Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Automated construction management systems'
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Myles, John F. "Discovering critical success factors for implementing an automated performance measurement system : a case study approach." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2008. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/210.
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In this age of the Information Economy, access to accurate and timely information is necessary to ensure business success. Underpinning this success is the ability of organisations to react to change and manage utilising automated performance measurement systems (APMS) which exploit the latest technology. Little is known about how organisations utilise such automated performance measurement systems, what drives their strategies, how they implement the systems and what the critical, factors for success are. There has been little research published to date on performance measurement software applications and their implementations (Murr &. Neely, 2003). The research outcomes in this thesis will hopefully benefit many users who have or are planning to implement performance measurement software.
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Bhagwan, Ranjita. "Automated availability management in large-scale storage systems /." Diss., Connect to a 24 p. preview or request complete full text in PDF format. Access restricted to UC campuses, 2004. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p3144326.
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Baxendale, Anthony Thomas. "Construction management information systems for production control." Thesis, University of the West of England, Bristol, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.334455.
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Goold, Jennifer L. "A systems approach for acquiring an automated maintenance management system." Master's thesis, This resource online, 1990. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-12162009-020022/.
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Calheiros, Rodrigo N. "Automated emulation of distributed systems through system management and virtualization." Pontif?cia Universidade Cat?lica do Rio Grande do Sul, 2010. http://tede2.pucrs.br/tede2/handle/tede/5086.
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Previous issue date: 2010-03-05Sistemas distribu?dos s?o compostos de elementos computacionais geograficamente distribu?dos que pertencem a m?ltiplos dom?nios administrativos controlados por m?ltiplas entidades. Estas caracter?sticas dificultam testes e avalia??es nesta plataforma, porque dificilmente testadores/avaliadores de sistemas ou pol?ticas adquirem repetidamente os mesmo recursos pela mesmo per?odo de tempo sob as mesmas condi??es de rede, o que s?o requisitos fundamentais para testes reproduz?veis e controlados do software em desenvolvimento. Uma alternativa a experimentos em plataformas reais ? emula??o, onde o modelo de um sistema executa o software real sob teste. A tecnologia de virtualiza??o possibilita o desenvolvimento de emuladores eficientes porque ela oferece meios para multiplexa??o e isolamento de recursos. Apesar da virtualiza??o facilitar o desenvolvimento de emuladores, pouco esfor?o tem sido feito para isolar testadores/avaliadores de sistemas ou pol?ticas da opera??o das ferramentas e do ambiente virtualizado. Esta tese apresenta o Automated Emulation Framework (AEF), que aplica tecnologias de virtualiza??o e ger?ncia de sistemas em um cluster de esta??es de trabalho a fim de oferecer uma ferramenta automatizada para emula??o de sistemas distribu?dos. Tr?s atividades principais s?o realizadas pelo AEF: primeiro, ele realiza o mapeamento das m?quinas virtuais que representam n?s do ambiente distribu?do emulado para n?s do cluster e dos links entre m?quinas virtuais para caminhos na rede f?sica; segundo, ele realiza a instala??o e configura??o autom?tica das m?quinas virtuais no cluster e rede virtual na rede do cluster; terceiro, ele realiza configura??o e disparo autom?tico de experimentos no sistema emulado, monitora??o e controle do ambiente e aplica??es, e reconfigura??o do sistema em caso de viola??es nas demandas do testador/avaliador de sistemas ou pol?ticas. Em rela??o ? primeira atividade, o problema de mapeamento ? definido formalmente e quatro her?sticas para solu??o do problema s?o desenvolvidas e avaliadas com o uso de simula??o de eventos discretos. Em rela??o ?s duas ?ltimas atividades, a arquitetura do AEF ? descrita em detalhes. Al?m do mais, um prot?tipo do AEF ? desenvolvido e avaliado atrav?s da realiza??o de experimentos no contexto de grades computacionais. Experimentos mostram que a arquitetura ? realiz?vel e que AEF pode ser uma ferramenta valiosa para experimenta??o repetida e control?vel de sistemas distribu?dos.
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Calheiros, Rodrigo Neves. "Automated emulation of distributed systems through system management and virtualization." Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10923/1700.
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Previous issue date: 2010Distributed systems are composed of geographically distributed computing elements that belong to multiple administrative domains and are controlled by multiple entities. These characteristics from distributed systems make hard the task of testing and evaluating software for this platform, because it is unlikely that testers/system or policy evaluators are able to acquire repeatedly the same re- sources, for the same amount of time, and under the same network conditions, which are paramount requirements for enabling reproducible and controlled tests in software under development. An al- ternative to experiments in real testbeds is emulation, where a model of a system hosts the actual software under test. Virtualization technology enables development of efficient emulators because it offers means for resources multiplexing and isolation. Even though virtualization makes easier development of emulators, there are few efforts in isolating testers/system or policy evaluators from operation of the virtualization tools and environment. This thesis presents Automated Emulation Framework (AEF), which applies virtualization and systems management technology in a cluster of workstations to provide testers/system or policy evaluators with a tool for automated emulation of distributed systems. Three main activities are performed by AEF. First, it performs the mapping of virtual machines that represents nodes from the emulated distributed environment to cluster nodes and emulated links between virtual machines to paths in the physical network; second, it performs automated installation and configuration of virtual machines in the cluster and virtual network in the cluster network; third, it performs automated configuration and triggering of experiments in the emulated system, monitoring and control of environment and applications, and system reconfigu- ration in case of violations in the tester/system or policy evaluator demands. Regarding the first activity, the mapping problem is formally defined and four heuristics for solution of the problem are developed and evaluated with the use of discrete-event simulation. Regarding the last two activities, AEF architecture is described in details. Furthermore, an AEF prototype is developed and evalu- ated by execution of experiments in the context of grid computing. Experiment results show that implementation of the architecture is feasible and that AEF can be a valuable tool for repeatable and controllable distributed systems experimentation.
Sistemas distribuídos são compostos de elementos computacionais geograficamente distribuídos que pertencem a múltiplos domínios administrativos controlados por múltiplas entidades. Estas características dificultam testes e avaliações nesta plataforma, porque dificilmente testadores/avaliadores de sistemas ou políticas adquirem repetidamente os mesmo recursos pela mesmo período de tempo sob as mesmas condições de rede, o que são requisitos fundamentais para testes reproduzíveis e controlados do software em desenvolvimento. Uma alternativa a experimentos em plataformas reais é emulação, onde o modelo de um sistema executa o software real sob teste. A tecnologia de virtualização possibilita o desenvolvimento de emuladores eficientes porque ela oferece meios para multiplexação e isolamento de recursos. Apesar da virtualização facilitar o desenvolvimento de emuladores, pouco esforço tem sido feito para isolar testadores/avaliadores de sistemas ou políticas da operação das ferramentas e do ambiente virtualizado. Esta tese apresenta o Automated Emulation Framework (AEF), que aplica tecnologias de virtualização e gerência de sistemas em um cluster de estações de trabalho a fim de oferecer uma ferramenta automatizada para emulação de sistemas distribuídos. Três atividades principais são realizadas pelo AEF: primeiro, ele realiza o mapeamento das máquinas virtuais que representam nós do ambiente distribuído emulado para nós do cluster e dos links entre máquinas virtuais para caminhos na rede física; segundo, ele realiza a instalação e configuração automática das máquinas virtuais no cluster e rede virtual na rede do cluster; terceiro, ele realiza configuração e disparo automático de experimentos no sistema emulado, monitoração e controle do ambiente e aplicações, e reconfiguração do sistema em caso de violações nas demandas do testador/avaliador de sistemas ou políticas. Em relação à primeira atividade, o problema de mapeamento é definido formalmente e quatro herísticas para solução do problema são desenvolvidas e avaliadas com o uso de simulação de eventos discretos. Em relação às duas últimas atividades, a arquitetura do AEF é descrita em detalhes. Além do mais, um protótipo do AEF é desenvolvido e avaliado através da realização de experimentos no contexto de grades computacionais. Experimentos mostram que a arquitetura é realizável e que AEF pode ser uma ferramenta valiosa para experimentação repetida e controlável de sistemas distribuídos.
