Academic literature on the topic 'Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty'

Uncertainty evaluation of spectral color measurement is the best method of evaluation of color measurement result’s quality. Firstly type A and type B uncertainty of spectral reflectance are analyzed based on different uncertainty's sources, secondly uncertainty of chromaticity parameters are calculated based on spectral reflectance’s uncertainty. Lastly practicability of uncertainty evaluation of spectral color measurement is proved by experiments.

We describe a method to evaluate an uncertainly budget for the in situ Ocean Colour Radiometric measurements. A Monte Carlo approach is chosen to propagate the measurement uncertainty inputs through the measurements model. The measurement model is designed to address instrument characteristics and uncertainty associated with them. We present the results for a particular example when the radiometers were fully characterised and then use the same data to show a case when such characterisation is missing. This, depending on the measurement and the wavelength, can increase the uncertainty value significantly; for example, the downwelling irradiance at 442.5 nm with fully characterised instruments can reach uncertainty values of 1%, but for the instruments without such characterisation, that value could increase to almost 7%. The uncertainty values presented in this paper are not final, as some of the environmental contributors were not fully evaluated. The main conclusion of this work are the significance of thoughtful instrument characterisation and correction for the most significant uncertainty contributions in order to achieve a lower measurements uncertainty value.

Measuring instruments are intended to be intelligent, precise, multi-functional and developing multidirectionally, scientific, and reasonable; the reliable evaluation of measurement uncertainty of precision instruments is also becoming more and more difficult, and the evaluation of the Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) measurement uncertainty is among the typical problems. Based on Geometric Product Specification (GPS), this paper has systematically studied the CMM uncertainty for evaluating the size and geometrical errors oriented toward measurement tasks, and thus has realized the rapid and reliable evaluation of the CMM uncertainty for task-oriented measurement. For overestimation of the CMM uncertainty for task-oriented measurements in the initial evaluation, a systematic optimization solution has been proposed. Finally, the feasibility and validity of the evaluation model and the optimization method have been verified by three different types of measurement examples of diameter, flatness and perpendicularity. It is typical and representative to systematically solve the problem of the CMM uncertainty for evaluating the measurement tasks targeted at dimensions and geometric errors, and the research contents can be effectively applied to solve the uncertainty evaluation problems of other precision instruments, which are of great practical significance not only for promoting the combination of modern uncertainty theory and practical applications but also for improving the application values of precision measurement instruments.

Abstract. In the process and manufacturing industry, pressure is one of the variables that most often need to be recorded and monitored. Whether in standard applications or under special operating conditions, each application requires pressure gauges that are perfect for their needs. In Germany, pressure gauges are calibrated by accredited calibration laboratories, according to guideline DKD-R 6-1 (DKD-R 6-1, 2014). This calibration guideline establishes minimum requirements for the calibration procedure and the measurement uncertainty calculation when calibrating pressure gauges. In addition to the uncertainty contributions due to the calibration, the uncertainty contributions due to the specific application, like extreme temperatures, high pressure in containers, extreme height differences, shocks, aggressive media or problematic physical product properties, should be taken into account. This paper presents the approach in which the measurement uncertainty can be calculated in industrial pressure measurements. Furthermore, the individual uncertainty contributions and their identification or origin are discussed. Finally, an example of a measurement uncertainty budget is shown as an important tool in the measurement uncertainty calculation.

This paper presents a probabilistic uncertainity evaluation method as described in the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurements (GUM) and its application to probe measurements on pressure and fuel concentration. All sources of unceratinties are expressed as probability distributions. Consequently, the overall standard uncertainty of the quantity can be calculated using the Gaussian error propagation formula. The result of the uncertainty evaluation yields the most probable value of the measurand and describes its distribution in terms of rectangular (standard uncertainty) or gaussian (“expanded” uncertainty) distribution. A pitot-static probe and a fuel-concentration stem probe are used in order to demonstrate the principle of the probabilistic uncertainty evaluation method. The uncertainty induced by the pressure and concentration data acquisition system as well as the calibration of the fuel-concentration probe are included in the analysis. The overall “expanded” uncertainties for the measured and calculated values are presented as a function of different inlet fuel flows. In addition to this, the individual sources of uncertainty to the overall standard uncertainty are presented and discussed. Moreover, the transformation of standard uncertainty to “expanded” uncertainty will provide the deviation of the measurement in a 95% or 99% normal distributed interval instead of a 67% rectangular distributed interval.

