Fuzzy expected value modelling approach for determining target values of engineering characteristics in QFD

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a planning and problem-solving tool that is renowned for translating customer requirements into the technical attributes of a product. To deal with the imprecise elements in the development process, fuzzy set theory is incorporated into QFD methodology. A novel fuzzy expected value operator approach is proposed in this paper to model the QFD process in a fuzzy environment, and two fuzzy expected value models are established to determine the target values of engineering characteristics in handling different practical design scenarios. Analogous to stochastic programming, the underlying philosophy in the proposed approach is based on selecting the decision with maximum expected returns. Furthermore, the proposed approach considers not only the inherent fuzziness in the relationships between customer requirements and engineering characteristics, but also the correlation among engineering characteristics. These two kinds of fuzzy relationships are aggregated to give the fuzzy importance of individual engineering characteristics. Finally, an example of a quality improvement problem of a motor car design is given to demonstrate the application and performance of the proposed modelling approach.     

Phase geographical map for determining the material type of a right-angle prism

A phase geographical map for determining a right-angle prism is presented. The proposed method is based on total-internal-reflection effects and chromatic dispersion. Under the total-internal-reflection condition, the phase difference between the S and P polarizations, as a function of the wavelength and refractive index, can be extracted and measured using heterodyne interferometry. Various wavelengths correspond to various refractive index values. The proposed map is convenient in ensuring the prism material using a specific V number. The method has the following merits: high stability, ease of operation, and rapid measurement.     

An approach to determining the workability diagram based on upsetting tests

To determine a workability diagram for bulk metal forming processes, it is proposed to use experiments in which fracture occurs at a free surface. A good example of such experiments is an upsetting test with profiled dies. An advantage of this method is that fracture conditions are formulated in terms of strain components whereas stresses are excluded using an exact theoretical solution. In the present study three axisymmetric upsetting tests, with flat dies and with conical dies, are carried out to determine the strain to fracture. The method proposed is then combined with these experimental data to find an approximation to the workability diagram of a tool steel.     

Evolutionary approach for determining first-principles hamiltonians

Modern condensed-matter theory from first principles is highly successful when applied to materials of given structure-type or restricted unit-cell size. But this approach is limited where large cells or searches over millions of structure types become necessary. To treat these with first-principles accuracy, one 'coarse-grains' the many-particle Schrodinger equation into 'model hamiltonians' whose variables are configurational order parameters (atomic positions, spin and so on), connected by a few 'interaction parameters' obtained from a microscopic theory. But to construct a truly quantitative model hamiltonian, one must know just which types of interaction parameters to use, from possibly 10(6)-10(8) alternative selections. Here we show how genetic algorithms, mimicking biological evolution ('survival of the fittest'), can be used to distil reliable model hamiltonian parameters from a database of first-principles calculations. We demonstrate this for a classic dilemma in solid-state physics, structural inorganic chemistry and metallurgy: how to predict the stable crystal structure of a compound given only its composition. The selection of leading parameters based on a genetic algorithm is general and easily applied to construct any other type of complex model hamiltonian from direct quantum-mechanical results.     

Fuzzy logic based approach to FRP retrofit of columns

Current design approaches for seismic retrofit use deterministic variables to describe the geometry, material properties and the applied loads on the bridge column. Using a mechanistic model that considers nonlinear material behavior, these deterministic input variables can be directly mapped to the design parameters. However the results often give a false sense of reliability due to neglecting uncertainties related to the input variables of the analysis (data uncertainty), unpredictable fluctuations of loads and natural variability of material properties, and/or the uncertainty in the analytical model itself (model uncertainty). While methods of reliability analysis can provide a means for designing so as not to exceed specific levels of “acceptable” risk, they do not consider the uncertainty in the assumption of distribution functions for each of the input variables and are built on the basic assumption that the models used perfectly describe reality. This, however, still results in significant unknowns and often design models that are not truly validated across their response space. This paper describes the application of a fuzzy probabilistic approach to capture the inherent uncertainty in such applications. The application of the approach is demonstrated through an example and results are compared to those obtained from conventional deterministic analytical models. It is noted that the confidence in the achieved safety of the retrofit system that is based on the use of the fuzzy probabilistic approach is much higher than that achieved using the deterministic approach. This is due to the consideration of uncertainty in the material parameters as well as the consideration of uncertainty in the assumed crack angle during the design process.     

