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Article
Publication date: 11 October 2011

Dereje Engida Woldemichael and Fakhruldin Mohd Hashim

The purpose of this paper is to describe the framework of conceptual design support tool (CDST) developed to assist designers during conceptual design process. The premise of the…

2727

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the framework of conceptual design support tool (CDST) developed to assist designers during conceptual design process. The premise of the study is that, by combining human creativity with computer capabilities, it is possible to perform conceptual design process more efficiently than solely manual design. The study aims to show how conceptual design knowledge can be captured from experienced designers and kept in the computer system for later use and how the developed tool assists designers by handling some of the repetitive and time‐consuming tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual design process model, which integrates systematic design approach with knowledge‐based system, is proposed. Based on this model, a CDST, which consists of function library, alternative concepts database, different modules for conceptual design activities, and a knowledge‐based system is developed. The alternative concepts database is built based on design reuse philosophy. Furthermore, the tool is designed to accept and save new concepts from the user through its knowledge acquisition module without modifying the source code. The CDST is developed using public domain open source programming environments namely CLIPS, Python, wxPython, and PyCLIPS.

Findings

Through its graphical user interface, CDST assists designers in performing the conceptual design process such as functional modelling, using standard vocabularies of functions, generating concepts and displaying on morphology chart, concept combination, and concept evaluation. The functionality and interaction between the user and the CDST is demonstrated with an example.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, the alternative concepts database consists of concepts from subsea process equipment design and few general mechanical designs. The database can be enhanced by adding more concepts through the knowledge acquisition module provided.

Practical implications

The tool can be used as a knowledge management system in industry by capturing expertise knowledge and to train novice designers. It augments designer's knowledge by providing concepts from past designs.

Originality/value

The research output from this paper can be valuable resource in industry to support designers with computers. The research represents one of the attempts to develop domain independent conceptual design tool that can acquire new concepts throughout its lifetime.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 April 2018

Harijono Djojodihardjo

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of introducing a number of visionary and pioneering ideas and upcoming enabling technologies for a conceptual and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of introducing a number of visionary and pioneering ideas and upcoming enabling technologies for a conceptual and aerodynamic design of green business jet aircraft to meet various requirements within Green and N + 2 Aircraft framework, and at the same time, to meet the requirements of air transportation demand, economic growth and environmental conservation.

Design/methodology/approach

A synthesis of various aircraft design methodologies has been carried out through iterative optimization to arrive at the conceptually designed aircraft with novel concept with optimum performance within the subsonic flight regimes. Major ideas derived from D8 and other novel concepts are appropriately applied in the work, which starts with fuel efficient motivation, and followed by wing aerodynamics and other critical factors related to the design requirements and objectives.

Findings

Through a meticulous effort following the synthesized design methodologies in the conceptual design phase, a conceptual design of a quad-bubble business jets with a set of specifications that meet the green and N + 2 aircraft technology requirements and exhibit promising performances is proposed and assessed within recent aircraft technology development.

Research limitations/implications

The research work is limited to conceptual design and analytical work which should be followed by further iterative steps incorporating experiments and detailed structural and aerodynamic computations.

Practical implications

The conceptual design proposed can be utilized as a baseline for further practical step in an aircraft development project.

Social implications

The conceptual design proposed could be utilized for business and economic study for future air transportation system.

Originality/value

The work is original, incorporating review of state-of-the-art technology, environmental requirements and a synthesis of a novel product.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 90 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 October 2017

Davide Aloini, Giulia Farina, Valentina Lazzarotti and Luisa Pellegrini

The aim of this paper is to develop the conceptual design of an information and communication technologies (ICT) platform supporting the inbound open innovation (OI) process…

1207

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to develop the conceptual design of an information and communication technologies (ICT) platform supporting the inbound open innovation (OI) process within the technological developments business unit of Leonardo Defence Systems.

Design/methodology/approach

After a preliminary phase concerning the context analysis, methodology includes three main steps: conceptualization of functions; preliminary design; and conceptual design of the system/SW architecture. In each of these phases, the authors tried to merge evidence from the scientific literature with empirical insight emerging from the field.

Findings

Results report the conceptual design proposal for an integrated ICT platform supporting the OI. It includes the conceptualization of main functions, the preliminary design deriving from use cases and the proposal for the overall system architecture and data model.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses only on the conceptual design phase; at this stage, the platform has not been still implemented or tested. Also, generalizability concerns may arise from the single-application context.

Practical implications

The outcoming conceptual design can be useful for firms that open their boundaries to external partners, as well as for software developers which could draw on it. Firms approaching similar OI challenges can re-contextualize the platform to their own setting.