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Venganti, Thirupathi. "Outage management via powerline communication based automated meter reading systems." Master's thesis, Mississippi State : Mississippi State University, 2004. http://library.msstate.edu/etd/show.asp?etd=etd-12162003-144004.
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Pretorius, Linda. "Remote information management of an automated manufacturing system." Thesis, Bloemfontein : Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/104.
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Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007With technology advancing, more and more people turn to the World Wide Web to conduct business. This may include buying and selling on the Web, advertising and monitoring of business activities. There is a big need for software and systems that enable remote monitoring and controlling of business activities. The Mechatronics Research Group of the Faculty of Engineering, Information and Communication Technology at the Central University of Technology, Free State, has identified a similar need. This research group has created an Automated Manufacturing System around which research topics revolve. They want to monitor this Automated Manufacturing System from remote locations like their offices or, if possible, from home. The Remote Information Management (RIM) System was developed, using the Rapid Application Development (RAD) Methodology. The reasons why this methodology was used, is because it is the best to use in a changing environment, when the system needs to be developed very quickly and when most of the data is already available. This is a good description of the Automated Manufacturing System’s environment. The RAD methodology consists of four stages: Requirements Planning, User Design, Rapid Construction and Transition. Project Management is used throughout these stages to ensure that the project goes according to plan. Development of the RIM system went through all four stages and project management was applied. The final system consisted of a Web Page with Web Camera views of the Automated Manufacturing System. The application that was developed using National Instruments LabVIEW, Microsoft Visual C++, and Microsoft Excel, is embedded in this Web Page. This application is called a Virtual Instrument (VI). The VI shows real-time data from the Automated Manufacturing System. Control over the VI can be granted and will allow the remote user to create reports on how many different products was produced and system downtimes. A system like the RIM System has advantages in the business world. It can enable telecommuting and will allow employees and managers to monitor (and even control) manufacturing systems, or any system connected to a PLC, from remote locations.
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Crasilşcic, Veaceslav. "STUDY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR POST-CONSTRUCTION AUTOMATED BIRD MITIGATION SYSTEMS FROM STAKEHOLDER’S PERSPECTIVE." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-300805.
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The expansion of wind power comes with additional risks for bird populations, one of which is the collision with wind turbine components, mainly the rotating blades. In order to mitigate this risk, few systems on the market propose solutions with modules that deter the birds from the wind turbine or trigger the temporary shutdown of the turbines.The thesis seeks to obtain a common view from different stakeholders in order to create a list of requirements that the bird protection systems must have so as to be accepted by all the parties involved in the wind industry in Sweden. In order to meet this objective, interviews were conducted with interested stakeholders. Consequently, the interviews were summarized and common points were extracted to create a list of requirements and additional suggestions.Firstly, a comprehensive literature review was done that has pointed out issues like impacts of wind farms on bird species, especially raptors, causes of bird mortality, environmental legislation in European Union and Sweden, and current solutions on mitigating the risk of collisions with wind turbines onshore. Additionally, the author looked up into the most efficient ways to engage the stakeholders in constructive discussions and develop an easy framework for presenting the requirements.The primary data was collected through interviews with stakeholders representing 12 organizations. In the next steps, the data was analyzed by summarizing each interview and identifying the common and differentiating points in respondents’ views and suggestions over automated bird mitigation systems. The identified points laid the basis for a list of requirements considered important for safe and efficient bird mitigation systems in Sweden. Among others, stakeholders identified that the most crucial issues regarding bird mitigation systems are the response time to shutdown of the turbine, distance from the birds’ species living areas, need of species identification in bad weather conditions and night time and overall financial feasibility of such technologies.
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王得華 and Tak-wah Wong. "Object-oriented methods for the design of automated manufacturing systems." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1998. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B29900025.
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De, Souza Robert B. R. "The management of tool flow in highly automated batch manufacturing systems." Thesis, Loughborough University, 1988. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/28059.
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An overall framework to provide a complete tool management solution to an existing or specified manufacturing system is constructed, and prototype software provided, for a hierarchy of levels of tool flow automation. The work is targeted at the design and operation of tooling systems for prismatic parts flexible machining systems ranging from stand-alone unmanned machining stations to highly automated multi-machine multi-cell configurations. The research work moves from identification and category definition of a tool flow network appropriate for the manufacturing requirements, through the careful selection and definition of operating rules and strategies to the evaluation of the options available for tool issue and assignment. Two main computer aids (design facilities) to provide support in a systems thinking approach to tool flow management have been developed and tested with the aid of case studies. The essential role of these design facilities is the timely scheduling of tools to satisfy a short to medium term manufacturing task, and to examine the cost and number of captive tools under selected rules and strategies.
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Bodner, Douglas Anthony. "Real-time control approaches to deadlock management in automated manufacturing systems." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/25607.
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Ndekugri, Issaka E. "Construction contract information management : an integrated systems approach." Thesis, Loughborough University, 1986. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/6731.
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Even by 1980 it was observed that software for construction management comprised many independent packages with different programming languages and hardware. By and large, not only were these packages stand alone systems but they were also not suitable for their individual functions. Not only do construction projects increase in complexity but competition and volatile markets also generate pressures for better management and that requires integrated and effective systems. The hypothesis of this research has been that computer technology and systems concepts can be used to develop the necessary tools that will make integration possible and effective. To that end, the following research has been undertaken: * an investigation of the causes of the lack of integration, *a survey of the operations of the management functions, * the specification, development and testing of a computer-based system called PLUS VAL to demonstrate the viability of integration, * an assessment of PLUS VAL. Causes of lack of integration revealed include: * segregated education, training and working of functional groups, * development of software by people without the relevant expertise, * inadequate research and failure to apply research findings due to the structure of the construction industry. A survey of the operations showed: * the various methods of carrying them out, * the flow of data among them, * their interdependencies. The major features of PLUS VAL are: * it assists valuations, purchasing management and cost control, * it can be linked to estimating, planninq and accounting, * it allows quick access to contract information. Its assessment which involved demonstrating it to and interviewing potential users, and comparisons with similar packages commercially available showed that: * It provides all the facilities that the users wanted * It covers all the methods of operations of companies contacted - * It is more comprehensive than those surveyed - * Integration is possible and provides such benefits as: . reduced costs of data capture, . better use of computer storage, . reduced turn around times of data processing, increased data consistency. The results of the research show that the application of computer technology and systems concepts can produce effective integrated systems which not only assists contractors in carrying out their obligations but also provide reliable information for decision-making.
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Ebner, Ellen E. (Ellen Elizabeth). "A systems approach to procurement of automated technology." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98980.
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Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2015. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (page 89).
Company A's Product Group B (PGB) is developing an automated system to complete final assembly of the Component, a structural member of the product that includes technology supporting two features of the product's competitive advantage. PGB contracted with an industry partner to supply the automated assembly system, which will be built and tested in 2015. Amid the wide spread perception that automation projects purchased from suppliers include schedule delays and performance deficiencies, PGB must specify the activities to verify automated assembly system performance prior to purchasing it from the Supplier. Interviews with project teams were completed to gather data about the procurement of existing automated systems at Company A. A range of success in completing project buyoff on time with no deficiencies was found with variation in buyoff results mainly associated with the presence or lack of fully-defined requirements and detailed procedures to verify and validate the system according to the requirements. The findings led to the hypothesis that automation system buyoff can be improved by applying an approach that includes development of good requirements, planning detailed procedures to verify and validate the system according to the requirements, and tracking progress towards meeting requirements to a schedule. To test the hypothesis, an approach to buyoff plan development and execution incorporating these factors was defined and then evaluated using a model. Buyoff of the automated assembly system will occur in 2015 according to the approach defined in this research. Results should be evaluated to validate the hypothesis and provide evidence for further buyoff plan improvement.
by Ellen E. Ebner.