Abstract Background: The aim of the Guide to Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) is to harmonize the different practices for estimating and reporting uncertainty of measurement. Although there are clear advantages in having a common approach for evaluating uncertainty, application of the GUM approach to chemistry measurements is not straightforward. In the above commentary, Krouwer suggests that the GUM approach should not be applied to diagnostic assays, because (a) the quality of diagnostic assays is to low, and (b) the GUM uncertainty intervals are too narrow to predict the outliers that occasionally trouble these methods. Methods: Some of the examples presented by Krouwer are reviewed. Sodium measurements are modeled mathematically to illustrate the GUM approach to uncertainty. A standardized uncertainty evaluation process is presented. Results: Modeling of sodium measurements demonstrates how the GUM uncertainty interval reflects the treatment of a bias: The width of the uncertainty interval varied depending on whether a correction for a calibrator lot bias was applied, but in both cases it was consistent with the distribution of measurement results. Expanding the uncertainty interval to include outliers runs counter to the definition of uncertainty. Used appropriately, the GUM uncertainty can be helpful in detecting outliers. In standardizing the uncertainty evaluation, the importance of the analytical imprecision and traceability was emphasized. It is problematic that manufacturers of commercial assays rarely inform about the uncertainty of the values assigned to the calibrators. As demonstrated by an example, external quality-assurance data may be used to estimate this uncertainty. Conclusions: The GUM uncertainty should be applied to measurements in laboratory medicine because it may actually support the forces that drive the work on improving the quality of measurement procedures. However, it is important that the GUM approach is made more manageable by standardizing the uncertainty evaluation procedure as much as possible. It is essential to focus on the traceability and uncertainty of calibrators and reagents supplied by manufacturers of assays. Information about uncertainty is necessary in the evaluation of the uncertainty associated with manufacturers’ measurement procedures, and in general it may force manufacturers to increase their efforts in improving the metrologic and analytical quality of their products.

For the evaluation of measurement uncertainty in the measurement of broadband radio frequency radiation, in this paper we propose a new approach based on the experience of the authors of the paper with measurements of radiofrequency electric field levels conducted in residential areas of Belgrade and over 35 municipalities in Serbia. The main objective of the paper is to present practical solutions in the evaluation of broadband measurement uncertainty for the in-situ RF radiation levels.

The procedure for measurement uncertainty evaluation at micrometer calibration by the kurtosis method is considered. The measurement model as the deviation of the micrometer readings from the length of the reference gage block is recorded. The measurement model takes into account the corrections for the micrometer resolution to be calibrated, lack of flatness and departure from parallelism of its measuring faces, as well as for the temperature difference between the gage block and the calibrated micrometer. The input values and their standard uncertainties are estimated. The calculation of the combined standard uncertainty and expanded uncertainty is carried out taking into account the kurtosis of the input quantities. The report presents an uncertainty budget, which can serve as a basis for creating a software tool that facilitates calculations. The proposed procedure was validated by the Monte Carlo method, which showed that it is are adequate for an intended use.

In metrology, measurement uncertainty is understood as a range in which the true value of the measurement is likely to fall in. The recent years have seen a rapid development in evaluation of measurement uncertainty. ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM 1995) is the primary guiding document for measurement uncertainty. More recently, the Supplement 1 to the "Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement" – Propagation of distributions using a Monte Carlo method (GUM SP1) was published in November 2008. A number of software tools for measurement uncertainty have been developed and made available based on these two documents. The current software tools are mainly desktop applications utilising numeric computation with limited mathematical model handling capacity. A novel and generic web-based application, web-based Knowledge-Based Decision Support System (KB-DSS), has been proposed and developed in this research for measurement uncertainty evaluation. A Model-View-Controller architecture pattern is used for the proposed system. Under this general architecture, a web-based KB-DSS is developed based on an integration of the Expert System and Decision Support System approach. In the proposed uncertainty evaluation system, three knowledge bases as sub-systems are developed to implement the evaluation for measurement uncertainty. The first sub-system, the Measurement Modelling Knowledge Base (MMKB), assists the user in establishing the appropriate mathematical model for the measurand, a critical process for uncertainty evaluation. The second sub-system, GUM Framework Knowledge Base, carries out the uncertainty evaluation process based on the GUM Uncertainty Framework using symbolic computation, whilst the third sub-system, GUM SP1 MCM Framework Knowledge Base, conducts the uncertainty calculation according to the GUM SP1 Framework numerically based on Monte Carlo Method. The design and implementation of the proposed system and sub-systems are discussed in the thesis, supported by elaboration of the implementation steps and examples. Discussions and justifications on the technologies and approaches used for the sub-systems and their components are also presented. These include Drools, Oracle database, Java, JSP, Java Transfer Object, AJAX and Matlab. The proposed web-based KB-DSS has been evaluated through case studies and the performance of the system has been validated by the example results. As an established methodology and practical tool, the research will make valuable contributions to the field of measurement uncertainty evaluation.

