Decision development in facilitated modelling workshops

While the facilitated modelling literature recognises the importance of the group process within facilitated modelling workshops, published empirical research rarely examines their dynamic nature. In this paper, we address this gap in the literature in two ways. First, we propose to locate facilitated modelling workshops as the main focus of investigation, and adopt decision development as the analytical lens. Second, we provide guidance regarding how to implement a research strategy that is informed by such a focus. We start by mapping the different conceptualisations of decision development that seem embedded within the facilitated modelling tradition, and contrast them with theoretical models from the group communication field. Our analysis identifies a number of potentially useful areas for the study of facilitated modelling workshops from a decision development perspective, and articulates a number tentative research questions and testable propositions amenable to empirical research. Central to our proposal are research methods for the study of dynamic group processes. We thus discuss the steps required to extract group process data from facilitated modelling workshops that are usable and open to analysis. This includes a review of issues regarding research design, coding scheme development, data coding and choice of analytical techniques. Finally, we offer conclusions and briefly discuss some feasibility issues related to the implementation of our proposal.     

Dynamic modelling of life table data

In this paper we formulate a dynamic model expressing the human life table data by using the first-passage-time theory for a stochastic process. The model is derived analytically and then is applied to the mortality data in Belgium and France. A stochastic simulation is also performed for the ‘health state function’ proposed and the related stochastic paths. Furthermore the implications of the proposed model and the results derived for pension funds and option theory are discussed.     

Dynamic modelling and input-energy comparison for the elevator system

The elevator system driven by a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is studied in this paper. The mathematical model of the elevator system includes the electrical and mechanical equations, and the dimensionless forms are derived for the purpose of practicable upward and downward movement. In this paper, the trapezoidal, cycloidal, five-degree (5-D) and seven-degree (7-D) polynomial and industry trajectories are designed and compared numerically in various motion and the absolute input energies. From numerical simulations, it is found that the trapezoidal trajectory consumes the minimum energy; the 7-D polynomial trajectory consumes the maximum one. The less end-point constraints are required, the less energy is consumed. Finally, the proposed sliding mode controller (SMC) is employed to demonstrate the robustness and well tracking control performance numerically.     

Dynamic modelling of power plant turbines for controller design

A nonlinear dynamic model of a steam turbine is formulated from approximation of fundamental equations, and does not rely on empirical relations. The model can be used as a part of an integrated power system model for dynamic simulation and control system design.     

Dynamic modelling of labour assignment flexibility in the French fresh food industry

Owing to the perishability of fresh produce, the food industry has to react quickly by implementing different policies on labour management. We conduct two intensive surveys which showed that human resource management (HRM) issues in the fresh food industry mainly consist in finding appropriate labour capacity that meets the specific fluctuations in sales. The HRM decisions were taken so that flexible working time more efficiently matched the workload and staffing numbers. These empirical findings are very informative in that they point to how managers make HRM decisions when choosing the kind of employees they have to hire according to the type of additional workload imposed. In addition, they relate to the employment contract (temporary or permanent staff, subcontractor), the time required for employees to be efficient and their quality of work. Following this qualitative research, we mathematically formalize the combinatory possibilities of HRM assignments and the decision problems to be addressed. Finally, we propose a simulation tool for analysing the dynamical consequences of the HRM policies by comparing different policies on labour management.     

Dynamic modelling and performance study of solar gas tunnel dryer

The work presented in this article focuses on the analysis and modelling of heat and mass transfers in the tunnel dryer during the drying of agricultural products. The main objective of this work is to establish a global modelling of the studied system based on the bond graph methodology. The pseudo-bond graph methodology was used in modelling the system. Such methodology was very suitable for this thermal process since it allows good management of the nonlinearity present in the system.

The thermal performance of the proposed dryer is analysed by solving the various energy balance equations. An application of drying tomatoes was achieved and a fair agreement was observed between predicted and experimental results.     

Dynamic modelling of once-through subcritical steam generator for solar applications

This brief paper outlines a nonlinear dynamic model of a once-through subcritical steam generator for solar thermal plants. The purpose of the model is to describe the overall system performance and component interaction with sufficient accuracy for controller design, rather than to describe the microscopic details occuring within the steam generator. The model equations are arranged in state-space form to facilitate digital simulation and control system design. The modelling methodology is an extension of the earlier work of Ray and Bowman.     