M.B.A.
S.M.
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Chan, Man-wai. "The relationship between project funding and construction systems /." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 1997. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B1900350X.
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Bohn, Jeffrey S. "Benefits and barriers of construction project monitoring using hi-resolution automated cameras." Thesis, Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/28203.
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Woo, Han-Gyun. "Reuse of Scenario Specifications Using an Automated Relational Learner." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2005. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/cis_diss/2.
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Software specification by scenarios has grown with the popularity of object-oriented software engineering. Scenarios such as use cases provide a bridge from the informal descriptions gathered from user interviews toward the more formal software model. Yet, practitioners still request more explicit methodological guidance and more adequate tool support for authoring quality scenarios. Researchers have been seeking a means to overcome the limitations of use cases such as partialness and incompleteness. One of such research streams is an extension of scenarios with more formal representation schemes. This approach may reduce incompleteness of scenarios; however, applicability of the approach to practice remains open to discussion, considering that the current usage of formal scenario representations is very low. This research takes software reuse approach to assist scenario-building process. In the proposed approach, a software analyst defines an initial description of a scenario. An automated tool support then presents a set of similar use cases retrieved from a database of use cases. The analyst adapts a retrieved use case to the current purpose. This dissertation research is expected to have unique contributions to research and practice. The proposed automated scenario reuse provides a viable solution to guide scenario-authoring process without imposing an additional burden of adding formal annotations to system specifications on system analysts. By adopting a machinelearning algorithm based on relational structure matching, the scenario reuse places more focus on UML semantics, relational information among UML elements rather than syntactic attributes of scenarios or natural language descriptions. In addition, the proposed scenario reuse can be augmented with other approaches and design artifacts, depending on customized needs in a given context of problem domains. In terms of research methodology, this dissertation research takes four steps. First, I develop prototype software for the automated tool support. It can be incorporated into a CASE tool as an add-in program. Second, preliminary case studies are taken to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed approach. Third, expert opinions are collected regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of the tool support. Finally, a lab experiment and a free simulation experiment are conducted for more rigorous empirical validation.
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McCrea, Anna Maria. "Genetic-based optimisation technique for the development of automated inspection and restoration systems for bridges." Thesis, City University London, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.301019.
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Herrera, Jason (Jason Richard). "Evaluation of control systems for automated aircraft wing manufacturing." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/82484.
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Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics; in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2013.This electronic version was submitted and approved by the author's academic department as part of an electronic thesis pilot project. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from department-submitted PDF version of thesis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-64).
The Boeing Company is looking to bring aircraft manufacturing technology into the 21st century. As part of this process, several projects have been started to develop the technologies required to achieve Boeing's vision for the future of aircraft manufacturing. To date, much of this work has focused on hardware, including robotic and other automation technologies. However, in order to use this hardware, a significant effort must also be made in the area of factory control and coordination. This thesis advances knowledge in this area by evaluating the suitability of different control system approaches for aircraft wing box assembly. First, general classes of control systems are discussed and several criteria are proposed for evaluating their performance in an aircraft manufacturing environment. The current wing box assembly process is then examined in order to develop simplified but representative task networks to which various algorithms can be applied. The Tercio algorithm, developed at MIT, is used to generate schedules for several problem structures of interest in order to characterize the algorithm's performance in this context. The Tercio algorithm is then benchmarked against the Aurora scheduling tool, showing that Tercio can generate more efficient schedules than Aurora, but at the cost of increased computation time. Next, management considerations with respect to product design, manufacturing technology development, and implementation associated with advanced manufacturing technologies are discussed. Finally, recommendations are provided for how Boeing can accelerate the development of useful and practical advanced, automated manufacturing systems.
by Jason Herrera.
S.M.
M.B.A.
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Sullivan, James A. "Management of autonomous systems in the Navy's Automated Digital Network System (ADNS)." Monterey, Calif. : Springfield, Va. : Naval Postgraduate School ; Available from National Technical Information Service, 1997. http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA341474.
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Thesis (M.S. in Information Technology Management) Naval Postgraduate School, September 1997."September 1997." Thesis advisor(s): Rex Buddenberg, Suresh Sridhar. Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-84). Also available online.
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Roberts, Ellen E. "Streamlined automated logistics transmission system program management and commercial satellite systems analyses." Thesis, Monterey, Calif. : Springfield, Va. : Naval Postgraduate School ; Available from National Technical Information Service, 1999. http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA366174.
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Thesis (M.S. in Systems Techology (Command, Control, and Communications)) Naval Postgraduate School, June 1999."June 1999". Thesis advisor(s): John Osmundson, Douglas Brinkley. Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-84). Also available online.
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Cook, Iain Murray. "Risk analysis and management systems in South African construction project management practices." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3469.
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Risk management (RM) should be seen as one of the most important functions in the South African built environment. Without the effective management of the risks associated with the industry, the noble vision of a sector that is efficient, profitable, and sustainable cannot be achieved. By embracing tried and tested policies that successfully mitigate risk, industry stakeholders will achieve many project successes, and will outlast any competitors that choose to ignore, or are ignorant of the fact, that the negative impact risk has on projects is inversely proportional to the level of RM employed. Construction Project Management (CPM) practices, realising that there are excellent business opportunities across South Africa’s borders, and faced with a competitive South African market, are engaging with developers and government entities involved in cross border projects in the hope of securing these potentially lucrative African projects. With this move into Africa comes increased uncertainty and risk for these CPM practices, and other project stakeholders. Similarly, CPM practices that have made the strategic decision to remain operational only within South Africa’s borders, are faced with a competitive and complex built environment and industry, made increasingly challenging by a weakening economy, exacerbated by industrial strikes, infrastructure deficiencies and a decrease in industry skill levels. This study reports on Project Managers’ (PMs’) perceptions of project failures and inefficiencies resulting from inadequate RM on projects, including the RM methodologies currently being employed. The study focused on perceptions of PMs who operate within South Africa’s borders, PMs that operate across border into other African countries, as well as PMs who operate exclusively within South Africa’s built environment framework. A study was undertaken incorporating qualitative methodologies via a normative survey. The survey was split into three main phases. Phase one employed the use of a pilot survey executed with the objective of further investigating the main sub-problems to gain more insight into the related issues and challenges. For the pilot survey, PMs were selected based on their engagement in CPM activities within South Africa as well as across South Africa’s borders into other African countries. Phase two of the main survey, with the sample stratum being the Association of Construction Project Managers (ACPM), was aimed at PMs within the ACPM who have engaged, or are engaging, in CPM activities both within South Africa’s borders as well as across South Africa’s borders into other African countries. Phase 3 of the main survey, with the sample stratum being the ACPM, was aimed at PMs within the ACPM who have engaged, or are engaging, in CPM activities within South Africa’s borders only and have not engaged in cross border activities. Survey findings identified the commercial sector and value of the projects undertaken by the practices, the level of risk associated with different client typologies, the link between inadequate RM and project inefficiency and failure, and the importance of RM on projects. Findings also identified that RM methodologies are employed by CPM practices, and that CPM practices generally endeavour to create a culture of risk awareness amongst employees. Further findings indicated that CPM practices may not always understand the risks associated with new industry sectors, regions or countries that they are considering operating within, and that that there is room for improvement regarding the effectiveness of current RM systems. Survey findings also indicated that risk is not always transferred to the correct project stakeholder most suited to managing the risk, and CPM practices are not always able to accurately quantify the costs associated with project risk. Furthermore, it was identified that CPM practices do not always undertaken risk assessments (RAs) at the correct project stage resulting in inadequate risk contingencies allowances, regular risk reviews are not always undertaken for projects, project pre-mortems are seen as valuable tools by CPM practices as a method to reduce future risk, and project post-mortems relative to ‘lessons learnt’ are not always undertaken. Conclusions outline the link between effective RM, project inefficiencies and project failure, as well as the increase or decrease in risk relative to ineffective or effective use of risk identification and management methodologies for time, cost, and quality factors respectively. Conclusions also outline the fact that although CPM practices generally understand the link between RM and project success, they are not always able to fully comprehend the risks associated with new industry sectors, regions or cross border countries. This indicates that without the adequate identification of risk, the RM process or steps that follow the qualitative risk identification process will have little or no value. This is indicative of the requirement for professional associations to consolidate risk data for industry activities with the aim of improving the level of RM industry wide. Recommendations highlight the importance of the compiling of sector specific risk registers, compiled by the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) with registered member input, made available to all PMs via the SACPCMPs online database. Further recommendations include: the engendering, by senior management of CPM practices; a healthy ‘risk aware’ culture, by promoting RM practices aligned with best practice methodologies; the implementation of well balanced and formal RM systems throughout the CPM practice, with the aim of achieving effective RM without overburdening PMs with unnecessary documentation or ‘paperwork’; the attendance of risk conferences and workshops by all CPM practices, aimed at specifically identifying challenges that exist with RM and methods that can be employed to improve the status quo; the attendance of formal risk training courses, by all CPM practices, aimed at improving the knowledge base of PMs relative to effective RM, and the appointment of risk professionals, driven by the monetary value and risk levels of the project, to undertake the RM process and unburden PMs from the task, allowing PMs to concentrate on the other project knowledge areas.
