Software test and evaluation study phase I and II : survey and analysis

Issued as Final report, Project no. G-36-661 (continues G-36-636; includes A-2568

First Annual Workshop on Space Operations Automation and Robotics (SOAR 87)

Several topics relative to automation and robotics technology are discussed. Automation of checkout, ground support, and logistics; automated software development; man-machine interfaces; neural networks; systems engineering and distributed/parallel processing architectures; and artificial intelligence/expert systems are among the topics covered

Systems model for dynamic human error during accident sequences

Statement of responsibility on title page reads: Y. Huang, N. Siu, D. Lanning, J. Carroll, and V. Dang"December 1991."Includes bibliographical references (pages 153-155)Final report: "A systems model for dynamic human error during accident sequences"This report describes a systems-based operating crew model designed to simulate the behavior of an nuclear power plant control room crew during an accident scenario. This model can lead to an improved treatment of potential operator-induced multiple failures, since it deals directly with the causal factors underlying individual and group behavior. It is intended that the model, or more advanced developments of the model, will be used in the human reliability analysis portion of a probabilistic risk assessment study, where careful treatment of multiple, dependent failures is required. The model treats the members of the control room crew as separate, reasoning entities. These entities receive information from the plant and each other, process that information, perform actions that affect the plant, and provide information to the other crew members.The information retrieval, processing, and output activities are affected by the characteristics of the individual operator (e.g., his technical ability) and his relationship (measured in terms of "confidence level") with his fellow operators. Group behavior is modeled as the implicit result of individual operator behavior and the interactions between operators. The model is applied towards the analysis of steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) accidents at a non-U.S. pressurized water reactor, using the SIMSCRIPT 11.5 programming language. Benchmark runs, comparing the model predictions with videotaped observations of the performances of three different crews during SGTR training exercises, are performed to tune a small number of model parameters. The tuned model is then applied in a blind test analysis of a fourth crew. In both the benchmarking and blind test runs, the model performs quite well in predicting the occurrence, ordering, and timing of key events.The model is also employed in a number of sensitivity analyses that demonstrate the robustness of the model (it generates plausible results even when the model parameters are assigned values not representative of observed crews) and the model's usefulness in investigating key issues (e.g., the effect of stress buildup on crew performance). iSupported by the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission: NRC-04-89-35

Third Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Space Applications, part 1

The application of artificial intelligence to spacecraft and aerospace systems is discussed. Expert systems, robotics, space station automation, fault diagnostics, parallel processing, knowledge representation, scheduling, man-machine interfaces and neural nets are among the topics discussed

Application of IPAD to missile design

The application of an integrated program for aerospace-vehicle design (IPAD) to the design of a tactical missile is examined. The feasibility of modifying a proposed IPAD system for aircraft design work for use in missile design is evaluated. The tasks, cost, and schedule for the modification are presented. The basic engineering design process is described, explaining how missile design is achieved through iteration of six logical problem solving functions throughout the system studies, preliminary design, and detailed design phases of a new product. Existing computer codes used in various engineering disciplines are evaluated for their applicability to IPAD in missile design

Distributed testing in collaborative software development

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1999.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-158).by Caglan Kuyumcu.M.Eng

Nonlinear eigenvalue problems

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mathematics, 1998.Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-217).by Ross Adams Lippert.Ph.D