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Title: Utilizing general information theories for uncertainty quantification

Conference ·
OSTI ID:976373

Uncertainties enter into a complex problem from many sources: variability, errors, and lack of knowledge. A fundamental question arises in how to characterize the various kinds of uncertainty and then combine within a problem such as the verification and validation of a structural dynamics computer model, reliability of a dynamic system, or a complex decision problem. Because uncertainties are of different types (e.g., random noise, numerical error, vagueness of classification), it is difficult to quantify all of them within the constructs of a single mathematical theory, such as probability theory. Because different kinds of uncertainty occur within a complex modeling problem, linkages between these mathematical theories are necessary. A brief overview of some of these theories and their constituents under the label of Generalized lnforrnation Theory (GIT) is presented, and a brief decision example illustrates the importance of linking at least two such theories.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
976373
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-02-6300; TRN: US201018%%1195
Resource Relation:
Conference: Submitted to: IMAC XXI: Conference on Structural Dynamics, Kissimmee, FL, Feb. 3-6, 2003
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English