Fuzzy programming for optimal product mix decisions based on expanded ABC approach

In sheet metal fabrication, bending is used in order to obtain rigidity and to obtain a part of desired shape and function. In analysing a sheet metal part, an important consideration is how to unfold the part after a bending operation or series of bending operations. The unfolding process is the first major step in process planning for generating NC paths for a sheet metal blank. This paper addresses the problem of determining whether or not a part can be unfolded. A graph-based approach using the face-edge of the sheet metal part is at the heart of the algorithm presented here. Using this algorithm one can determine which faces are unfoldable and which cannot be unfolded. This algorithm can be used to help facilitate the process of NC path generation. It also sheds some light on the kind of design practices that make a part easily unfoldable or otherwise.     

Weight function approach for determining crack extension resistance based on the cohesive stress distribution in concrete

The use of universal form of weight functions for determining the K_R-curves associated with the cohesive stress distribution for complete fracture process of three-point bending notched concrete beam is reported in the paper. Closed form expressions for the cohesion toughness with linear and bilinear distribution of cohesive stress in the fictitious fracture zone during monotonic loading of structures are obtained. Comparison with existing analytical method shows that the weight function method yields results without any appreciable error with improved computational efficiency. The stability analysis and the size-effect study using K_R-curves of crack propagation are also described.     

A probabilistic approach for determining the control mode in CREAM

The control mode is the core concept for the prediction of human performance in CREAM. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic method for determining the control mode which is a substitute for the existing deterministic method. The new method is based on a probabilistic model, a Bayesian network. This paper describes the mathematical procedure for developing the Bayesian network for determining the control mode. The Bayesian network developed in this paper is an extension of the existing deterministic method. Using the Bayesian network, we expect that we can get the best estimate of the control mode given the available data and information about the context. The mathematical background and procedure for developing equivalent Bayesian networks for given discrete functions provided in this paper can be applied to other discrete functions to develop probabilistic models.     

Hardness based model for determining the kinetics of precipitation

A theoretical model based on Johnson–Mehl–Avrami (JMA) formalism for determining kinetics and activation energy of a precipitation process is derived from the variation in hardness properties. Effectiveness of the model for determining the kinetics of β-NiAl precipitation in PH13-8Mo steel and for distinguishing the kinetics between two temperatures is also demonstrated. The activation energy for β-precipitation, 244.3 kJ/mol, determined over 808 K to 868 K is in good agreement with that of diffusion of Ni and Al in α-iron.     

基于个人风险的土地利用规划在LNG储备库的应用

对基于个人风险的土地利用规划进行研究,确定方法的框架和程序,并应用于某拟建液化天然气储备库周边的土地利用与布局调整。对拟建天然气储备库可能发生的事故,选取蒸气云爆炸及沸腾液体扩展蒸气爆炸进行讨论。在确定事故发生概率及事故后果的基础上,对拟建液化天然气储备库的个人风险进行计算。借鉴英国土地利用规划中个人风险的可接受标准,在液化天然气储备库周围划分三个风险区域,根据各区域的功能规定及储备库周围土地利用现状,对储备库周围的土地利用进行规划与调整。结果表明,液化天然气储备库附近有两处居民区、一个工厂需要搬迁。基于个人风险的土地利用规划方法在合理确定重大工程选址及周边建筑与设施的布局上是行之有效的方法。     

A new approach for determining the hidden material parameters of a honeycomb

An optimization method to obtain the cell wall properties of Nomex honeycomb material is presented. There, the outcomes of physical experiments and micromechanical simulations are compared in an effort to identify the geometric or/and material parameters for the best match. Only the cell wall thickness and Young’s modulus, called here as the hidden parameters, are used in the matching as the Young’s modulus is difficult measure reliably. The mean values and standard deviations of the geometric parameters of the cell structure model are obtained through image analysis. In the micromechanical model used, the cell walls are considered as linearly elastic Bernoulli beams. The optimum hidden parameter values for the Nomex case turn out not to be unique but they appear in a combination known as the bending stiffness.     

