Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

A Tailored Systems Engineering Framework For Science And Technology Projects, Stephen M. Behm, J. Bradford Pitzer, Jane F. White

Theses and Dissertations

As government and industry becomes subject to a wider range of technology initiatives, science and technology (S&T) research project leadership recognizes the need to incorporate more systems engineering (SE) rigor into their projects. The objective of this research is to develop a tailorable systems engineering framework for S&T project planning, execution, assessment and transition. The key deliverable is an Excel-based tool instantiating the SE framework for a wide range of S&T projects in technology development organizations. It includes a report with tailored methods based on programmatic discriminants.
To develop this framework, a comprehensive understanding of SE principles is applied to …

Adaptive Pareto Set Estimation For Stochastic Mixed Variable Design Problems, Christopher D. Arendt

Theses and Dissertations

Many design problems require the optimization of competing objective functions that may be too complicated to solve analytically. These problems are often modeled in a simulation environment where static input may result in dynamic (stochastic) responses to the various objective functions. System reliability, alloy composition, algorithm parameter selection, and structural design optimization are classes of problems that often exhibit such complex and stochastic properties. Since the physical testing and experimentation of new designs can be prohibitively expensive, engineers need adequate predictions concerning the viability of various designs in order to minimize wasteful testing. Presumably, an appropriate stochastic multi-objective optimizer can …

Exploitation Of Intra-Spectral Band Correlation For Rapid Feacture Selection And Target Identification In Hyperspectral Imagery, Michael K. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

This research extends the work produced by Capt. Robert Johnson for detecting target pixels within hyperspectral imagery (HSI). The methodology replaces Principle Components Analysis for dimensionality reduction with a clustering algorithm which seeks to associate spectral rather than spatial dimensions. By seeking similar spectral dimensions, the assumption of no a priori knowledge of the relationship between clustered members can be eliminated and clusters are formed by seeking high correlated adjacent spectral bands. Following dimensionality reduction Independent Components Analysis (ICA) is used to perform feature extraction. Kurtosis and Potential Target Fraction are added to Maximum Component Score and Potential Target Signal …

Using Multiple Robust Parameter Design Techniques To Improve Hyperspectral Anomaly Detection Algorithm Performance, Matthew T. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Detecting and identifying objects of interest is the goal of all remote sensing. New advances, specifically in hyperspectral imaging technology have provided the analyst with immense amounts of data requiring evaluation. Several filtering techniques or anomaly detection algorithms have been proposed. However, most new algorithms are insufficiently verified to be robust to the broad range of hyperspectral data being made available. One such algorithm, AutoGAD, is tested here via two separate robust parameter design techniques to determine optimal parameters for consistent performance on a range of data with large attribute variances. Additionally, the results of the two techniques are compared …

Project Scheduling To Maximize Positive Impacts Of Reconstruction Operations, Andrew D. Chaney

Theses and Dissertations

Since the decline of the Cold War, the risk of major conflict between powerful industrialized nations has significantly decreased. Insecurity in the twenty-first century is forecast to arise rather from the debris of imploding states. Such situations may require intervention | military or otherwise | by concerned states, and the frequency with which these interventions occur is increasing. To meet this new operational challenge, the US military must adapt its planning procedures to account for Security, Stabilization, Transition, and Reconstruction Operations (SSTRO). This research develops a project scheduling based framework for post-conflict reconstruction that prioritizes and schedules reconstruction activities in …

An Advanced Tabu Search Approach To Solving The Mixed Payload Airlift Load Planning Problem, Robert Larry Nance

Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents a new tabu search based two-dimensional bin packing algorithm which produces high quality solutions to the Mixed Payload Airlift Load Planning (MPALP) problem using C-5 and C-17 aircraft. This algorithm, called Mixed Payload Airlift Load Planning Tabu Search (MPALPTS), surpasses previous research conducted in this area because, in addition to pure pallet cargo loads, MPALPTS can accommodate rolling stock cargo (i.e. tanks, trucks, HMMMVs, etc.) while still maintaining aircraft feasibility with respect to aircraft center of balance, mandatory cargo separations, aircraft floor structural limitations, etc. Furthermore, while this research is currently restricted to C-5 and C-17 aircraft, …