2015 - 2016
This study aims to demonstrate the importance of uncertainty evaluation in the measurement of environmental noise in the context of Italian legislation on noise pollution. Attention is focused on the variability of the measurand as a source of uncertainty and a procedure for the evaluation of uncertainty for environmental noise measurement is proposed. First drawing on several real noise datasets in order to determine suitable measurement time intervals for the estimation of the environmental noise, a data-driven sampling strategy is proposed, which takes into account the observed variability associated with measured sound pressure levels. Outliers are eliminated from the actual noise measurements using an outlier detection algorithm based on K-neighbors distance. As the third step, the contribution of measurand variability on measurement uncertainty is determined by using the normal bootstrap method. Experimental results exploring the adoption of the proposed method drawing upon real data from environmental noise using acquisition campaigns confirm the reliability of the proposal. It is shown to be very promising with regard to the prediction of expected values and uncertainty of traffic noise when a reduced dataset is considered. [edited by author]
Negli ultimi anni, studiosi ed esperti del settore hanno focalizzato la loro attenzione sulle possibili fonti di incertezza associabili a tale attività, cercando di pervenire a modelli che contemplassero tutte le variabili che concorrono alla determinazione dell’incertezza nella misura dei livelli di pressione acustica: l'incertezza dovuta alle caratteristiche della strumentazione di misura (fonometri o analizzatori multicanale), l'errore derivante dal posizionamento della strumentazione e quindi dei trasduttori microfonici, l'incertezza dovuta al calibratore, nonché l’incertezza da associare. Al fine, però, di fornire un’adeguata stima dell’indeterminazione associata alla misura del livello equivalente di rumore ambientale, risulta indispensabile considerare l’incertezza derivante dall’intrinseca variabilità del fenomeno in esame. Il tema risulta essere di particolare interesse scientifico e, negli ultimi anni, molti autori hanno proposto diverse metodologie di approccio al suddetto problema, in particolare alcuni hanno focalizzato l’attenzione sull’eliminazione dei segnali sonori non desiderati, altri sulla stima del tempo di misura e altri ancora direttamente sulla determinazione dell’incertezza. Alla luce di quanto esposto, ho pensato di integrare le diverse tecniche studiate in un’unica procedura, basata sul metodo bootstrap, tecnica statistica di ricampionamento con sostituzione del dataset iniziale, in quanto non ha limitazioni in termini di forma e di proprietà delle distribuzioni statistiche considerate ed è, pertanto, più adatta all’analisi del rumore ambientale, la cui popolazione non è strettamente gaussiana. Inizialmente, dal momento che l’affidabilità della stima degli indicatori di rumore ambientale dipende in modo significativo dalla variabilità temporale del rumore, e, quindi, risulta fondamentale scegliere in modo accurato il tempo di misura che tenga in considerazione la variabilità statistica del fenomeno acustico sotto osservazione, l’algoritmo individua in modo automatico un tempo minimo di acquisizione, corrispondente al numero minimo di livelli pressione sonora necessari a garantire la significatività statistica del set di dati di partenza. In una seconda fase sono individuati ed eliminati dal segnale acquisito eventuali valori anomali (outlier) ed, infine, è calcolata l’incertezza relativa al misurando applicando il metodo bootstrap. I risultati di tale metodo sono stati anche confrontati con la stima del valore atteso per il descrittore acustico a breve termine e della corrispondente incertezza applicando il metodo classico (GUM ISO). Poiché le grandezze calcolate con l’applicazione del metodo bootstrap si avvicinano molto a quelle determinate con il metodo classico nell’ipotesi di ridotto numero di campioni, tale procedura risulta altresì particolarmente adatta alla previsione dell'indicatore di rumore ambientale quando sono disponibili pochi dati di misura. [a cura dell'autore]
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Efficient organization of measurement tasks requires the knowledge and characterization of the parameters and of the effects that may affect the measurement itself. Uncertainty analysis is an example of how measurement accuracy is often difficult to quantify. Repeatability also assumes a key role. This is the ability to replicate the tests and related measurements at different times. The research was focused on this aspect of analysis of test repeatability. Some specific case studies in the field of measurements relating to synchronization between network nodes and to measurements for Electromagnetic Compatibility have been considered. Synchronization between the components of a system is a particularly important requirement when considering distributed structures. The network nodes developed for this research are based on both PCs with a Real Time operating system (RTAI) and Linux-based embedded systems (FOX Acme Systems Board) interfaced to an auxiliary module with a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The aim of the tests is to measure and classify the uncertainty due to jitter in the Time Stamping mechanism, and consequently to evaluate the resolution and repeatability of synchronization achieved in different traffic conditions using a standardized protocol for synchronization (IEEE 1588-PTPd). The work in the Electromagnetic Compatibility has likewise focused on the repeatability of measurements typical of some practical applications. Some experiments involving LISN calibration have been carried out and some improvements are presented to reduce uncertainty. Theoretical and experimental uncertainty analysis associated with the ESD tests has been conducted and some possible solutions are proposed. A study on the performance of sites for radiated tests (Anechoic chambers, open-area test site) has been started using simulations and experimental testing in order to assess the capability of different sites. Obtained results are compared with different reference sources. Finally, the results of a research project carried out at the University of Houston for the propagation of electromagnetic fields are reported.