A numerical approach for determining the effective elastic symmetries of particulate-polymer composites

In this paper we deal with the problem of determining on the one hand the effective elastic properties of particulate-polymer composite materials and on the other hand the actual degree of symmetry of the resulting homogenised material. This twofold purpose has been accomplished by building a 2D as well as a 3D finite element model of the heterogeneous material and by using the strain-energy based numerical homogenisation technique. Both finite element models are able to reproduce with a good level of accuracy the real microstructure of the composite material by considering a random distribution of both particles and air bubbles (that are generated by the fabrication process). To assess the effectiveness of the proposed models, we present a numerical study to determine the effective elastic properties of the composite along with a comparison with the existing analytical and experimental results taken from literature and a sensitivity analysis in terms of the spatial distribution of the particles of the unit cell. Numerical results show that both models are able to provide the equivalent elastic properties with a very good level of accuracy when compared to experimental results and that the particulate-reinforced polymer composite could show, depending on the particles volume fraction and arrangement, an isotropic or a cubic elastic symmetry.     

Optical approach for determining strain anisotropy in quantum wells

Anisotropic in-plane strain arises in quantum-well systems by design or unintentionally. We propose two methods of measuring the in-plane strain anisotropy based on the optical polarization anisotropy that arises with anisotropic in-plane strain. One method uses purely optical means to determine the strain anisotropy in quantum wells under a compressive strain that is spatially varying. A second approach, applicable to quantum wells under tensile strain or with strain that does not vary with position, requires the application of a uniaxial in-plane stress. Although the second method is experimentally more difficult, it allows analysis of systems that would otherwise be inaccessible.     

A mechanistic approach for determining plane-stress fracture toughness of polyethylene

A new mechanistic approach is used to characterize resistance of polyethylene to deformation and fracture in double-edge-notched tensile test. The new approach considers all three mechanisms involved in the fracture process, i.e. for fracture surface formation, shear plastic deformation, and necking, and can be used to determine values of specific energy consumption for each mechanism. This is different from the conventional approach, known as essential work of fracture (EWF), which does not consider the difference between shear plastic deformation and necking. Results from the new approach for a polyethylene copolymer show that specific energy density for fracture surface formation is about half of that determined from the EWF approach, and specific energy density for necking is very close to that determined from simple tensile test. The latter provides some support for validity of the new approach in characterizing fracture behaviour of polyethylene when accompanied by large deformation and necking. The paper also points out crack growth conditions that have to be met for valid application of the EWF approach and shows that such conditions are not met when deformation and necking occur in polyethylene.     

A general approach for determining reliability measures of repairable systems

A general approach is presented for determining the mean time between failures, mean up time, mean down time and availability of a system made up of a number of interconnected subsystems, for each of which the mean up time and mean down time are known. The approach is based on the enumeration of the system's success paths and on the determination of the system's working boundary states. A computer procedure which implements the approach and an example are also given.     

A numerical approach for determining weight functions in fracture mechanics

The paper deals with the development of a numerical method for determining Weight Functions in two-dimensional problems. After a short review of some recent numerical techniques an original approach is presented. The method is based on Finite Element calculations with coarse meshes and on the knowledge of some values of the Stress Intensity Factor for one reference loading condition. The validity of the method is demonstrated for a theoretical case and its accuracy and suitability are discussed with reference to practical applications.     

A shape variational approach for determining potential lines using the boundary element method

A shape optimization (i.e., variational) approach is adopted in this paper to determine potential lines. Solution of the primary potential problem is accomplished by the boundary element method (BEM). To find the position of any potential line a suitably defined objective functional is minimized using structural optimization techniques. In particular, the sensitivity analysis expression of the objective functional with respect to the shape variation of internal curves is derived by employing the material derivative concept. With the internal potential and potential derivative values available through the BEM solution of the potential problem, the correct shapes of the potential contours are found by a shape minimization procedure, After checking the numerical results by a one-dimensional problem, potential contours for two-dimensional example problems are determined and plotted.