Thompson, B P (2009) Investigation of system dynamics applied to building simulation for anti-terrorism resource allocation. PhD thesis, University of Wisconsin - Madison, USA.
Abstract
Buildings are designed for shelter from the elements and natural hazards as well as for shelter from hostile enemies. A new hazard requiring the attention of building designers is that of terrorism, and specifically, bioterrorism. Bioterrorism presents new challenges, due to its unpredictable nature and the lack of data to guide building designers and decision-makers in protecting buildings from this hazard. Designing a building with bioterrorist attacks in mind involves many different disciplines. While the probability of a bioterrorist attack is very small for any given building, very large consequences are possible in the event of a successful attack. This creates a difficult situation for decision-makers, who are predisposed to use an expected value analysis to make risk decisions. This research developed a prototype building model using the system dynamics (SD) method, which allowed the building to be modeled as a feedback system and was used to simulate the interactions amongst the various building sub-systems, focusing on the basic structure of the system. Through this SD model, key leverage points within the system were identified, where the most effective use of resources could be made to mitigate the effects of a bioterrorist attack. The integration of the SD model with a building information model (BIM) was investigated. The model was based on a Security Index composed of three basic components: (1) building security; (2) economic considerations; and (3) occupant perceptions and awareness. By using this Security Index model, it will be possible for designers and facility owners or managers in the public and private sectors to determine logical methods for allocating resources for increases in security, both in new and existing buildings. The modeling methodology will be applicable to a wide range of hazards, both natural and manmade, as well as other aspects of building design, retrofit, operation and maintenance.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Bank, L C |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building design; building information model; feedback; hazards; integration; operation and maintenance; probability; resource allocation; retrofit; security; simulation |
| Index terms: | investigation, building simulation, modelling, interaction, building design, resource allocation, designer, occupant perception, terrorism, private sector, owner, expected value, system dynamics, integration, methodology, operation and maintenance, manager, natural hazard, prototype |
| Subjects: | practitioner, health behaviours and lifestyles, architectural design, analytical methods, maintenance engineering, research methods, behavioral psychology, environmental hazards, computing systems, profession, data collection methods, resource management, modelling and simulation, terrorism studies, industry analysis, statistical analysis, organizational analysis, sociology |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, Design Practice, Site Management, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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