Organizzare una efficiente campagna di misure richiede la conoscenza e la caratterizzazione dei parametri e degli effetti che possono influire sulla misura stessa. L’analisi dell’incertezza è un esempio di come l’accuratezza sia spesso difficile da quantificare. Oltre all’incertezza tuttavia assume un ruolo chiave la ripetibilità, ovvero la possibilità di replicare il test e le relative misure in momenti diversi. L’attività di ricerca ha riguardato proprio questo aspetto di analisi della ripetibilità dei test prendendo in considerazione alcuni casi di studio specifici sia in ambito di Misure relative alla Sincronizzazione tra nodi di un sistema distribuito sia di Misure per la Compatibilità Elettromagnetica. La sincronizzazione è un’esigenza particolarmente sentita quando si considerano strutture di misura distribuite. I nodi di rete sviluppati per queste ricerche sono basati sia su PC dotati di sistema operativo Real Time (RTAI) sia su sistemi embedded Linux-based (Acme Systems FOX Board) interfacciati ad un modulo ausiliario su cui si trova un field-programmable gate array (FPGA). I test condotti hanno permesso di misurare e classificare l’incertezza dovuta al jitter nel meccanismo di Time Stamp, e conseguentemente di valutare la risoluzione e la ripetibilità della sincronizzazione raggiunta in diverse condizioni di traffico utilizzando un protocollo di sincronizzazione standardizzato secondo l’IEEE 1588 (PTPd). In ambito di compatibilità elettromagnetica, il lavoro svolto si è concentrato sull’analisi della ripetibilità di misure tipiche di alcune applicazioni pratiche in ambito EMC. E’ stata svolta una analisi approfondita dei fenomeni parassiti legati alla taratura di una LISN e sono stati introdotti alcuni miglioramenti costruttivi al fine di ridurre i contributi di incertezza. Si è condotta una indagine teorico-sperimentale sull’incertezza associata alla misura di immunità con generatore di scariche elettrostatiche e l’individuazione di possibili soluzioni. E’ stato avviato uno studio sulle prestazioni dei siti per le misure dei disturbi irradiati (camere anecoiche, open-area test site) mediante simulazioni teoriche e prove ’in campo’ al fine di valutare i limiti di impiego dei diversi siti e comparare i risultati ottenuti con sorgenti di riferimento. Infine, vengono riportati i risultati di una ricerca svolta presso l’Università di Houston e relativa alla propagazione di campi elettromagnetici.

In dimensional measurements, it is required to specify uncertainty in the measurement as the range of possible deviation for the measurement result. In this thesis, a computer program is developed for evaluating uncertainty in measurement of commonly used dimensional measuring devices like vernier callipers, micrometers, comparators, and gauge blocks. In evaluation of the uncertainty in measurement, some uncertainty sources like temperature difference between the measured part and the instrument, uncertainty in reference gauge block&rsquo
s dimension, mechanical effects, etc. are considered. The program developed, employs the EAL, NIST and GUM uncertainty evaluation equations as standard equations. However, the program can also be used for other measuring instruments and the users can define their own uncertainty equation. In the evaluations, for the standard uncertainty of the variables considered, symmetric distributions are used. The program gives the uncertainty budget and to compare the contribution of each variable on the overall uncertainty of the measurement, the uncertainty effect ratio is also given. In this thesis the evaluation process for uncertainty in measurement, the difference between the measurement error and uncertainty in measurement and the structure of the program are discussed. Also, a set of experiments has been made to illustrate the application of the program for evaluating the measurement uncertainty of vernier callipers with 1/50 and 1/20 resolutions, digital vernier calliper and 25 mm micrometer.

