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Article
Publication date: 18 September 2019

Davood Darvishi, Jeffrey Forrest and Sifeng Liu

Ranking and comparing grey numbers represent a very important decision-making procedure in any given grey environment. The purpose of this paper is to study the existing…

Abstract

Purpose

Ranking and comparing grey numbers represent a very important decision-making procedure in any given grey environment. The purpose of this paper is to study the existing approaches of ordering interval grey numbers in the context of decision making by surveying existing definitions.

Design/methodology/approach

Different methods developed for comparing grey numbers are presented along with their disadvantages and advantages in terms of comparison outcomes. Practical examples are employed to show the importance and necessity of using appropriate methods to compare grey numbers.

Findings

Most the available methods are not suitable for pointing out which number is larger when the nuclei of the grey numbers of concern are the same. Also, these available methods are also considered in terms of partial order and total order. Kernel and degree of greyness of grey numbers method is more advantageous than other methods and almost eliminates the shortcomings of other methods.

Originality/value

Different methods for ranking grey numbers are presented where each of them has disadvantages and advantages. By using different methods, grey interval numbers are compared and the results show that some methods cannot make grey number comparisons in some situations. The authors intend to find a method that can compare grey numbers in any situation. The findings of this research can prevent errors that may occur based on inaccurate comparisons of grey numbers in decision making. There are various research studies on the comparison of grey numbers, but there is no research on the comparison of these methods and their disadvantages, advantages or their total or partial order.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 December 2020

Zhiqiang Liang, Xintian Liu, Wang Yansong and Xiaolan Wang

This study aims to accurately evaluate the influence of various error intervals on the performance of the wiper.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to accurately evaluate the influence of various error intervals on the performance of the wiper.

Design/methodology/approach

The wiper structural system is decomposed into classical four-link planar for kinematics analysis, and it was modeled respectively by using interval method, universal grey number theory and enumeration approach depending on the nature of uncertainty.

Findings

The universal grey number theory is a viable methodology for the accurate analysis of uncertain structural system.

Originality/value

(1) The model of uncertain wiper structural system is established. (2) Universal grey number theory and new parameters are adopted to analyze the presence of uncertain wiper structural system. (3) Comparative analysis of response quantities is obtained by interval method, universal grey number theory and enumeration method.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 41 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2020

Zhiqiang Xie, Lei Wang, Zhengyang Zhu, Zhi Fu and Xingdong Lv

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an interval finite element method (IFEM) to simulate the temperature field of mass concrete under multiple influence uncertainties e.g…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an interval finite element method (IFEM) to simulate the temperature field of mass concrete under multiple influence uncertainties e.g. environmental temperature, material properties, pouring construction and pipe cooling.

Design/methodology/approach

Uncertainties of the significant factors such as the ambient temperature, the adiabatic temperature rise, the placing temperature and the pipe cooling are comprehensively studied and represented as the interval numbers. Then, an IFEM equation is derived and a method for obtaining interval results based on monotonicity is also presented. To verify the proposed method, a non-adiabatic temperature rise test was carried out and subsequently simulated with the method. An excellent agreement is achieved between the simulation results and the monitoring data.

Findings

An IFEM method is proposed and a non-adiabatic temperature rise test is simulated to verify the method. The interval results are discussed and compared with monitoring data. The proposed method is found to be feasible and effective.

Originality/value

Compared with the traditional finite element methods, the proposed method taking the uncertainty of various factors into account and it will be helpful for engineers to gain a better understanding of the real condition.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 37 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Yalin Pan, Jun Huang, Feng Li and Chuxiong Yan

The purpose of this paper is to propose a robust optimization strategy to deal with the aerodynamic optimization issue, which does not need a large sum of information on the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a robust optimization strategy to deal with the aerodynamic optimization issue, which does not need a large sum of information on the uncertainty of input parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

Interval numbers were adopted to describe the uncertain input, which only requires bounds and does not necessarily need probability distributions. Based on the method, model outputs were also regarded as intervals. To identify a better solution, an order relation was used to rank interval numbers.

Findings

Based on intervals analysis method, the uncertain optimization problem was transformed into nested optimization. The outer optimization was used to optimize the design vector, and inner optimization was used to compute the interval of model outputs. A flying wing aircraft was used as a basis for uncertainty optimization through the suggested optimization strategy, and optimization results demonstrated the validity of the method.

