RESEARCH PROJECTS
My research projects are in the field of Systems optimizations and Total productive
maintenance. At present, I am working on two projects:
Condition Based Maintenance with Imperfect Information
Condition monitoring is the process of monitoring the operating characteristics of a
machine so that changes and trends of the monitored characteristics can be used to predict
the need for maintenance before serious deterioration or breakdown occurs and to
estimate the health of the machine. Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) is the process
of planning and optimizing maintenance activities based on condition monitoring.
Recently, there have been considerable research efforts to develop condition monitoring
technologies for industrial processes and systems. The use of these technologies has
resulted in the acquisition of large amounts of data and has given life to new fields of
research, namely data mining and knowledge discovery in databases. In the past, one of
the main problems in maintenance management was the lack of data needed to support
the decision making process. Nowadays, most companies use one or more condition
monitoring technologies and possess considerable databases containing performance
indicators for their machines. Consequently, researchers are now interested in finding
techniques to extract information and interpret it accurately.
The objective of the proposed research is to introduce and test four new techniques, and
to apply them to the problem of monitoring, diagnosis and prognosis of machine health
based on condition monitoring. The first technique is a combination of the Proportional
Hazards Model (PHM) and a Partially Observable Markov Decision Model (POMD), two
models which are frequently mentioned in the literature, but which are used separately.
The second technique is based on a Statistical Process Control (SPC) chart, the
Hotelling’s T2 . The third approach uses the Support Vector Machines (SVM) model,
which was originally developed for solving pattern recognition problems. The fourth
technique applies the Logical Analysis of Data (LAD), a combinatorics and optimizationbased data analysis method.
The scientific approach is to compare the performance of the four techniques based on
four key elements of CBM:
1.
The amount and quality of data needed in order to attain a pre-specified limit of
accuracy in identifying the states of the machine, and in predicting its future
performance;
2.
The power of detecting trends or patterns in the monitored indicators;
3.
The accuracy in predicting the machine’s future health and in identifying the
causes of possible failure;
4.
The ease or the difficulty with which the four approaches can be integrated into
an optimization tool or a maintenance decision-making process.
The comparison will be carried first on simulated data, then on experimental data, and
finally on real data.
The novelty of this work is twofold:
1. Three of the four approaches have never been used in condition based
maintenance, although success in applying these approaches has been reported in
the medical field. It is expected that these approaches will perform equally well in
CBM and thus new techniques will be available to interested companies.
2. A comparative study of different techniques used in CBM has never been
reported. It is expected that such a study will help companies identify the most
suitable techniques for their needs.
According to reported studies, the cost of maintenance accounts for 15%- 40% of the
whole production cost, and one third of this cost is caused by unnecessary and inaccurate
maintenance. The expected significance of this work resides in the fact that this study
proposes and gives an in-depth understanding of four techniques that have previously
shown good results and that are now tested for the first time in the field of CBM.
Optimizing the Process of Decision Making in an Integrated Collaborative
Distributed Management System
Whether we are applying the principles of Total Quality management, or we are
working on a six sigma projects, it is evident that improvement efforts will continue to
move from local to a global environment, (distributed) and from individual to team
(collaborative) efforts. In such cases, the optimization function should integrate and
represent the objectives of all the players in order to find an optimum solution for the
organization. The objective of this research is to study the suitability of existing
optimization techniques to formulate and solve the integrated collaborative distributed
decision making process, and to propose new techniques. In a previous work, we
optimized the entire design and production processes for a newly developed product . The
optimization problem minimizes the production costs and maximizes compliance to
customer specifications and requirements. The optimization model takes into
consideration all the different steps of product development, from the initial design
implementation, to the determination of product specifications, the manufacturing and
assembly tolerances, and finally, the quality control and inspection plans prior to
delivery. This project will allow us to integrate other functions and other situations to our
research.
PUBLICATIONS
1. Hakim Aoudjit, M. Salah Ouali, Soumaya Yacout, 2007. Modélisation et analyse de
sensibilité d’un processus de dégradation stochastique composé. Revue JESA, Vol.
41, no. 9-10.
2. Luc Adjengue, Soumaya Yacout, 2007. Parameters Estimation for Condition Based
Maintenance with Uncorrelated and Correlated Observations. Quality Engineering,
Vol. 19, pp. 197-206.