Originality/value

Originality of this research relies on the attempt to show how ICT can support firms in their OI processes and, secondly, to support firms aiming to create a positive environment that encourages people at leveraging existing external technological opportunities and sources of knowledge. In so doing, a systematic design approach to the definition of the conceptual proposal is also pursued.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 21 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2003

Sun Shouqian and Lin Zongkai

Conceptual design is important in that it determines the creativity of products, which is key to the competition of the product market and the function and cost of product are…

1857

Abstract

Conceptual design is important in that it determines the creativity of products, which is key to the competition of the product market and the function and cost of product are mainly determined in this phase. At the same time it is complex in that it involves the consideration of many different fields in the whole design process. Studying some computer supported cooperative techniques to support effective conceptual design activity is absolutely necessary. This paper presents the models and tools of computer supported cooperative conceptual design (CSCCD) which includes an auto‐resolving model, a human‐human interaction model, automatic cooperation tools and interactive cooperation tools. Experiments have been carried out in the conceptual design of a motorcycle to put the above theories into application.

Details

Integrated Manufacturing Systems, vol. 14 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-6061

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 February 2023

Nesij Ünal, Yahya Öz and Tugrul Oktay

Throughout an aircraft development process, the conceptual design phase is an extremely important milestone; hence, the quality and success of this step directly affect the…

151

Abstract

Purpose

Throughout an aircraft development process, the conceptual design phase is an extremely important milestone; hence, the quality and success of this step directly affect the overall cost and lead time of the project. Because of this fact, the purpose of this study is to provide outputs and suggestions to the designing engineer regarding the requirements for reducing overall design time as well as costs and creating an ideal design at the early phases of the project by optimizing the aircraft development process.

Design methodology approach

The system has been prepared parametrically and presents some performance specifications for the aircraft in the early phases of the design, for example, coefficients for lift CL as well as drag CD and weight as well as fuel estimations. The software uses a combination of well-known design techniques within just one platform in contrast to many other applications. Because of this feature, it is not needed to use different sub-platforms which would require an appropriate environment and even though would lead to complications with regard to the connectivity. The system also presents relevant information about the aircraft performance like velocity versus load factor (V-n) diagrams, maximum turn rate of climb, turn rate and climb angle graphs in contrast to many other open-source conceptual design platforms.

Findings

In this study, authentic General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle data were used as input to the system, and advanced geometric and/or performance graphs were obtained and compared to the literature where a good agreement of the results was observed. These results with regard to the aircraft performance are typically product specific and quite rare in the literature. These data obtained by use of the software during the aircraft design are, thus, of major interest, especially for the design of new aerospace platforms. In this study, all of these graphs (especially the remarkable V-n diagram) are obtained on one platform.

Originality value

The aircraft conceptual design and analysis system software provides information and suggestions regarding the requirements for reducing the overall design time, reducing the design costs and creating an optimized design at the early phases of a project by optimizing the aircraft development process within just one convenient, that is, user friendly, platform, where it uses a combination of varying methodologies. Besides presenting one interface, which is quite typical for conceptual design tools, it allows applications of methods like vortex lattices and finite differences for obtaining aerodynamic performance parameters.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 95 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 13 February 2023

Elham Rostami, Fredrik Karlsson and Shang Gao

This paper aims to propose a conceptual model of policy components for software that supports modularizing and tailoring of information security policies (ISPs).

1136

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a conceptual model of policy components for software that supports modularizing and tailoring of information security policies (ISPs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a design science research approach, drawing on design knowledge from the field of situational method engineering. The conceptual model was developed as a unified modeling language class diagram using existing ISPs from public agencies in Sweden.

Findings

This study’s demonstration as proof of concept indicates that the conceptual model can be used to create free-standing modules that provide guidance about information security in relation to a specific work task and that these modules can be used across multiple tailored ISPs. Thus, the model can be considered as a step toward developing software to tailor ISPs.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed conceptual model bears several short- and long-term implications for research. In the short term, the model can act as a foundation for developing software to design tailored ISPs. In the long term, having software that enables tailorable ISPs will allow researchers to do new types of studies, such as evaluating the software's effectiveness in the ISP development process.

Practical implications

Practitioners can use the model to develop software that assist information security managers in designing tailored ISPs. Such a tool can offer the opportunity for information security managers to design more purposeful ISPs.

Originality/value

The proposed model offers a detailed and well-elaborated starting point for developing software that supports modularizing and tailoring of ISPs.

Details

Information & Computer Security, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4961

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2021

Roba Abbas and Albert Munoz

To explore the value and the case for designing antifragile socio-technical information systems (IS) in an era of big data, moving beyond traditional notions of IS design towards…

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the value and the case for designing antifragile socio-technical information systems (IS) in an era of big data, moving beyond traditional notions of IS design towards systems that can leverage uncertainty for gains.

Design/methodology/approach

A design science research (DSR) approach was adopted, comprising four stages, including problem identification and solutions definition, conceptual artifact or socio-technical system design, preliminary evaluation, and communication and knowledge capture.

Findings

A conceptual socio-technical artifact that identifies antecedents to antifragile IS design. When operationalised, the antecedents may produce the desired antifragile outcome. The antecedents are categorised as value propositions, design decisions and system capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

This research is conceptual in nature, applied and evaluated in a single big data analytics case study in Facebook-Cambridge Analytica. Future research should empirically validate across a range of real-world big data contexts, beyond the presented case study.

