportation simulation. Not only has the basic Frank Wolfe algorithm been studied, but also other variations of the FW algorithm (such as Conjugate Frank Wolfe and Bi-Conjugate Frank Wolfe algorithms) have been extensively studied by the research communities.

In this work, the basic Frank Wolfe algorithm is re-visited for the purpose of developing a useful, user-friendly, and appealing Java computer animation for enhancing the teaching effectiveness of this fundamental transportation static network equilibrium algorithm. Since the shortest path (SP) algorithms (such as the well-known …

Discretized Agent-Based Model Of Infectious Disease Spread That Uses Contact Probability, Tyrell L. Gardner

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This study uses contact probability in an agent-based model to simulate the spread of an infectious disease. In order to perform the study, the agent-based model must first be discretized into events. Each agent in the model is given its own infectious disease state machine taken from the Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) model. The agents move between squares in a grid environment where each square represents a group. Groups have a contact probability as an attribute that is used to predict whether an agent comes in close contact with another agent. The transitions between the states in the SEIR model are easily …

Simulation Modeling And Analysis Of Customs-Regulated Container Terminal Operations With Multimodal Transportation, Mariam A. Kotachi

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

World trade has been increasing dramatically in the past two decades and, as a result, container exchange has grown significantly. Consequently and to meet this increase, several container terminals are expanding and many new ones are being established. A port with one or more container terminals is considered a complex system in which many entities interact to accomplish seamless handling of containers inbound and outbound. The level of complexity is drastically heightened for container terminals containing multimodal transportation systems as they typically involve ships, rail, and trucks arriving to one or more terminals delivering containers of different sizes to several …

Using Real Property Layouts To Study The Foreclosure Contagion Effect In Real Estate With Agent-Based Modeling And Simulation, Daniele Vernon-Bido

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Foreclosures in the United States increased sharply from 2007 to 2009. These foreclosures had a spillover effect on neighboring property values causing additional foreclosures. This is known as the foreclosure contagion effect.

Recent studies have quantified the discount attributed to foreclosure contagion using equation-based techniques. However, the discount varied between studies and markets. Further studies using agent-based modeling and simulation have demonstrated the relationship between the discounts, the time a foreclosure remains on the market, the prevailing interest rates and the average property values.

This study uses agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS) to explore the differences that varying neighborhood densities …

Measuring The Value Of Conceptual Modeling A Return On Investment (Roi) Analysis, Jeffrey Alan Brelsford

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This thesis presents a method for calculating the return on investment (ROI) of conceptual modeling. Conceptual modeling as it relates to Modeling and Simulation (M&S) studies is a process that abstracts a model of a real or proposed system to be subsequently used for developing computer models. The conceptual modeling process is a critical constituent in an M&S project because it produces the central reference for building the computer model. Computer models require formal logic to carry out procedures, and consistent arguments in formal logic are crucial for the model to be useful. Not only does formal logic provide the …

Semi-Automatic Simulation Initialization By Mining Structured And Unstructured Data Formats From Local And Web Data Sources, Olcay Sahin

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Initialization is one of the most important processes for obtaining successful results from a simulation. However, initialization is a challenge when 1) a simulation requires hundreds or even thousands of input parameters or 2) re-initializing the simulation due to different initial conditions or runtime errors. These challenges lead to the modeler spending more time initializing a simulation and may lead to errors due to poor input data.

This thesis proposes two semi-automatic simulation initialization approaches that provide initialization using data mining from structured and unstructured data formats from local and web data sources. First, the System Initialization with Retrieval (SIR) …

A Multi-Paradigm Modeling Framework For Modeling And Simulating Problem Situations, Christopher James Lynch

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Problem situations are problems whose specifications are not universally agreed upon making them a challenge to be modeled and simulated. Models of problem situations depart from the premise of well-defined problems, problems where stakeholders disagree, but also modelers' interpretations play a role in their design and computer implementation.

This thesis proposes a multi-paradigm modeling framework for modeling and simulating problem situations in order to explore the problem space of the problem situations and answer specific modeling questions.

The proposed framework implements the Modeling and Simulation (M&S) System Development Framework (MS-SDF), which is a methodology for modeling a problem situation while …

Architecture For A Flexible And Scalable Simulation Engine, Robert C. Holcomb Jr.

