Engineered Systems Design, Modeling, and Analysis

Complex engineered systems, such as industrial facilities, mines, power plants, spacecraft, computer networks, electronic devices and defense systems, must be designed in such a robust way as possible to sudden or gradual changes in environmental or operational parameters. When such engineered systems are designed and modeled, the system components are typically analyzed using sophisticated engineering system analysis tools (e.g., structural analysis models). Although the components themselves may be modeled in great detail, it can sometimes be difficult to evaluate behavior of the system as an integrated whole. This is because in order to understand and predict the behavior of a complex system, it is not enough to understand the behavior of the individual components; the interactions of the various components must also be understood. Moreover, in many engineered systems, human interactions and organizational behavior may also play an important role in how the system functions.

Realistic analysis of such engineered systems is best facilitated by a “total system” model representing the interactions, interdependencies and feedbacks between the various system components (including humans). Without such a model, it may not be possible to identify potential bottlenecks, risks, failure mechanisms, fatal flaws or system incompatibilities.

The GoldSim simulation software suite has the power and flexibility to build "total system" models of any kind of engineered system, ranging from disposal facilities, mines and industrial facilities to engines, vehicles, electronic systems and spacecraft. Most of these applications fall into the three categories listed below.  You can follow these links to learn more:

• Risk, Failure and Vulnerability Analysis. Predict the probability of  failures in an engineered system that could lead to severe damage to the system, injury, loss of life, and/or perhaps damage to the surrounding environment. Identify (and reduce) the vulnerability of engineered systems to both natural (e.g., weather-related) and man-made (e.g., sabotage, terrorism) disruptions.
• System Reliability and Throughput Analysis. Evaluate the probability that a component or system will perform its required function over a specified time period. Compute the throughput of systems such as processing plants, transportation systems and electronic devices. 
• Warranty Claims Modeling and Cost Analysis. Evaluate the entire life-cycle cost for a product, including warranty claims. Forecast how well a product will perform in deployment, and then make design decisions and/or devise warranty strategies to minimize costs and best serve customers.

You can also learn more by:

• Taking the GoldSim Quick Tour to quickly learn about GoldSim's features and capabilities;
• Learning more about GoldSim's Reliability Module, an add-on extension to GoldSim to help you model risk and reliability of engineered systems;
• Viewing a summary of how the GoldSim approach to risk and reliability analysis differs from traditional approaches;
• Requesting a free web demo, in which one of our technical staff shares his/her desktop while answering your questions and demonstrating the application of GoldSim to engineered systems modeling problems; and/or
• Requesting a free Evaluation to try GoldSim for yourself.

Making Better Decisions In An Uncertain World