CAE 597
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS IN CIVIL
ENGINEERING
LECTURE 1
What is a System?
Mohammad Miralinaghi
Illinois Institute of Technology
Topics for today’s conversation
System? What’s that?
Classification of Systems
General and Specific Examples of Systems in
Everyday Life and in CE
Attributes of a System
Examples of CE System Attributes
Phases of CE Systems Development
Tasks encountered at each Phase
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How do we define a System?
Etymology:
From Late Latin
systemat-, systema
From Greek
systEmat-, systEma,
from synistanai (to combine),
from syn- + histanai (to cause to stand)
Merriam-Webster’s definition
“a regularly interacting or interdependent
group of items forming a unified whole.”
Other definition
“A collection of interrelated objects, rules or
procedures that interact to achieve a
certain goal”
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Other definitions:
1. a group of devices or artificial objects or an
organization forming a network especially for
distributing something or serving a common
purpose
2. an organized set of doctrines, ideas, or
principles usually intended to explain the
arrangement or working of a whole entity
3. an organized or established procedure
4. a harmonious arrangement or pattern
Classification of Systems
Boulding’s Classification (1956)
Level Description Characteristic Example
1 Structural Systems Static, spatial frameworks Atom, crystal, highway bridge
2 Clockwork Systems Predetermined motion Solar system, clocks, machines
3 Control Systems Closed-loop control mechanisms Thermostats
4 Open Systems Structural self-maintaining Cells
5 Genetic Systems Society of cells Plants
6 Animals Self-preservation, survival Birds and Beasts
7 Humans Self-consciousness, selflessness Human beings
8 Socio-cultural Systems Roles, values, communication Family, Community, Society
9 Transcendental Systems Beyond human knowledge Religion
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Other ways of classifying a CE System
Physical vs. Virtual (Operational)
Dynamic vs. Static
Network vs. Non-network
Supersystem vs. Subsystem
Hard Systems vs. Soft Systems
Specific Examples of Systems In Everyday Life:
The Human Body (Yes, You!)
- Consists of various organs that work together to
achieve various goals including …
… moving from place to place,
… learning and working for a living
… staying alive, etc.
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Specific Examples of Systems In Everyday Life:
Computer Hardware System
Monitor, and Keyboard
(note: this is a physical system)
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WHAT’S A SYSTEM?
Specific Examples of Systems In Everyday Life:
Computer Operating System
A set of sequential rules and algorithms
(written using computer code or machine
language) that govern the way the
computer runs.
Example: Windows 11
(note: this is a virtual system)
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WHAT’S A SYSTEM?
Specific Examples of Systems In Everyday Life:
Chicago Stadium System
-- Steel Columns
-- Steel Beams
-- Seats
-- Playing Field
-- Press Box
-- Scoreboard, etc
(note: this is a physical system)
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Specific Examples of Systems In Everyday Life:
Rules of Operation for the Chicago 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 a virtual system) 12
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Specific Examples of Systems In Everyday Life:
Illinois Tech Physical Facilities System
-- Roads/Streets
-- Buildings
-- Sidewalks
-- Landscape
-- Utility lines
-- Fountains, etc
(note: this is a physical system)
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Specific Examples of Systems In Everyday Life:
Illinois Tech GPA Scoring System
GPA Scoring:
Set of Rules
A Computational Formula used
- depends on the credit hours of each
course taken
- also depends on grade earned for each
course
(note: this is a virtual system)
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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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Components of a system:
These typically refer only to the following attributes:
- Physical Structure
- Procedures/rules for using the system
Note:
Not all systems have a physical
structure component.
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Steps in Civil Engineering Systems Analysis
Step 1: Objectives Definition
Step 2: Measures of Effectiveness
Step 3: Model Formulation
Step 4: Model Evaluation
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Step 5: Decision
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Steps in Civil Engineering
Step 1: Objectives Definition
Examples
Cost Utilization
Minimization Maximization
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Steps in Civil Engineering
Step 2: Measures of Effectiveness
Examples
Quantitative/
Linear/Nonlinear
Qualitative
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Steps in Civil Engineering Systems Analysis
Step 3: Model Formulation
Examples
Deterministic/
Linear/Nonlinear
Stochastic
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Steps in Civil Engineering Systems Analysis
Step 4: Model Evaluation
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Steps in Civil Engineering Systems Analysis
Step 5: Decision
Feedback Loop
Objective
Current Data Model Analysis
Decision
Practice New Data
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Problems with System Analysis
How to establish objectives?
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Problems with System Analysis
How to establish objectives?
How to choose measures of effectiveness?
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Problems with System Analysis
How to establish objectives?
How to choose measures of effectiveness?
How to choose proper model?
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Needs Assessment, Does a Problem exist?
Assessing the Need for the System
Goals Identification, etc. Establishment of System Performance Goals The Phases of Systems
System Analysis, Description, Optimization and Evaluation of
Development – Linear
Planning Alternative System Plans, Locations, and Policies View
System Analysis, Description, Optimization and
Design Evaluation of Alternative Designs and Materials
System Analysis, Description, Optimization and Evaluation of
Construction Alternative Construction Systems
System Analysis, Description, Optimization and Evaluation of
Alternative Policy and Operational Systems
Operations
Analysis, Description, Optimization and Evaluation of
System Inspection/Monitoring Alternative Inspection Policies and Methods
System Analysis, Description, Optimization and Evaluation of
Preservation Alternative Preservation Practices and Maintenance Systems
Terminal System Phases (Demolition, Failure, etc.)
- Assessment of System Vulnerability to disaster,
- Failure Analysis
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- Analysis, Description, Optimization and Evaluation
of Alternative Demolition Processes
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The Phases of Systems Development– Circular View
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
System Preservation and Evaluation of Alternative System
Analysis, Description, Optimization Plans, Locations, and Policies
and Evaluation of
Alternative Preservation Practices
and Maintenance Systems
System Design
Analysis, Description, Optimization
System Inspection/Monitoring and Evaluation of Alternative Designs
and Materials
Analysis, Description, Optimization
and Evaluation of Alternative
Inspection Policies and Methods
System Operations
System Construction
Analysis, Description, Optimization Analysis, Description, Optimization and
and Evaluation of Alternative Policy Evaluation of
and Operational Systems Alternative Construction Systems
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Questions?
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