Date of Award

12-1995

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Paul F. Auclair, PhD

Second Advisor

David L. Coulliette, PhD

Third Advisor

Charles A. Bleckmann, PhD

Abstract

This thesis compared Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to the one-factor-at-a-time approach for calibrating the Bioplume-II simulation model of contaminant biodegradation. The MADE-2 data set from Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi was used. The one-factor-at-a-time approach reduced the root-mean-squared (RMS) error for the flow to 0.921225 feet in a total of 36 runs of Bioplume-II. The RSM approach reduced the error criterion to 0.918875 in a total of 47 runs. The one-factor-at-a-time approach was unable to reduce the error below 67.1831 parts per billion (ppb) after 21 runs. The RSM approach reduced the RMS error to 67.0327 ppb after 47 runs. The RSM approach allows the modeler to identify parametric regions of improved response in a systematic way that would be extremely difficult to find using the one-factor-at-a-time approach. Limitations of this work included the use of inefficient full factorial designs and the poor assumption of homogeneous parameter values.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEE-ENV-95D-16

DTIC Accession Number

ADA305879

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