Originality/value

In aircraft conceptual design, the uncertain information of design parameters are often insufficient. Interval number programming method used for uncertainty analysis is effective for aerodynamic robust optimization for aircraft conceptual design.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

Ma Juan, Chen Jian‐jun, Zhang Jian‐guo and Jiang Tao

The uncertainty of the interval variable is represented by interval factor, and the interval variable is described as its mean value multiplied by its interval factor. Based on…

Abstract

The uncertainty of the interval variable is represented by interval factor, and the interval variable is described as its mean value multiplied by its interval factor. Based on interval arithmetic rules, an analytical method of interval finite element for uncertain structures but not probabilistic structure or fuzzy structure is presented by combining the interval analysis with finite element method. The static analysis of truss with interval parameters under interval load is studied and the expressions of structural interval displacement response and stress response are deduced. The influences of uncertainty of one of structural parameters or load on the displacement and stress of the structure are examined through examples and some significant conclusions are obtained.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 1 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 February 2018

Haoliang Wang, Xiwang Dong, Qingdong Li and Zhang Ren

By using small reference samples, the calculation method of confidence value and prediction method of confidence interval for multi-input system are investigated. The purpose of…

Abstract

Purpose

By using small reference samples, the calculation method of confidence value and prediction method of confidence interval for multi-input system are investigated. The purpose of this paper is to offer effective assessing methods of confidence value and confidence interval for the simulation models used in establishing guidance and control systems.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, first, an improved cluster estimation method is proposed to guide the selection of the small reference samples. Then, based on analytic hierarchy process method, the new calculation method of the weight of each reference sample is derived. By using the grey relation analysis method, new calculation methods of the correlation coefficient and confidence value are presented. Moreover, the confidence interval of the sample awaiting assessment is defined. A new prediction method is derived to obtain the confidence interval of the sample awaiting assessment which has no reference sample. Subsequently, by using the prediction method and original small reference samples, Bootstrap resampling method is used to obtain more correlation coefficients for the sample to reduce the probability of abandoning the true.

Findings

The grey relational analysis is used in assessing the confidence value and interval prediction. The numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

Originality/value

Based on the selected small reference samples, new calculation methods of the correlation coefficient and confidence value are presented to assess the confidence value of model awaiting assessment. The calculation methods of maximum confidence interval, expected confidence interval and other required confidence intervals are presented, which can be used in assessing the validities of controller and guidance system obtained from the model awaiting assessment.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 June 2023

Jialiang Xie, Wenxin Wang, Yanling Chen, Feng Li and Xiaohui Liu

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel interval Multi-Objective Optimization by a Ratio Analysis plus the Full Multiplicative Form(MULTIMOORA) with combination weights to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel interval Multi-Objective Optimization by a Ratio Analysis plus the Full Multiplicative Form(MULTIMOORA) with combination weights to evaluate the employment quality of college graduates, where the criteria are expressed by interval numbers and the weights of criteria are completely unknown.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, considering the subjective uncertainty of the weights of the criteria, the interval best worst method (I-BWM) was present to determine the subjective weights of the criteria. Secondly, by the improved interval number distance measure, an improved interval deviation maximization method (I-MDM) was introduced to detemine the objective weights. In the following, based on the I-BWM and the improved I-MDM, a combination weighting method that takes into account the subjective and objective weights is proposed. Finally, a multi-criteria decision-making method based on the interval MULTIMOORA with combination weights is present to evaluate the employment quality of college graduates, and then a comparative analysis with some of the existing distance measures of interval numberswas conducted to illustrate the flexibility.

Findings

According to the data of the Report on Employment Quality of Chinese College Graduats released by Mycos Research Institute in 2016–2020 and 2021–2022, the proposed method was used to evaluate the employment quality of college graduates during the period before and after the COVID-19 epidemic. The results verify that the method is more reasonable because the subjective and objective weights of the criteria can be fully considered. Finally, the feasibility and practicability of the proposed method are further verified by varying parameters.

