Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Air Force Reserve Force Structure Policy Evaluation Model, Scott A. Percival

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force Reserve is a constantly changing force. In response to these changes, the Active Guard Reserve (AGR), a small organization within the Reserve, is seeking to create a career track for Unit and Headquarters' Officers. It is necessary for the AGR policy division to be able to evaluate the availability of career paths to accomplish this goal. The Air Force Reserve Force Structure Evaluation Model provides the AGR management with a tool to aid them in evaluating policy impact. This model allows the AGR management to identify the impact policy changes may have on the resulting …

An Analysis Of Multiple Layered Networks, Kevin T. Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations

Current infrastructure network models of single functionality do not typically account for the interdependent nature of infrastructure networks. Infrastructure networks are generally modeled individually, as an isolated network or with minimal recognition of interactions. This research develops a methodology to model the individual infrastructure network types while explicitly modeling their interconnected effects. The result is a formulation built with two sets of variables (the original set to model infrastructure characteristics and an additional set representing cuts of interdependent elements). This formulation is decomposed by variable type using Benders Partitioning and solved to optimality using a Benders Partitioning algorithm. Current infrastructure …

Game Theory And U-Boats In The Bay Of Biscay, Joseph C. Price

Theses and Dissertations

Analysis of a large combat campaign using game theory is difficult due to non- linearities and other soft factors which exist in a complex system. However, game theory can give decision makers insight into strategies and outcomes that can be utilized to maximize one's objective. Agent-based simulation provides the means to model complex systems with non-linearities, by allowing for interactions among independent "agents." This thesis investigates game-theoretic strategies in agent-based simulation, modeled after the Allied search for U-boats in the Bay of Biscay during World War II (WWII). It also looks into the effects of adaptation on strategies by comparison …

Auto Carrier Transporter Loading And Unloading Improvement, Brian M. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Thousands of vehicles (cars, trucks and vans) are transported every day from one location to another. These vehicles are moved around the country on Auto Carrier Transports (ACTs). Delivering these vehicles involves large quantities of time, money and energy. Any reduction in time and energy will result in a significant savings of money. The intent of this research is to develop an algorithm to solve the Auto Carrier Transport Pickup and Delivery Problem. In doing so, the focus is to limit the total times vehicles are placed on and taken off the carrier, otherwise known as the number of loads, …

Analyze The Air Force Methods For Facility Sustainment And Restoration, Ronald C. Cole

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense (DoD) is improving the procedures for identifying, advocating, allocating funding, and accomplishing facility requirements to improve the readiness capability to support the mission. The purposes of this research were to fully explore the methodologies employed by the Air Force (AF) and try to capitalize on industry standard practices to improve the AF methods. Industry has conducted extensive research devoted to the development of predictive models to estimate facility maintenance or sustainment requirements. The DoD and the AF have already implemented the facility sustainment model (FSM) to predict facility sustainment requirements; now however, they are struggling with …

Package Performance Testing Of Dangerous Goods In High Altitude Shipments, S. Paul Singh, Gary J. Burgess, Jay A. Singh

Industrial Technology and Packaging

This paper discusses the impact of high altitude shipments on package integrity. High altitude shipments are encountered when trucks travel over high mountain passes or when cargo and feeder aircraft transport packages in non-pressurized or partially-pressurized cargo holds. Both these types of transport methods will result in severe changes in pressure and temperature conditions as compared to packages being transported close to sea-level The testing of packages under these conditions is critical since package integrity may be compromised. The current shipping tests performed in test labs do not account for pressure changes and vibration together. This study showed that combination …

Groundwater Flow Through A Constructed Treatment Wetland, Jack A. Blalock

Theses and Dissertations

This study is an analysis of the flow of water through a constructed treatment wetland at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. The purpose of the treatment wetland is to biodegrade perchioroethylene, which is present in the groundwater as a contaminant. Contaminated water enters the bottom of the wetland and flows upward, exiting the wetland from a weir at one end. The wetland is designed for water to move vertically through the soil layers composing the wetland. The main purpose of this study is to characterize the water flow through the different layers of soil in the wetland. In this study, hydraulic parameters …

A System Dynamics Approach For Information Technology Implementation And Sustainment, Nathan W. Fonnesbeck

