Learning Outcomes
The module will provide an introduction to modeling the dynamic behavior of civil systems under consideration of different physical processes governing the system (think of mechanical, fluid, or thermal processes). The introduction will emphasize that different physical processes can be modeled using similar mathematical models and a common product model of the system. Hence, the same mathematical apparatus can be utilized to quickly analyse different aspects of a large number of alternatives. the introduction will also introduce concepts of parametric product modeling that allow for the quick generation of different alternatives for the civil system's configuration that can be analysed considering the different physical processes.
Building upon this initial introduction, the module will teach methods of parametric model simulation and multi-criteria system evaluation.These methods will be applied in system dynamics simulation to understand the behavior of the system over time. A large focus of the module will be on supporting multi-disciplinary civil engineering design and collaboration. To ground the theoretical part of the module, students will also gain practical hands on experiences modeling and simulating a complex civil system.
Content
- review of engineering methods to model different physical processes of civil systems
- methods for the combined application of different physical process simulations based on a single product description of a civil system
- system dynamics modelling and analysis
- parametric multi-criteria system analysis
Description of Teaching and Learning Methods
- Read and comment on selected texts
- Discussion of complex or problematic areas of the text; practice and application examples during lectures
- project work: development of a logical ontology for a civil engineered product; parametric geometric representation of the product; combination of different products into an urban model