3. A. Ghasemi, S. Yacout, M. S. Ouali, 2007. Optimal Condition Based Maintenance
with Imperfect Information and the Proportional Hazards Model. International
Journal of Production Research, Vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 989-1012.
4. Alireza Ghasemi, Soumaya Yacout, M-Salah Ouali, 2007. Modèle d’évaluation de la
durée de vie résiduelle d’un système basé sur de l’information imparfaite. 7 e Congrès
international de génie industriel. Trois-Rivières, Canada.
5. David Salamanca, Soumaya Yacout, 2007. Condition Based Maintenance with
Logical Analysis of Data. 7e Congrès international de génie industriel. Trois-Rivières,
Canada.
6. Chantal Baril et Soumaya Yacout, 2007. Un algorithme interactif considérant les
préférences des équipes de travail pour la résolution de problèmes à multiples
objectifs en conception de produit. 7e Congrès international de génie industriel. TroisRivières, Canada.
7. Moraima Portillo, Soumaya Yacout, Marc Boudreau, 2007. La détection de l’usure
d’un outil à l’aide des cartes de contrôle. 7e Congrès international de génie industriel.
Trois-Rivières, Canada.
8. Ilk Ozlem, Yacout Soumaya, 2006. Application of Auto-Regressive Models on
Condition Based Maintenance Problem with Imperfect Information.
CORS/Optimization Days, Montréal, Canada.
9. Badaweya Kamal, Soumaya Yacout, Osman Mohamed, 2006. Interactive Nonlinear
Multi Objectives Goal programming Algorithm for Generating Pareto Optimal
Solutions. CORS/Optimization Days, Montréal, Canada.
10. Soumaya Yacout, Alireza Ghasemi, 2005. Condition-based maintenance using the
proportional hazard model with imperfect information. International Maintenance
Excellence Conference, Toronto, Canada.
11. Hugo Piedras, Soumaya Yacout, Gilles Savard, 2005. Concurrent Optimization of
Customer Requirements and the Design of a New Product. International Journal of
Production Research, Vol.44, No.13, pp. 4401-4416.
12. Luc Adjengue, Soumaya Yacout, 2005. Parameters Estimation for Condition Based
Maintenance with Imperfect Information. Proceedings of the 35th Computers and
Industrial Engineering Conference. Istanbul, Turkey.
13. Alireza Ghasemi, Soumaya Yacout, 2005. Optimal Condition Based Maintenance
Policy for System with Unobservable States. Proceedings of the 35th Computers and
Industrial Engineering Conference. Istanbul, Turkey.
14. A. Lamghabbar, S. Yacout, M.S. Ouali, 2004. Concurrent Optimization of the Design
and Manufacturing Stages of Product Development. International Journal of
Production Research, Volume 42, No. 21, pp.4495-4512.
15. Alireza Ghasemi, Soumaya Yacout, 2004. Optimal Replacement in the Proportional
Hazard Model of a Partially Observed System. CORS/INFORMS International
Conference. Banff, Canada.
16. Alireza Ghasemi, Soumaya Yacout, 2004. Optimal Replacement Policy of a
Condition Based Maintenance Model and Imperfect Data. Optimization Days,
Montréal, Canada.
17. Anas Lamghabbar, Soumaya Yacout, Mohamed Salah Ouali.2003 .Simultaneous
Optimization of Design and Manufacturing Phases of a Product. Proceedings of the
Industrial Engineering Research Conference. Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.
18. M-Salah Ouali, Soumaya Yacout. 2003. Optional Preventive Replacement Policy for
Two-Component System. Journal of Decision Systems. Volume 12, no. 1, pp.11-21.
19. Anas Lamghabbar, Soumaya Yacout, M. S. Ouali, 2003. Intégration du Déploiment
de la Fonction Qualité et de la Programmation mathématique pour L’optimisation des
Phases de Conception
et de Fabrication d’un Produit. Proceedings of the 5th
International Industrial Engineering Conference. Québec, Canada.
20. Chantal St-Pierre, Soumaya Yacout. 2002-2003. A Framework for the Development
of en Environmental Management System: A Case Study in a Thermal Power Plant.
Quality Engineering, Volume 15, No. 1, pp. 49-65.