Originality/value

Present an evaluation method on the employment quality of college graduates based on the Interval MULTIMOORA with combination weights considering the subjective and objective weights. And the proposed method is proved that it can provide a more reasonable evaluation results. At the same time, it is verified that the feasibility and the practicability of the proposed method are affected by varying parameters in the paper.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-378X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 July 2014

Yinao Wang

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the interval forecasting, prediction interval and its reliability. When the predicted interval and its reliability are construction, the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the interval forecasting, prediction interval and its reliability. When the predicted interval and its reliability are construction, the general rule which must satisfy is studied, grey wrapping band forecasting method is perfect.

Design/methodology/approach

A forecasting method puts forward a process of prediction interval. It also elaborates on the meaning of interval (the probability of the prediction interval including the real value of predicted variable). The general rule is abstracted and summarized by many forecasting cases. The general rule is discussed by axiomatic method.

Findings

The prediction interval is categorized into three types. Three axioms that construction predicted interval must satisfy are put forward. Grey wrapping band forecasting method is improved based on the proposed axioms.

Practical implications

Take the Shanghai composite index as the example, according to the K-line diagram from 4 January 2013 to 9 May 2013, the reliability of predicted rebound height of subsequent two or three trading day does not exceed the upper wrapping curve is 80 per cent. It is significant to understand the forecasting range correctly, build a reasonable range forecasting method and to apply grey wrapping band forecasting method correctly.

Originality/value

Grey wrapping band forecasting method is improved based on the proposed axioms.

Details

Grey Systems: Theory and Application, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2043-9377

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2014

Yuying Xia and M. Friswell

Many analysis and design problems in engineering and science involve uncertainty to varying degrees. This paper is concerned with the structural vibration problem involving…

Abstract

Purpose

Many analysis and design problems in engineering and science involve uncertainty to varying degrees. This paper is concerned with the structural vibration problem involving uncertain material or geometric parameters, specified as fuzzy parameters. The requirement is to propagate the parameter uncertainty to the eigenvalues of the structure, specified as fuzzy eigenvalues. However, the usual approach is to transform the fuzzy problem into several interval eigenvalue problems by using the α-cuts method. Solving the interval problem as a generalized interval eigenvalue problem in interval mathematics will produce conservative bounds on the eigenvalues. The purpose of this paper is to investigate strategies to efficiently solve the fuzzy eigenvalue problem.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the fundamental perturbation principle and vertex theory, an efficient perturbation method is proposed, that gives the exact extrema of the first-order deviation of the structural eigenvalue. The fuzzy eigenvalue approach has also been improved by reusing the interval analysis results from previous α-cuts.

Findings

The proposed method was demonstrated on a simple cantilever beam with a pinned support, and produced very accurate fuzzy eigenvalues. The approach was also demonstrated on the model of a highway bridge with a large number of degrees of freedom.

Originality/value

This proposed Vertex-Perturbation method is more efficient than the standard perturbation method, and more general than interval arithmetic methods requiring the non-negative decomposition of the mass and stiffness matrices. The new increment method produces highly accurate solutions, even when the membership function for the fuzzy eigenvalues is complex.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 November 2008

Jau‐Chuan Ke, Yunn‐Kuang Chu and Jia‐Huei Lee

In order to develop a feasible and efficient method to acquire the long‐run availability of a parallel system with distribution‐free up and down times, the purpose of this paper…

290

Abstract

Purpose

In order to develop a feasible and efficient method to acquire the long‐run availability of a parallel system with distribution‐free up and down times, the purpose of this paper is to perform the simulation comparisons on the interval estimations of system availability using four bootstrapping methods.

Design/methodology/approach

By using four bootstrap methods; standard bootstrap (SB) confidence interval, percentile bootstrap (PB) confidence interval, bias‐corrected percentile bootstrap (BCPB) confidence interval, and bias‐corrected and accelerated (BCa) confidence interval. A numerical simulation study is carried out in order to demonstrate performance of these proposed bootstrap confidence intervals. Especially, we investigate the accuracy of the four bootstrap confidence intervals by calculating the coverage percentage, the average length, and the relative coverage of confidence intervals.

Findings

Among the four bootstrap confidence intervals, the PB method has the largest relative coverage in most situations. That is, the PB method is the best one made by practitioners who want to obtain an efficient interval estimation of availability.

Originality/value

It is the first time that the relative coverage is introduced to evaluate the performance of estimation method, which is more efficient than the existing measures.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 25 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

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