Host-Based Multivariate Statistical Computer Operating Process Anomaly Intrusion Detection System (Paids), Glen R. Shilland

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Value-Driven Enterprise Architecture Score: Evaluation Applied To Joint Force Protection Future State Design, Larry D. Cotton, Gary A. Haase

Theses and Dissertations

This research presents a methodology to evaluate the quality of a system's architecture using principles drawn from Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) and resulting in a Value-Driven Enterprise Architecture Score (VDEA-Score). This is an overall numerical architecture quality score useful to a system's management team to identify the advantages and disadvantages of a system design and associated architecture documentation or to track its quality across discrete evaluation epochs. This effort determined which aspects of the architecture are most valuable to the stakeholder in the areas of (1) the system effectiveness values (quality of the instantiated system being represented and its ability to …

A Hybrid Templated-Based Composite Classification System, Michael A. Turnbaugh

Theses and Dissertations

An automatic target classification system contains a classifier which reads a feature as an input and outputs a class label. Typically, the feature is a vector of real numbers. Other features can be non-numeric, such as a string of symbols or alphabets. One method of improving the performance of an automatic classification system is through combining two or more independent classifiers that are complementary in nature. Complementary classifiers are observed by finding an optimal method for partitioning the problem space. For example, the individual classifiers may operate to identify specific objects. Another method may be to use classifiers that operate …

The Hybrid Counterinsurgency Strategy: System Dynamics Employed To Develop A Behavioral Model Of Joint Strategy, Ferdinand Maldonado

Theses and Dissertations

Since the recent focus on the Global War on Terror, both military and civilian theorists have begun to “relearn” the intricacies of counterinsurgency warfare. We face difficult challenges when confronting non-state actors that tend to attack in the time between conventional battles and the establishment of stable governments. This research compares and contrasts current counterinsurgency strategies (Hearts and Minds and Cost Benefit Theory) by applying System Dynamics to provide insight into the influences and emergent behavior patterns of counterinsurgency systems. The information gained from the development of the models and from their simulation behaviors is used to construct a System …

Combat Identification Modeling Using Neural Network Techniques, Changwook Lim

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this research were: (1) validating Kim’s (2007) simulation method by applying analytic methods and (2) comparing the two different Robust Parameter Design methods with three measures of performance (label accuracy for enemy, friendly, and clutter). Considering the features of CID, input variables were defined as two controllable (threshold combination of detector and classifier) and three uncontrollable (map size, number of enemies and friendly). The first set of experiments considers Kim’s method using analytical methods. In order to create response variables, Kim’s method uses Monte Carlo simulation. The output results showed no difference between simulation and the analytic …

Multi-Objective Stochastic Heuristic Methodology For Tradespace Exploration Of A Network Centric System Of Systems, Atmika Singh, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

System of systems (SoS) architecting techniques rely on traditional, static tools that were designed for classical stove-piped systems. There is a need for tools that can capture the complex adaptive nature of such SoS. An architecture search methodology using genetic algorithms and a fuzzy assessor was applied to the conceptual architecture design of a generic smart grid and a set of architectures with high fitness was obtained. This set of architectures is intended to serve as a starting point for a systems architect to ultimately be able to converge on the best system design. The SoS architecting process has largely …

Acuta Enews March 2009, Vol 38, No. 3

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This Issue

ACUTA Audio Seminar: FERPA

From ACUTA Headquarters: Member Anniversaries Jeri Semer, CAE, Exec. Dir.

