Digital twins are virtual renditions of the actual world that include real-world assets, connections, activities, and processes. Recent developments in technologies play a key role in advancing the digital twin concept in urban planning, designing, and monitoring. Moreover, the latest developments in remote sensing technology have resulted in accurate city-scale light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, which can be used to represent urban objects (buildings, vegetation, roads, and utilities), enabling the creation of digital twin of urban landscapes. This study aims to build a digital twin of the University of North Texas (UNT) using LiDAR and GIS data. In this research, LiDAR point clouds are used to create 3D building and vegetation modeling along with other GIS data (bicycle racks and parking areas) in creating a digital twin model. 3D Basemap solutions of ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online Scene Viewer, respectively, are used to create an initial 3D urban model and build the ultimate digital twin of UNT. The emergency management floorplans of UNT buildings are incorporated into the digital twin to increase emergency management efficiency. Moreover, solar power potential for individual buildings at UNT has been estimated using the Digital Surface Model (DSM) and integrated into the digital twin model to identify the buildings with the highest solar energy capacity. This study indicates that implementing a digital twin in a university enhances campus efficiency, safety, and sustainability, serving as a central system for a smart campus and contributing to intelligent urban growth.

<p dir="ltr">McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (MCAAP) was established in 1943 as the U.S Naval Ammunition Depot. In World War II, MCAAP played a crucial part in supplying ammunition for the war efforts. Today, MCAAP is home to nearly 45,000 acres of land, producing almost all the bombs for the Army, Air Force, and Navy.</p><p dir="ltr">In November of 2023, the Army launched their 15-year modernization plan for their Organic Industrial Base (OIB). The plan aims to modernize facilities, processes, and the workforce to bring the OIB into the 21^st century. The Army’s OIB consists of 17 arsenals, depots, and ammunition plants, including MCAAP.</p><p dir="ltr">This thesis optimizes the operational variables of the U.S. Air Force’s Mark-84 production process at MCAAP. Using software (AnyLogic) to construct a Digital Twin of the existing process provides insights into the current operational dynamics, enabling a deep understanding of the system’s inefficiencies. Then, utilizing this understanding and the capabilities of the Digital Twin, we offer targeted recommendations for process improvement. This study aims not only to enhance the Mark-84 production process, but also to demonstrate the transformative potential of Digital Twins in optimizing manufacturing operations.</p>

<p>Human body models (HBMs) have been present in the automotive industry for simulating automotive related injury since the turn of the century and have in recent years found a place in assessment of soldier and sports related injury prediction and assessment. This issue is the lack of models that lie outside of the 50th percentile. By a simple application of physics, it is evident that acceleration or force will affect people of varying weights differently. To this end, having the ability to scale a 50th percentile HBM to targets for weight and stature would allow for better characterization on how an impact or acceleration event will affect people of differing size, especially when ~90% of males can fall outside the 50th percentile for weight and stature and HBMs models from vendors exist in only a few variations outside the 50th percentile [1]. Using Corvid Technologies’ 50th percentile model CAVEMAN (capable of being repositioned) as a base, scaled model from the 5th to 95th percentiles of stature and weight were generated based on ANSURII metrics, using a combination of 1D and 3D scaling transformations. These models met their stature and weight metrics when standing and weight metrics when positioned. </p> <p>After creation of a framework to scale the CAVEMAN HMB, creation of a digital twin to the HIRRT Lab helmet testing model commenced. With the HIRRT Lab’s history of experimental testing of football helmets, a natural turn of events was to bring helmet performance testing into the computational space. This digital twin was a natural evolution and addition to the HIRRT Lab’s helmet testing as it would enable manipulation of helmets that would be infeasible experimentally. After calibration of the barehead using experimental data, helmeted simulation began. Angle of impact, while it was found to effect peak translational acceleration, was found to profoundly effect peak rotational acceleration. With this in mind, various angles of impact were simulated to produce curves similar to experimental results. Helmeted simulations were qualitatively dissimilar to experimental data, prompting a modification of the padding material used by the models. Following various modifications of the padding material model, these inconsistencies between simulated helmets and experimentally tested helmets persisted. These inconsistencies highlight a need for better characterization of material, such as foam, and more thorough validation of simulated helmet models. The results of the helmeted simulations are difficult to quantify, as the evaluation criteria used for the BioCore model did not include rotational acceleration, indicating a need for further research and simulation is necessary. </p>

