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Modelling the evolution of uncertainty levels during design


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Authors

Wynn, DC 
Grebici, K 
Clarkson, PJ 

Abstract

Design work involves uncertainty that arises from, and influences, the progressive development of solutions. This paper analyses the influences of evolving uncertainty levels on the design process. We focus on uncertainties associated with choosing the values of design parameters, and do not consider in detail the issues that arise when parameters must first be identified. Aspects of uncertainty and its evolution are discussed, and a new task-based model is introduced to describe process behaviour in terms of changing uncertainty levels. The model is applied to study two process configuration problems based on aircraft wing design: one using an analytical solution and one using Monte-Carlo simulation. The applications show that modelling uncertainty levels during design can help assess management policies, such as how many concepts should be considered during design and to what level of accuracy.

Description

Keywords

Uncertainty levels, Design process model, Discrete-event simulation

Journal Title

International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1955-2513
1955-2505

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/E001777/1)