The nuclear waste problem is defined and analyzed from a systems engineering viewpoint. Problem magnitude and systems context are discussed. Requirements for a waste repository are presented and the current progress of the repository is noted. The Department of Energy's waste disposal system including repository site selection, monitored retrievable storage facility, and waste transportation system is analyzed. A description of nuclear fuel reprocessing is given. The potential benefits and risks of reprocessing are addressed including economic feasibility and environmental issues. A framework for systems analysis of the problem is presented. Four recommendations for further systems analysis are presented: 1. An unbiased systems analysis of the Yucca Mountain proposed repository including indirect political, social and economic aspects. 2. A systems engineering backing of the monitored retrievable storage facility 3. Development of rail transportation guidelines for nuclear waste 4. An economic analysis of the feasibility of spent fuel reprocessing to include indirect costs / Master of Engineering

<p>The systems engineering process has been applied to develop and evaluate a system that collects and processes scrapped catalytic converters to recover the platinum group metals retained by the converters' spent catalyst substrate.</p> <p> A needs analysis establishes a catalytic converter manufacturer's desire to reduce the cost of obtaining platinum group metals used to produce new catalytic converters. The analysis proposes a collection and processing system as an alternative to existing suppliers to provide these metals at a lower cost. The analysis applies the engineering process to develop the system's high-level requirements and devises its components, inter-relationships, and operation. This process establishes a system configuration used to evaluate the system's economic feasibility.</p> <p>The results of this analysis indicate that the collection and processing system is feasible within the constraints of available technology and economic resources.</p> / Master of Science

Methodologies to determine, evaluate, and implement prospective measures for preventing marine collisions and groundings are presented. The use of cost-benefit analysis to evaluate prospective safety measures is emphasized. <p> Prospective safety measures are represented as changes to variables that relate to the life-cycle of an oil tanker. Most of these variables, such as crew size and training, are associated with the operational phase. A systems engineering approach was used to develop a causal diagram which models the influence of these variables on a tanker's accident risk and profitability. <p> The practical application of cost-benefit analysis to evaluate prospective safety measures is examined. The benefit of a specific safety measure is presented as the reduction of accident risk derived by implementing that measure. Since human factors play a significant role in most marine collisions and groundings, a risk analysis of these accidents is largely a human reliability analysis. A human reliability analysis is a special case of risk analysis, which emphasizes human factors. <p> The necessity of suitable data for conducting human reliability analyses of tanker navigation is discussed. Recommendations are offered to improve the quantity, quality, and availability of such data. <p> The current economic climate inhibits the implementation of safety measures in excess of established minimum requirements. Reforms of marine insurance practices to promote greater implementation of safety measures are presented. These reforms create financial incentives by firmly linking the cost of insurance to accident risk. / Master of Engineering

Master of Engineering

<p>When we compare the results of the analyses from ISDS and FAP, we fmd that the results compare very well, with almost negligible percentage difference.</p> <p> The results from the reinforced concrete design method and the design using ISDS also compare very well. But, ISDS does not specify a few details such as:</p> <p>1. How much positive moment steel in a beam or a slab must be extended into the supports and up to what distance? 2. Anchorage requirements (in the form of hooks) for negative moment reinforcement in a beam, slab or a shear wall. It simply mentions if anchorage is required or not. 3. What amount of minimum shear reinforcement is required for various structural elements such as beams, columns, and slabs etc? 4. Size and spacing of ties in a column. S. Cover for main and secondary (ties) reinforcing bars in various structural elements. 6. Class of splice when required.</p> / Master of Science

Master of Engineering

Master of Science

Master of Engineering

Master of Science

<p>Downtime associated with fault isolation impacts the performance of any system to a significant degree. Few repairmen are well versed in the art of troubleshooting and experienced repairmen are not always available and/or are very costly. A failure diagnostic expert system provides an effective method of failure diagnosis.</p> <p> Diagnostic reasoning in expert systems is discussed with demonstrating methodologies by using a 1.6 liter, 1981 model Volkswagen Vanagon as an example. A procedure and methodology for building a diagnostic case base is demonstrated by building a Volkswagen Vanagon diagnostic case base. A significant diagnostic case base was developed in order to demonstrate and evaluate the appropriateness of CBR Express for failure diagnosis. CBR Express is a case-based matching application from Inference Corporation.</p> / Master of Science