ONTOLOGY-ENABLED TRACEABILITY MODELS FOR ENGINEERING SYSTEMS DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

This thesis describes new models and a system for satisfying requirements, and an architectural framework for linking discipline-specific dependencies through inter- action relationships at the ontology (or meta-model) level. In a departure from state-of-the-art traceability mechanisms, we ask the question: What design concept (or family of design concepts) should be applied to satisfy this requirement? Solu- tions to this question establish links between requirements and design concepts. The implementation of these concepts leads to the design itself. These ideas, and support for design-rule checking are prototyped through a series of progressively complicated applications, culminating in a case study for rail transit systems management.