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research is to bring a new, dynamic modeling perspective to organizational information technology (IT) implementation systems (using the Air Force GeoBase initiative as a real-world example) without compromising principles from the research literature. Undesired behavior patterns, from historically poor IT implementation performance, versus desired behavior patterns are incorporated into the model structure. Using a system dynamics approach, multiple simulation runs under various initial conditions and organizational contexts are performed and compared over a short-term versus a long-term period of time. Based on these simulation ruins, various mixes of management interventions, under varying conditions, are recommended to …

Modeling Homeland Security: A Value Focused Thinking Approach, Kristopher A. Pruitt

Theses and Dissertations

The events of September 11, 2001 have propelled the topic of homeland security to the forefront of national concern. The threat of terrorism within the United States has reached an unprecedented level. The pervasive vulnerabilities of the nation's critical infrastructure coupled with the destructive capabilities and deadly intentions of modern terrorists pose extraordinary risks. The United States must mitigate these risks while at the same time balancing the associated costs and impact on civil liberties. Currently, the United States lacks effective methods and measure for assessing the security of the homeland from acts of terrorism. This study outlines a first …

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Correlation In Sensor Fusion, Susan A. Storm

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis takes the first step towards the creation of a synthetic classifier fusion-testing environment. The effects of data correlation on three classifier fusion techniques were examined. The three fusion methods tested were the ISOC fusion method (Haspert, 2000), the ROC "Within" Fusion method (Oxley and Bauer, 2002) and the simple use of a Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) as a fusion tool. Test situations were developed to allow the examination of various levels of correlation both between and within feature streams. The effects of training a fusion ensemble on a common dataset versus an independent data set were also contrasted. …

Long Term Implementation Of A 100 Percent Checked Baggage Screening System: A Value Focused Thinking Approach, Quincy Meade

Theses and Dissertations

The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, carried out via aircraft hijackings, clearly demonstrated the massive destruction potential when vulnerabilities in the aviation system are exploited. Airport security measures have since been strengthened and new measures have been set in place. With the passage of the Aviation Transportation and Security Act (ATSA) of 2001 the checked baggage systems at U.S. Airports are now required to screen all checked bags with explosive detection devices. This is a significant increase from the small percentage of bags that were previously screened. The original 2009 deadline was changed to 31 December 2002 and this …

Assessing The Treatment Of Airborne Tactical High Energy Lasers In Combat Simulations, Maurice C. Azar

Theses and Dissertations

In March 2000, the High Energy Laser Executive Review Panel presented the Department of Defense Laser Master Plan, which reported that HEL weapons are ready for offensive and defensive applications. One candidate platform capable of performing some of the reported applications is the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL), an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program which places a high energy laser weapon on a tactical aircraft, such as the V-22, C-130, or H-47. A way of assessing the utility of a new weapon system and the benefits of its inclusion in the force structure is the use of combat models. This research …

Optimum Component Design In N-Stange Series Systems To Maximize The Reliability Under Budget Constraint, Huseyin Gozebe

Theses and Dissertations

This research is intended to find a new heuristic for solving the reliability optimization of n-stage series system. The new heuristic will make the initial system design and use redundancy to improve system reliability level. The limited capacity of common optimization tools requires the new heuristic to be coded in VBA programming language. Moreover, the known reliability optimization heuristic, marginal analysis will be coded so that the difference between two heuristics can be seen and design engineers can use the best result in their applications.

Physical Fitness And The Expeditionary Air Force, Elizabeth T. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force is constantly evolving. With the many changes and the Expeditionary Air Force structure put in place, it is more important now than ever that the Air Force has a physical fitness program to keep its members healthy and productive. By doing this, it can ensure success in completing the Air Force mission while keeping the organization at the highest level of readiness possible. This thesis looks at what the Air Force values in having a fitness program. These values are taken from Air Force doctrine and related instructions. Using these values, fitness programs can be evaluated to …

A Simulation Based Comparative Analysis Of Alternatives For Tuition Assistance Organizational Structures, Tamiko L. Ritschel

Theses and Dissertations

The military services have experienced enormous downsizing efforts in the last decade. With these initiatives, organizations have had to derive innovative ways to meet their objectives with fewer resources. An organization's structure is an avenue to address these challenges within the atmosphere of a shrinking capital budget. Organizational structure changes can affect every aspect of the organization. Such an impact suggests proposals for drastic organizational changes must meet the rigors of a full analysis. The intent of this research is to provide a comprehensive analysis of centralization options for Air Force Tuition Assistance efforts. This thesis effort involves the development …

Linear Programming And Genetic Algorithm Based Optimization For The Weighting Scheme Of A Value Focused Thinking Hierarchy, David M. Thawley