Practical implications

Uncertainty generally results in socio-technical system failures, impacting individuals, organisations and communities. Conversely, antifragile IS can respond favourably to the shocks and stressors brought forth by periods of elevated uncertainty.

Social implications

Antifragile IS can drive socio-technical systems to respond favourably to uncertainty and stressors. Typically, these socio-technical systems are large, complex structures, with increased connectivity and the requirement to generate, process, analyse and use large datasets. When these systems fail, it affects individuals, organisations and communities.

Originality/value

Existing IS design methodologies and frameworks largely ignore antifragility as a possible designable outcome. Extant research is limited to abstract architectural design, and approaches based on the proposition of principles. This research contributes to knowledge of antifragile IS design, by deriving a conceptual artifact or socio-technical system based on antecedent-outcome relationships that leverage uncertainty towards performance gains.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. 34 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 August 2018

Lorenzo Fiorineschi

Learning systematic conceptual design approaches could be difficult for students who are asked to adapt their intuitive design rationale to more abstract and divergent thinking…

Abstract

Purpose

Learning systematic conceptual design approaches could be difficult for students who are asked to adapt their intuitive design rationale to more abstract and divergent thinking styles. The purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual design approach with a well-defined reference framework and procedure to help students to gradually move toward concreteness and to explore the design space.

Design/methodology/approach

The so-called problem–solution network approach has been taken as a reference and upgraded with a specific framework to manage abstraction levels. A first didactical application of the proposal is described, and specific feedbacks from students have been collected by means of an anonymous survey.

Findings

Despite the limited course time allotted for the argument, students’ feedbacks revealed that the proposed abstraction framework is useful to learn systematic conceptual design and to support the understanding of creative design thinking.

Research limitations/implications

The proposal has been applied on a single class of MS engineering students in a course where only a part of the available time was allotted to conceptual design activities. However, the received positive feedbacks are encouraging and allow pushing toward more comprehensive applications and investigations.

Originality/value

The proposal shown in this paper uses acknowledged concepts of abstraction and function to propose a new integrated framework to manage abstraction levels in problem solving activities. The framework has been implemented in a very recent conceptual design approach based on problem–solution co-evolution, which has been proposed to overcome the flaws ascribed to classical function-based methods.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2009

A. Hambali, S.M. Sapuan, N. Ismail and Y. Nukman

Selection of the design concepts is one of the significant activities in product development process. Most of the products are usually failed due to inappropriate decision during…

Abstract

Selection of the design concepts is one of the significant activities in product development process. Most of the products are usually failed due to inappropriate decision during the selection of the design concepts at the early stage of product development process. The determination of the greatest selection of design concepts at the conceptual design stage is a crucial decision due to a poor design concept which can never be compensated for by a good detailed design and it will implicate great expense of redesign cost. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is one available method in forming a systematic approach for a single decision maker or a group decision maker, is employed to solve such problem. In this paper, 7 design concepts of wheelchair designs were considered as a case study. The AHP through utilizing Expert Choice software was implemented to determine the most suitable design concept of wheelchair design at the conceptual design stage. The sensitivity analysis was performed to test the stability of the priority ranking and to increase the confidence in the selection of design concepts.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 5 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2015

Sepehr Abrishami, Jack Goulding, Farzad Pour Rahimian and Abdul Ganah

The purpose of this paper is to find optimal solutions for conceptual design automation, which can be integrated with Building Information Modelling (BIM) support for construction…

1648

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find optimal solutions for conceptual design automation, which can be integrated with Building Information Modelling (BIM) support for construction automation. Problems relating ostensibly to failures in computational support for the conceptual design stage are well-documented in extant literature. These failures are multifarious and significant, with several deficiencies being acknowledged in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Whilst acknowledging this, extant literature has highlighted the importance of computational design in the AEC industry; and failures in this area include the need to strengthen the congruent links and support mechanisms in order to exploit the opportunities presented by new computational design methods. Given this, it is postulated that the application of generative design could enhance the design experience by assisting designers with the iterative generation of alternatives and parameterisation (change management) processes. Moreover, as BIM applications are increasingly providing comprehensive support for modelling and management, then additional synergies could be examined for further exploitation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focusses on the potential for developing an interactive BIM environment that purposefully adopts generative design as a method of computational design for the early design stages. This research facilitates the automation of the conceptual architectural design process, using BIM as the central conduit for enhancing the integration of the whole building design process (including design interfaces). This approach is designed to improve designers’ cognition and collaboration during the conceptual architectural design process.

Findings

This paper evaluates the existing methods and decision support mechanisms, and it introduces the potential of combining different concepts into a single environment (generative design/BIM).

Originality/value

This research is novel, in that it critically appraises virtual generative workspaces using BIM as the central conduit. The outcome and intervention of this research forms a theoretical basis for the development of a “proof of concept” prototype, which actively engages generative design into a single dynamic BIM environment to support the early conceptual design process.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

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