A challenge systems engineers and designers face when applying system failure risk assessment methods such as probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) during conceptual design is their reliance on historical data and behavioral models. This paper presents a framework for exploring a space of functional models using graph rewriting rules and a qualitative failure simulation framework that presents information in an intuitive manner for human-in-the-loop decision-making and human-guided design. An example is presented wherein a functional model of an electrical power system testbed is iteratively perturbed to generate alternatives. The alternative functional models suggest different approaches to mitigating an emergent system failure vulnerability in the electrical power system's heat extraction capability. A preferred functional model configuration that has a desirable failure flow distribution can then be identified. The method presented here helps systems designers to better understand where failures propagate through systems and guides modification of systems functional models to adjust the way in which systems fail to have more desirable characteristics.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
September 2019
Research-Article
A Generative Human-in-the-Loop Approach for Conceptual Design Exploration Using Flow Failure Frequency in Functional Models1 Available to Purchase
Ryan M. Arlitt,
Ryan M. Arlitt
SUTD-MIT International Design Centre,
Singapore University of Technology and Design,
Singapore 487372
e-mails: [email protected];
[email protected]
Singapore University of Technology and Design,
Singapore 487372
e-mails: [email protected];
[email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
Douglas L. Van Bossuyt
Douglas L. Van Bossuyt
Department of Systems Engineering,
Naval Postgraduate School,
Monterey, CA 93940
e-mail: [email protected]
Naval Postgraduate School,
Monterey, CA 93940
e-mail: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
Ryan M. Arlitt
SUTD-MIT International Design Centre,
Singapore University of Technology and Design,
Singapore 487372
e-mails: [email protected];
[email protected]
Singapore University of Technology and Design,
Singapore 487372
e-mails: [email protected];
[email protected]
Douglas L. Van Bossuyt
Department of Systems Engineering,
Naval Postgraduate School,
Monterey, CA 93940
e-mail: [email protected]
Naval Postgraduate School,
Monterey, CA 93940
e-mail: [email protected]
2Present address: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby DK-2800 Kgs, Denmark.
3Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Computers and Information Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING. Manuscript received August 26, 2018; final manuscript received February 14, 2019; published online March 18, 2019. Assoc. Editor: Jitesh H. Panchal.This work is in part a work of the U.S. Government. ASME disclaims all interest in the U.S. Government's contributions.
J. Comput. Inf. Sci. Eng. Sep 2019, 19(3): 031001 (10 pages)
Published Online: March 18, 2019
Article history
Received:
August 26, 2018
Revised:
February 14, 2019
Citation
Arlitt, R. M., and Van Bossuyt, D. L. (March 18, 2019). "A Generative Human-in-the-Loop Approach for Conceptual Design Exploration Using Flow Failure Frequency in Functional Models." ASME. J. Comput. Inf. Sci. Eng. September 2019; 19(3): 031001. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4042913
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Related Articles
A Graph-Based Fault Identification and Propagation Framework for Functional Design of Complex Systems
J. Mech. Des (May,2008)
Function Module Partition for Complex Products and Systems Based on Weighted and Directed Complex Networks
J. Mech. Des (February,2017)
Characteristic Matrices and Conceptual Design of Hydraulic Systems
J. Mech. Des (March,2010)
Extension of Stress and Strength Interference Theory for Conceptual Design-for-Reliability
J. Mech. Des (July,2009)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Digital Human in Engineering and Bioengineering Applications
Advances in Computers and Information in Engineering Research, Volume 1
Post-Revival
Air Engines: The History, Science, and Reality of the Perfect Engine
Stimulating Creative Design Alternatives Using Customer Values
Decision Making in Engineering Design