Theses and Dissertations

Deriving weights for a Value Focused Thinking (VFT) hierarchy demands considerable time and input from Decision Makers (DM) and Subject Matter Experts (SME). Often, the DMs and SMEs are the leaders of companies and organizations, and this required time is unrealistic with their schedules. In these situations, as well as scenarios where there no available DMs/SMEs, conventional means of weighting a VFT hierarchy are impossible, and any VFT analysis is halted. When historical data exists on evaluation measures and performance of alternatives, linear programming and genetic algorithm based optimization may be used to derive historically optimal weights for a hierarchy. …

Search Theory And U-Boats In The Bay Of Biscay, Ronald Gregory Carl

Theses and Dissertations

Threats to our nation's resources and forces are becoming increasingly lethal and mobile. Therefore, our ability to locate and interdict these threats is more important than ever. Search theory is one tool that is vital to countering the increasing threat. This research presents a multi-agent simulation, built around the Allied search for U-boats in the Bay of Biscay during World War II, which extends several classic search theory algorithms. Comparison of techniques is based on the effectiveness of finding high- valued, mobile assets. A JAVA-based multi-agent simulation model is designed, built and tested, and used to demonstrate the existence of …

Simulation Of Autonomic Logistics System (Als) Sortie Generation, Paul D. Faas

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force needs tools for analysis and evaluation of new logistic operational concepts. The purpose of this research was to conflict a discrete event simulation model of the aircraft sortie generation process to permit what-if analyses of these concepts. The current Air Force logistics operations system is reactive in nature meaning that after the aircraft detects a part failure, the maintenance person must perform fault isolation procedures and then steps are taken to repair or replace the faulty item. The Autonomic Logistics System (ALS) concept changes the reactive process into a proactive one with the employment of technologies such …

Analysis Of Scheduling Policies For A M/G/I Queue With Rework, Jennifer Hendrixson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes a multi-class M/G/1 priority queueing system in which distinct job types require one service cycle and, with non-zero probability, require a second service cycle. The main objective is to find a new heuristic scheduling policy that minimizes the long-run expected holding and preemption costs. Arrival rates, service rates, and the probability of undertaking second service are all class specific. A mean value analysis (MVA) approach was employed to derive the long- run mean time in queue for each job type under each policy, thereby providing the appropriate cost equations. Numerical experiments suggest that the preemptive resume scheduling …

Using Neural Networks For Estimating Cruise Missile Reliability, Donald L. Hoffman

Theses and Dissertations

ACC believes its current methodology for predicting the reliability of its Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) and Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM) stockpiles could be improved. They require a predictive model that delivers the best possible 24-month projection of cruise missile reliability using existing data sources, collection methods and software. It should be easily maintainable and developed to allow a layperson to enter updated data and receive an accurate reliability prediction. The focus of this thesis is to improve upon free flight reliability, although the techniques could also be applied to the captive carry portion of the missile reliability equation. The …

Use Of Multivariate Techniques To Validate And Improved The Current Usaf Pilot Candidate Selection Model, Ross A. Keener

Theses and Dissertations

The Pilot Candidate Selection Method (PCSM) seeks to ensure the highest possible probability of success at UPT. PCSM applies regression weights to a candidate's Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT) Pilot composite score, self-reported flying hours, and five Basic Attributes Test (BAT) score composites. PCSM scores range between 0 and 99 and is interpreted as a candidate's probability of passing UPT. The goal of this study is to apply multivariate data analysis techniques to validate PCSM and determine appropriate changes to the model's weights. Performance of the updated weights is compared to the current PCSM model via Receiver Operating Curves …

Analysis Of Organizational Architectures For The Air Force Tuition Assistance Program, Krista Z. Lapietra

Theses and Dissertations

The consideration of restructuring through a change in organizational architecture is often a fiercely debated issue within an organization. The argument for restructuring to improve quality, customer service, and financial management is pitted against perceived lack of job security and historically poor results from previous restructuring initiatives. To balance all sides when considering a change in organizational architecture, the organization should use a method of evaluating potential architectures that assists in determining the best new architecture and generates support from those involved. The objective of this research is to provide the Air Force Education Division with a defendable methodology for …

