Multi-Aspect Component Models: A Framework for Model Reuse in SysML Available to Purchase

In this paper, a framework is defined for cost-effective reuse of engineering analysis models in the context of systems engineering. As systems engineering problems become increasingly complex and involve an increasing number of stakeholders, it is important that the knowledge required to solve these problems is formulated and communicated in a formal fashion. To allow such formal communication to occur in a cost-effective manner, a framework is introduced based on model reuse and composition. In this framework, engineering analysis models are associated with components and characterized by aspects. The resulting containers of related models are called Multi-Aspect Component Models (MAsCoMs). To allow the MAsCoMs to be incorporated seamlessly into systems engineering practice, the models are defined in the Systems Modeling Language (OMG SysML™). After introducing the basic modeling constructs, their implementation and composition is illustrated in the context of the design of a hydraulically actuated log splitter.