CIVL 2170: Infrastructure Systems

Engineering and Management

Lecture 1
Introduction to Systems Engineering
Satish Ukkusuri
 Lecture Overview

• Say Cheese!
• Administrivia
• Why are we here? Motivation
• What is Systems Engineering? Example from CEE
• Everyday Examples
• Elements of Systems Problems

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 Instructors

• Welcome!!
• Instructors: Satish Ukkusuri and Jack Cheng
Satish Ukkusuri:
Visiting Professor, HKUST
Office: 3587; Office Hours: Tues: 12:30 – 2:00pm
Email: sukkusur@purdue.edu
• Teaching Assistants: Li Lu, Li Lubing, Cen
Xuekai

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 CIVL 2170 At a Glance

Tools
• Optimization
•Network Analysis
•Game Theory
• Engineering Economics

Conceptual Knowledge
of Systems Engineering Applications

• Global Trend
• Sustainability
• Resilience

Project-based
Demonstration
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 Administrivia: Course Material
 Reading will be distributed on the Canvas
 Canvas will be used to distribute lecture notes,
homeworks, syllabus, solutions, example exams,
project guidelines
 There is one textbook for this course. All relevant
material will be distributed.
ReVelle, C. S., Whitlatch, E. E., and Wright, J. R.
(2003). Civil and Environmental Systems Engineering,
Prentice Hall, New Jersey, USA.
 Prerequisites required: An inquisitive mind, Basics
of calculus and algebra, proficiency with Excel.
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 Grading Policy
 Two exams in the semester
 Homeworks will be mainly numerical problems
and some conceptual questions
– Two Exams 80% = 40% + 40%
[Tentatively Exam 1: Mar 17, Exam 2: XX]
– Homework 20%
– 10% HW for Part 1 and 10% for Part 2
– In 10% for Part 1, 4% for in class Quizzes
 Tutorial Session: Every Wednesday and Thursday
 Sessions for week 1 are cancelled

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 Central Question of the Course

How can Civil Engineers make

DECISIONS using an INTEGRATIVE,
HOLISTIC and SUSTAINABLE
approach considering ECONOMIC,
SOCIAL, MATERIAL and POLICY
considerations?

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 Overview of Course: Philosophy

 Conceptual
 Civil Engineers can fundamentally contribute to grand
challenges in the modern world using integrative
approaches
 To effect change, civil engineers require tools to identify
“better” notions of design and operations

 Pedagogical
 Civil Engineers are trained in silo approaches (structures,
transportation etc)
 Receive less training on holistic approaches
 Emerging problems such as climate change, sustainability,
green design require multidisciplinary approaches
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 Overview of Course: Learning Objectives
 Motivate CEE students towards systems engineering
concepts
 Ability to identify different phases of CEE systems
development
 Proficiency in various tools related to solving civil systems
engineering problems such as uncertainty analysis,
simulation, optimization, network analysis and economic
analysis
 Ability to understand the planning and operational aspects
of civil engineering systems
 Appreciate and develop the ability to apply systems
concepts to solve grand challenges such as climate change,
sustainability and green design and awareness to policy
decisions

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 OK. So why do we care? Motivation

 There are global challenges which are

critical issues to solve – grand
challenges
 They aren't simply CE or AE or
economics or management problems
 These problems require integrative
and holistic approaches
 These are “systems” problems
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 Motivation II

 NAE Grand Challenges:

 Restore and Improve Urban
Infrastructure
http://www.engineeringchallenges.o
rg/cms/8996/9136.aspx
 Develop sustainable energy
 Provide access to clean drinking water
 Engineer better medicines
 Develop carbon sequestration methods
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 Motivation II

 Critical Challenges today:

 Energy
 Mobility
 Environmental and Sustainability Issues
(clean air, clean water, land use, habitat
preservation)
 Global Climate Change
 Urbanization
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 How can we contribute?
 Will we solve all these problems? Of
course not…but
 Get an appreciation for complex civil
engineering problems and proficiency in
the tools required to solve some of these
issues
 Core concepts:
 Dealing with uncertainty, Connected
nature of the interactions (Networks) and
optimal use of resources and capital
(Optimization)
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 Definition of Systems Engineering
 What is a “System”?
 “A collection of interrelated objects, rules
or procedures that interact to achieve a
certain goal”
 Construct or collection of different elements
that together produce results not obtainable
by the elements alone
 Can include people, hardware, facilities,
software, policies, documents etc.
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• Ross-Ade Stadium System
Systems In Everyday Life
-- Steel Columns
-- Steel Beams
-- Seats
-- Playing Field
-- Press Box
-- Scoreboard, etc

