Modeling Physical Systems by Complex Structural Objects and Complex Functional Objects
This paper describes the general properties of complex objects in engineering designs. There are two types of complex objects: (i) the complex structural objects which describe the physical composition of the design, and (ii) the complex functional objects which describe the behavior of the design and its components. Data manipulation operations on complex structural objects are governed by a set of structural invariants. Similarly, the validation of functional abstraction is governed by a set of functional invariants. The structure-function interactions are represented by interaction objects that describe a set of mappings. These three object types constitute the Structure-Function paradigm. The S-F paradigm can be used to represent engineering designs and active environments, monitor manufacturing operations and industrial processes, and carry out simulations.