Ratings curves are conventional means to continuously provide estimates of discharges in rivers. Among the most-often adopted assumptions in building these curves are the steady and uniform flow conditions for the open-channel flow that in turn provide a one-to-one relationships between the variables involved in discharge estimation. The steady flow assumption is not applicable during propagation of storm-generated waves hence the question on the validity of the steady rating curves during unsteady flow is of both scientific and practical interest. Scarce experimental evidence and analytical inferences substantiate that during unsteady flows the relationship between some of the variables is not unique leading to looped rating curves (also labeled hysteresis). Neglecting the unsteadiness of the flow when this is large can significantly affect the accuracy of the flow estimation. Currently, the literature does not offer criteria for a comprehensive evaluation of the methods for estimation of the departure of the looped rating curves from the steady ones nor for identifying the most appropriate means to dynamically capturing hysteresis for different possible river flow conditions. Therefore, the overarching goal of this study was to explore the uncertainty of the conventional approaches for constructing stage-discharge rating curves (hQRCs) and to evaluate methodologies for accurate and continuous discharge monitoring in unsteady open channel flows using analytical inference, index velocity rating curves (VQRCs), and continuous slope area method (CSA) with considerations on discharge measurement uncertainty. The study will demonstrate conceptual and experimental evidences to illustrate some of the unsteady flow impacts on rating curves and suggest the development of a uniform end-to-end methodology to enhance the accuracy of the current protocols for continuous stream flow estimation for both steady and unsteady river conditions. Moreover, hysteresis diagnostic method will be presented to provide the way to conveniently evaluate when and where the hysteresis becomes significant as a function of the site and storm event characteristics. The measurement techniques and analysis methodologies proposed herein will allow to dynamically tracking both the flood wave propagation and the associated uncertainty in the conventional RCs.

Unlike other Quaternary dating methods, amino acid racemization (AAR) geochronology has the potential to provide age estimates that span the entire Quaternary period, a crucial period for understanding past climate change and human evolution. It has become a critical technique for Quaternary Science and uses the time/temperature dependent kinetics of protein decomposition to provide relative age estimates of fossil samples. The accuracy of age estimates relies heavily on the accuracy of analytical data and accurate determinations of uncertainty estimates. This thesis takes internationally established principles of measurement uncertainty determination and applies them to AAR. Analytical uncertainty is considered in the context of intra- and inter-laboratory measurement results. A retrospective evaluation of intra-laboratory precision using ANOVA is given, and results from an inter-laboratory proficiency study, evaluated as estimates of bias, are summarised (paper submitted). The final sections look at uncertainty from existing archaeological site data, including sampling effects. A model is proposed that utilises decomposition correlations between amino acids to provide a priori uncertainty estimates. These are then used to update observed site data using a Bayesian approach to derive posterior uncertainty estimates and D/L values. A further model is tentatively presented which could potentially be used to derive quantitative age estimates once uncertainty within the kinetic and temperature models have been characterised and accounted for.

Extensive deforestations, particularly in the (sub)tropics, have led to intense soil degradation and erosion with concomitant reduction in soil fertility. Reforestations or plantations on those degraded sites may provide effective measures to mitigate further soil degradation and erosion, and can lead to improved soil quality. However, a change in land use from, e.g., grassland to forest may have a crucial impact on water balance. This may affect water availability even under humid tropical climate conditions where water is normally not a limiting factor. In this context, it should also be considered that according to climate change projections rainfall may decrease in some of these regions. To mitigate climate change related problems (e.g. increases in erosion and drought), reforestations are often carried out. Unfortunately, those measures are seldom completely successful, because the environmental conditions and the plant specific requirements are not appropriately taken into account. This is often due to data-scarcity and limited financial resources in tropical regions. For this reason, innovative approaches are required that are able to measure environmental conditions quasi-continuously