Glycosphingolipids such as α- and β-glucosylceramides (GlcCers) and α- and β- galactosylceramides (GalCers) are stereoisomers differentially synthesized by gut bacteria and their mammalian hosts in response to environmental insult. Thus, lipidomic assessment of α- and β-GlcCers and α- and β-GalCers is crucial for inferring biological functions and biomarker discovery. However, simultaneous quantification of these stereoisomeric lipids is difficult due to their virtually identical structures. Differential mobility mass spectrometry (DMS), as an orthogonal separation to high performance liquid chromatography used in electrospray ionization, tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS), can be used to separate stereoisomeric lipids. Generating LC-ESI-DMS-MS/MS methods for lipidomic analyses is exceedingly difficult demanding intensive manual optimization of DMS parameters that depend on the availability of synthetic lipid standards. Where synthetic standards do not exist, method development is not possible. To address this challenge, I developed a supervised in silico machine learning approach to accelerate method development for ion mobility-based quantification of lipid stereoisomers. I hypothesized that supervised neural network models could be used to learn the relationships between lipid structural characteristics and optimal DMS machine parameter values thereby reducing the total number of empirical experiments required to develop a DMS method and enabling users to “predict” DMS parameters for analytes that lack synthetic standards. Specifically, this thesis describes a supervised learning approach that learns the relationship between two DMS machine parameter values (separation voltage and compensation voltage) and two lipid structural features (N-Acyl chain length and degree of unsaturation). I describe here, iDMS, an algorithm that was trained on 17 lipid species, and can further simulate results of DMS manual method development and suggest optimal parameter values for 47 lipid species. This approach promises to greatly accelerate the development of assays for the detection of lipid stereoisomers in biological samples.

Maintenance management is a relevant issue in modern technical systems due to its financial, safety, and environmental implications. The need to rely on physical assets makes maintenance a necessary evil, which, on the other hand, allows achieving a high quality of end products, or services, and a safety level that is adequate for the regulatory requirements. The advent of the fourth industrial revolution offers meaningful opportunities to improve maintenance management; technologies such as Cyber-Physical Systems, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing enable realizing modern infrastructure to support decisions with advanced analytics. In this thesis, the optimization of maintenance policies is tackled in this renewed technological context. The research methods employed in this thesis include interviewing of subject experts, literature research, and numerical experiments. Mathematical modelling is used to model network effects in complex technical systems, and simulations are used to validate the proposed models and methodologies. The problem of maintenance policies comparison is addressed in one of the publications; using the proposed bi-objective analysis, an effective maintenance policy was identified. Maintenance of complex systems organized in a networked fashion is studied in another project, where maintenance costs and system performances are considered. The proposed model allowed to identify a set of non-dominated (in the Pareto sense) maintenance policies, and an efficient resolution procedure was developed. The possibility to use a digital twin to replicate a Cyber-Physical System for maintenance policies optimization is addressed in another publication. The main hurdles in realizing such a complex infrastructure are analyzed, and managerial implications are presented. Finally, following a qualitative research approach, the opportunities offered by additive manufacturing are identified and presented in a book chapter. The opportunities for both maintenance efficiency gains and new business models are identified and discussed.