Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Retrospective Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 1998 Domain-independent method for developing an integrated engineering design tool Rebecca Lynn Sidler Kellogg Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd Part of the Systems Engineering Commons Recommended Citation Kellogg, Rebecca Lynn Sidler, "Domain-independent method for developing an integrated engineering design tool " (1998). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 12526. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/12526 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter fece, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographicaUy in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Aibor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Domain-independent method for developing an integrated engineering design tool by Rebecca Lynn Sidler Kellogg A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial MfiUment of the requirments for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major Engineering Mechanics Major Professors: Jerald Vogel and Loren Zachary lowa State University Ames, Iowa 1998 UMI Number: 9911642 UMI Microform 9911642 Copyright 1999, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 u Graduate College Iowa State University This is to certify that the Doctoral dissertation of Rebecca Lynn Sidler Kellogg Has met the dissertation requirements of Iowa State University Signature was redacted for privacy. Co-major Professor Signature was redacted for privacy. major trojessor Signature was redacted for privacy. For theMajdr Program Signature was redacted for privacy. ror ^e^^^^^te College iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION I 2. BLOOM'S TAXONOMY AND ENGINEERING DESIGN 8 3. USING THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS TO STUDY A NEW DOMAIN 19 4. THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS APPLIED TO KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION 35 5. APPLICATION OF THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS TO DEDT DEVELOPMENT 60 6. PUTTING rr ALL TOGETHER 85 7. PREDICTION MODELS 106 8. FUZZY LOGIC AND KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION 120 9. SENSmVITY ANALYSIS 132 10. EVALUATION OF THE PROTOTYPE BEDT AND CONCLUSIONS 144 APPENDIX A. WING DOMAIN DIAGRAMS 156 APPENDIX B. KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION METHODS 165 APPENDIX C. lEDT SUMMARY DOCUMENT 203 APPENDIX D. FUZZY LOGIC 207 REFERENCES 225 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background The research documented here explores a practical, systematic domain-independent development method for an integrated engineering design tool (lEDT). Despite the current lack of a universally established engineering design methodology, enough similarities exist among the various proposed methods [1.4-10] to suggest that a suitable approach can be developed. As design research continues and a general design methodology is delineated the approach can be further refined. This research proposes the utilization of Cross' design process steps, which are shown to map to Bloom's taxonomy of cognition. Once the design process is shown to be a cognitive process, it becomes deliberate and systematic and sheds its ad hoc reputation. A systematic approach to lEDT development can be quite powerfiil since the governing procedures describe the undeilying thought processes and reduce complex details into consistent, useful knowledge and tools. A generalized engineering design approach is employed as a fiameworic in which to study specific domains in preparation for an EEDT implementation, domain knowledge acquisition, and develop the lEDT. The benefit to utilizing engineering design strategies in the development of lEDT systems is that the engineering experts are familiar with engineering design models and can easily think in these terms. One of the primary goals of this research is to establish an approach to developing an lEDT that is feasible for real-world, industrial applications. This objective drove many of the decisions made during the researcL There are many critical issues modem industry must address including design failures and inadequacies that add cost or worse lead to loss of business. Further, competition dictates shorter development cycles, which in turn intensify the need to get the design right the first time. It is necessary for industry to develop lEDT systems if these issues are to be adequately addressed. 1.2. Dissertation Outline Since this research proposes a systematic EEDT development method based on engineering design, it is first necessary to show that engineering design is a cognitive process. The next chapter will begin with a description of the six levels of cognition according to Bloom's taxonomy. This is followed by an update of the current status of engineering design research, descriptions of different design processes and a discussion of their similarities. Cross' procedure was selected for further investigation since it is common in mechanical engineering domains. The final step in the next chapter is to map Cross' procedure to Bloom's taxonomy to demonstrate the cognitive nature of engineering design. These concepts are summarized in a concise table that also introduces the reader to how these will be used to perform domain investigation, knowledge acquisition, and lEDT development This table is used as a lead in to the following discussion. The next three chapters discuss the details of applying an engineering design process to domain investigation, knowledge acquisition, and lEDT development Each step of the process is discussed in 2 general tenns to emphasize the domain-independent nature of the approach. The activities are related to cognitive tasks to fiirther illustrate how such an approach can make the development efforts systematic. In some cases the details rely on domain specific applications and thus the discussion is somewhat abbreviated. The concepts of these sections are illuminated through discussion of the application example discussed at the end of each chapter. Figures supporting the ^pUcation example are found in appendLx A. Details that support the knowledge acquisition process are found in appendix B. which describes alternative knowledge acquisition methods. The purpose of the remaining chapters and supporting information is to provide the reader with enough backgroimd to undertake a similar development project Chapter 6. 'Putting it AH Together', expands on the lEDT development for the preliminary design of the aircraft wing that was introduced in the laser part of its preceding chapter. Many of the specific details of the development are described. Supporting information is found in appendix C. where there are figures illustrating the lEDT contents and inter&ces. There were three areas that required a level of discussion that warranted separate chapters. These follow directly, in order 'Prediction Models'. 'Firzzy Logic', and 'Sensitivity Analysis'. The EDT developed for wing weight prediction relies on the incorporation of prediction models. One of the models included in the lEDT was developed as part of this research to demonstrate how a prediction model can be created firom a training set based on historical data, stochastic parameter values, and Monte Cario simulation. Other industry-developed prediction models are also discussed. The next chapter, 'Fuzzv' Logic' descnbes how experience and expert knowledge can be embedded into an EEDT by using fiizzy logic, and specifically Comb's Method. The details of implementing knowledge and experience in this manner require understanding of fuzzy logic principles and also an appreciation of how humans approach complex problem solving. These details are presented along with a supporting example firom the wing lEDT development Supporting details and other examples fiom the wing application are given in appendix D. Sensitivity analysis capabilities are discussed in detail in the next chapter. The final chapter, entitied