• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.479-485
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• 2009

When a part of data is unobserved the marginal likelihood of parameters given the observed data often involves analytically intractable high dimensional integral and hence it is hard to find the maximum likelihood estimate of the parameters. Simulated maximum likelihood(SML) method which estimates the marginal likelihood via Monte Carlo importance sampling and optimize the estimated marginal likelihood has been used in many applications. A key issue in SML is to find a good proposal density from which Monte Carlo samples are generated. The optimal proposal density is the conditional density of the unobserved data given the parameters and the observed data, and attempts have been given to find a good approximation to the optimal proposal density. Algorithms which adaptively improve the proposal density have been widely used due to its simplicity and efficiency. In this paper, we describe a fully adaptive algorithm which has been used by some practitioners but has not been well recognized in statistical literature, and evaluate its estimation performance and robustness via a simulation study. The simulation study shows a great improvement in the order of magnitudes in the mean squared error, compared to non-adaptive or partially adaptive SML methods. Also, it is shown that the fully adaptive SML is robust in a sense that it is insensitive to the starting points in the optimization routine.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 1991

The analysis method calculating the mean and standard deviation for the eigenvalue of complicated structures in which the limit state equation is implicitly expressed is formulated and applied to the buckling analysis by combining probabilistic finite element method with direct differential method which is a kind of sensitivity analysis technique. Also, the probability of buckling failure is calculated by combining classical reliability techniques such a MVFOSM and AFOSM. As random variables external load, elastic modulus, sectional moment of inertia and member length are chosen and Parkinson's iteration algorithm in AFOSM is used. The accuracy of the results by this study is verified by comparing the results with the crude Monte Carlo simulation and Importance Sampling Method. Through the case study of some structures the important aspects of buckling reliability analysis are discussed.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.65-70
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• 2008

The capacity spectrum method (CSM) is a deterministic seismic analysis approach wherein the expected seismic response of a structure is established as the intersection of the demand and capacity curves. Recently, there are a few studies about a probabilistic CSM where uncertainties in design factors such as material properties, loads, and ground motion are being considered. However, researches show that soil-structure interaction also affects the seismic responses of structures. Thus, their uncertainties should also be taken into account. Therefore, this paper presents a probabilistic approach of using the CSM for seismic analysis considering uncertainties in soil properties. For application, a reinforced concrete bridge column structure is employed as a test model. Considering the randomness of the various design parameters, the structure's probability of failure is obtained. Monte Carlo importance sampling is used as the tool to assess the structure's reliability when subjected to earthquakes. In this study, probabilistic CSM with and without consideration of soil uncertainties are compared and analyzed. Results show that the analysis considering soil structure interaction yields to a greater probability of failure, and thus can lead to a more conservative structural design.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.525-537
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• 2014

The typical design of ground improvement with prefabricated vertical drains (PVD) and surcharge preloading involves a series of deterministic analyses using averaged or mean soil properties for the various combination of the PVD spacing and surcharge preloading height that would meet the criteria for minimum consolidation time and required degree of consolidation. The optimum design combination is then selected in which the total cost of ground improvement is a minimum. Considering the variability and uncertainties of the soil consolidation parameters, as well as considering the effects of soil disturbance (smear zone) and drain resistance in the analysis, this study presents a stochastic cost optimization of ground improvement with PVD and surcharge preloading. Direct Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and importance sampling (IS) technique is used in the stochastic analysis by limiting the sampled random soil parameters within the range from a minimum to maximum value while considering their statistical distribution. The method has been verified in a case study of PVD improved ground with preloading, in which average results of the stochastic analysis showed a good agreement with field monitoring data.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.690-703
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• 2010

Sampling based uncertainty analysis was carried out to quantify uncertainty in predictions of best estimate code RELAP5/MOD3.2 for a thermal hydraulic test (10% hot leg break LOCA) performed in the Large Scale Test Facility (LSTF) as a part of an IAEA coordinated research project. The nodalisation of the test facility was qualified for both steady state and transient level by systematically applying the procedures led by uncertainty methodology based on accuracy extrapolation (UMAE); uncertainty analysis was carried out using the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) method to evaluate uncertainty for ten input parameters. Sixteen output parameters were selected for uncertainty evaluation and uncertainty band between $5^{th}$ and $95^{th}$ percentile of the output parameters were evaluated. It was observed that the uncertainty band for the primary pressure during two phase blowdown is larger than that of the remaining period. Similarly, a larger uncertainty band is observed relating to accumulator injection flow during reflood phase. Importance analysis was also carried out and standard rank regression coefficients were computed to quantify the effect of each individual input parameter on output parameters. It was observed that the break discharge coefficient is the most important uncertain parameter relating to the prediction of all the primary side parameters and that the steam generator (SG) relief pressure setting is the most important parameter in predicting the SG secondary pressure.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 1994

