• Title/Summary/Keyword: processes optimization

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Sources of Cost Saving Opportunities in Highway Construction Quality Assurance Practices

  • Uddin, Mohammad Moin;Newland, James
    • Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.1-9
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    • 2018
  • US transportation agencies are dealing with shrinking budgets, limited work forces, and deteriorating infrastructure. In order to cope with funding uncertainty, state highway agencies are now looking into their own organizations and identifying programs, practices, and processes that have potential for cost saving. A quality assurance (QA) program is an integral part of highway construction and ensures a project's contracted level of quality. The cost of quality (conforming and nonconforming) can constitute a sizable part of total construction cost. As the quality assurance programs evolved, various practices and processes were developed over time and later adopted by state highway agencies. These practices and processes include different QA standards and specifications, varying testing methods, central testing lab vs. on site testing, performance based vs. prescribed quality assurance practices, implementation of innovative quality assurance practices, etc. Therefore, there is an opportunity to assess different QA strategies and recommend those practices that are effective and cost efficient. A national survey was conducted by the authors, which provided a detailed mapping of various QA practices and processes used as part of QA programs and identified areas where agencies can focus on for cost savings. The survey found that QA sampling and testing plans, optimization of sampling plans, optimization of QA standards and specifications, and implementation of innovative test methods and processes are the main areas the agencies should focus to lean the current QA programs.

Schedule Optimization in Resource Leveling through Open BIM Based Computer Simulations

  • Kim, Hyun-Joo
    • Journal of KIBIM
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.1-10
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    • 2019
  • In this research, schedule optimization is defined as balancing the number of workers while keeping the demand and needs of the project resources, creating the perfect schedule for each activity. Therefore, when one optimizes a schedule, multiple potentials of schedule changes are assessed to get an instant view of changes that avoid any over and under staffing while maximizing productivity levels for the available labor cost. Optimizing the number of workers in the scheduling process is not a simple task since it usually involves many different factors to be considered such as the development of quantity take-offs, cost estimating, scheduling, direct/indirect costs, and borrowing costs in cash flow while each factor affecting the others simultaneously. That is why the optimization process usually requires complex computational simulations/modeling. This research attempts to find an optimal selection of daily maximum workers in a project while considering the impacts of other factors at the same time through OPEN BIM based multiple computer simulations in resource leveling. This paper integrates several different processes such as quantity take-offs, cost estimating, and scheduling processes through computer aided simulations and prediction in generating/comparing different outcomes of each process. To achieve interoperability among different simulation processes, this research utilized data exchanges supported by building SMART-IFC effort in automating the data extraction and retrieval. Numerous computer simulations were run, which included necessary aspects of construction scheduling, to produce sufficient alternatives for a given project.

Optimization-based humanoid robot navigation using monocular camera within indoor environment

  • Han, Young-Joong;Kim, In-Seok;Hong, Young-Dae
    • ETRI Journal
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    • v.40 no.4
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    • pp.446-457
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    • 2018
  • Robot navigation allows robot mobility. Therefore, mobility is an area of robotics that has been actively investigated since robots were first developed. In recent years, interest in personal service robots for homes and public facilities has increased. As a result, robot navigation within the home environment, which is an indoor environment, is being actively investigated. However, the problem with conventional navigation algorithms is that they require a large computation time for their building mapping and path planning processes. This problem makes it difficult to cope with an environment that changes in real-time. Therefore, we propose a humanoid robot navigation algorithm consisting of an image processing and optimization algorithm. This algorithm realizes navigation with less computation time than conventional navigation algorithms using map building and path planning processes, and can cope with an environment that changes in real-time.

Deep Learning-Based Inverse Design for Engineering Systems: A Study on Supervised and Unsupervised Learning Models

  • Seong-Sin Kim
    • International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.127-135
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    • 2024
  • Recent studies have shown that inverse design using deep learning has the potential to rapidly generate the optimal design that satisfies the target performance without the need for iterative optimization processes. Unlike traditional methods, deep learning allows the network to rapidly generate a large number of solution candidates for the same objective after a single training, and enables the generation of diverse designs tailored to the objectives of inverse design. These inverse design techniques are expected to significantly enhance the efficiency and innovation of design processes in various fields such as aerospace, biology, medical, and engineering. We analyzes inverse design models that are mainly utilized in the nano and chemical fields, and proposes inverse design models based on supervised and unsupervised learning that can be applied to the engineering system. It is expected to present the possibility of effectively applying inverse design methodologies to the design optimization problem in the field of engineering according to each specific objective.

System Decomposition Technique using Multiple Objective Genetic Algorithm (다목적 유전알고리듬을 이용한 시스템 분해 기법)

  • Park, Hyung-Wook;Kim, Min-Soo;Choi, Dong-Hoon
    • Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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    • 2001.06c
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    • pp.170-175
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    • 2001
  • The design cycle associated with large engineering systems requires an initial decomposition of the complex system into design processes which are coupled through the transference of output data. Some of these design processes may be grouped into iterative subcycles. In analyzing or optimizing such a coupled system, it is essential to determine the best order of the processes within these subcycles to reduce design cycle time and cost. This is accomplished by decomposing large multidisciplinary problems into several multidisciplinary analysis subsystems (MDASS) and processing it in parallel. This paper proposes new strategy for parallel decomposition of multidisciplinary problems to improve design efficiency by using the multiple objective genetic algorithm (MOGA), and a sample test case is presented to show the effects of optimizing the sequence with MOGA.