Optimal Replacement Policies For Satellite Constellations, Bradley R. Sumter

Theses and Dissertations

This work considers the problem of finding optimal replacement policies that minimize the expected total cost of maintaining a satellite constellation. The problem is modeled using discrete-time Markov decision processes to determine the replacement policy by allowing the satellite constellation to be in one of a finite number of states at each decision epoch. The constellation stochastically transitions at each time step from one state to another as determined by a set of transition probabilities. At each decision epoch, a decision maker chooses an action from a set of allowable actions for the current system state. A cost associated with …

Models For Sortie Generation With Autonomic Logistics, Nicholaus A. Yager

Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this research is to investigate the impact of an autonomic logistics system (ALS) on the sortie generation process for an individual airbase. As in some prior studies of this process, the methodology used to model the sortie generation process is a queueing network containing fork-join nodes for concurrent maintenance activities. The sortie generation rate is commonly regarded as the primary performance measure of the sortie generation process. This measure coincides with the throughput and is used to compare two models: (1) pre-ALS operations and (2) ALS-enhanced airbase operations. Analysis of the models shows that the ALS …

The Air Warrior's Value Of National Security Space, John D. Loftis

Theses and Dissertations

The 2001 Report of the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization recommended that U.S. efforts in national security space be elevated to the highest national security priority. With more focused high-level attention on national security space decisions a measure that captures and quantities the value of space capabilities to combat operations professionals is desired. This thesis models what the air warriors desire from space assets in combat. A Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) approach was used to elicit values from air combat experts with operational experience. An initial Gold Standard value model was constructed and validated by …

Using Future Value Analysis To Select An Optimal Portfolio Of Force Protection Initiatives, Robert P. Eskridge

Theses and Dissertations

With the recent increase in terrorist activity, force protection has become a key issue for the Department of Defense, Leading the research for new ideas and concepts in force protection for the US Air Force is the Air Force Force Protection Battlelab (FPB). The FPB is charged with searching out force protection ideas and selecting those most worthy for future consideration. In 2002, a Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) hierarchy was created to help the FPB select those ideas that provided the most value to the Air Force and its force protection goals. This research effort uses the Future Value Analysis (FVA) …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process: Quarterly Progress Report 11/16/02- 2/15/03, Yitung Chen, Randy Clarksean, Darrell Pepper

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Two activities are proposed in this Phase I task: the development of a systems engineering model and the refinement of the Argonne code AMUSE (Argonne Model for Universal Solvent Extraction). The detailed systems engineering model is the start of an integrated approach to the analysis of the materials separations associated with the TRP Program. A second portion of the project is to streamline and improve an integral part of the overall systems model, which is the software package AMUSE. AMUSE analyzes the UREX process and other related solvent extraction processes and defines many of the process streams that are integral …

Acuta Enews February 2003, Vol. 32, No. 2

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

No Surprise: Record Number of Students Own Ce[[ Phones

Strategies for Tight Budgets........................ Jeanne Jansenius, Univ of the South

Brother, Can You Spare Some Computing Power?........................ Kevin Tanzillo, Dux Public Relations

Wireless Service Coverage Problems Persist ln-buitding (Pt.2) ................. James McCoy, lnterwireless, lnc.

DC Update............................ Whitney Johnson, Retired, Northern Michigan Univ.

Board Report........................... John Bradley, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Launch of University Telephone Number Database Nears............................ Jeri Semer, CAE, Executive Director

Welcome New Members

Integrating Tolerances In G And M Codes Using Neural Networks, Vijay Kumar Sundareshan

Theses

Continuous integrated solutions from CAD down to the preparation of NC programs were developed in the recent years. However, if tolerances should be considered, the interaction of human experts is still necessary. A way to fill this gap in the production process is shown in this thesis. The study builds a relationship between the given design tolerances and including these tolerances in machining by generating respective G and M codes. The study focuses on physical phenomena and their inter-relationship while manufacturing. For example how the speed of machining, torque, power, depth of cut, etc. influences machining under specified tolerances. Artificial …

Development Of A Systems Engineering Model Of The Chemical Separations Process, Lijian Sun, Haritha Royyuru, Yitung Chen, Randy Clarksean, Darrell Pepper, George Vandegrift, James Laidler

Separations Campaign (TRP)

Project Overview:

• Two Components

– Refine AMUSE Code

– Develop Systems Engineering Model

• Research Objectives

– Develop a framework and environment for a systems engineering analysis of the chemical separations system for the AAA program.

– Establish a baseline systems engineering model from which modifications and improvements can be made.

– Refine the existing AMUSE program that gives a detailed examination of the UREX process, a critical component of the overall separation scheme.