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Saoud, Ehab A. B. "Expert systems for management training in the construction industry." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/654.
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The construction industry is based on age old skills where 'man' has been the builder and is coupled to his creative ability and skilled craftsmanship. This significant dependency on human resources continues to this day and thus the success of the construction industry is linked to making effective use of the human resources through training programmes. The research presented in this thesis investigates the use of expert systems in such management training programmes. The work described in this thesis includes a literature survey in chapter 2 on different aspects of human resources management with particular emphasis on management training and learning styles. Chapter 3 presents the results and analysis of the civil engineering and management practices survey, which was carried out during this research. The survey focused mainly on management training and attitude towards computer technology within the construction industry. Expert systems as a branch of artificial intelligence is discussed in chapter 4, where an assessment of the usefulness of using expert systems in different areas of construction management is carried out. Research methodology and techniques of knowledge acquisition applied in this research are presented in chapter 5. The process of the different stages in the development of the contract and safety management expert system is presented in chapter 6, which further describes the structure in which the system was designed. Finally, in order to assess the usefulness of the expert system tool developed, a summative evaluation is carried out. This evaluation examines many factors including attitudes towards computing, human-computer interaction, knowledge base design, use of expert system for training and expert system evaluation tests. Evaluation results and analysis are presented in chapter 7. It is concluded that there is certainty about the importance of management training in the construction industry. Developing expert systems for such training can be used as an aid tool in many training programmes. The choice of the development tool is considered to be an important function in this research in order to achieve the anticipated results by utilising the available resources. Evaluation of different shells was carried out against the criteria mentioned in chapter 4 and CRYSTAL 4.5 was chosen as the tool to be used in this research. During the development of the expert system, CRYSTAL 4.5 proved to be flexible and fast in structuring the knowledge base. The research also revealed the importance of the evaluation as an essential element of any systematic training program. Results obtained from the contract and safety management expert system evaluation (70% in favour of using expert systems for training) suggested that most trainees managed to grasp the subject information. Only a minority of trainees experienced difficulties during the training program. Those trainees will benefit from the implementation of the points which are raised in chapter 7.
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Gunning, Joseph Gerard. "The enhancement of quality in construction project management." Thesis, University of Ulster, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.272303.
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Khuris, Hassan. "Sustainable Construction Waste Management System in Saudi Arabia (SCWMS)." Digital Commons at Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School, 2015. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/420.
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A major problem is looming in Saudi Arabia. The problem is a direct result of the ever growing volume of construction waste. Collecting construction waste firms are guilty of dumping waste on undeveloped lands creating a nuisance and public hazard. Landfills in major Saudi cities are nearing capacity. The facilities to sort out recyclable materials from construction waste are nearly non-existent. As a result, materials that could be recycled end up being lost in dumpsite or landfills. The cost of construction materials continues to rise with inflation. There exists opportunities to help contain construction costs, reduce landfill use, and make Saudi Arabia more ecologically compliant by applying a sustainable construction waste system. This opportunity exists in construction waste management system, and how to manage it? Providing a new or revised system will provide a more efficient and effective job in managing construction waste and will resolve many concerns for the citizens of major Saudi Arabian cities.
This paper proposes how multiple problems will be solved by developing and implementing a sustainable system to recycle construction waste and use it in the construction sector. The solution that will be chosen will maximize revenue generation from recycling, provide needed materials to the construction industry for reuse, will minimize landfill use when compared to current methods, and will support a more "green" Saudi Arabia than the current system provides.
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Ravenel, John Bishop. "Applying human-machine interaction design principles to retrofit existing automated freight planning systems." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/122253.
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Thesis: M. Eng. in Supply Chain Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Supply Chain Management Program, 2019Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 66-70).
With the increased application of cognitive computing across the spectrum of industries, companies strive to ready their people and machines for future system change. Based on resource constraints, business needs, and the speed of change, many companies may opt for system augmentation rather than the adoption of entirely new systems. At the same time, changes in technology are increasing at paces never before realized. Against this backdrop, human actors and machines are working together interactively in new and increasing ways. Further, recent business model innovations, particularly in the retail space, have cast focus on logistics execution as a potential major competitive advantage. In this context, we considered the conceptual question of how best to iteratively improve a logistics planning system, which is composed of both human and machine actors, to reduce transportation and labor costs and increase the ability of the organization to think and act strategically.
In order to front these current technological realities - the need to stage for agent based systems and cognitive computing, the likelihood of system retrofit over rebuild, the ever increasing rate of change, and the rapid intertwining of human and machine roles - we proposed using human-machine interaction (HMI) design paradigms to retrofit an existing loosely coupled human-machine planning system. While HMI principles are normally applied to tightly coupled systems such as jet airplanes, the HMI architectural design applied novelly in this case showed significant application to an existing loosely coupled planning system. In addition to meeting the realities of today's competitive landscape, the developed HMI framework is tailored to a retrofit situation and also meets resiliency considerations. That novel conceptual proposal of HMI frameworks to an existing loosely coupled joint cognitive planning system shows tremendous promise to address these imminent realities.
With regards to the particular freight planning system considered, 71% of manual interventions were caused by the wrong sourcing facility being assigned to supply pallets to a customer. The remaining intervention causes were carrier changes 18%, customer restrictions 9%, and one change prompted by a data discrepancy. Further, at a conceptual level, the application of HMI frameworks to an existing freight planning system was effective at isolating data and alignment incongruences, displayed lower communication costs than recurrent system rework processes, and tethered well with system resiliency factors.
by John Bishop Ravenel.
M. Eng. in Supply Chain Management
M.Eng.inSupplyChainManagement Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Supply Chain Management Program
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Lee, Jae Ho, and n/a. "Modeling Computer Integated Construction Site Management." Griffith University. School of Engineering, 2004. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20040322.132814.