(note: this is a physical system)

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 Example of Systems

Rules of Operation for the Ross-Ade Stadium

Entry/Exit System- Certain rows enter or exit the
stadium before others.
Behavioral System- No throwing of beer cans,
vandalism prohibited, etc.
No spectators allowed on field during play.
Rules of Game to be followed by all players.

(note: this is an operational system)

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Curtis Island LNG Project

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 Examples of Systems
 Movie Theatre  Movie Theatre Queue
 Counters  Enter the queue at
 Cashier back
 Seats  Stand in one queue
 Security  Proceed to front of
 Utilities queue
 Leave queue after
ticket is given
A set of entities:
Physical System A set of rules:
Operational System
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 Traffic Signal as a System

 What type of system is this?

- Metal Poles
- Light Bulbs
- Electrical Wiring
- Signs
- Processor
- Loop Detectors in
Pavement, etc

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 Traffic Signal as a System
• TIMING SEQUENCE (Example)
1. Main Street
Green – 17 seconds What type
Yellow – 3 seconds
of System
Red – 10 seconds

2. Side Street
is this?
Green – 10 seconds
Yellow – 3 seconds
Red – 17 seconds

3. Additional All Red Time for both

Streets– 3 seconds
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 Attributes of a System
1. Physical structure
2. Rules or procedures for operation of the
system
3. Goals or objectives
4. Criteria by which attainment of the goals are
measured (MOE’s)
5. Condition or performance of the system at any
time
6. Environment within which system operates

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 Definition of Systems Engineering

 Systems Engineering is a methodical,

disciplined approach for the design,
realization, management, operations
and retirement of a system. (NASA)
 Safe and balanced design accounting
for opposing interests and conflicting
constraints

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 Areas in Civil Engineering and Examples

 Construction Engineering (Example)

 Environmental Engineering
 Structural/Material Engineering
 Transportation Engineering
 Geotechnical Engineering
 Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering
 Architectural Engineering
 Video on CEE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyqdU5MpaP
g
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 Examples of CE Systems

Area Example of System Physical Operation Goals and Objectives Performance Measures
Structure(s)
Transportation Interstate 465 Highway, Vehicular use Provide mobility around the Congestion levels
Freeway System, Road Signs, Indianapolis area
Indianapolis
Structures Steel Truss of a Steel Sections and Loading Safe and economical support of Deflection, shear, corrosion
Bridge Joints live and dead loads

Hydraulics/ Levee System Walls and Pumps Holding back high Prevent flooding % of time overspill
Hydrology water Nr. of breaches
Environmental Indy Waste Filtration Units, Effluent Treatment Maximize amt. of waste treated Volume of waste treated /hr
Treatment System Sedimentation
ponds, etc.
Geotechnics Foundation System Footings and Loading Safe and economical support of Settlement, Cracking
for a Building rafters loads
Materials Asphalt Mix Aggregates and Loading Safe and economical support of Rutting, Raveling
Bitumen Pavement vehicle loads
Construction Critical Path Method None Scheduling of Minimize construction delay Construction Period
(CPM) Work Maximize resource utilization Equipment Utilization
Geomatics Location Precision none Set of Minimize error of locating Percentage of time a point is
Systems mathematical facilities correctly located within some
models precision range

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 Phases of Systems Development
Terminal System Phases Needs Assessment, Goals
(Demolition, Failure, etc.) Identification, etc.
- Assessment of System Vulnerability to disaster, Does a problem exist?
- Failure Analysis Assessing the Need for the System
-Analysis, Description, Optimization and Establishment of System Performance Goals
Evaluation of Alternative Demolition Processes