21. Hugo Esteban Piedras, Soumaya Yacout, Gilles Savard. 2001. An Integrated
Approach for Optimizing the Houses of Quality of QFD. Proceedings of 29th
International Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering. Montréal,
Canada.
22. M-Salah, Ouali, Soumaya Yacout. 2001. Simulation of Inspection and Replacement
Maintenance Strategies for a Fleet of Military Trucks. Proceedings of 4th
International Industrial Engineering Conference. Marseille, France.
23. Soumaya Yacout, Nidhal Regg, Franck Sylvestre.
2001. Implementation of a
Computer Based Monitoring Loop for Quality Control of Production Systems.
Quality Engineering, Volume 13, No. 3.
24. Soumaya Yacout, Jacqueline Boudreau. 2001. HACCP and ISO 9000 in Food
Processing Industry: Quality Engineering, Volume 13, No. 4.
25. Soumaya Yacout and Nancy Gautreau. 2000. A Partially Observable Simulation
Model for Quality Assurance Policies. International Journal of Production Research,
Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 253-267.
26. Soumaya Yacout, Jacqueline Boudreau. 1999. Computer Decision Support System
for Quality Planning. Proceedings of the American Statistical Association and the Fall
Technical Conference, pp. 297-299.
27. Isabelle Renaud, Soumaya Yacout. 1999. Quality Assurance in a Lobster Processing
Company: A Case Study. Quality Engineering, vol. 12, n 1, pp. 73-82.
28. Isabelle Renaud, Soumaya Yacout. 1999. Étude de l'assurance de la qualité dans une
compagnie de transformation de homards. Revue de l'Université de Moncton.
Numéro hors série, pp. 1149-58.
29. Soumaya Yacout, Anthony Fiacco. 1999. Bornes paramétriques de la fonction de
valeur optimale du problème de chemin critique d'un projet. Revue de l'Université de
Moncton, pp. 59-67.
30. Abdel Haleem, S. Yacout. 1998-1999.Simulation of Components Replacement
Policies for a Fleet of Military Trucks. Quality Engineering. 11 (2), pp. 303-308.
31. Soumaya Yacout, Jacqueline Boudreau. 1998. « Computer Simulation: A Decision
Support Tool for Quality Planning ». Proceedings of the American Statistical
Association. Section on Physical and Engineering Sciences, p. 265-269.
32. Soumya Yacout, Patrick Bourbonnais, Jacqueline Boudreau. 1998. Integrating ISO9000 with HACCP Programs in Seafood Processing Industry.
Computers and
Industrial Engineering, vol. 35, n 1-2, pp. 245-248.
33. Soumaya Yacout, Jacqueline Boudreau. 1998. Assessment of Quality Activities
Using Taguchi’s Loss Funtion. Computers and Industrial Engineering, vol. 35, n 1-2,
pp. 229-232.
34. Soumaya Yacout, Yusuo Chang.
Alternative Quality Plans. Quality Engineering, 9 (3), pp. 419-431.
35. Nancy Gautreau, Soumaya Yacout, Réjean Hall. 1997. Simulation of Partially
Observed Markov Decision Process and Dynamic Quality Improvement. Computers
and Industrial Engineering, vol. 32, n 4, pp. 691-700.
36. B. Adbel Haleem, S. Yacout. 1997. Simulation of Maintenance Policies for a Fleet
of Forklift
Trucks Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Computers
and Industrial
Engineering.
37. Soumaya Yacout, Yehia Raafat. 1996. Optimisation et analyse de la sensibilité d’un
système de boues activées. Revue de l’Université de Moncton, vol. 29, nº 1-2, p. 115.
38.
Isabelle Renaud, Soumaya Yacout. 1996. Resource Allocation and Optimal
Product Mix at a Fish and Seafood Processing Company. Computers and Industrial
Engineering, vol. 31, nº 112, pp. 355-358
39. Nancy Gautreau, Soumaya Yacout, Réjean Hall.
Simulation to Model Process Quality. Computers and Industrial Engineering, vol. 31,
nº 1-2, pp. 343-346.
40. Soumaya Yacout, Yusuo Chang.
Estimation of a Homogeneous Poisson Process. Computers and Industrial Engineering,
vol. 31, nº 1-2, pp. 269-271.
41.Isabelle Renaud, Soumaya Yacout.
Assurance Programs in the Fish and Seafood Processing Industry. Proceedings of the 17th
International Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering, vol. 29, September
1995, pp. 31-35.
