A fuzzy set paradigm for conceptual system design evaluation

A structured and disciplined system engineering process is essential for the efficient and effective development of products and systems which are both responsive to customer needs and globally competitive. Rigor and discipline during the later life-cycle phases of design and development (preliminary and detailed) cannot compensate for an ill-conceived system concept and for premature commitments made during the conceptual design phase. This significance notwithstanding, the nascent stage of system design has been largely ignored by the research and development community. This research is unique. It focuses on conceptual system design and formalizes analysis and evaluation activities during this important life-cycle phase. The primary goal of developing a conceptual design analysis and evaluation methodology has been achieved, including complete integration with the system engineering process. Rather than being a constraint, this integration led to a better definition of conceptual design activity and the coordinated progression of synthesis, analysis, and evaluation. Concepts from fuzzy set theory and the calculus of fuzzy arithmetic were adapted to address and manipulate imprecision and subjectivity. A number of design decision aids were developed to reduce the gap between commitment and project specific knowledge, to facilitate design convergence, and to help realize a preferred system design concept.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1994

Author dc:creator

• Verma, Dinesh

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Fabrycky, Wolter J.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Reasor, Roderick J.
• Sullivan, William G.
• Sumichrast, Robert T.
• West, R. L. Jr.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-10262005-101020

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/40204