System Planning
Analysis, Description, Optimization and
System Preservation Evaluation of Alternative System Plans,
Analysis, Description, Optimization and Locations, and Policies
Evaluation of
Alternative Preservation Practices
and Maintenance Systems
System Design
Analysis, Description, Optimization and
System Inspection/Monitoring Evaluation of Alternative Designs and
Materials
Analysis, Description, Optimization and
Evaluation of Alternative Inspection
Policies and Methods

System Operations
System Construction
Analysis, Description, Optimization and Analysis, Description, Optimization and
Evaluation of Alternative Policy and Evaluation of
Operational Systems Alternative Construction Systems 25
 What will this course teach?
Will give you the tools to answer questions such as:
1. How should I design my system? What factors to consider
in the design? What steps should I follow?
2. How can I best describe (or predict in future) the physical
structure, condition or performance of the system to any
interested party?
3. How do I choose from several alternative systems? What
factors should I consider?
4. How can I tell if a given system is doing well?
5. How can I optimize the operations of my system? What
should I minimize? What should I maximize?

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 Group Exercise
Area of Civil: ________________________________________

System: ________________
Type(s): ________________
Elements: ______________
_________________
Inputs _________________ Outputs
_________________ _________
_________
_________________ _________
_________
_________ _________
_________ _________
_________ _________
_________ _________
_________

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 Tasks at each Phase:
(1) Description
(2) Analysis
(3) Optimization
(4) Evaluation, and
(5) Selection (of the best from multiple
alternatives)

Think of the Bus System on HKUST Campus and

identify the Different Phases and Tasks in
each Phase

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 Tasks at each Phase:
The task of “Description”
Describing the system’s physical structure:
How can I describe the composition or physical structure of my design?
Graphically? Blueprints, Artistic sketches? If the structure changes over time,
can I predict the future physical structure say, 10 years from now?
How should I describe proposed physical modifications to an existing
structure?

Describing the system’s operations:

How to describe the way the system works? An equation? Probability
distributions? Graphical simulation?
How to describe proposed changes in the operations of the system?

Describing the system’s condition or performance:

How can I describe the condition of the system? Using GIS?
How can I predict the future condition of the system? Using statistical models?
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 Tasks at each Phase:
The task of “analysis”

Analyzing the physical structure of the system

What physical design should I use for the new facility?
What physical modifications should I make to an
existing system?

Analyzing the operational procedures of the system

What rules or procedures should govern the operation of
my new system?
What changes in operational rules and procedures are
needed to my existing system?

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 Tasks at each Phase:
The task of “optimizing”

Optimizing the physical structure

What physical design gives me the highest benefits at least
possible costs of construction and maintenance of the
physical structure?

Optimizing the system’s operations

How should I operate my system in order to yield the most
benefits with minimal costs?

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 Tasks at each Phase:
The task of evaluation”
Evaluating the system’s physical structure:
Is the system structurally sound?
Are bending moments and deflections acceptable?
Is the system physical condition OK?

Evaluating the system’s operations:

Are the system goals being achieved?
Is there a more economical way to operate the system?
What is the ratio of the system benefits to its costs?
Are there any environmental side effects of system operation?

Evaluating the system’s condition:

Five years from now, will the expected condition be acceptable?
level of cracks can we expect on the system structure 5 years from now? 32
 Tasks at each Phase:
The task of “Selection”
(only where we are choosing one of many alternative designs for a system)

Selection of Best Physical Structure:

On what basis should I say a particular physical design alternative is
the best?
- Aesthetics?
- Maintainability?
- Environmental compatibility? Cost? Etc.
Selection of Best Operational Procedure:
On what basis should I say a particular operational design alternative is
the best?
- Availability of skilled operating personnel?
- Harmony of operations with the environment? Etc.
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Summary of the tasks we face at each Phase of
systems development …

Design, Optimize Physical Structure

Describe, Predict Condition
Analyze, Evaluate Operation/Usage

Tasks for You (the System Attributes

Systems Designer)

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 Tools for Systems Engineering
• Recall the Phases of CE Systems Engineering
• All of these phases need specific tools to solve
Planning (P), Design (D), Construction (C) Operations
(O), Maintenance (M) etc.
• Different Tools we will discuss:
– Uncertainty Analysis (Probability, Stats) – P, D, C, O, M – we
will NOT discuss this
– Optimization – P, D, C, O, M
– Game Theory – O, C, D, P
– Multi-criteria Decision Making – P, D, O, M
– Engineering Economics – P, D, C, M
– Queuing Analysis – C, O, M