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has progressed significantly during the last several decades, along with the rapid advancements in computational power. This advanced technology is currently being employed in various engineering fields, not just in computer science. In aerospace engineering, AI and machine learning (ML), a major branch of AI, are now playing an important role in various applications, such as automated systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, aerospace optimum design structure, etc. This dissertation mainly focuses on structural engineering to employ AI to develop lighter and safer aircraft structures as well as challenges involving structural optimization and analysis. Therefore, various ML applications are studied in this research to provide novel frameworks for structural optimization, analysis, and design. First, the application of a deep-learning-based (DL) convolutional neural network (CNN) was studied to develop a surrogate model for providing optimum structural topology. Typically, conventional structural topology optimization requires a large number of computations due to the iterative finite element analyses (FEAs) needed to obtain optimal structural layouts under given load and boundary conditions. A proposed surrogate model in this study predicts the material density layout inputting the static analysis results using the initial geometry but without performing iterative FEAs. The developed surrogate models were validated with various example cases. Using the proposed method, the total calculation time was reduced by 98 % as compared to conventional topology optimization once the CNN had been trained. The predicted results have equal structural performance levels compared to the optimum structures derived by conventional topology optimization considered ``ground truths". Secondly, reinforcement learning (RL) is studied to create a stand-alone AI system that can design the structure from trial-and-error experiences. RL application is one of the major ML branches that mimic human behavior, specifically how human beings solve problems based on their experience. The main RL algorithm assumes that the human problem-solving process can be improved by earning positive and negative rewards from good and bad experiences, respectively. Therefore, this algorithm can be applied to solve structural design problems whereby engineers can improve the structural design by finding the weaknesses and enhancing them using a trial and error approach. To prove this concept, an AI system with the RL algorithm was implemented to drive the optimum truss structure using continuous and discrete cross-section choices under a set of given constraints. This study also proposed a unique reward function system to examine the constraints in structural design problems. As a result, the independent AI system can be developed from the experience-based training process, and this system can design the structure by itself without significant human intervention. Finally, this dissertation proposes an ML-based classification tool to categorize the vibrational mode shapes of tires. In general, tire vibration significantly affects driving quality, such as stability, ride comfort, noise performance, etc. Therefore, a comprehensive study for identifying the vibrational features is necessary to design the high-performance tire by considering the geometry, material, and operation conditions. Typically, the vibrational characteristics can be obtained from the modal test or numerical analysis. These identified modal characteristics can be used to categorize the tire mode shapes to determine the specific mode cause poorer driving performances. This study suggests a method to develop an ML-based classification tool that can efficiently categorize the mode shape using advanced feature recognition and classification algorithms. The best-performed classification tool can accurately predict the tire category without manual effort. Therefore, the proposed classification tool can be used to categorize the tire mode shapes for subsequent tire performance and improve the design process by reducing the time and resources for expensive calculations or experiments. / Doctor of Philosophy / Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly progressed during the last several decades with the rapid advancement of computational capabilities. This advanced technology is currently employed to problems in various engineering fields, not just problems in computer science. Machine learning (ML), a major branch of AI, is actively applied to mechanical/structural problems since an ML model can replace a physical system with a surrogate model, which can be used to predict, control, and optimize its behavior. This dissertation provides a new framework to design and analyze structures using ML-based techniques. In particular, the latest ML technologies, such as convolutional neural networks, widely used for image processing and feature recognition, are applied to replace numerical calculations in structural optimization and analysis with the ML-based system. Also, this dissertation suggests how to develop a smart system that can design the structure by itself using reinforcement learning, which is utilized for autonomous driving systems and robot walking algorithms. Finally, this dissertation suggests an ML-based classification approach to categorize complex vibration modes of a structure.