in a cost-effective manner. Simultaneously, reforestation measures should be accompanied by monitoring in order to evaluate reforestation success and to mitigate, or at least to reduce, potential problems associated with reforestation (e.g. water scarcity). To avoid reforestation failure and negative implications on ecosystem services, it is crucial to get insights into the water balance of the actual ecosystem, and potential changes resulting from reforestation. The identification and prediction of water balance changes as a result of reforestation under climate change requires the consideration of the complex feedback system of processes in the soil-vegetation-atmosphere continuum. Models that account for those feedback system are Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere-Transfer (SVAT) models. For the before-mentioned reasons, this study targeted two main objectives: (i) to develop and test a method combination for site evaluation under data scarcity (i.e. study requirements) (Part I) and (ii) to investigate the consequences of prediction uncertainty of the SVAT model input parameters, which were derived using geophysical methods, on SVAT modeling (Part II). A water balance modeling approach was set at the center of the site evaluation approach. This study used the one-dimensional CoupModel, which is a SVAT model. CoupModel requires detailed spatial soil information for (i) model parameterization, (ii) upscaling of model results and accounting for local to regional-scale soil heterogeneity, and (iii) monitoring of changes in soil properties and plant characteristics over time. Since traditional approaches to soil and vegetation sampling and monitoring are time consuming and expensive (and therefore often limited to point information), geophysical methods were used to overcome this spatial limitation. For this reason, vis-NIR spectroscopy (visible to near-infrared wavelength range) was applied for the measurement of soil properties (physical and chemical), and remote sensing to derive vegetation characteristics (i.e. leaf area index (LAI)). Since the estimated soil properties (mainly texture) could be used to parameterize a SVAT model, this study investigated the whole processing chain and related prediction uncertainty of soil texture and LAI, and their impact on CoupModel water balance prediction uncertainty. A greenhouse experiment with bamboo plants was carried out to determine plant-physiological characteristics needed for CoupModel parameterization. Geoelectrics was used to investigate soil layering, with the intent of determining site-representative soil profiles for model parameterization. Soil structure was investigated using image analysis techniques that allow the quantitative assessment and comparability of structural features. In order to meet the requirements of the selected study approach, the developed methodology was applied and tested for a site in NE-Brazil (which has low data availability) with a bamboo plantation as the test site and a secondary forest as the reference (reference site). Nevertheless, the objective of the thesis was not the concrete modeling of the case study site, but rather the evaluation of the suitability of the selected methods to evaluate sites for reforestations and to monitor their influence on the water balance as well as soil properties. The results (Part III) highlight that one needs to be aware of the measurement uncertainty related to SVAT model input parameters, so for instance the uncertainty of model input parameters such as soil texture and leaf area index influences meaningfully the simulated model water balance output. Furthermore, this work indicates that vis-NIR spectroscopy is a fast and cost-efficient method for soil measurement, mapping, and monitoring of soil physical (texture) and chemical (N, TOC, TIC, TC) properties, where the quality of soil prediction depends on the instrument (e.g. sensor resolution), the sample properties (i.e. chemistry), and the site characteristics (i.e. climate). Additionally, also the sensitivity of the CoupModel with respect to texture prediction uncertainty with respect to surface runoff, transpiration, evaporation, evapotranspiration, and soil water content depends on site conditions (i.e. climate and soil type). For this reason, it is recommended that SVAT model sensitivity analysis be carried out prior to field spectroscopic measurements to account for site specific climate and soil conditions. Nevertheless, mapping of the soil properties estimated via spectroscopy using kriging resulted in poor interpolation (i.e. weak variograms) results as a consequence of a summation of uncertainty arising from the method of field measurement to mapping (i.e. spectroscopic soil prediction, kriging error) and site-specific ‘small-scale’ heterogeneity. The selected soil evaluation method (vis-NIR spectroscopy, structure comparison using image analysis, traditional laboratory analysis) showed that there are significant differences between the bamboo soil and the adjacent secondary forest soil established on the same soil type (Vertisol). Reflecting on the major study results, it can be stated that the selected method combination is a way forward to a more detailed and efficient way to evaluate the suitability of a specific site for reforestation. The results of this study provide insights into where and when during soil and vegetation measurements a high measurement accuracy is required to minimize uncertainties in SVAT modeling