DC Update ...........Dave Ostrom, Washington State University (retired)

Tech Talk: FCoE May Figure into Your Storage Future..........Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

Making the Most of ACUTA Resources...... Carolyn Trail, Roanoke College

Higher Ed Belt Tightening ls Squeezing Technology Operations.... Kevin Tanzillo... Dux PR

Winner of Free Audio Seminar

lnfo Links ........... Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern lowa

Overheard on the Listserv: SIP Trunking to the PSTN

Board Report, February.... Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State University

Check lt Out: RFls/RFPs, Job Postings, Press Releases, Special …

Marketing For Summer Session: What Do The Students Want?, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Dr. Savory will share four campaign ideas his office developed to better target Summer Sessions marketing to the new generation of students. Each is unique and generates different reactions. He will talk about which was chosen and the campus reaction of choosing an “edgy” theme. He will also highlight the challenges and impact of offering a “Bucks for Summer Books” sweepstakes targeting freshman and sophomore students to take summer courses.

Effect Of Transport Vibration On Quality Of Minimally Processed And Packaged Fresh-Cut Cantaloupe, Koushik Saha, S. Paul Singh, Bruce Harte

Industrial Technology and Packaging

This study was undertaken to determine the quality of packaged fresh cut cantaloupe subjected to transport vibration after treating with various anti-browning agents. Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) pieces were dipped in two anti-browning solutions: Treatment- A (2% ascorbic acid + 1% calcium chloride + 0.5% citric acid) and Treatment-B (3% NatureSeal™) for 2 minutes and packaged in bio-based clamshell containers and vibrated for 60 minutes (ASTM 4169, Truck assurance level II). Vibration of cut-cantaloupe packaged in sample containers had a positive effect on the flavor and overall liking. The overall liking scores were higher than 6(slightly like) on a hedonic scale …

Optimization Of Engineering Tolerance Design Using Revised Loss Functions, Jeh-Nan Pan, Jianbiao Pan

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Engineering tolerance design plays an important role in modern manufacturing. Both symmetric and asymmetric tolerances are common in many manufacturing processes. Recently, various revised loss functions have been proposed for overcoming the drawbacks of Taguchi's loss function. In this article, Kapur's economic tolerance design model is modified and the economic specification limits for both symmetric and asymmetric losses are established. Three different loss functions are compared in the optimal symmetric and asymmetric tolerance design: a revised Taguchi quadratic loss function, an inverted normal loss function and a revised inverted normal loss function. The relationships among the three loss functions and …

Estimating Vertical Stress On Soil Subjected To Vehicular Loading, Tyler Olmstead, Erika Fischer

United States Army: Publications

This report describes a preliminary study in support of ongoing research to model soil stress resulting from vehicular traffic on unprepared ground. The soils used in this study were sand, wet sand, and silt. The soils in the prepared soil beds were first characterized as to strength, density, and plasticity. Then pressure sensors were embedded at depths of 2 and 5 in. These were then traversed several times by a Mine Detonation Trailer (MDT) and the pressure produced by a single chosen wheel re-corded. The actual measured load of this wheel was 4700 pounds. The same series of measurements were …

Acuta Enews February 2009, Vol 38, No. 2

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

From the President............. Corinne Hoch, Columbia Univ., ACUTA President

Strategic Leadership forum

Tech Talk: "VoIP Is Dead" declaration isn't cause to worry........... Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

Cast your vote in ACUTA election

DC update.............. Dave Ostrom, Washington State Univ. (retired)

Board Report.............. Riny Ledgewood, San Diego State Univ., ACUTA Secretary/Treasurer

Welcome New Members

Check it out: press releases.... job postings.... RFIs/FRPs

Acuta Enews January 2009, Vol 38, No. 1

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This lssue

Board approves slate of nominees for 2009-10

From ACUTA headquarters: looking back and looking ahead.......... Jeri Semer, CAE, Exec. Dir.