In this paper, various reliability analysis methods for calculating a probability of failure are investigated for their accuracy and efficiency. Crude Monte Carlo method is used as a basis for the comparison of various numerical results. For the sampling methods, Importance Sampling method and Directional Simulation method are considered for overcoming a drawback of Crude Monte Carlo method. For the approximate methods, conventional Rackwitz-Fiessler method. 3-parameter Chen-Lind method, and Rosenblatt transformation method are compared on the basis of First order reliability method. As a Second-order reliability method, Curvature-Fitting paraboloid method, Point-fitting paraboloid method, and Log-likelihood function method are explored in order to verify the accuracy of the reliability calculation results. These methods mentioned above would have some difficulty unless the limit state equation is expressed explicitly in terms of random design variables. Thus, there is a need to develop some general reliability methods for the case where an implicit limit state equation is given. For this purpose, Response surface method is used where the limit state equation is approximated by regression analysis of the response surface outcomes resulted from the structural analysis. From the application of these various reliability methods to three examples, it is found that Directional Simulation method and Response Surface method are very efficient and recommendable for the general reliability analysis problem cases.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2009

The present contribution addresses uncertainty quantification and uncertainty propagation in structural mechanics using stochastic analysis. Presently available procedures to describe uncertainties in load and resistance within a suitable mathematical framework are shortly addressed. Monte Carlo methods are proposed for studying the variability in the structural properties and for their propagation to the response. The general applicability and versatility of Monte Carlo Simulation is demonstrated in the context with computational models that have been developed for deterministic structural analysis. After discussing Direct Monte Carlo Simulation for the assessment of the response variability, some recently developed advanced Monte Carlo methods applied for reliability assessment are described, such as Importance Sampling for linear uncertain structures subjected to Gaussian loading, Line Sampling in linear dynamics and Subset simulation. The numerical example demonstrates the applicability of Line Sampling to general linear uncertain FE systems under Gaussian distributed excitation.

• School Mathematics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.515-530
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• 2015

The concepts of sample and sampling are central to make a statistically correct decision, so we need to be emphasized their importance in the statistics education. Nevertheless, there were not enough studies which discuss how to teach the concepts of sample and sampling. In this study, teaching sample and sampling is addressed by foreign curricula and cases of instruction in order to obtain suggestions for teaching sample and sampling. In particular, the curricular of Australia, New Zealand, England and the United States are analyzed, considering the sample representativeness and the sampling variability; the two elements in the concept of sample. Also foreign textbooks and cases of instruction when it comes to teach sample are analyzed. The results say that with respect to teach sample can be divided into four suggestions: first, sample was taught in the process of statistical inquiry such as data collection, analysis, and results. Second, sample was introduced earlier than Korea curriculum. Third, when it comes to teach sample, sample variability, as well as sample representativeness was considered. Fourth, technological tools were used to enhance understanding sample.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.324-332
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to identify knowledge of, attitude toward, and the importance of, sexuality in the elderly. Method: By convenience sampling, 152 elderly people aged 60 and over who registered at 3 elderly schools located in W city were selected. Knowledge and attitude toward sexuality were measured with ASKAS. Perceived importance toward sexuality was measured with an instrument developed by the investigator. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation. Results: Elderly males, elderly couples, and elders perceiving themselves as healthy reported higher scores in knowledge on and the importance of sexuality. Elderly males, elders with higher education, and elders perceiving themselves as healthy showed a more acceptable attitude toward sexuality. The higher knowledge of sexuality, the more acceptable the sexuality. The higher knowledge of and more acceptable attitude toward sexuality, the higher significance of sexuality. Conclusions: Sexuality is an important issue in elderly life. To improve knowledge, positive views of sexuality, recognition of its importance, education and consulting programs on sexuality need to be developed, reflecting characteristics of the elderly. These programs should be provided not only to the elderly but also to people caring for the elderly and their families.

• Journal of the Korean Statistical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.177-198
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• 2002

The estimation of variance components or variance ratios in linear model is an important issue in plant or animal breeding fields, and various estimation methods have been devised to estimate variance components or variance ratios. However, many traits of economic importance in those fields are observed as dichotomous or polychotomous outcomes. The usual estimation methods might not be appropriate for these cases. Recently threshold linear model is considered as an important tool to analyze discrete traits specially in animal breeding field. In this note, we consider a hierarchical Bayesian method for the threshold animal model. Gibbs sampler for making full Bayesian inferences about random effects as well as fixed effects is described to analyze jointly discrete traits and continuous traits. Numerical example of the model with two discrete ordered categorical traits, calving ease of calves from born by heifer and calving ease of calf from born by cow, and one normally distributed trait, birth weight, is provided.