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Simulation is used by many different industries to gain insight on actions and decisions that may be too dangerous or costly to perform in reality. Although the use of computers to assist with modeling and simulation has been studied for quite a while, computer infrastructure, hardware, and capabilities are changing at a rapid pace. Computer software once written is difficult and costly to change, especially in order to take advantage of the advances in computer hardware. This thesis focuses on the design and implementation of a software simulation architecture that allows flexibility in the modeling conducted and scalability in the …

Determining The Utility Of Technology For Education, Brian Spencer Dillon

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

There is a substantial debate concerning the place of technology in education. This debate has been going on over every technology introduced through at least three millennia although the modern version takes place in journal articles. Technology, in the general sense, is already in the educational arena 1n ways which have become so commonplace that we hardly question them today. More modern technologies, however, meet perpetual resistance in achieving their potential. This paper calls into question the most recent trend in research and suggests a new research paradigm which focuses not only on student achievement, but on a variety of …

A Military Surge In Afghanistan -- Modeling A Focused Security Effort, Brent David Morrow

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In October of 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan and ousted the Taliban government. Since their overthrow, the Taliban has pieced together and waged an insurgency to retake Afghanistan. That insurgency has gained momentum and grown in strength while the United States NA TO counterinsurgency effort has decreased in size to about 55,000 troops in 2007. Many factors contribute to the insurgency inside of Afghanistan, from ethnic to economic factors to the failure of the central government. This research used a study of the current state of affairs in Afghanistan and agent-based modeling to determine whether a military troop surge …

A Framework For Using Modeling And Simulation-Based Methods In Support Of Project Management In A U.S. Department Of Defense Enterprise Architecture Framework Environment, Jose Leprout Bricio-Neto

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The Enterprise Architecture, Analysis and Project Management (EA2PM) framework developed and proposed in this study enables better evaluation of the ability for enterprise architects, project managers and analysts to share system data using their own domain-specific software tools with a focus on the capability to automatically generate a discrete-event simulation model. EA2PM framework is based on applying a Knowledge Management (KM) construct to establish data and information boundaries, and developing a methodology that allows for high levels of traceability from system architecture's environmental factors through assessment of data and information mediation across domains within a KM system.

An application of …

Engineering Management Framework In Support Of Modeling & Simulation Application For Domain Specific Procurement, Thomas Guy Litwin

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A strategic process is desirable for project-based organizations in order for them to be efficient and effective when developing Modeling & Simulation (M&S) systems. This thesis proposes an overarching process that combines traditional M&S and Engineering Management methodologies in a new framework to support M&S organizations during the procurement process.

This thesis proposes both a Strategic Project Management Process (SPMP) and a systems engineering process for M&S federation development projects. The systems engineering process utilizes the artifacts of Model Driven Architecture (MDA) to support building M&S federations driven by operational requirements. Detailed research of this systems engineering process revealed a …

An Agent-Based Combat Simulation Framework In Support Of Effect-Based And Net-Centric Evaluation, Robert Joseph Bowen

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The use of information technologies (IT) and information networks has proliferated in industry as a method to achieve competitive advantage. The U.S. Military and its allies, in recent years, have employed IT to improve the way they conduct operations, speed decision making, and increase the span of control of commanders. This has resulted in a fundamental shift in the way military commanders employ combat units today. These (Information Age) forces no longer have to be able to see each other or even communicate directly in order to synchronize maneuvers. Dispersion is now favored over mass, relying on the IT network …

Numerical Simulations Of A Nonlinear Transmission Line, Stuart Rogers

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This thesis investigates wave propagation along a nonlinear transmission line having a voltage-dependent capacitance. The telegrapher's equations that model wave propagation along such a transmission line are derived and shown to represent a nonlinear hyperbolic system of balance laws. The Lax-Friedrichs, Lax-Wendroff, and hybrid numerical schemes for obtaining approximate solutions to nonlinear hyperbolic systems of balance laws are presented, analyzed, and applied to the nonlinear telegrapher's equations. The Lax-Wendroff and hybrid schemes are invoked to numerically simulate wave propagation along a nonlinear transmission line. Simulations obtained via the hybrid scheme are used to briefly study the potential application of a …