42.Soumaya Yacout, Yusuo Chang. 1994. Mathematical Model for Measuring Quality
Costs. Proceedings of the 3rd IASTED International Conference on Reliability, Quality
Control, and Risk Assessment, pp. 50-53.
43.Soumaya Yacout, Yehia Raafat. 1994. Nonlinear Sensitivity Analysis of an
Activated Sludge System. 3rd Industrial Engineering Research Conference, Institute of
Industrial Engineers, Atlanta, Georgia, pp. 273-278.
44.S.M. Yacout. 1993. Sensitivity and parametric bound analysis for a single pass
machining problem. European Journal of Operational Research, vol. 65, n° 3, March 26,
pp. 351-361.
45.Abdel Haleem, B.; Yacout, S.; Osman, M.; Hassan, M.F. 1993.
Simplified
Interactive Multiple Objective Nonlinear Programming Technique for Parameter
Selection in Metal Cutting. Proceedings of the 2nd Industrial Engineering Research
Conference, Institute of Industrial Engineers, Los Angeles, California, pp. 340-344.
46.Soumaya Yacout, Gaston Losier. 1993. Philosophie de juste à temps: Vue
d'ensemble et aperçu de ces possibilités au Nouveau-Brunswick. Revue de l'Université de
Moncton, vol. 26, no 1, pp. 235-242.
47.Soumaya Yacout, Réjean Hall. 1993. «Les femmes en ingénierie: analyse et
commentaires sur les recommandations du Comité canadien des femmes en ingénierie. ».
Revue de l'Université de Moncton, vol. 26, no 1, pp. 223-234.
48.Mona Roushdy, Essam Sharaf, Soumaya Yacout.
1990. Development and
Application of New Techniques for Highway Pavement Maintenance Priority Setting in
Egypt. The Arab Road Association Magazine, vol. 2, pp.8-16.
49. S.M. Yacout, Badawia A.K. Abdel Haleem. 1989. A Simplified Interactive Multiple
Objective Nonlinear Programming Procedure. The Third Conference on Operations
Research and Its Military Applications, pp. MCD-9-95 - MCD-9-105.
50.M.F. Hassan, S. Yacout, A.M. Aly. 1988. Optimization and Sensitivity Analysis of a
Single Pass Machining Problem Using Nonlinear Programming. The Fourth International
Conference on Mechanical Design and Production, Cairo University, pp. 653-660.
51.M.F. Hassan, Soumaya Yacout. 1988. Industrialization policies and Energy Demand
in Egypt Till Year 2000. The Thirteen International Congress for Statistics, Computer
Science, Social and Demographic Research, Cairo, Egypt, pp. 207-240.
52.A.V. Fiacco, S.M. Yacout. 1988. An Expository Summary of a Procedure for
Calculating Parametric Bounds for Nonconvex Separable Problems. The Fourth
International Conference on Mechanical Design and Production, Cairo University, pp.
645-651.
53.S. Yacout. 1987. Cost-Profit Analysis of a New Energy Saving Gadget. The Second
Ain Shams University Conference on Production Engineering and Design, Cairo, Egypt,
pp. 639-649.
54.A.V. Fiacco, S. Yacout. 1987. Parametric Bounds for Separable Problems. The
Second Conference on Operations Research and its Military Applications. The Technical
Military College, Cairo, Egypt, pp. MPR-4-181 - MPR-4-193.
55.A.V. Fiacco, S. Yacout. 1986. Bounds on the Efficient Frontier of a Portfolio
Selection Model and Analysis of the Effect of Uncertainty in Returns and Risks.
Technical report, Institute of Management Science and Engineering. The George
Washington University, Washington D.C. U. S. A.
56.A.V. Fiacco, S. Yacout. 1986. Computer Implementation of Optimal Value Function
Bounds and Solution Vector Estimates for Parametric Linear and Nonlinear Program
(SENSUMT). Technical report, Institute of Management Science and Engineering, The
George Washington University, Washington D.C., U.S.A.
57.A.V. Fiacco, S. Yacout. 1986. Sensitivity Analysis and Parametric Optimal
Value Bounds for a Nonconvex Programming Model: International Intro Company
Transfer Pricing.
Technical report, Institute of Management Science and
Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington D.C., U.S.A.