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Construction is one of the most information-dependent industries compared to other sectors. Computers have been used to improve the efficiency of management in most businesses including the construction industry. Treating information efficiently is the key to maintaining an edge over competitors and for success in business. However, in order to succeed, companies must choose a management system that is most suited to their operations. The difficulty about computerization in civil engineering is that the construction industry does not have trained IT experts with Civil engineering or Management background. Although there are many computer applications for project management, almost all the applications required some form of manual modification for updating information. In a construction project, time and accurate information is vitally important in order to accomplish scheduled completion. A small change in plan costs money and time in both the traditional methods as well as current IT applications. The main reason is that there is no direct link between the head office and the regional site office and there is no quick link between site office and site engineers who are out in the field for most of the time. This study proposes the design of an information transfer system to improve construction site management. A Web-based Construction Site Management system called WCSM will be developed. WCSM incorporates some major features including: Integration of Web technology and mobile computing into construction site management and automatic project schedule updates. The performance of WCSM is evaluated through virtual simulations, and comparisons with other relevant applications are reported. These evaluations showed that WCSM required significantly less time, for initial project set up and modifications during project implementation, when compared to MS Project and Micro Planner.
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Munson, P. "The social construction of management information systems in a hospital." Thesis, Nottingham Trent University, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.254403.
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Griffith, Alan. "Expanding knowledge and practice of construction management systems and procedures." Thesis, Sheffield Hallam University, 2006. http://shura.shu.ac.uk/20163/.
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This submission is a highly focused collection of research-based and scholarly publications in the specialist field of Construction Management. Emphasis is placed on management systems and procedures involved in the procurement and production phases of the total building process. A coherent, original, independent and significant contribution to the advancement and application of knowledge has been made through applied research and dissemination of findings to academic peers, construction industry professionals and students in higher education. This has been achieved through: academic, professional and research-based textbooks; research monographs; refereed papers in learned journals; refereed papers to premier national and international conferences; and papers to foremost construction industry professional institutions. Textbooks have been published by Macmillan, Thomas-Telford in collaboration with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Longman and Palgrave with three commissioned by and contributing to the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) 'Education Framework' for construction industry. Peer-reviewed papers have been published by eminent journals based within the UK, North America, Australia, Hong Kong and China whilst refereed conference papers have been published both in the UK and internationally at leading research symposia. Among the refereed journal and conference papers presented, a number have merited prestigious awards reflecting "the outstanding contribution to research knowledge and communication within the construction industry" (ciob, 1988) and in recognition of "making a practical and lasting contribution towards the improvement of standards in building practice and education in building"(CIOB, 2004).This submission reflects a distinguished level of dissemination of applied research and scholarship over a twenty year period. The body of work presented has established a highly significant and authoritative contribution to the better understanding of construction management systems andprocedures. Furthermore, it has influenced, where applicable, thinking and practice within the subject field within research groups, higher education, the professions and the construction industry.
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Oosthuizen, Francois. "A maintenance strategy for a network of automated fluid management systems / by Francois Oosthuizen." Thesis, North-West University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/9188.
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The current economic climate in South Africa requires organisations to optimise available resources – human and otherwise – to successfully sustain business operations. This is especially true for the growing SMME sector in South Africa.
Organisations utilising hydrocarbon based products for input products into their respective process - specifically fuels and lubricants – face an even greater challenge in optimising resource usage as fuel and lubricant prices have increased substantially over the last decade. Automated and advanced technological solutions to properly and effectively manage these fuel and lubricant resources must be employed within organisations. This is critical as fuel and lubricants can constitute a large part of the annual expenditure within an organisation. Such organisations can include:
• Mining operations
• Transport operations
• Agricultural operations
• Maritime operations
Newcom Fluid Management has developed a Fuel & Fluid Management Solution which consists of an electronic control system and various other elements to assist organisations in managing these fuel and lubricant resources. The Newcom FMS makes use of physical hardware on the client’s site as well as an internet based software system to control, monitor and report on all fuel and lubricant usages. There is also a large human resource element behind the system which continuously maintains these remote systems such that clients can enjoy the availability of fuels and lubricants when desired.
The Newcom FMS must be properly maintained and resources optimised to allow Newcom to not only make a profit, but to stay competitive in the market place by providing clients with a sustainable and available solution. Therefore a properly researched maintenance management strategy must be developed for Newcom and the Newcom FMS solution to ensure that not only the client’s resources are optimised, but also Newcom’s resources in order to maintain the Newcom FMS.
The aim of this research was to:
• Research the theory behind maintenance management;
• Identify and develop a sustainable maintenance strategy for the Newcom FMS solution taking into account the success factors as required by Newcom;
• Test the experimental strategy and the current maintenance program at current Newcom clients and capture data on the two strategies employed;
• Analyse and compare the experimental data to determine the effectiveness of the experimental maintenance strategy versus the corrective strategy;
• Provide the experimental maintenance strategy “product” to Newcom along with the data obtained in the experiment as well as the recommendations on the way forward with the data obtained from the experiment serving as inputs.
The parameters which were measured in the experiment were:
• System availability;
• Strategy expenditure and
• Resources usage.
The parameters were selected by Newcom as being the most pertinent to their current operational environment. Achieving success in these areas would effectively increase the probability of a successful maintenance management strategy for Newcom.
• The experimental data was captured for the period the experiment was executed for. This data was analysed, the results were interpreted aThesis (MIng (Development and Management Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.
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Church, Stuart Michael. "Energy management system for the diagnosis and control of an automatic guided vehicle." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4798.
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With the increase in electronic equipment implemented in various systems, as well as the increase in calculating power that these devices offer, designers are being empowered to make use of this power in real-time systems to diagnose and protect the systems themselves. This reasoning is too compounded by the focus on efficiency and safety in the design of complex systems, as well as the increasing expense and sensitivity of the electronic components themselves. With this in mind, this dissertation aims at developing a comprehensive measurement, control and reaction system for the electrical diagnosis and ultimately optimisation of complex electrical and electronic systems. This system will serve as a real-time diagnosis tool, which will enable the real-time diagnosis of various components in an electro-mechanical system, which can then be interpreted to determine the working state of the various components. Another sphere of this project will involve the accurate monitoring of the battery status as well as actively balancing the series connected batteries. The focus on the batteries will seek to prolong the life of the batteries, while being able to squeeze as much capacity out of them. The initial design and testing will be based on an AGV system implemented at VWSA, however a main goal throughout the design process will be modularity, i.e. the ease of implementation of this system in other systems. The key technologies used in the development of this system will still comprise of the components used in the original AGV, however new prototype components sourced from Microcare are used for the battery management system, while current sensors directly connected to the PLC’s analog input ports will be used for the active monitoring of currents distributed through the AGV.
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Payne, Katherine Carl. "Automated Route Generation for Bicycle Tours of the United States." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/333502.
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Planning a multi-day bicycle tour is a time intensive and difficult task. To enable cyclists to construct their own multi-day tour routes, we propose an automated system which, given an origin, destination, and points of interest, generates detailed bicycle tour routes of minimal perceived exertion. This dissertation is comprised of three bodies of work contained in chapters 2, 3, and 4, respectively. In the first work, chapter 2, we build and test a model of the perceived exertion of different categories of cyclists on a daily path within a long bicycle tour. We first propose an additive formula for calculating the perceived exertion of cyclists on component parts of a tour and then present the results of a survey designed to verify the accuracy of the model. In the second work, chapter 3, we describe an algorithmic procedure for transforming a traditional road graph into a topographical graph. To that end we use polyline data from the OpenStreetMap (OSM), elevation data from the U.S. Geological Survey, and a model of perceived exertion for bicyclists of different levels of expertise. Our topographical graph allows for the calculation of the perceived exertion over any sequence of road segments (a path) for bicyclists of different levels of expertise and serves as input for generating paths of minimal perceived exertion. In the final work, chapter 4, we describe a procedure for constructing bicycle routes of minimal perceived exertion for cyclists of different levels of expertise over a multi-day tour. Given a cyclists origin, destination, selected points of interest, and a level of cycling expertise, this procedure generates a multi-day bicycle tour as a collection of successive daily paths that begin and end at overnight accommodations. We demonstrate the implementation of this procedure on an example multi-day tour route in California and present the results of a survey designed to evaluate the daily paths constructed. In summation, this dissertation contributes a new metric of perceived exertion for bicycle riders, a new topographical graph, and a procedure for constructing multi-day bicycle tour routes of minimal perceived exertion for bicyclists of different levels of expertise.
