An inspection-repair model is developed that presumes inspection
is hazardous to the system being inspected. The form of the optimal
inspection-repair policy is determined for different ranges of the
model's parameters. The model is formulated as a partially observable
Markov decision process with finite numbers of states and actions.
The...
Design phase decisions based on diagnosability lead to lower system costs and, in turn, higher quality products by means of reducing maintenance time and increasing system reliability. A case for diagnosability is presented. Functions of diagnosability are expounded upon including life cycle costs, statistical analysis, and design criterion to emphasize...
The atmospheric fluidized bed combustor (AFBC) is an alternative to
the pulverized coal burner. The size of a utility scale AFBC would be
enormous so that the use of large particles is necessary to reduce its
size. In modeling the combustion of coal and capture of sulfur released
from the...
An open area of research in complex systems is to move reliability and failure assessments earlier in the engineering design process. When compared to later design, early decisions are cost effective and have a large impact on the system. Standard methods are limited by the availability of data and often...
A model reduction method for stable, linear, time-invariant,
continuous systems is critically studied. This
method, proposed by Prof. Ouyang, is based on the concept
of power dispersion and the least-squared estimation
technique. The reduced models obtained by this method retain
the stability of the stable, high order original systems and...
The objective of this study is the development and
verification of an analytical solution for an unsteady
flow field partially occupied by a permeable structure.
Flow is induced by a small amplitude incident wave
train and the permeable structure may contain multilayered
anisotropic but homogeneous material. The analytical
solution developed...
Statistically-based estimation techniques are presented
in this study. These techniques incorporate structural test
data to improve finite element models used for dynamic
analysis.
Methods are developed to identify optimum values of the
parameters of finite element models describing structures.
The parameters which may be identified are : element area,
mass...
An optimization methodology, algorithms, and computer program for
cable/lumped-body deployment system are developed for the design and installation of
sonar packages in deep ocean ranges. In addition, a methodology and algorithms for the
control of the system are proposed.
A penalty function is developed in terms of the system parameters...
Deep foundations are necessary for the construction of many structures, such as bridges and buildings, located in areas unsuitable for shallow foundations. Owing to the inherent variability of soil and the complex changes that occur in the soil adjacent to deep foundations as they are installed, the ability to accurately...