Sketching for conceptual design has traditionally been performed on paper. Recent computational tools for conceptual design have leveraged the availability of hand-held computing devices and web-based collaborative platforms. Further, digital sketching interfaces have the added advantages of storage, duplication, and sharing on the web. We have developed skWiki, a tool that enables collaborativ...

The “conceptual graph” is a conventionally adopted assisted teaching method. Conceptual graphs display the achievements of students. This study proposes a novel learning activity called “Two-Phase Cooperative Learning.” The framework of this activity is based on the conceptual graph. The system includes the Dynamic Remedial Instruction Path (DRIP) and the grouping of cooperative learning phases...

The introduction of information technology (IT) systems to support designers’ activities and data management have profoundly affected company structure and design organization. This evolution has brought the introduction of systematic methods, close to information tools skills and prerogatives, using computer management and data recovery skills as main design support. The use of the IT also imp...

Hydrocarbon gas explosion is one of the critical hazards resulting in huge environmental impact as well as loss of valuable assets and lives as observed from the historical disasters in the oil and gas industry. In response to these events, stronger international rules and regulations have been made to ensure safety of these structures. Hence, considerable effort has been devoted to quantify ac...

Current methods for defining the operational support requirements of new systems are data intensive and require significant design information. Methods are being developed to aid in the analysis process of defining support requirements for new launch vehicles during their conceptual design phase that work with the level of information available during this phase. These methods will provide supp...

During the last two decades, many breakthroughs occurred in the development of CAD systems. However, some design activities are not yet successfully supported by CAD systems. This is especially true for the conceptual phase of industrial design. In this part of the process, synthesis and creativity play an important role. Computer-aided Conceptual Design (CACD) systems are supposed to provide n...

Today, reuse in software engineering is usually supported by component libraries, such as Java packages. Components are self-contained, ready-to-use building blocks, which are selected and composed. They are usually associated with the implementation phase, a result of practical experience rather than of existing limitations. In this paper, we shed some new light on the concept of components fr...

The general scheme of a system for a conceptual and logical database design is described. The database management systems, becoming a convenient way of creating a database, are frequently used as a new mode of access to data, but not as a means of common possession of them. This is due to the great importance of database structure. The principal consequences of an unsuitable structure are the u...

  In this paper, authors tackle three very important questions that need to be answered if a theory of design is to be constructed. The first is what designers do, Which we attempt to illustrate with the help of case studies and theories of design practice. The second question is what guides designers. Here, authors try to present some of the proposed normative positions about design, to show t...

The paper discusses the use of discrete-event simulation in design and operation of body and paint shops in North American Vehicle Assembly Plants. Two broad classifications are given on the use of simulation in body and paint shops. First classification is based on the stage of development of the system. Four categories are observed in this classification. Namely: conceptual design phase, deta...