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Wang, Brydon. "The role of trustworthiness in automated decision-making systems and the law." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2022. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/231388/1/Brydon_Wang_Thesis.pdf.
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This thesis considers the role of trustworthiness in automated decision-making systems (ADS) spanning across data collection, modelling, analysis and decision output in different legal contexts. Through an updated model of trustworthiness, it argues that existing legal norms and principles for administering construction contracts and the impact of automation on these contracts provide fertile ground to inform the governance of algorithmic systems in smart cities. The thesis finds that trustworthy, benevolent ADS requires a specific form of transparency that operates through mutual vulnerability in the trusting relationship, and seams in the automated decision-making process where human discretion is exercised.
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Teske, Alexander. "Automated Risk Management Framework with Application to Big Maritime Data." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/38567.
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Risk management is an essential tool for ensuring the safety and timeliness of maritime operations and transportation. Some of the many risk factors that can compromise the smooth operation of maritime activities include harsh weather and pirate activity. However, identifying and quantifying the extent of these risk factors for a particular vessel is not a trivial process. One challenge is that processing the vast amounts of automatic identification system (AIS) messages generated by the ships requires significant computational resources. Another is that the risk management process partially relies on human expertise, which can be timeconsuming and error-prone.
In this thesis, an existing Risk Management Framework (RMF) is augmented to address these issues. A parallel/distributed version of the RMF is developed to e ciently process large volumes of AIS data and assess the risk levels of the corresponding vessels in near-real-time. A genetic fuzzy system is added to the RMF's Risk Assessment module in order to automatically learn the fuzzy rule base governing the risk assessment process, thereby reducing the reliance on human domain experts. A new weather risk feature is proposed, and an existing regional hostility feature is extended to automatically learn about pirate activity by ingesting unstructured news articles and incident reports. Finally, a geovisualization tool is developed to display the position and risk levels of ships at sea. Together, these contributions pave the way towards truly automatic risk management, a crucial component of modern maritime solutions. The outcomes of this thesis will contribute to enhance Larus Technologies' Total::Insight, a risk-aware decision support system successfully deployed in maritime scenarios.
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Chan, Man-wai, and 陳文偉. "The relationship between project funding and construction systems." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1997. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B3123656X.
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Ren, Zhaomin. "A multi-agent systems approach to construction claims negotiation." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2002. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/6813.
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Claims negotiation plays an important role in construction claims settlement and disputes resolution. However, claims negotiations are normally conducted inefficiently. Although many research projects have been undertaken on human behaviours in negotiation (e.g. negotiation planning, documentation and negotiation strategies) and computer-aided negotiation, there is not an effective approach to solving such problem. The development of multi-agent systems provides an innovative approach to facilitating claims negotiation, where intelligent agents can negotiate with each other for the real world parties that they represent. The significance of multi-agent systems lies in the fact that they match the fragmented nature of the construction industry. This thesis describes the work of developing a multi-agent system for construction claims negotiation (MASCOT). The objectives are to create an architecture for the agent system, and develop a negotiation mechanism for agent interaction. A conceptual MASCOT model is designed based on a thorough analysis of the nature, characteristics and problems of construction claims negotiation, multi-agent systems negotiation mechanisms, and negotiation theories. A modified Monotonic Concession protocol and the related negotiation strategies which are based on the integration of Zeuthen's risk evaluation model and Bayesian learning model were developed. A prototype was built using the ZEUS agent building toolkit and Java. The system was then assessedin terms of the quality of the negotiation mechanisma nd prototype using critical evaluation criteria and prototype evaluation. The result revealed that the MASCOT system could significantly enhance the efficiency of construction claims negotiation. Furthermore, it is recognised that multi-agent systems have a great potential to solve the fragmentation problem in other construction areas such as scheduling, concurrent engineering; and collaborative design, particularly when the project team members are geographically distributed. This research not only contributes to the improvement of construction claims negotiation, bdt also provides an effective approach for the development of multi-agent 'system negotiation mechanism.
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Elkins, Aaron Chaim. "Vocalic Markers of Deception and Cognitive Dissonance for Automated Emotion Detection Systems." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/202930.
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This dissertation investigates vocal behavior, measured using standard acoustic and commercial vocal analysis software, as it occurs naturally while lying, experiencing cognitive dissonance, or receiving a security interview conducted by an Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA).In study one, vocal analysis software used for credibility assessment was investigated experimentally. Using a repeated measures design, 96 participants lied and told the truth during a multiple question interview. The vocal analysis software's built-in deception classifier performed at the chance level. When the vocal measurements were analyzed independent of the software's interface, the variables FMain (Stress), AVJ (Cognitive Effort), and SOS (Fear) significantly differentiated between truth and deception. Using these measurements, a logistic regression and machine learning algorithms predicted deception with accuracy up to 62.8%. Using standard acoustic measures, vocal pitch and voice quality was predicted by deception and stress.In study two, deceptive vocal and linguistic behaviors were investigated using a direct manipulation of arousal, affect, and cognitive difficulty by inducing cognitive dissonance. Participants (N=52) made verbal counter-attitudinal arguments out loud that were subjected to vocal and linguistic analysis. Participants experiencing cognitive dissonance spoke with higher vocal pitch, response latency, linguistic Quantity, and Certainty and lower Specificity. Linguistic Specificity mediated the dissonance and attitude change. Commercial vocal analysis software revealed that cognitive dissonance induced participants exhibited higher initial levels of Say or Stop (SOS), a measurement of fear.Study three investigated the use of the voice to predict trust. Participants (N=88) received a screening interview from an Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) and reported their perceptions of the ECA. A growth model was developed that predicted trust during the interaction using the voice, time, and demographics.In study four, border guards participants were randomly assigned into either the Bomb Maker (N = 16) or Control (N = 13) condition. Participants either did or did not assemble a realistic, but non-operational, improvised explosive device (IED) to smuggle past an ECA security interviewer. Participants in the Bomb Maker condition had 25.34% more variation in their vocal pitch than the control condition participants.This research provides support that the voice is potentially a reliable and valid measurement of emotion and deception suitable for integration into future technologies such as automated security screenings and advanced human-computer interactions.
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McMaster, Brent M. "Assessing the use of Web-based Project Management Systems in construction." [Gainesville, Fla.] : University of Florida, 2006. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0014355.
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Roe, Curtis Aaron. "Impacts of automated residential energy management technology on primary energy source utilization." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/45865.
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The objective of the proposed research is to analyze automated residential energy management technology using primary energy source utilization. A residential energy management system (REMS) is an amalgamation of hardware and software that performs residential energy usage monitoring, planning, and control. Primary energy source utilization quantifies power system levels impacts on power generation cost, fuel utilization, and environmental air pollution; based on power system generating constraints and electric load.
Automated residential energy management technology performance is quantified through a physically-based REMS simulation. This simulation includes individual appliance operation and accounts for consumer behavior by stochastically varying appliance usage and repeating multiple simulation iterations for each simulated scenario. The effect of the automated REMS under varying levels of control will be considered.
Aggregate REMS power system impacts are quantified using primary energy source utilization. This analysis uses a probabilistic economic dispatch algorithm. The economic dispatch algorithm quantifies: fuel usage and subsequent environmental air pollution (EAP) generated; based on power system generating constraints and electric load (no transmission constraints are considered).
The analysis will comprehensively explore multiple residential energy management options to achieve demand response. The physically-based REMS simulation will consider the following control options: programmable thermostat, direct load control, smart appliance scheduling, and smart appliance scheduling with a stationary battery. The ability to compare multiple automated residential energy management technology options on an equal basis will guide utility technology investment strategies.
