Ontology-based model abstraction

In recent years, there has been a growth in the use of reference conceptual models to capture information about complex and critical domains. However, as the complexity of domain increases, so does the size and complexity of the models that represent them. Over the years, different techniques for complexity management in large conceptual models have been developed. In particular, several authors have proposed different techniques for model abstraction. In this paper, we leverage on the ontologically well-founded semantics of the modeling language OntoUML to propose a novel approach for model abstraction in conceptual models. We provide a precise definition for a set of Graph-Rewriting rules that can automatically produce much-reduced versions of OntoUML models that concentrate the models’ information content around the ontologically essential types in that domain, i.e., the so-called Kinds. The approach has been implemented using a model-based editor and tested over a repository of OntoUML models

Security Requirements Specification and Tracing within Topological Functioning Model

Specification and traceability of security requirements is still a challenge since modeling and analysis of security aspects of systems require additional efforts at the very beginning of software development. The topological functioning model is a formal mathematical model that can be used as a reference model for functional and non-functional requirements of the system. It can also serve as a reference model for security requirements. The purpose of this study is to determine the approach to how security requirements can be specified and traced using the topological functioning model. This article demonstrates the suggested approach and explains its potential benefits and limitations

On systematic approaches for interpreted information transfer of inspection data from bridge models to structural analysis

In conjunction with the improved methods of monitoring damage and degradation processes, the interest in reliability assessment of reinforced concrete bridges is increasing in recent years. Automated imagebased inspections of the structural surface provide valuable data to extract quantitative information about deteriorations, such as crack patterns. However, the knowledge gain results from processing this information in a structural context, i.e. relating the damage artifacts to building components. This way, transformation to structural analysis is enabled. This approach sets two further requirements: availability of structural bridge information and a standardized storage for interoperability with subsequent analysis tools. Since the involved large datasets are only efficiently processed in an automated manner, the implementation of the complete workflow from damage and building data to structural analysis is targeted in this work. First, domain concepts are derived from the back-end tasks: structural analysis, damage modeling, and life-cycle assessment. The common interoperability format, the Industry Foundation Class (IFC), and processes in these domains are further assessed. The need for usercontrolled interpretation steps is identified and the developed prototype thus allows interaction at subsequent model stages. The latter has the advantage that interpretation steps can be individually separated into either a structural analysis or a damage information model or a combination of both. This approach to damage information processing from the perspective of structural analysis is then validated in different case studies

Topological optimization of structures produced through 3D printing of fiber reinforced cementitious materials

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia CivilTopology optimization can play an important role in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector. This technology along with digital manufacturing can be a game changer in the future of civil construction, allowing to build, in a short time period, lighter constructions with very geometry complexity but keeping the same of even better structural functioning. These optimized structures when coupled with a material with high capacity efforts redistribution, e.g. fibre reinforced cementitious material (FRC), can partially or totally substitute the conventional reinforcement, consequently less raw material is use, contributing for a better sustainable development. Following this idea, this dissertation will focus on study topology optimization processes along with the use of FRC materials. Initially a comparison between some topology optimization software’s will be carried out, in order to proper evaluate to most suitable for the realization of the present work. In a second stage, considering only the linear behavior of the material, different topology optimization analyses will be done. These analyses will be based on the geometry and the intended structural application (support and load conditions), in addition to the optimization goal (design variable and constraint). This part aims to assess the influence of height / length ratio (H/L ratio) of the beam, in the optimization outcome. After that, a study of the influence of reinforcement amount in the optimization will be done. Afterwards, some finite element analysis (FEA) for one of the optimized structures will be performed and assessed using distinct approaches for obtaining the tensile stress – strain relationship, namely by adopting the ultimate limit state (USL) and service limit state (SLS) tensile diagrams according to the recommendations presented in FIB Model Code 2010. These simulations will serve to evaluate the nonlinear behavior of the FRC structure. For this study six FRC with different strength classes were considered. Finally, an optimized structural element obtained through the FEA was sliced for 3D printing and the influence of the nozzle dimensions, i.e. printing resolution was checked.A otimização da topologia pode desempenhar um papel importante no setor de Arquitetura, Engenharia e Construção (AEC). Esta tecnologia aliada à manufatura digital pode completamente revolucionar o futuro da construção civil, permitindo construir, num curto espaço de tempo, construções mais leves, mas mantendo o mesmo ou ainda melhor funcionamento estrutural. Estas estruturas otimizadas quando conjugadas a um material com alta capacidade de redistribuição de esforços, por ex. materiais cimentícios reforçado com fibras (FRC), pode substituir parcial ou totalmente o reforço convencional, onde consequentemente menos matéria-prima será utilizada, contribuindo-se assim, para um melhor desenvolvimento sustentável. Seguindo essa ideia, esta dissertação terá como foco estudar processos de otimização de topológica juntamente com o uso de materiais FRC. Inicialmente será realizada uma comparação entre alguns softwares de otimização de topológica, a fim de avaliar adequadamente o mais adequado para a realização do presente trabalho. Em uma segunda etapa, considerando apenas o comportamento linear do material, serão realizados diferentes processos de otimização topológica. Essas otimizações serão baseadas na geometria e na aplicação estrutural pretendida e no objetivo da otimização. Esta parte visa avaliar a influencia da relação altura/comprimento da viga (relação H/L), no resultado da otimização. Posteriormente, algumas análises de elementos finitos (FEM) para uma das estruturas otimizadas serão realizadas e avaliadas usando duas abordagens distintas para a obtenção da relação tensão de tração – deformação, uma para estado limite último (ELU) e estado limite de serviço (ELS), seguindo as recomendações presentes no FIB Model Code 2010. Estas simulações servirão para avaliar o comportamento não linear da estrutura de FRC. Para este estudo foram considerados seis FRC com diferentes classes de força. Finalmente, para um elemento estrutural otimizado anteriormente, foi realizada uma simulação de impressão 3D, de modo a estudar a influencia do tamanho do bico de impressão, ou seja, a resolução de impressão foi verificada