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 Preliminary Steps in Systems Modeling

 Identifying the Need for the System

 Establish Performance Metrics,
Outcomes
 Identify Stakeholders

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 Identify the Problem
 Is there a need for systems
analysis/design?
 Examples:
 Is there a need for a new highway?
 Do we need to reinforce the bridge decks
 Does the city need a new sewerage plant?
 Should we build a reinforcing wall for
flood plains
Think about what factors impact this
decision
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 Identify the level of need and demand
 Problem can be identified by various people including
engineers, users, administrators, policy makers etc.
 Then, identify what is the level of need –
 How urgent is it?
 Do you need to solve it on a recurring basis or is it a
one time solution?
 Does it require change in operational procedures?
 Once need is determined, determine what is the level of
demand for the system: the extent to which users are
willing to use the system
 Estimation of Demand primarily using data collection
and Modeling
 The demand influences the size of the project and costs

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 Identify the Desired Outcomes
Values or
Effectiveness, Efficiency, Equity
Overall Goals Example: To Enhance Well-being of Residents of Townsville City

Goals Example: To Improve Overall Water Supply Situation in the

City

Examples:
Objectives
To increase customer satisfaction.
To decrease cost of water production
To ensure that most people benefit

Measures of “Effectiveness” Examples:

or The number of complaints of poor water quality
Performance Measures Gallons of water produced per dollar
What fraction of the City will benefit?
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 1. Desired Outcomes: Overall Goals
- It is a broad description of what the civil
engineering system is generally meant to achieve.

- Often reflects the values of society in general

- Comprises the 3 E’s Efficiency

Effectiveness Equity 40
 2. Defining Specific Goals
Desired end state toward which effort is directed.
May include:
- physical condition/durability of the system,
- operational characteristics,
- “external effects” of the civil engineering system.

Goals associated with physical condition: system

preservation, durability, protection from disasters, etc.

Goals associated with system operations: operational

efficiency, mobility, accessibility, safety, etc.

Goals associated with external impacts: air pollution, noise

pollution, ecological damage
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 3. Define Objectives
• A specific statement that evolves from a larger goal and is
geared toward achieving that goal.

• For example, if a goal is to enhance system preservation,

then a corresponding objective could be to improve
average bridge condition over a specified period of time.

• Different stakeholders in the civil engineering system

often have different objectives

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 Who are the Stakeholders?
• the owner or operator of the system (Public or private
entity)

• system users (persons who directly use the system),

• persons who do not necessarily use the system but may be

adversely affected by it through its externalities, e.g.,
nearby residents

• persons who do not necessarily use the system but are

positively affected by the system (through enhanced
quality of life, increased accessibility, job opportunities,
etc.)

• the general public

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 4. Identify Performance Metrics (MOEs)
 Is simply an objective that is stated in measurable terms.

 Synonyms: “performance measure”, “performance

attribute”, “performance criterion”

 A “performance standard” is a fixed value of an MOE.

For example,
the corrosion index on any bridge should not exceed 0.04%.
the travel time on a particular highway is less than 40
minutes

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 Characteristics of a good MOE
• Appropriateness and Measurability:
Should reflect at least one objective of the CES.
Should enable quantification of a cost or a benefit of the proposed physical
or operational system.

• Dimensionality:
Should be able to capture objectively the required level of each dimension
associated with proposed system.
Should be comparable across different time periods or geographic regions.

• Realistic:
Should be possible to generate or extract reliable data relating to the
MOE without excessive effort, cost or time.

• Unambiguous, Defensible:
Should be clear and concise.
Should be capable of effective communication to decision-makers, general
public, etc.

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 Group Exercise
Area of Civil: ________________________________________

Needs/problems related to this system?

________________________________________
________________________________________

Inputs System: ________________ Outputs

How to measure demand?

Value ______________________ Goal
______________________
______________________
______________________
Objective______________________
Stakeholders?
MOE ______________________
______________________
______________________

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