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Stowe, James DeWitt. "Throughput optimization of multi-agent robotic automated warehouses." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/104388.
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Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2016. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.Thesis: S.M. in Engineering Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, 2016. In conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 105-107).
In 2003 Kiva Systems (now Amazon Robotics) introduced a new type material handling automation to the world. The system is based on the principle that the physical infrastructure that contains inventory should be mobile. Kiva achieved this remarkable advancement by employing a fleet of robots to move shelving to human operators. Broadly, these types of systems are defined in the literature as multi-agent robotic systems. Amazon acquired Kiva Systems in 2012 to incorporate the technology into their operations. The goal of this thesis is to optimize the throughput of warehouses employing multi-agent robotic automation. It is assumed that extracting inventory from the automated system is the limiting factor in maximizing throughput (i.e. downstream process are unconstrained). Two strategies are advocated: 1) performing velocity segregation of inventory within the automation via a bifurcation between fast selling and slow selling inventory, 2) maximizing pick rates through policies that increase worker retention. It will be shown that velocity segregation increases machine efficiency by increasing the efficiency of delivering inventory to human operators. This assertion will be investigated by developing a theoretical understanding of how inventory velocity impacts machine efficiency and simulating different types of stow strategies impact on system efficiency. It is estimated that some stow strategies can increase machine efficiency by as much as 30%. It will also be shown that the number of man-hours worked by inexperienced pickers explains practically all of the variability of aggregate pick cycle times and hence pick rates, which motivates the argument for worker retention. Together, these two modifications are estimated to increase throughput by 10% over current baseline.
by James DeWitt Stowe.
M.B.A.
S.M. in Engineering Systems
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Twyman, Nathan W. "Automated Human Screening for Detecting Concealed Knowledge." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/222874.
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Screening individuals for concealed knowledge has traditionally been the purview of professional interrogators investigating a crime. But the ability to detect when a person is hiding important information would be of high value to many other fields and functions. This dissertation proposes design principles for and reports on an implementation and empirical evaluation of a non-invasive, automated system for human screening. The screening system design (termed an automated screening kiosk or ASK) is patterned after a standard interviewing method called the Concealed Information Test (CIT), which is built on theories explaining psychophysiological and behavioral effects of human orienting and defensive responses. As part of testing the ASK proof of concept, I propose and empirically examine alternative indicators of concealed knowledge in a CIT. Specifically, I propose kinesic rigidity as a viable cue, propose and instantiate an automated method for capturing rigidity, and test its viability using a traditional CIT experiment. I also examine oculomotor behavior using a mock security screening experiment using an ASK system design. Participants in this second experiment packed a fake improvised explosive device (IED) in a bag and were screened by an ASK system. Results indicate that the ASK design, if implemented within a highly controlled framework such as the CIT, has potential to overcome barriers to more widespread application of concealed knowledge testing in government and business settings.
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Harrisankar, Naomi. "Design, construction and commissioning of an automated optical fibre catalyst coating process for use in photocatalytic reactor systems." Master's thesis, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32720.
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Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Fossil fuels are the primary source of energy on Earth. Since the global economic growth is closely linked to the global energy demand, fossil fuel usage remains the largest contributor to the steadily increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO2). CO2 mitigation through carbon capture and conversion are of great interest. Capturing CO2 from point source emitters is possible by absorption in a basic, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) containing solution, which is then converted into sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Conversion of CO2 is thermodynamically demanding as it will require a large amount of energy, which renders currently used technologies infeasible. A promising alternative is the conversion of captured NaHCO3 into useful hydrocarbons at moderate operating conditions using solar energy, by a process called photocatalysis. Photocatalysis is the acceleration of a photo-induced reaction in the presence of a catalyst. Photocatalytic reactors have not yet been commercialised due to suboptimal catalyst and reactor designs. The typically low catalyst activity has to be countered by efficiently loading a large amount of catalyst in the reactor. This results in a problem regarding the photon transfer limitations to the catalytically active site, which limits illumination of the catalyst in the reactor. This can be overcome by using optical fibre to guide photons, which are coated with the photocatalyst. However, it is estimated that a reactor containing ca. 1 g of catalyst will require ca. 1.8 km of identically coated optical fibre. The aim of the project is to design, construct and commission an automated controllable process to increase the production volume of catalyst coated optical fibre using either a solgel suspension or a slurry containing P25 (TiO2). A multi-step optical fibre coating process was developed to achieve the desired coated optical fibre as a product. It consists of 6 major units that process raw (polymer-coated) optical fibre into catalyst coated optical fibre. The steps include the 4 essential steps required for optical fibre preparation by-hand, these steps are stripping, washing, coating and heat treatment. This automated optical fibre catalyst coating process (AOFCCP) can make the coating of optical fibres time-efficient and controllable. The latter can be achieved by controlling the effect various process parameters affecting the coating thickness and homogeneity of the coating, such as pH, heat treatment, catalyst slurry concentration as well as pulling speed. The AOFCCP produced coating thicknesses ranging from 0.47 µm - 0.59 µm and 0.37 µm - 0.46 µm for the P25 slurry and sol-gel coating methods respectively. The pH of the P25 slurry was found to have a negligible effect on both the coating thickness and surface morphology, therefore is no longer regarded as a process variable in the AOFCCP. The thickness of the coating increased with an increase in P25 slurry concentration with a maximum achievable coating thickness of 0.87 µm using a slurry concentration of 20 wt.-%. The temperature of heat treatment which was tested showed different relationships between the coating methods. For the sol-gel coating method, the increase in temperature resulted in a decrease in coating thickness possibly due to the decrease in porosity whereas for the P25 slurry method the increase in temperature showed an increase in coating thickness possibly due to the higher evaporation rates. An increase in the pulling speed in the AOFCCP resulted in an increase in coating thickness on the optical fibre independent of the coating method; coating thicknesses ranging from 0.41 µm - 0.71 µm and 0.23 µm - 2.14 µm were obtained using the P25 slurry and sol-gel coating methods, respectively, by varying the pulling speed. The critical cracking thickness is defined as the thickness of the film, produced by the sol-gel method, at which coating deformations become observable which was found to be 0.37 µm at 600 °C, and 0.77 µm at a pulling speed of 2.30 mm.s -1 . The results obtained from the commissioning experiments showed that the AOFCCP can produce coated optical fibre with controllable thickness. The controllability was discovered to be in the adjustment of the process variables investigated which showed a significant effect on the coating thickness, except for pH. Based on the statistical analysis that was performed, it was confirmed that the results obtained from the system were repeatable and that the coating was uniform for all process variables that were investigated except for sol-gel coating at high speeds of 2.88 mm.s -1 – 3.46 mm.s -1 . The system was able to produce fibre with coating thickness's between 0.4 – 1.1 µm. It is recommended that a combination of the process variables be used in order to achieve better controllability in the process and to achieve thicker coating layers. Furthermore, the operating ranges of the process variables should be increased in order to determine the extent of the relationship between the process variable and the coating thickness and surface morphology.
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Johansson, Tim. "PERFORMANCE VISUALIZATION OF URBAN SYSTEMS." Doctoral thesis, Luleå tekniska universitet, Industriellt och hållbart byggande, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-61788.
