固体推进剂药柱结构分析的非概率凸集合理论模型

为了研究不确定性能参数对固体推进剂药柱结构分析的影响 ,将非概率凸集合理论模型和粘弹性有限元相结合 ,以增量法处理遗传积分 ,利用摄动法预测其响应量区间 ,发展了一种适合药柱特点的不确定性方法。将其和随机结构分析进行对比 ,表明两种方法之间有一定的联系。     

多因素空间近距离巡查效能评估建模

空间近距离巡查可以开展对目标的近距离观测和监视,用于识别目标类型和工作状态等,对在轨服务、博弈对抗等军民领域均具有重要意义。分析了空间巡查任务的一般形式,并以近距离巡查最常用的光学观测为对象,构建了巡查观测的约束模型和相对距离因素评估模型、有效观测时间评估模型、目标观测角度评估模型等多因素的观测任务效能评估模型,解决了面向巡查任务全过程的综合效能评估问题,可以更好地支撑基于评估结果的巡查策略设计和巡查轨迹优化等。基于数值算例分析和半实物仿真实验,对提出的评估模型进行了仿真验证,结果显示实际观测效果和模型评估结果一致。     

分布参数管道的一种改进的小分段数有限元模型

在分段数为１和２时，现有有限元模型的一阶谐振频率比一维分布参数模型的一阶谐振频率低许多，因而其适用的频率范围较低，计算精度较差。本文提出了一种改进的小分段数有限元模型，通过修正流体管道的并联导纳使分段数为１和２时的有限元模型的一阶谐振频率与一维分布参数模型一致，从而提高了其使用的频率范围和计算精度。利用单根管道阀门关闭的水击问题的仿真计算对改进模型的效果进行了验证。在分段数为２时，原有的有限元模型的计算结果与分布参数模型的计算结果相差较大，而改进后的模型的计算结果与分布参数模型的计算结果基本一致。     

Quarrelsome committees in US defense acquisition: the KC-X case

When the US Air Force set out to acquire a new aerial tanker (the KC-X), two highly suitable alternatives were offered. What could have been a short and simple source selection turned into a prolonged embarrassment. The original selection of 100 leased KC-767s was made in May 2003. But the KC-46 is expected to be operational in 2017 – more than a decade later. Our primary purpose here is to narrate and explain key events in the KC-X program. We search for useful paradigms, based in part on the US Government being better viewed as a quarrelsome committee than a monopsonist. In addition, we consider what this case might tell us about the US defense acquisition system.     

Using a birth‐and‐death process to estimate the steady‐state distribution of a periodic queue

If the number of customers in a queueing system as a function of time has a proper limiting steady‐state distribution, then that steady‐state distribution can be estimated from system data by fitting a general stationary birth‐and‐death (BD) process model to the data and solving for its steady‐state distribution using the familiar local‐balance steady‐state equation for BD processes, even if the actual process is not a BD process. We show that this indirect way to estimate the steady‐state distribution can be effective for periodic queues, because the fitted birth and death rates often have special structure allowing them to be estimated efficiently by fitting parametric functions with only a few parameters, for example, 2. We focus on the multiserver M_t/GI/s queue with a nonhomogeneous Poisson arrival process having a periodic time‐varying rate function. We establish properties of its steady‐state distribution and fitted BD rates. We also show that the fitted BD rates can be a useful diagnostic tool to see if an M_t/GI/s model is appropriate for a complex queueing system. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 62: 664–685, 2015     

Fitting Lanchester equations to the battles of Kursk and Ardennes

Lanchester equations and their extensions are widely used to calculate attrition in models of warfare. This paper examines how Lanchester models fit detailed daily data on the battles of Kursk and Ardennes. The data on Kursk, often called the greatest tank battle in history, was only recently made available. A new approach is used to find the optimal parameter values and gain an understanding of how well various parameter combinations explain the battles. It turns out that a variety of Lanchester models fit the data about as well. This explains why previous studies on Ardennes, using different minimization techniques and data formulations, have found disparate optimal fits. We also find that none of the basic Lanchester laws (i.e., square, linear, and logarithmic) fit the data particularly well or consistently perform better than the others. This means that it does not matter which of these laws you use, for with the right coefficients you will get about the same result. Furthermore, no constant attrition coefficient Lanchester law fits very well. The failure to find a good‐fitting Lanchester model suggests that it may be beneficial to look for new ways to model highly aggregated attrition. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.     

FORECASTING SERIES CONTAINING OFFSETTING BREAKS: OLD SCHOOL AND NEW SCHOOL METHODS OF FORECASTING TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM

Transnational terrorism data are difficult to forecast because they contain an unknown number of structural breaks of unknown functional form. The rise of religious fundamentalism, the demise of the Soviet Union, and the rise of al Qaeda have changed the nature of transnational terrorism. ‘Old School’ forecasting methods simply smooth or difference the data. ‘New School’ methods use estimated break dates to control for regime shifts when forecasting. We compare the various forecasting methods using a Monte Carlo study with data containing different types of breaks. The study's results are used to forecast various types of transnational terrorist incidents.     

Requirements planning for modular products

The focus of this paper is on determining the requirements of different component options of a modular end‐product in an uncertain environment. We explicitly model two distinct sources of uncertainty: stochastic end‐product demand and unknown market proportions for the different product options available. Our cost minimizing model focuses on determining the optimal requirements policies for component options that meet a pre‐set service level. We show that simple common‐sense requirements policies are not generally optimal; there is a non‐linear connection between service level and component requirements that is hard to characterize without a detailed analysis. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006     

Bayesian inference for a Lanchester type combat model

We undertake inference for a stochastic form of the Lanchester combat model. In particular, given battle data, we assess the type of battle that occurred and whether or not it makes any difference to the number of casualties if an army is attacking or defending. Our approach is Bayesian and we use modern computational techniques to fit the model. We illustrate our method using data from the Ardennes campaign. We compare our results with previous analyses of these data by Bracken and Fricker. Our conclusions are somewhat different to those of Bracken. Where he suggests that a linear law is appropriate, we show that the logarithmic or linear‐logarithmic laws fit better. We note however that the basic Lanchester modeling assumptions do not hold for the Ardennes data. Using Fricker's modified data, we show that although his “super‐logarithmic” law fits best, the linear, linear‐logarithmic, and logarithmic laws cannot be ruled out. We suggest that Bayesian methods can be used to make inference for battles in progress. We point out a number of advantages: Prior information from experts or previous battles can be incorporated; predictions of future casualties are easily made; more complex models can be analysed using stochastic simulation techniques. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 47: 541–558, 2000     

Experimental investigation on dynamic response and damage models of circular RC columns subjected to underwater explosions

Reinforced concrete (RC) columns are widely used as supporting structures for high-piled wharfs. The study of damage model of a RC column due to underwater explosion is a critical issue to assess the wharf’s antiknock security. In this study, the dynamic response and damage model of circular RC columns subjected to underwater explosions were investigated by means of scaled-down experiment models. Experiments were carried out in a 10.0 m diameter tank with the water depth of 2.25 m, under different explosive quantities (0.025 kg–1.6 kg), stand-off distances (0.0 m–7.0 m), and detonation depths (0.25 m–2.0 m). The shock wave load and dynamic response of experiment models were measured by configuring sensors of pressure, acceleration, strain, and displacement. Then, the load distribution characteristics, time history of test data, and damage models related to present conditions were obtained and discussed. Three damage models, including bending failure, bending-shear failure and punching failure, were identified. In addition, the experience model of shock wave loads on the surface of a RC column was proposed for engineering application.