Dynamic mechanism and its modelling of micromachined electrostatic ultrasonic transducers

A tensile-plate-on-air-spring model (or called TDK model for short) for micromachined electrostatic ultrasonic transducers has been developed based on a thorough investigation of their dynamic mechanism. The mechanical stiffness effects caused by the compressibility of air gaps, bending stiffness of the diaphragm and in-plane tension applied to the diaphragm, together with an electrostatic negative stiffness effect are included completely in the model. Desired particular fundamental frequency and bandwidth can be obtained by only properly tailoring the geometry, dimensions and materials of transducers according to the model, which provides thereby a reliable theoretical basis for the understanding and optimised design of such transducers. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.69974001).     

Dynamic modelling and simulation of a hot strip finishing mill

Hot rolling is an essential industrial process in the production of sheet steel, a widely used product in manufacturing and construction. A finishing mill performs a set of operations in a hot strip rolling mill, and is a complex unit including many processes and control loops. Its modelling is a challenging task due to the variety of phenomena that occur within the mill, and variable transport delays. Model validation is also challenging due to a scarcity of measurements. On the other hand, a dynamic model that adequately reflects the numerous interactions between the mill units can be very useful for tasks such as high performance control design or vibration analysis. In this study, a one-dimensional model has been developed and validated against real plant data. The end use of the model is intended to be looper control analysis, but the model is kept sufficiently general so that it can be used or easily extended for other applications.     

Mathematical modelling of the development of mechanical instability in fracturing systems

The dynamics of processes accompanying a loss of stability in a mechanical system are investigated. The mechanical system is in the form of an elastic rod, stretched by an axial load, with one of its lateral surfaces “glued” to a rigid wall. The “glue” is a low-strength elastic material which is subject to brittle fracture at a certain value of the load acting on it. In a fractured segment, the rod surface slides over the wall surface under the action of a dry friction force which is less than the breaking stress. The high sensitivity of the process of the development of instability to small perturbations which initiate the development of instability is established. The system considered is the simplest model of the zone of contact between lithospheric plates which generate earthquakes.     

Dynamic modelling of a rigid-flexible manipulator for constrained motion task control

A mathematical model governing the dynamics of a constrained rigid-flexible manipulator moving in a horizontal plane is derived using Hamilton's principle. A new variable is introduced before the procedure of modal expansion in order to convert the non-homogeneous boundary condition into a homogeneous one. The static tip deflection of the flexible link is allowed in order to maintain the contact force between the end effector and the constrained path and this tip deflection is considered in both the inverse kinematics and the order reduction procedures. The state vector of the proposed controller consists of joint angle of the rigid link, its derivative and integral, the first deflection mode and its derivative, and the integral of contact force. A multivariable controller is proposed for the simultaneous motion and force control of the manipulator. The controller consists of a feedforward term which contributes the torque for the expected joint angles and the contact force, and a feedback term with the time varying optimal gains obtained from the Matrix Riccati equation. Computer simulation results show that this proposed controller is capable of performing the straight line tracking task satisfactorily under four different conditions.     

Dynamic modelling of a multi-cable driven parallel platform with guiding devices

ABSTRACT

In this paper, a mathematical model is presented to numerically simulate the dynamical responses in a multi-cable suspension platform taking into account the slack cables and guiding devices. The state change of the cable (slack versus tensioned) is considered and is described mathematically by a complementary condition equation, and the interactions between the guiding wheels and the shaft wall are described by the Heaviside step function. The Lagrange’s equation with constraints is used to derive the dynamic equations of the system, and a non-smooth generalized-α algorithm for non-smooth phenomena of multibody dynamics is applied to numerically solve the equations. The simulation results have shown the dynamic responses of the platform and the cable tension characters when different cables are excited by different longitudinal excitations. Moreover, the results have illustrated how the cable tension differences may affect the pressure on the shaft wall applied by the guiding devices.     

Dynamic process scheduling and resource allocation in distributed environment: an agent-based modelling and simulation

This paper addresses the issues concerning resource allocation and process scheduling in a dynamic environment, where resources are distributed and availability of them is uncertain. In this context, we introduce a new multi-agent-based resource allocation and process scheduling approach, where agents communicate and cooperate among themselves to produce an optimal schedule. A distributed constraint optimization problem-based model in accordance with Markov Decision Process is proposed in this regard. We overcome the hardship of existing centralized approach and our technique optimizes not only the process completion delay but also the number of resources being idle, which is much more beneficial. Apart from the theoretical approach, we take a case study in its practical application domain to validate our claim. Analysis and experimental results show that this proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods and bridges the gap between theory and its applications.     