Be moderator or monitor at the annual conference

Tech talk: a clean slate, and a clean network, for the new year......... Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

DC update.......... Dave Ostrom, Washington State University (retired)

FCC summit on pandemic preparedness............. Ed Quinn, The Ohio State University

Board Report, December............. Riny Ledgerwood, San Diego State University

Special Deals and discounts from ACUTA corporate members

Thanks to journal advertisers for 2008

Info Links............. Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern Iowa

Welcome New …

Design Of An 8-Channel Data Acquisition System For Measuring Diode Junction Temperature, Jason Maynard

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The solid state lighting industry is striving to expand the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in more applications, particularly in high brightness applications. As the power of LEDs increase, heat removal becomes a critical issue. To improve device lifetime, quantum efficiency, and LED colour, the diode p-n junction temperature (Tj) must be kept to a minimum. Measuring this key parameter is difficult or impossible with direct methods, such as thermocouples and infrared cameras, due to the small size of LEDs. Fortunately, junction temperature can be measured indirectly by using a relationship between the diode forward voltage (Vf) and junction …

A Decision Support System For Capacity Management, Anton Slobodnik

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Every manufacturer faces the challenge of managing production capacity. How effectively a company meets required capacity as compared to competitors will be a determinant of profitability and success.

This paper details the creation of a best of breed software that can act as a decision support system and help planners reschedule work, add shifts and make sure that the master production schedule is feasible before putting it into an MRP system.

As a part of my senior project I’ve created a Rough-Cut Capacity Tool that takes lead time into account and performs basic what if analysis on level loading a …

Visualization Methods And User Interface Design Guidelines For Rapid Decision Making In Complex Multi-Task Time-Critical Environments, Sriram Mahadevan

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Real-world scenarios are complex dynamic systems that are often overloaded with information. Effective performance of these dynamic systems depends on the objects in such systems and the relationship among them. The control of many of these systems is semi-automated. Human operators constantly monitor and control these systems, assess the situation and often make decisions under time pressure. However, this supervisory control paradigm in a dual-task environment can be a very challenging task. Existing interface design methodologies and techniques have not delved deeply enough into defining information displays for complex, dynamic, time-critical, dual-task environments with capabilities for rapid task change awareness …

Solution Techniques For A Crane Sequencing Problem, Jin Shang, Alan Mckendall

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

In the areas of power plant maintenance, shipyard and warehouse management, resources (items) assigned to locations need to be relocated. It is essential to develop efficient techniques for relocating items to new locations using a crane such that the sum of the cost of moving the items and the cost of loading/unloading the items is minimised. This problem is defined as the crane sequencing problem (CSP). Since the CSP determines the routes for a crane to relocate items, it is closely related to some variants of the travelling salesman problem. However, the CSP considers the capacities of locations and intermediate …

Finding And Optimising The Key Factors For The Multiple-Response Manufacturing Process, Jeh-Nan Pan, Jianbiao Pan, Chun-Yi Lee

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

With the advent of modern technology, manufacturing processes became so sophisticated that a single quality characteristic cannot reflect the true product quality. Thus, it is essential to perform the key factor analysis for the manufacturing process with multiple-input (factors) and multiple-output (responses). In this paper, an integrated approach of using the desirability function in conjunction with the Mahalanobis-Taguchi-Gram Schmit (MTGS) system is proposed in order to find and optimise the key factors for a multiple-response manufacturing process. The aim of using the MTGS method is to standardise and orthogonalise the multiple responses so that the Mahalanobis distance for each run …

Effects Of Reflow Profile And Thermal Conditioning On Intermetallic Compound Thickness For Snagcu Soldered Joints, Jianbiao Pan, Tzu-Chien Chou, Jasbir Bath, Dennis Willie, Brian J. Toleno

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of reflow time, reflow peak temperature, thermal shock and thermal aging on the intermetallic compound (IMC) thickness for Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu (SAC305) soldered joints.
Design/methodology/approach – A four-factor factorial design with three replications is selected in the experiment. The input variables are the peak temperature, the duration of time above solder liquidus temperature (TAL), solder alloy and thermal shock. The peak temperature has three levels, 12, 22 and 32°C above solder liquidus temperatures (or 230, 240 and 250°C for SAC305 and 195, 205, and 215°C for SnPb). The TAL has …

