Comparison of multiple monitoring techniques for the testing of a scale model timber Warren truss

This paper outlines the testing and monitoring procedure of a scale model Warren truss constructed of 2 inch × 4 inch (38 mm × 89 mm) members and bolted connections within a laboratory environment. Several forms of deflection monitoring and strain monitoring instrumentation were utilized throughout this laboratory testing phase of a longer-term research program. Instruments included: an automatic total station, linear variable differential transducers, light detection and ranging, electric strain gauges, and distributed optical fibre sensors. The distributed point load-testing regime included two configurations: ( i) the original truss configuration and ( ii) the installation of intermediate columns beneath the truss. Objectives of this phase included identifying instrument capabilities, limitations, and overall reliability/effectiveness with respect to representing the behaviour of the truss system. In addition, members of interest and critical monitoring locations along the Warren truss were determined. The purpose of this laboratory endeavour was to determine an optimized structural-health monitoring program prior to implementation in a heritage timber Warren truss structure within the infrastructure inventory of the Department of National Defence (DND). An options analysis of monitoring techniques was conducted whereby the effectiveness of each instrumentation type was evaluated according to relevant metrics/factors to determine an effective monitoring technique for this heritage building and other similar DND truss structures.

Gender Mainstreaming in the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence: Lessons on the Implementation of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+)

This article uses the Canadian military’s gender-mainstreaming strategy—gender-based analysis plus (or GBA+)—as a case study to explore the implementation of gender mainstreaming in militaries. Utilizing a mixed method approach, including group interviews and surveys, we employ Jahan’s model of gender mainstreaming to understand how GBA+ has been operationalized. We argue that the implementation of GBA+ in the Defense Force constitutes a more superficial integrationist approach to the implementation of gender mainstreaming rather than a transformative, agenda-setting approach, despite the internalization of messaging to the contrary by many in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Department of National Defence (DND). While not ideal, we suggest that an integrationist approach does not necessarily mean a GBA+ agenda will fail in a male-dominated organization like the CAF; rather, we contend that it could constitute a valuable starting point for progressive, large-scale change.

Optimization of DND Multi-Depot Split-Load Pickup-Delivery Problem

This paper presents a solution approach to optimize vehicle routes for a multi-depot, multi-vehicle, pickup and delivery problem over a large ground transportation network. More precisely, we address ground transportation of orders for the Canadian Department of National Defence using heterogeneous vehicle fleets. The fleets consist of limited number of organizational vehicles hosted at pre-established depots and commercial order delivery services. The proposed approach involves leveraging an insertion cost gradient-descent heuristic followed by a greedy randomized adaptive search procedure. Experimental results generated using the historical orders of the organization indicate that the developed approach is effective in handling a wide range of scenarios and may generate near-optimal vehicle routes with an annual transportation cost reduction between 7.7% and 16.7%.

UK and Canadian Gulf War Veteran Mortality: Using A Fellow Military Cohort as a Comparison Population

IntroductionTo compare 1990-91 Gulf War Veterans (GWV) survival outcomes with a comparable cohort, UK’s Ministry of Defence and Canada’s Department of National Defence combined data from their respective cohorts. The survival estimates/comparisons emanating from this collaboration will be novel as they will control for healthy worker/soldier effect (HW/SE). Objectives and ApproachGWV cohort building and record linkage methods used by Canada and the UK are described in more detail elsewhere. To ensure comparability in mortality outcomes between cohorts, the following steps will be conducted prior to analysis: ICD-9 causes of death (COD) will be recoded to ICD-10; recoding by each country will be cross-validated by the other, to ensure high inter-coder reliability; CODs will be analysed at the ICD-chapter level; Calculated age- and sex-specific rates will be directly standardized using the WHO 2012-2022 Standard Population. Cox proportional hazards will be used to compare survival between cohorts. ResultsWe are currently in the process of completing this exciting cross-sectoral linkage study and expect to have preliminary results to present. To our knowledge, this will be the first time that mortality outcomes for two discrete Gulf War veteran cohorts (ascertained by record linkage) will be analytically compared, rather than comparing to the general population. These findings will not only provide a more recent evaluation of the health status of GWV in Canada, but will also be a rare opportunity to control for the HW/SE, using comparisons with non-equivalent cohorts (e.g., general population, other deployment) cannot achieve. Conclusion/ImplicationsBeyond evidence of a strong inter-sectoral research relationship between military nations, these findings also represent a feasible solution to controlling for the HW/SE. The ability to control for this will mean more accurate UK and Canada GWV mortality/survival estimates than either country can generate on their own.

Complex System Engineering for Naval Ship Procurement

Canada has not had a focused military shipbuilding program for some years and one of the outcomes from this is that uniformed and civilian staff within the Department of National Defence have not managed to acquire the skillsets necessary to support large acquisition programs in an effective manner. In addition to this, in recent years, numbers of former Department of National Defence staff have transitioned to Industry, often in senior positions as Industry wish to make use of the information held by these staff. The logical extension is that many sectors in the Canadian Industrial base also lack the skillsets to support large acquisition programs and have to rely on foreign third party support where they are able to call upon it. The paper will discuss the concept of providing a set of Workshops, “Think Tanks” and provide feedback to Project Teams on their approaches linked to likely outcomes with the aim of transferring knowledge to the project team members and empowering the project teams with a “Systems Thinking” culture.

The problem of lapsed funding and the knee-jerk “better information system” solution: The case of the department of national defence in Canada

In this paper, we argue that a better information system is unlikely to solve the problem of lapsed funding that characterizes many government departments. This result is shown to depend critically on the nature of government costs.