Facilitated modelling in strategy development: measuring the impact on communication,consensus and commitment

Facilitated modelling is used in supporting the resolution of strategic issues mainly because it is expected to improve communication between decision makers, foster consensus and create commitment. Researchers in both the strategy and facilitated modelling fields call for more systematic research on how strategy development works in practice and how outcomes are created. In this paper, three facilitated modelling cases on strategic issues are studied using both written questionnaires, developed in the strategy and decision support fields, and semi-structured interviews. Results of both measurement approaches are compared to determine (a) to what extent outcomes in participants’ own terms are similar to concepts in the questionnaire and (b) whether changes measured by both methods are similar. Interview results are used to assess (c) which elements of the intervention contribute to outcomes. Findings suggest that questionnaires offer clear benefits as standardized measurement of facilitated modelling outcomes.     

Dynamic activity analysis model-based win-win development forecasting under environment regulations in China

Porter hypothesis states that environmental regulation may lead to win-win opportunities, that is, improve the productivity and reduce the undesirable output simultaneously. Based on directional distance function, this paper proposes a novel dynamic activity analysis model to forecast the possibilities of win-win development in Chinese industry between 2011 and 2050. The consistent bootstrap estimation procedures are also developed for statistical inference of the point forecasts. The evidence reveals that the appropriate energy-saving and emission-abating regulation will significantly result in both the net growth of potential output and the increasing growth of total factor productivity for most industrial sectors in a statistical sense. This favors Porter hypothesis.     

Dynamic analysis of a non-conservative band-wheel system with a moving boundary Part 1: Mathematical modelling

The dynamic band/wheel system with a moving boundary is very different from that with a fixed length, it is a non-conservative mass system and the boundary position is not fixed. In this paper, the moving boundary is one unknown to be determined associated with the string displacement, and the partial differential equation of the transverse vibrations of the band and the transversality condition of the moving boundary are derived by the calculus of variation and Hamilton’s principle. In order to verify the dynamic formulation is correct, we reduce the governing equation and separation point to coincide with the previous studies. It is found that the physical properties of the moving boundary could be obtained from the geometric constraint of the band/wheel system.     

The modelling of oxide film entrainment in casting systems using computational modelling

As Campbell stated in 2006, “the use of entrainment models to optimise filling systems designs for castings has huge commercial potential that has so far being neglected by modellers”. In this paper a methodology using computational modelling to define entraining events and track the entrained oxide films is presented. Research has shown that these oxide films present within the casting volume are highly detrimental to casting integrity, thus their entrainment during mould filling is especially undesirable.The method developed for the modelling of oxide entrainment has been validated against previously published data by Green and Campbell (1994) [31]. The validation shows good quantitative correlation with experimental data. However there is scope for further development which has the potential to both improve the accuracy and further validate the technique.     

Dynamic modelling of die melt temperature profile in polymer extrusion: Effects of process settings,screw geometry and material

Extrusion is one of the major methods for processing polymeric materials and the thermal homogeneity of the process output is a major concern for manufacture of high quality extruded products. Therefore, accurate process thermal monitoring and control are important for product quality control. However, most industrial extruders use single point thermocouples for the temperature monitoring/control although their measurements are highly affected by the barrel metal wall temperature. Currently, no industrially established thermal profile measurement technique is available. Furthermore, it has been shown that the melt temperature changes considerably with the die radial position and hence point/bulk measurements are not sufficient for monitoring and control of the temperature across the melt flow. The majority of process thermal control methods are based on linear models which are not capable of dealing with process nonlinearities. In this work, the die melt temperature profile of a single screw extruder was monitored by a thermocouple mesh technique. The data obtained was used to develop a novel approach of modelling the extruder die melt temperature profile under dynamic conditions (i.e. for predicting the die melt temperature profile in real-time). These newly proposed models were in good agreement with the measured unseen data. They were then used to explore the effects of process settings, material and screw geometry on the die melt temperature profile. The results showed that the process thermal homogeneity was affected in a complex manner by changing the process settings, screw geometry and material.