Mathematical models encompassing virtually all aspects of engineered products are in widespread use. Indeed, entire industries exist in support of some models: finite element models, computational fluid dynamics models, electric power grid load-flow models, process models, simulation models, and so on. Nonetheless, the purpose, construction, and use of models is not adequately understood. One major issue is that no model perfectly represents reality. Therefore models always diverge from reality somewhere, and they are always inaccurate by some amount. Estimation of model error and the use of model-generated results in support of engineering design decision making are key to the successful use of models.
1.
de Neufville, R., 1990, Applied Systems Analysis, Engineering Planning and Technology Management, McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, New York, NY.
2.
Hazelrigg, G. A., 1994, Rethinking the Curriculum, ASEE Prism, December, p. 56.
3.
Hazelrigg, G. A., 1996, Systems Engineering: An Approach to Information-Based Design, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.
4.
Hazelrigg
G. A.
1998
, “A Framework for Decision-Based Engineering Design
,” ASME JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN
, Vol. 120
, No. 4
, December, pp. 653
–658
.5.
Luce, R. D., and Raiffa, H., 1957, Games and Decisions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, NY.
6.
Marshall, K. T., and Oliver, R. M., 1995, Decision Making and Forecasting, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NY.
7.
Rivett, P., 1980, Model Building for Decision Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK.
8.
Sage, A. P., 1977, Methodology for Large-Scale Systems, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, NY.
9.
Tribus, M., 1969, Rational Descriptions, Decisions and Designs, Pergamon Press, Elmsford, NY.
10.
von Neumann, J., and Morgenstern, O., 1953, The Theory of Games and Economic Behavior, 3rd Ed., Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright © 1999
by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.
