Abstract:
This research thesis presents the development of the Knowledge-Shelf (K-Shelf),
a novel knowledge environment concept to support designers throughout Set-
Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE) application. The K-Shelf concept
introduces a baseline model to understand the dimensions of knowledge
environment in SBCE application as well as its synthetisation with acclaimed
SBCE process model as the contribution to knowledge. The K-Shelf concept
incorporates three steps of Knowledge Life Cycle (KLC) that comprises of
knowledge capture, knowledge representation and knowledge provision. The K-
Shelf concept also has three capabilities that supports the set of conceptual
design generation, dynamic knowledge capture of design rationale with 5 Whys
approach and the comparisons among set of design solutions with Trade-Off
Curve (TOC) visualisation. To demonstrate these capabilities, a web-based
software is developed based on Rapid Application Development (RAD)
approach.
Rigorous research methodology is employed to develop the K-Shelf concept. A
systematic literature review is applied to capture the current approaches of
knowledge environment in SBCE application. Two industrial case studies of
Surface Jet Pump (SJP) and Brake Pedal Box (BPB) are presented to validate
the K-Shelf concept. Furthermore, two expert judgements were also obtained.
Thus, it was established that the K-Shelf is a knowledge environment to enable
an effective SBCE application.