Investigation Of A Validation Technique For The Registration Of 3d Points Directly To Subjects With Pectus Excavatum, Taryn Tacosa Cuper

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Pectus excavatum (PE) is a congenital deformity that results in a "caved in" appearance of the chest wall. The cause of this condition is unknown, but research suggests that an in vivo investigation of the biomechanical properties of the costal cartilages of subjects with PE may offer insight. Force and deflection measurements are proposed as a way to obtain this data; however, accurate location of cartilage from the skin level would be required for such an effort. Given the multiple potential sources of error with this process, a validation procedure to ensure the appropriateness of the findings must be developed; …

Simulation To Augment Standardized Patients In Obstetric Ultrasound Training, Scott Richard Guirlinger

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Standardized patients are actors used in medical training to teach and eval11atc clinical skills of students prior to their using these skills on an actual patient. Augmented Reality is a relatively new technology that can be used to augment standardized patients with abnonnalitie8 and pathologies that they cannot portray themselves as normal healthy human beings. In our project, we sought to augment standardized patients with a 12-week- old fetus in order to train and possibly evaluate medical students and professionals in performing obstetric ultrasound procedures and interpreting the corresponding ultrasound image results.

The software library ARToolkit provided the framework for …

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, …

Dynamic Routing Structure For An Rti Taking An Evolutionary Approach Towards Optimization, Matthew Ryan Davis

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The Runtime Infrastructure (RTI) is the common communication framework that High Level Architecture (HLA) simulations incorporate to exchange data. By abstracting the network communication layer from simulation, a common protocol for information exchange is achieved, allowing any RTI- based simulation to exchange data with any other. Such commonality can bring a limitation upon the network infrastructure, enforcing all federates to agree on the same communication policy. While this static network structure is not always the case, an optimal choice would be to adhere to the dynamic properties of a network. Static network configurations deny federates the ability to dynamically avoid …

What Should Be In A Human Behavior Representation Federation Object Model For High Level Architecture, Gurkan Haznedaroglu

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) can assist in evaluating scenarios and enhancing the performance of operational systems. Fully integrated use of MBS can enable the evaluation of the effectiveness of proposed equipment or software in realistic simulated environments and can provide an assessment of the impacts of specific equipment or capabilities on battle outcomes. Every level, from strategic planners, technology experts, operations research analysts, weapons systems designers and users, testers, maintainers, and cost analysts, has to be interactively involved to maximize the benefits of this approach. Human behavior is a very important part of the M&S process. Especially in constructive simulations, …

A Comparative Analysis Of Air-To-Ground Engagement Outcomes In The Joint Warfare System (Jwars) And The Jwars-Joint Semi-Automated Forces Federation, Melissa Anne St. Peter

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Multi-resolution modeling is the process by which a single model is created by connecting multiple individual models to describe phenomena at different levels of resolution [1]. "When we change resolutions, replacing a detailed model by a more aggregate one, we must ask whether results are 'consistent'" [2].

There are many methods of determining if the results of two simulations are 'consistent'. However, they are very entailed and require a detailed understanding of the individual models including their functionality, algorithms, and inner workings. A straight forward and rapid way of assessing potential inconsistencies is through a statistical comparison of the model …

Strategies For Analysis Of Unimodal And Multimodal Data For Simulation, Anshul Rai Sharma

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The primary objective of this thesis is to provide strategies for analysis for data associated with simulation. Data analysis is an important part of the simulation process. Typically more stress is laid upon the development of the computer simulation while the data analysis takes a back seat. However, the accuracy of a simulation depends on the data driving it. In other words, any simulation is only as accurate as the input data fed into the simulation. Also, the output of simulation should be analyzed properly in order to validly estimate the performance of the system being simulated. The focus of …

Creating Enterprise Simulations Using High Level Architecture, Anton R. Lidums

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Despite an established need, there are two remaining roadblocks to building distributed simulations and enterprise simulation systems. First, commercial simulation packages and engineering modeling tools are not readily distributable across multiple computers and have traditionally had very little impetus for utilizing a distributable format. Second, although HLA simulations have been built and there are tools to facilitate those efforts, very little has been done or written that specifically describes a "non-standard" integration implementation in sufficient detail to make the process reusable or repeatable. This thesis introduces a proof of concept prototype that was developed to integrate simulations. The paper presents …