Comparison Of The Trivalent Live Attenuated Vs. Inactivated Influenza Vaccines Among U.S. Military Service Members, Angelia A. Eick, Zhong Wang, Hayley Hughes, Stephen M. Ford, Steven K. Tobler

United States Army: Publications

Limited effectiveness data are available comparing live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) to inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) among adults. To compare the incidence of influenza-like illness following immunization of adults with LAIV vs. TIV,we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of active component U.S. military personnel for the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 influenza seasons. Recruits experienced a much higher burden of disease compared to non-recruits, with crude incidence rates of influenza-like illness 2–16 times higher than non-recruits depending on the season and cohort. For both seasons, a slightly greater protection from influenza-like illness was found for non-recruits who received TIV compared to LAIV …

Unimolecular Decomposition Of 5-Aminotetrazole And Its Tautomer 5-Iminotetrazole: New Insight From Isopotential Searching, Kristian W. Paul, Margaret M. Hurley, Karl K. Irikura

United States Army: Publications

Aminotetrazole compounds have become attractive ingredients in gas generating compositions, solid rocket propellants, and green pyrotechnics. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of their thermal decomposition mechanisms and thermodynamics is of great interest. In this study, the specular reflection isopotential searching method was used to investigate the unimolecular decomposition mechanisms of 5-iminotetrazole (5-ITZ), 1H-5-aminotetrazole (1H-5-ATZ), and 2H-5-aminotetrazole (2H-5-ATZ). Subsequent thermochemical analysis of the unimolecular decomposition pathways was performed at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6- 311++G(3df,3pd) level of theory. Based upon the relative reaction barriers predicted in this study, the initial gaseous products of 5-ITZ unimolecular decomposition are HN₃ and NH₂CN (calculated activation …

Three Examples Where The Specific Surface Area Of Snow Increased Over Time, F. Domine, A. S. Taillandier, A. Cabanes, T. A. Douglas, M. Sturm

United States Army: Publications

Snow on the ground impacts climate through its high albedo and affects atmospheric composition through its ability to adsorb chemical compounds. The quantification of these effects requires the knowledge of the specific surface area (SSA) of snow and its rate of change. All relevant studies indicate that snow SSA decreases over time. Here, we report for the first time three cases where the SSA of snow increased over time. These are (1) the transformation of a melt-freeze crust into depth hoar, producing an increase in SSA from 3.4 to 8.8m² kg⁻¹. (2) The mobilization of surface snow …

Three Examples Where The Specific Surface Area Of Snow Increased Over Time, F. Domine, A.-S. Taillandier, A. Cabanes, T. A. Douglas, M. Sturm

United States Army: Publications

Snow on the ground impacts climate through its high albedo and affects atmospheric composition through its ability to adsorb chemical compounds. The quantification of these effects requires the knowledge of the specific surface area (SSA) of snow and its rate of change. All relevant studies indicate that snow SSA decreases over time. Here, we report for the first time three cases where the SSA of snow increased over time. These are (1) the transformation of a melt-freeze crust into depth hoar, producing an increase in SSA from 3.4 to 8.8m² kg⁻¹. (2) The mobilization of surface snow …

Automated Fixture Design For A Rapid Machining Process, Wutthigrai Boonsuk, Matthew C. Frank

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Rapid prototyping techniques for CNC machining have been developed in an effort to produce functional prototypes in appropriate materials. One of the major challenges for rapid machining is to develop an automatic fixturing system for securing the part during the machining process. The method proposed in this paper is the use of sacrificial fixturing, similar to the support structures in existing rapid processes like Stereolithography. During the machining process, sacrificial supports emerge incrementally and, at the end of the process, are the only entities connecting the part to the stock material. This paper presents methodologies for the design of sacrificial …