<p>The modern world of manufacturing is in the middle of an industrial revolution with the digital and physical worlds integrating through cyber-physical systems.  Through a virtual model that is able to communicate with its physical system known as the Digital Twin, catered decisions can be made based on the current state of the system.  The digital twin presents immense opportunities and challenges as there is a greater need to understand how these new technologies work together. </p> <p><br></p> <p>This thesis is an experimental investigation of the characteristics of the essential components of the Digital Twin.  A Digital Twin Framework is developed to explore the impacts of model accuracy and update frequency on the system’s performance measure. A simple inventory management system and a more complex manufacturing plant is modeled through the framework providing a method to study the interactions of the physical and digital systems with empirical data.</p> <p><br></p> <p><br></p> <p>As the decision policies are affected by the state changes in the system, designing the Digital Twin must account for the direct and indirect impact of its components. </p> <p>Furthermore, we show the importance of communication and information exchange between the Digital Twin and its physical system.  A key characteristic for developing and applying a digital twin is to monitor the update frequency and its impact on performance.  Through the study there are implications of optimal combinations of the digital twin components and how the physical system responds.  There are also limits to how effective the Digital Twin can be in certain instances and is an area of research that needs further investigation.  </p> <p><br></p> <p>The goal of this work is to help practitioners and researchers implement and use the Digital Twin more effectively.  Better understanding the interactions of the model components will help guide designing Digital Twins to be more effective as they become an integral part of the future of manufacturing.</p>

This paper will give an overview about the technological change in Industrial Hydraulics and the impact of the Digital Twin on the related new engineering processes and methods in order to overcome the challenges coming out of that technology change. Simulation models will more and more become a decisive factor for the engineering process. The Digital Twin will be a window of opportunity for innovations and a technology push for the engineering process and the products in the Industrial Hydraulics.

To realize key business capabilities and secure long-term growth, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) set out to define a vision for digital transformation. The latest trends in AI-powered smart electronics open up endless opportunities to help Volvo CE's operators use Wheel Loaders – Construction machines to increase productivity. To ensure operators are working in a way that delivers optimum fuel efficiency and productivity to achieve optimum results on-site, the company aspires to create visual tools to keep track of operator behavior in the operator environment. Monitor operator behavior with key indicators then visualized to inform how this affects important results for the customers and for Volvo CE. The audience is operators themselves, and internal staff like UX engineers and Product owners. Data-driven concept design (DDCD) is a decision-making approach that heavily relies on collected data and highlights the need to proactively plan and design. It is a popular approach to capturing tacit customer needs and makes a great contribution to data visualization design. Also, an emerging concept like the digital twin provides inspired ideas in data visualization conceptual design. However, little research is on the DDCD for data visualization. Thus, this work aims to explore appropriate data visualization techniques under the DDCD framework. The result is to help Volvo CE, primarily via data visualization, keep track of operator behaviors, and how these affect wheel loader productivity and energy efficiency data on different levels and in a wider context. To carry out, A series of DDCD cases for the improvement of wheel loader operator behaviors are researched and designed, to present data in a clear and concise visual way for both internal audience and operator training. As the result, a prototype containing a series of visualization techniques is proposed for two target groups and corresponding application scenarios including coaching and aid decision-making. Created a series of dashboards with expected functionalities based on understanding the current machine. The prototype for the internal audience has functionality: site and time selection, weekly overview window, phase selection, cycle thread trace, insight window, data presentation, and toolbox. The prototype for operator training has functionality: site and time selection, opponent selection, phase selection, cycle thread trace, external data window, individual comparison section, and insights block. / För att förverkliga viktiga affärsmöjligheter och säkra långsiktig tillväxt har Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) tagit fram en vision för digital omvandling. De senaste trenderna inom AIdriven smart elektronik öppnar