How do I receive modelling help/support for my Master Thesis Project?
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Hello,
I'm creating a mathematical model from first principles (white-box modelling) of a complex hydraulic system i.e, a triple adjustable race car damper/shock absorber.The design is confidential so I cannot post screenshots of the model without violating my company NDA. I refer to similar work on the topic where coupled ODE's and algebraic equations are used. These papers only describe the equations to be used and less so, how they are to be implemented in a software environmet like matlab/simulink. Despite multiple attempts and using various references and debugging indirectly using matlab central and other forums, I have not been able to get the model working.
I have previous experience creating models such as 2-wheel and 4-wheel vehicle dynamics models. However these use at max 1 or 2 coupled ODE equations that are quite trivial to solve compared to this project.
The simulink solver (using ODE15 as my coupled ODE's are of the stiff form) gets stuck at algebraic loops or at initial conditions. With multiple attempts at removing or remodelling ill-defined equations, still no success.
Any plan of approach for debugging the model, or useful references, or if any community expert can get in touch with me privately would be greatly appreciated.
Since I cannot directly discuss my model, I can however discuss ideas such as how to implement certain equations from a reference perhaps?
I post one paper below which has been quite a useful reference for my project.
Paper Title: A universal nonlinear model for the dynamic behaviour of shock absorbers
EDIT: I have updated my question and posted it as a new question here
4 Comments
Sam Chak
on 9 Mar 2023
You can at least post the Error or Warning message, which may be helpful to diagnose the problem.
Accepted Answer
Rik
on 9 Mar 2023
I think the guidelines for posting homework (which you can find here) would also apply in this situation.
You will have to think of a way to present your question in such a way that you comply with your NDA. When in doubt, ask your supervisor (or even the company laywer) to OK your actual post (and get that in writing (email) to cover your butt). Remember that it is often possible to create fake data to show a particular issue.
I doubt you will get any responses for private free help. There are paid Matlab consulants, but I suspect the company you're interning at is hoping to avoid that cost by having you do that work instead.
If all else fails, you will have to fall back to the basic trouble-shooting steps: either
- Remove/simplify elements until your system works.
- Start from a tiny simple system that works and keep adding elements until you find which addition breaks everything.
4 Comments
Rik
on 9 Mar 2023
@Daniel Joseph I don't think you should substantially modify your question, since our responses would no longer make sense.
@John D'Errico This is absolutely beyond the scope of homework, but I think most of the same advice applies all the same. A good homework question should take a step back and work to understand the topic in a broader view. A question about something under NDA must by necesity be broader. In addition to that, as long as the no-plagiarism rule is upheld, there should not be any issue in re-using work by others in your own thesis. That is, after all, how you should work in your professional life as well (building on the wisdom of others, but not passing it off as your own).
Walter Roberson
on 9 Mar 2023
It is often considered valid for a Doctorate student to hire technical help (technicians and programmers) provided that the ideas are coming from the candidate. For example if a student came up with a new electrical circuit it would be perfectly fine for the student to hire a circuit fab company to make it.
More Answers (2)
Steven Lord
on 9 Mar 2023
If you have questions that reasonably fall under the responsibility of Technical Support (more "Why do I receive error X when I run my code?" than "How do I implement this paper?" which I believe falls more in the scope of Consulting) I believe the Support staff can work with our Legal department and your company's Legal department to generate an NDA allowing Support to work with you on the files in question. Reach out to Support and/or the sales representative for your license and ask if this is feasible.
Of course if your question is more along the lines of "How do I implement this paper?" MathWorks does have a Consulting department and given some of the companies that department has worked with I'm fairly sure they're no strangers to NDAs. :)
0 Comments
Daniel Joseph
on 10 Mar 2023
Edited: Daniel Joseph
on 10 Mar 2023
2 Comments
Rik
on 10 Mar 2023
I don't think posting your question as an answer is the best option, since it differs from the question that was answered. Posting a new question is free, I would sugges you accept the best answer, give an upvote to the other (if you feel it is deserving) and post your question in a new thread.
Feel free to post a link in a comment to the question.
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