Support For Statistical Analysis Of The Configurable Port Simulation (Cports), Saurav Mazumdar

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The primary objective of this thesis is to provide support for statistical analysis of CPortS: a transportation logistics simulation, which models the movement of military traffic through seaports and the interaction of the traffic with port infrastructure. By any standards, CPortS is a very large, data intensive simulation. It provides capabilities for analyzing many important issues such as port clearance and throughput. CPortS was classically run in single run mode. Only a single replication of the simulation was performed and conclusions were drawn from the results obtained. Users and analysts of CPortS performed multiple runs only to see the effect …

The Development Of An Enterprise Supply Chain Model For Naval Warship Construction, Rex A. Wallen

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The utilization of computer simulation in the shipbuilding industry is not a new concept and many shipyards in the US and around the world are using simulation tools in a variety of ways with various levels of success. In other industries, computer simulation has proven itself as a powerful tool for reducing non-value added activities and promises to become more prominent in its use as a resource management tool. Its use in the manufacturing of outfitting components in the construction of Naval warships has had limited success due mainly to the inherent nature of ship construction, especially shipyards engaged in …

A Dynamic Simulation Model Of Beach Sand Replenishment: A Case Study Of Santa Barbara, California, David Turbow, Steve Norwick, Sajjad Ahmad

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

Sediment deprivation from dam installments contributes to beach erosion yet the underlying physical and economic factors linking them together have traditionally been isolated during regional planning. In order to gain a better understanding of the behavior of a managed beach system, a dynamic simulation model was developed incorporating physical and monetary factors influencing the amount of available beach sand. The Santa Barbara littoral cell was chosen as a case study to evaluate the feasibility of beach preservation goals under scenarios in which annual sand replenishment funding, sand prices, or sediment recovery from behind dams were limiting factors to available beach …

An Object-Oriented Resource Pool Model In Support Of Discrete Event Simulations, Srinivas Gullapalli

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The proper distribution of resources is a key factor in simulation. Resources provide the supporting facilities, equipment, and personnel for carrying out activities. The number of resources has a direct impact on the overall effectiveness of the simulation as it does in real life. If the number is insufficient, it generally takes more time for the process to complete. On the other hand, if the number is too high, the cost incurred on the resources will be unnecessarily large. Therefore, the count should be a compromise between the two extremes.

In this thesis, an attempt is made to generalize the …

Routing Optimization Through Computer-Aided Simulation, Madhusudhan Akundi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Routing has always been a challenging field, and the various techniques of mathematics and operations research have been developed. For commercial organizations, routing has begun to receive extensive attention because of the savings gained in terms of time, money, personnel, and the transportation fleet by developing optimized routing networks. Until recently, it was difficult to develop optimized networks due to the computational difficulties of the problem. However, with the advancement in computer technology and processing speeds, it has become possible to simulate a large number of routing scenarios and determine optimal solutions for a given set of constraints. Not only …

A Generic Object-Oriented Server Model, Brian Douglas Jones

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a generic, object-oriented model for the simulation of networks of queues. Generic simulation modeling provides robust ways of laying out processes in stochastic, event driven simulations. The approach taken is to define a methodology that will be implementation independent, termed the Generic Server Simulation Model (GSSM); thus, leaving the implementers to choose the best (most suited for their use) means of implementation. GSSM uses many object-oriented concepts to provide its basic structure and has in its design the ability to take advantage of these object-oriented concepts, including reuse of (existing) code. GSSM …

Comparison Of One-Dimensional And Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Modeling Approaches For Red River Basin, Sajjad Ahmad, Slobodan P. Simonovic

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A devastating flood in Red River valley in 1997 emphasized the need to study the flood control measures in the Red River basin using state of the art modeling tools. The Red River and its floodplains can be modeled using one-dimensional, quasi two-dimensional or fully two-dimensional hydrodynamic models. Each modeling approach has its own advantages and limitations. The main purpose of this report is a comparison between one-dimensional (or quasi two dimensional) and fully two-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling approaches for modeling floods in the Red River basin.

A two-dimensional hydrodynamic model, MIKE 21, coupled with Geographic Information System (GIS) …