oändliga möjligheter att hjälpa Volvo CE:s operatörer att använda hjullastare - anläggningsmaskiner för att öka produktiviteten. För att säkerställa att förarna arbetar på ett sätt som ger optimal bränsleeffektivitet och produktivitet för att uppnå optimala resultat på plats strävar företaget efter att skapa visuella verktyg för att hålla koll på förarens beteende i förarmiljön. Övervaka operatörens beteende med nyckelindikatorer som sedan visualiseras för att informera om hur detta påverkar viktiga resultat för kunderna och för Volvo CE. Målgruppen är operatörerna själva och intern personal som UX-ingenjörer och produktägare. Datadriven konceptdesign (DDCD) är en beslutsmetod som i hög grad bygger på insamlade data och belyser behovet av proaktiv planering och design. Det är ett populärt tillvägagångssätt för att fånga upp tysta kundbehov och ger ett stort bidrag till design av datavisualisering. Dessutom ger ett framväxande koncept som den digitala tvillingen inspirerande idéer för konceptuell utformning av datavisualisering. Det finns dock lite forskning om DDCD för datavisualisering. Det här arbetet syftar därför till att utforska lämpliga datavisualiseringstekniker inom ramen för DDCD. Resultatet är att hjälpa Volvo CE, främst via datavisualisering, att hålla koll på förarnas beteenden och hur dessa påverkar data om hjullastares produktivitet och energieffektivitet på olika nivåer och i ett större sammanhang. För att genomföra, En serie DDCD-fall för förbättring av beteenden hos hjullastarförare undersöks och utformas, för att presentera data på ett tydligt och kortfattat visuellt sätt för både intern publik och förarutbildning. Som resultat föreslås en prototyp som innehåller en serie visualiseringstekniker för två målgrupper och motsvarande tillämpningsscenarier, inklusive coaching och stöd för beslutsfattande. Skapade en serie instrumentpaneler med förväntade funktioner baserat på förståelse av den nuvarande maskinen. Prototypen för den interna målgruppen har följande funktioner: val av plats och tid, fönster för veckoöversikt, val av fas, spårning av cykeltråd, insiktsfönster, datapresentation och verktygslåda. Prototypen för operatörsutbildning har följande funktioner: val av plats och tid, val av motståndare, val av fas, spårning av cykeltråd, fönster för externa data, avsnitt för individuella jämförelser och block för insikter.

Indoor environment modeling has become a relevant topic in several applications fields including Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality. Furthermore, with the Digital Transformation, many industries have moved toward this technology trying to generate detailed models of an environment allowing the viewers to navigate through it or mapping surfaces to insert virtual elements in a real scene. Therefore, this Thesis project has been conducted with the purpose to review well- established deterministic methods for 3D scene reconstruction and researching the state- of- the- art, such as machine learning- based approaches, and a possible implementation on mobile devices. Initially, we focused on the well- established methods such as Structure from Motion (SfM) that use photogrammetry to estimate camera poses and depth using only RGB images. Lastly, the research has been centered on the most innovative methods that make use of machine learning to predict depth maps and camera poses from a video stream. Most of the methods reviewed are completely unsupervised and are based on a combination of two subnetwork, the disparity network (DispNet) for the depth estimation and pose network (PoseNet) for camera pose estimation. Despite the fact that the results in outdoor application show high quality depth map and and reliable odometry, there are still some limitations for the deployment of this technology in indoor environment. Overall, the results are promising. / Modellering av inomhusmiljö har blivit ett relevant ämne inom flera applikationsområden, inklusive Augmented, Virtual och Mixed Reality. Dessutom, med den digitala transformationen, har många branscher gått mot denna teknik som försöker generera detaljerade modeller av en miljö som gör det möjligt för tittarna att navigera genom den eller kartlägga ytor för att infoga virtuella element i en riktig scen. Därför har detta avhandlingsprojekt genomförts med syftet att granska väletablerade deterministiska metoder för 3Dscenrekonstruktion och undersöka det senaste inom teknik, såsom maskininlärningsbaserade metoder och en möjlig implementering på mobil. Inledningsvis fokuserade vi på de väletablerade metoderna som Structure From Motion (SfM) som använder fotogrammetri för att uppskatta kameraställningar och djup med endast RGBbilder. Slutligen har forskningen varit inriktad på de mest innovativa metoderna som använder maskininlärning för att förutsäga djupkartor och kameraposer från en videoström. De flesta av de granskade metoderna är helt utan tillsyn och baseras på en kombination av två undernätverk, skillnadsnätverket (DispNet) för djupuppskattning och posenätverk (PoseNet) för kameraposestimering. Trots att resultaten i utomhusanvändning visar djupkarta av hög kvalitet och tillförlitlig vägmätning, finns det fortfarande vissa begränsningar för användningen av denna teknik i inomhusmiljön, men ändå är resultaten lovande.