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The planning, construction, management and use of our built environment are affected by diverse social, economic and environmental factors. Sustainable urban development is dependent on the understanding of the complex relations between the built environment, the social activities that take place over time and the interaction with the natural environment. The challenge to understand urban systems on both the local and global scale has inspired researchers and national agencies to develop sustainability indicators to support the planning, construction, management and use of the built environment. Access to open data of our built environment in national, regional and local databases opens new possibilities to generate models of our urban systems to facilitate visualization and analysis of indicators in order to enhance awareness of sustainability dimensions. Here spatial Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) technologies can be used in combination with Geographic Information system GIS to manage data sets from multiple sources in different formats. The purpose of this research is to investigate how spatial ETL technologies can be used to develop models in order to analyse and visualize the performance of urban systems. The applied method is grounded in system development and based on an abductive research approach that was repeated in six studies. Three of the studies deal with the relocation of Kiruna where models of the city was created and used to investigate the impact of mining subsidence on energy supply, infrastructure and buildings. The fourth case investigates the selection of insulation material on the embedded energy in a passive house in Kiruna. In the fifth case an urban model of the twin towns Malmberget/Gällivare was created to explore and relate data on attitudes from a survey to public data on population, infrastructure and built environment. The final case is the development of an energy atlas containing 90% of the multifamily building stock in Sweden. The atlas combines the energy performance and renovation status of multifamily buildings with public data of ownership, income of residents etc. for individual buildings in 3D models or aggregated on spatial scales ranging from 250x250 m squares through district and municipality to county areas in Sweden. The result shows that multiple sources in different formats, both standardized and non-standardized, can be utilized in the extraction of information for the purpose of developing urban performance models. The Swedish high-resolution LiDAR digital height model together property information makes it possible to represent the built environment by extruded footprints to give a 3D representation of all urban areas in Sweden (Level-Of-Detail 1). In combination with performance data (e.g. energy use, renovation status or result from surveys) urban performance GIS models can be created and visualized in applications (such as Google Earth, 3D pdf) to support decision-making on both individual and institutional level. The automation of the process to develop performance models offers a method for customizing information deliveries on the fly using original data sources according to defined requirements. The flexibility and customization are kept in the process rather than in the delivered model. This makes it easier to keep the performance model up to date. For the management of large performance models, e.g. the example of the national energy atlas, a staging phase was added in the automation process, in order to reduce the processing time.
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Kim, Byungwhan. "Automated malfunction diagnosis of semiconductor fabrication equipment using a hybrid neural expert system." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/13861.
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Dickinson, Alex. "Complexity management and modelling of VLSI systems." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1988. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phd553.pdf.
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Heaps-Nelson, G. Thomas. "Analyzing and improving throughput of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems in personal computer manufacturing." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/34843.
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Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemical Engineering; in conjunction with the Leaders for Manufacturing Program at MIT, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (leaf 85).
The content of this thesis draws heavily on work completed during a 6.5 month MIT Leaders for Manufacturing (LFM) internship at Dell Corporation's personal computer manufacturing facility in Lebanon, Tennessee (EG1) from June 2004 to December 2004. This work relates primarily to efforts to analyze and improve the throughput of the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) in that factory. Wherever possible, the thesis abstracts from the EG1 factory case study to provide lessons for improving the throughput of ASRSs and accumulative manufacturing systems in general. In addition to this core of the thesis, specific implementation challenges encountered during the EG 1 case study are addressed. Finally, general cultural observations about Dell's manufacturing environment are discussed. The author believes the two most unique aspects of this work are the Crane Frontier framework developed for analyzing ASRS throughput (Section 2.6) and the range and taxonomy of ASRS throughput improvement solutions (Chapter 3).
by G. Thomas Heaps-Nelson.
S.M.
M.B.A.
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Missakian, Mario Sarkis. "Automated Support for Model Selection Using Analytic Hierarchy Process." NSUWorks, 2011. http://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/249.
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Providing automated support for model selection is a significant research challenge in model management. Organizations maintain vast growing repositories of analytical models, typically in the form of spreadsheets. Effective reuse of these models could result in significant cost savings and improvements in productivity. However, in practice, model reuse is severely limited by two main challenges: (1) lack of relevant information about the models maintained in the repository, and (2) lack of end user knowledge that prevents them from selecting appropriate models for a given problem solving task. This study built on the existing model management literature to address these research challenges. First, this research captured the relevant meta-information about the models. Next, it identified the features based on which models are selected. Finally, it used Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to select the most appropriate model for any specified problem. AHP is an established method for multi-criteria decision-making that is suitable for the model selection task. To evaluate the proposed method for automated model selection, this study developed a simulated prototype system that implemented this method and tested it in two realistic end-user model selection scenarios based on previously benchmarked test problems.
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Mbuthia, George. "Competitive strategies in construction firms : the impact of alternative project delivery systems." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8750.
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Bibliography: leaves 185-194.This thesis investigates the impact of the introduction of alternative project delivery systems to the traditional on the competitive strategies of construction firms. The work focuses on project delivery systems from a construction company perspective, and draws from the experiences an over the world for its findings. A literature review of project delivery systems, their evolution and introduction was undertaken in depth. This showed the types of delivery systems: their advantages and disadvantages and the reasons they were preferred. A review of strategy was then undertaken to introduce and discuss the concepts that influence competing firms. The construction industry has unique characteristics that differentiate it from other industries. A short discussion of these characteristics and how they influence strategy in construction companies was therefore done. This then led to a review of strategy in the construction industry. The concepts of project delivery and strategy in construction companies were then linked to show, with illustrations, how delivery systems are used as competitive strategy. To investigate the topic further construction companies were surveyed to find out the connection between the two concepts. It was found that alternative delivery systems are increasingly being used by the firms. They were also familiar with concepts of formal strategy and were actively using such concepts. Firms were found to be using delivery systems specifically as a competitive strategy and intended to do so more in future. The findings suggest that the use of delivery in such a manner was not the result of a deliberate plan but more a reaction to the changes in the industry. Construction firms need a greater appreciation of the role of project delivery systems in their strategy as this will help them achieve their objectives better, and result in a more efficient industry.
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Bester, Andre. "Information systems performance in the construction sector: the role of the chief executive officer." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1393.
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A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY
OF TECHNOLOGY IN FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
MAGISTER TECHNOLOGIAE (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)The construction industry is reputedly lethargic to adopt innovation and, in particular, new technology. To date it has not readily embraced Information Technology (IT) given its reluctance to recognise the many potential efficiencies and competitive advantages afforded by this technology. Where IT in the form of Information Systems (IS) has been introduced the likelihood of failure and/or inefficiencies is large considering the historic inability of IS to deliver on its potential. Furthermore, this performance of IS is arguably dependent on the role of the Chief Executive Officer in the construction organisation.This study examines the performance of IS in the construction firms and the role played by the CEO in that performance. The study has four main objectives; namely: (1) to determine the role of the CEO of construction companies relative to IS governance and performance; (2) to determine the role of the CEO of construction companies in determining the structure of IS to strategically support the company; (3) to examine the relationship between the CEO and Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the impact of this relationship on the performance of IS in a construction firm;and (4) to examine the importance of information processing and knowledge management of construction companies.To achieve these objectives, the literature on IS performance in the organisation was reviewed; a structured self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted of a sample of executive managers drawn from 9 construction companies; the data was analysed; the findings discussed against the background of the literature reviewed.The key findings of this study indicate that most of CEOs of construction companies consider IS performance as of strategic importance in their organisations with respect to information processing and knowledge management; and acknowledge the important role of the CIO in IS governance and information management. Furthermore, the CEOs also acknowledge their role in organisational design, and the structuring of IS to strategically support their companies. Drawing from the responses of a sample of CEOs of contracting firms in the Western Cape province of South Africa there appears to be a direct correlation between the role of the CEO and IS governance and performance.
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Xu, Kebin. "Design of Phosphate Ion Sensors and an All-Solid pH Sensor and Construction of an Automatic Nutrient Solution Management System for Hydroponics." Kyoto University, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/253344.
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Kyoto University (京都大学)0048
新制・課程博士
博士(農学)
甲第22508号
農博第2412号
新制||農||1078(附属図書館)
学位論文||R2||N5288(農学部図書室)
京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生命科学専攻
(主査)教授 加納 健司, 教授 三芳 秀人, 教授 宮川 恒
学位規則第4条第1項該当