Balance between integration and de-coupling
Integrated modelling
As modelling becomes more integrated it becomes increasingly possible to examine all the influences of design changes on different aspects of performance. But this information is obtained at the expense of increased complexity.
De-coupling
On the other hand, any de-coupling usually simplifies the design problem but this is at the expense of reduced cross connectivity. It is clear that some sort of balance is required.
Reducing the design variables
For example, this may involve keeping some aspects of design fixed and concentrating only on a reduced set of design variables. This could allow increased re-use of past designs and standard parts and hence reduce the need for design margins, leading to cost economies. A platform for securing the above balancing activity will naturally need to consider changing opportunities/developments over time, and hence must be a dynamic tool.
Our approach
There is already a considerable body of knowledge on decomposition and integration. The aim of the work at the EDC is to exploit some of the insights that we have developed in this area.
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Commercial Research at Newcastle University
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Highlight for April 2008
Integrated Modelling for Strategic Planning
Strategic planning for sustainability requires complex systems to be modelled.
Because of this complexity, it is unrealistic to develop new and comprehensive models for each of the numerous possible situations likely to be encountered. Many models already exist ...
Previous highlights
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Upcoming seminars
The EDC often hosts, arranges or is associated with a wide variety of seminars related to its activities.
These seminars (often in association with an engineering institute) are always open to students and staff at the university and often to the public.
Upcoming events will be listed on this website in the future. Please check back from time to time for updates.