Efficient Embedded System Development: A Workbench for an Integrated Methodology

International audienceThe scientific foundations of embedded system development associate two disciplines that have largely grown on their own: computer science and electrical engineering. This superposition of two domains with little common ground raises a number of industrial issues in team work organisation, sound progress tracking, and cooperation between these different skills and cultures. In this paper we introduce HOE², an integrated MDE method for embedded system development that is organised around a set of limited yet powerful artefacts. We describe how HOE² can address the issues faced during development of mixed HW/SW systems and present the first version of a tool dedicated to its instrumentation

A Helium-Surface Interaction Potential of Bi2_2Te3_3(111) from Ultrahigh-Resolution Spin-Echo Measurements

We have determined an atom-surface interaction potential for the He$-$Bi$_2$Te$_3$(111) system by analysing ultrahigh resolution measurements of selective adsorption resonances. The experimental measurements were obtained using $^3$He spin-echo spectrometry. Following an initial free-particle model analysis, we use elastic close-coupling calculations to obtain a three-dimensional potential. The three-dimensional potential is then further refined based on the experimental data set, giving rise to an optimised potential which fully reproduces the experimental data. Based on this analysis, the He$-$Bi$_2$Te$_3$(111) interaction potential can be described by a corrugated Morse potential with a well depth $D=(6.22\pm0.05)~\mathrm{meV}$, a stiffness $\kappa =(0.92\pm0.01)~\mathrm{\AA}^{-1}$ and a surface electronic corrugation of $(9.6\pm0.2)$% of the lattice constant. The improved uncertainties of the atom-surface interaction potential should also enable the use in inelastic close-coupled calculations in order to eventually study the temperature dependence and the line width of selective adsorption resonances

Robot introspection through learned hidden Markov models

In this paper we describe a machine learning approach for acquiring a model of a robot behaviour from raw sensor data. We are interested in automating the acquisition of behavioural models to provide a robot with an introspective capability. We assume that the behaviour of a robot in achieving a task can be modelled as a finite stochastic state transition system. Beginning with data recorded by a robot in the execution of a task, we use unsupervised learning techniques to estimate a hidden Markov model (HMM) that can be used both for predicting and explaining the behaviour of the robot in subsequent executions of the task. We demonstrate that it is feasible to automate the entire process of learning a high quality HMM from the data recorded by the robot during execution of its task.The learned HMM can be used both for monitoring and controlling the behaviour of the robot. The ultimate purpose of our work is to learn models for the full set of tasks associated with a given problem domain, and to integrate these models with a generative task planner. We want to show that these models can be used successfully in controlling the execution of a plan. However, this paper does not develop the planning and control aspects of our work, focussing instead on the learning methodology and the evaluation of a learned model. The essential property of the models we seek to construct is that the most probable trajectory through a model, given the observations made by the robot, accurately diagnoses, or explains, the behaviour that the robot actually performed when making these observations. In the work reported here we consider a navigation task. We explain the learning process, the experimental setup and the structure of the resulting learned behavioural models. We then evaluate the extent to which explanations proposed by the learned models accord with a human observer's interpretation of the behaviour exhibited by the robot in its execution of the task