Conceptual modelling: Towards detecting modelling errors in engineering applications

Rapid advancements of modern technologies put high demands on mathematical modelling of engineering systems. Typically, systems are no longer “simple” objects, but rather coupled systems involving multiphysics phenomena, the modelling of which involves coupling of models that describe different phenomena. After constructing a mathematical model, it is essential to analyse the correctness of the coupled models and to detect modelling errors compromising the final modelling result. Broadly, there are two classes of modelling errors: (a) errors related to abstract modelling, eg, conceptual errors concerning the coherence of a model as a whole and (b) errors related to concrete modelling or instance modelling, eg, questions of approximation quality and implementation. Instance modelling errors, on the one hand, are relatively well understood. Abstract modelling errors, on the other, are not appropriately addressed by modern modelling methodologies. The aim of this paper is to initiate a discussion on abstract approaches and their usability for mathematical modelling of engineering systems with the goal of making it possible to catch conceptual modelling errors early and automatically by computer assistant tools. To that end, we argue that it is necessary to identify and employ suitable mathematical abstractions to capture an accurate conceptual description of the process of modelling engineering system

Hidden verification for computational mathematics

AbstractWe present hidden verification as a means to make the power of computational logic available to users of computer algebra systems while shielding them from its complexity. We have implemented in PVS a library of facts about elementary and transcendental functions, and automatic procedures to attempt proofs of continuity, convergence and differentiability for functions in this class. These are called directly from Maple by a simple pipe-lined interface. Hence we are able to support the analysis of differential equations in Maple by direct calls to PVS for: result refinement and verification, discharge of verification conditions, harnesses to ensure more reliable differential equation solvers, and verifiable look-up tables

Hidden verification for computational mathematics

We present hidden verification as a means to make the power of computational logic available to users of computer algebra systems while shielding them from its complexity. We have implemented in PVS a library of facts about elementary and transcendental functions, and automatic procedures to attempt proofs of continuity, convergence and differentiability for functions in this class. These are called directly from Maple by a simple pipe-lined interface. Hence we are able to support the analysis of differential equations in Maple by direct calls to PVS for: result refinement and verification, discharge of verification conditions, harnesses to ensure more reliable differential equation solvers, and verifiable look-up tables. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</p