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MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION Of A FIXED-BED CATALYTIC REACTOR FOR PARTIAL OXIDATION OF PROPYLENE TO ACROLEIN

  • Lee, Ho-Woo;Ha, Kyoung-Su;Rhee, Hyun-Ku
    • 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 2000.10a
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    • pp.451-451
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    • 2000
  • This study aims for the optimization of process conditions in a fixed-bed catalytic reactor system with a circulating molten salt bath, in which partial oxidation of propylene to acrolein takes place. Two-dimensional pseudo-homogeneous model is adopted with estimation of suitable parameters and its validity is corroborated by comparing simulation result with experimental data. The temperature of the molten salt and the feed composition are found to exercise significant influence on the yield of acrolein and the magnitude of hot spot. The temperature of the molten salt is usually kept constant. This study, however, suggests that the temperature of the molten salt must be axially adjusted so that the abrupt peak of hot spot should not appear near the reactor entrance. The yield of acrolein is maximized and the position and the magnitude of hot spot are optimized by the method of the iterative dynamic programming (IDP).

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A System Decomposition Technique Using A Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (다목적 유전알고리듬을 이용한 시스템 분해 기법)

  • Park, Hyung-Wook;Kim, Min-Soo;Choi, Dong-Hoon
    • Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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    • v.27 no.4
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    • pp.499-506
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    • 2003
  • The design cycle associated with large engineering systems requires an initial decomposition of the complex system into design processes which are coupled through the transference of output data. Some of these design processes may be grouped into iterative subcycles. In analyzing or optimizing such a coupled system, it is essential to determine the best order of the processes within these subcycles to reduce design cycle time and cost. This is accomplished by decomposing large multidisciplinary problems into several sub design structure matrices (DSMs) and processing them in parallel This paper proposes a new method for parallel decomposition of multidisciplinary problems to improve design efficiency by using the multi-objective genetic algorithm and two sample test cases are presented to show the effect of the suggested decomposition method.

The Road Alignment Optimization Modelling of Intersection Based on GIS (GIS를 이용하여 교차로를 고려한 도로선형 최적화 모델링)

  • 김동하;이준석;강인준
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Surveying, Geodesy, Photogrammetry, and Cartography Conference
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    • 2003.10a
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    • pp.341-345
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    • 2003
  • This study develops modeling processes for alignment optimization considering characteristics of intersections using genetic algorithms and GIS for road alignment optimization. Since existing highway alignment optimization models have neglected the characteristics of intersections, they have shown serious weaknesses for real applications. In this paper, intersection costs include earthwork, right-of-way, pavement, accident, delay and fuel consumption costs that are sensitive and dominating to alignments. Also, local optimization of intersections for saving good alignment alternatives is developed and embedded. A highway alignment is described by parametric representation in space and vector manipulation is used to find the coordinates of intersections and other interesting points. The developed intersection cost estimation model is sufficiently precise for estimating intersection costs and eventually enhancing the performance of highway alignment optimization models. Also, local optimization of intersections can be used for improving search flexibility, thus allowing more effective intersections. It also provides a basis for extending the alignment optimization from single highways to networks. The presented two artificial examples show that the total intersection costs are substantial and sensitive to highway alignments.

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OPTIMIZATION OF A CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR IMPELLER AND DIFFUSER USING A RESPONSE SURFACE METHOD (반응면기법을 이용한 원심압축기 최적설계)

  • Kim, S.M.;Park, J.Y.;Ahn, K.Y.;Baek, J.H.
    • 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 2007.10a
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    • pp.92-99
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    • 2007
  • In this paper, optimization of the vaned centrifugal compressor was carried out at a given mass flow rate condition. Firstly, impeller optimization was conducted using response surface method (RSM) which is one of optimization methods. After the optimization of the impeller was completed, diffuser optimization was performed with the optimized impeller. In these processes, Navier-Stokes solver was used to calculate the flow inside the centrifugal compressor. And the optimization is performed with Box-Behnken design method which is efficient for fitting second-order response surfaces to reduce the number of calculations required. As a result, compared with the reference model, the efficiency and the pressure ratio of the optimized impeller and diffuser are found to be increased. The performance at off-design conditions is presented.

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Topology Optimization using an Optimality Criteria Method (최적조건법에 의한 위상 최적화 연구)

  • 김병수;서명원
    • Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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    • v.7 no.8
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    • pp.224-232
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    • 1999
  • Topology optimization has evolved into a very efficient concept design tool and has been incorporated into design engineering processes in many industrial sectors. In recent years, topology optimization has become the focus of structural design community and has been researched and applied widely both in academia and industry. There are mainly tow approaches for topology optimization of continuum structures ; homogenization and density methods. The homogenization method is to compute is to compute an optimal distribution of microstructures in a given design domain. The sizes of the micro-calvities are treated as design variables for the topology optimization problem. the density method is to compute an optimal distribution of an isotropic material, where the material densities are treated as design variables. In this paper, the density method is used to formulate the topology optimization problem. This optimization problem is solved by using an optimality criteria method. Several example problems are solved to show the usefulness of the present approach.

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