Umfangreiche Abholzungen, besonders in den (Sub-)Tropen, habe zu intensiver Bodendegradierung und Erosion mit einhergehendem Verlust der Bodenfruchtbarkeit geführt. Eine wirksame Maßnahme zur Vermeidung fortschreitender Bodendegradierung und Erosion sind Aufforstungen auf diesen Flächen, die bisweilen zu einer verbesserten Bodenqualität führen können. Eine Umwandlung von Grünland zu Wald kann jedoch einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf den Wasserhaushalt haben. Selbst unter humid-tropischen Klimabedingungen, wo Wasser in der Regel kein begrenzender Faktor ist, können sich Aufforstungen negativ auf die Wasserverfügbarkeit auswirken. In diesem Zusammenhang muss auch berücksichtigt werden, dass Klimamodelle eine Abnahme der Niederschläge in einigen dieser Regionen prognostizieren. Um die Probleme, die mit dem Klimawandel in Verbindung stehen zu mildern (z.B. Zunahme von Erosion und Dürreperioden), wurden und werden bereits umfangreiche Aufforstungsmaßnahmen durchgeführt. Viele dieser Maßnahmen waren nicht immer umfassend erfolgreich, weil die Umgebungsbedingungen sowie die pflanzenspezifischen Anforderungen nicht angemessen berücksichtigt wurden. Dies liegt häufig an der schlechten Datengrundlage sowie an den in vielen Entwicklungs- und Schwellenländern begrenzter verfügbarer finanzieller Mittel. Aus diesem Grund werden innovative Ansätze benötigt, die in der Lage sind quasi-kontinuierlich und kostengünstig die Standortbedingungen zu erfassen und zu bewerten. Gleichzeitig sollte eine Überwachung der Wiederaufforstungsmaßnahme erfolgen, um deren Erfolg zu bewerten und potentielle negative Effekte (z.B. Wasserknappheit) zu erkennen und diesen entgegenzuwirken bzw. reduzieren zu können. Um zu vermeiden, dass Wiederaufforstungen fehlschlagen oder negative Auswirkungen auf die Ökosystemdienstleistungen haben, ist es entscheidend, Kenntnisse vom tatsächlichen Wasserhaushalt des Ökosystems zu erhalten und Änderungen des Wasserhaushalts durch Wiederaufforstungen vorhersagen zu können. Die Ermittlung und Vorhersage von Wasserhaushaltsänderungen infolge einer Aufforstung unter Berücksichtigung des Klimawandels erfordert die Berücksichtigung komplex-verzahnter Rückkopplungsprozesse im Boden-Vegetations-Atmosphären Kontinuum. Hydrologische Modelle, die explizit den Einfluss der Vegetation auf den Wasserhaushalt untersuchen sind Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere-Transfer (SVAT) Modelle. Die vorliegende Studie verfolgte zwei Hauptziele: (i) die Entwicklung und Erprobung einer Methodenkombination zur Standortbewertung unter Datenknappheit (d.h. Grundanforderung des Ansatzes) (Teil I) und (ii) die Untersuchung des Einflusses der mit geophysikalischen Methoden vorhergesagten SVAT-Modeleingangsparameter (d.h. Vorhersageunsicherheiten) auf die Modellierung (Teil II). Eine Wasserhaushaltsmodellierung wurde in den Mittelpunkt der Methodenkombination gesetzt. In dieser Studie wurde das 1D SVAT Model CoupModel verwendet. CoupModel benötigen detaillierte räumliche Bodeninformationen (i) zur Modellparametrisierung, (ii) zum Hochskalierung von Modellergebnissen unter Berücksichtigung lokaler und regionaler Bodenheterogenität, und (iii) zur Beobachtung (Monitoring) der zeitlichen Veränderungen des Bodens und der Vegetation. Traditionelle Ansätze zur Messung von Boden- und Vegetationseigenschaften und deren Monitoring sind jedoch zeitaufwendig, teuer und beschränken sich daher oft auf Punktinformationen. Ein vielversprechender Ansatz zur Überwindung der räumlichen Einschränkung sind die Nutzung geophysikalischer Methoden. Aus diesem Grund wurden vis-NIR Spektroskopie (sichtbarer bis nah-infraroter Wellenlängenbereich) zur quasi-kontinuierlichen Messung von physikalischer und chemischer Bodeneigenschaften und Satelliten-basierte Fernerkundung zur Ableitung von Vegetationscharakteristika (d.h. Blattflächenindex (BFI)) eingesetzt. Da die mit geophysikalisch hergeleiteten Bodenparameter (hier Bodenart) und Pflanzenparameter zur Parametrisierung eines SVAT Models verwendet werden können, wurde die gesamte Prozessierungskette und die damit verbundenen Unsicherheiten und deren potentiellen Auswirkungen auf die Wasserhaushaltsmodellierung mit CoupModel untersucht. Ein Gewächshausexperiment mit Bambuspflanzen wurde durchgeführt, um die zur CoupModel Parametrisierung notwendigen pflanzenphysio- logischen Parameter zu bestimmen. Geoelektrik wurde eingesetzt, um die Bodenschichtung der Untersuchungsfläche zu untersuchen und ein repräsentatives Bodenprofil zur Modellierung zu definieren. Die Bodenstruktur wurde unter Verwendung einer Bildanalysetechnik ausgewertet, die die qualitativen Bewertung und Vergleichbarkeit struktureller Merkmale ermöglicht. Um den Anforderungen des gewählten Standortbewertungsansatzes gerecht zu werden, wurde die Methodik auf einem Standort mit einer Bambusplantage und einem Sekundärregenwald (als Referenzfläche) in NO-Brasilien (d.h. geringe Datenverfügbarkeit) entwickelt und getestet. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war jedoch nicht die Modellierung dieses konkreten Standortes, sondern die Bewertung der Eignung des gewählten Methodenansatzes zur Standortbewertung für Aufforstungen und deren zeitliche Beobachtung, als auch die Bewertung des Einfluss von Aufforstungen auf den Wasserhaushalt und die Bodenqualität. Die Ergebnisse (Teil III) verdeutlichen, dass es notwendig ist, sich den potentiellen Einfluss der Messunsicherheiten der SVAT Modelleingangsparameter auf die Modellierung bewusst zu sein. Beispielsweise zeigte sich, dass die Vorhersageunsicherheiten der Bodentextur und des BFI einen bedeutenden Einfluss auf die Wasserhaushaltsmodellierung mit CoupModel hatte. Die Arbeit zeigt weiterhin, dass vis-NIR Spektroskopie zur schnellen und kostengünstigen Messung, Kartierung und Überwachung boden-physikalischer (Bodenart) und -chemischer (N, TOC, TIC, TC) Eigenschaften geeignet ist. Die Qualität der Bodenvorhersage hängt vom Instrument (z.B. Sensorauflösung), den Probeneigenschaften (z.B. chemische Zusammensetzung) und den Standortmerkmalen (z.B. Klima) ab. Die Sensitivitätsanalyse mit CoupModel zeigte, dass der Einfluss der spektralen Bodenartvorhersageunsicherheiten auf den mit CoupModel simulierten Oberflächenabfluss, Evaporation, Transpiration und Evapotranspiration ebenfalls von den Standortbedingungen (z.B. Klima, Bodentyp) abhängt. Aus diesem Grund wird empfohlen eine SVAT Model Sensitivitätsanalyse vor der spektroskopischen Feldmessung von Bodenparametern durchzuführen, um die Standort-spezifischen Boden- und Klimabedingungen angemessen zu berücksichtigen. Die Anfertigung einer Bodenkarte unter Verwendung von Kriging führte zu schlechten Interpolationsergebnissen in Folge der Aufsummierung von Mess- und Schätzunsicherheiten (d.h. bei spektroskopischer Feldmessung, Kriging-Fehler) und der kleinskaligen Bodenheterogenität. Anhand des gewählten Bodenbewertungsansatzes (vis-NIR Spektroskopie, Strukturvergleich mit Bildanalysetechnik, traditionelle Laboranalysen) konnte gezeigt werden, dass es bei gleichem Bodentyp (Vertisol) signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Böden unter Bambus und Sekundärwald gibt. Anhand der wichtigsten Ergebnisse kann festgehalten werden, dass die gewählte Methodenkombination zur detailreicheren und effizienteren Standortuntersuchung und -bewertung für Aufforstungen beitragen kann. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie geben einen Einblick darauf, wo und wann bei Boden- und Vegetationsmessungen eine besonders hohe Messgenauigkeit erforderlich ist, um Unsicherheiten bei der SVAT Modellierung zu minimieren
Extensos desmatamentos que estão sendo feitos especialmente nos trópicos e sub-trópicos resultam em uma intensa degradação do solo e num aumento da erosão gerando assim uma redução na sua fertilidade. Reflorestamentos ou plantações nestas áreas degradadas podem ser medidas eficazes para atenuar esses problemas e levar a uma melhoria da qualidade do mesmo. No entanto, uma mudança no uso da terra, por exemplo de pastagem para floresta pode ter um impacto crucial no balanço hídrico e isso pode afetar a disponibilidade de água, mesmo sob condições de clima tropical úmido, onde a água normalmente não é um fator limitante. Devemos levar também em consideração que de acordo com projeções de mudanças climáticas, as precipitações em algumas dessas regiões também diminuirão agravando assim, ainda mais o quadro apresentado. Para mitigar esses problemas relacionados com as alterações climáticas, reflorestamentos são frequentemente realizados mas raramente são bem-sucedidos, pois condições ambientais como os requisitos específicos de cada espécie de planta, não são devidamente levados em consideração. Isso é muitas vezes devido, não só pela falta de dados, como também por recursos financeiros limitados, que são problemas comuns em regiões tropicais. Por esses motivos, são necessárias abordagens inovadoras que devam ser capazes de medir as condições ambientais quase continuamente e de maneira rentável. Simultaneamente com o reflorestamento, deve ser feita uma monitoração a fim de avaliar o sucesso da atividade e para prevenir, ou pelo menos, reduzir os problemas potenciais associados com o mesmo (por exemplo, a escassez de água). Para se evitar falhas e reduzir implicações negativas sobre os ecossistemas, é crucial obter percepções sobre o real balanço hídrico e as mudanças que seriam geradas por esse reflorestamento. Por este motivo, esta tese teve como objetivo desenvolver e testar uma combinação de métodos para avaliação de áreas adequadas para reflorestamento. Com esse intuito, foi colocada no centro da abordagem de avaliação a modelagem do balanço hídrico local, que permite a identificação e estimação de possíveis alterações causadas pelo reflorestamento sob mudança climática considerando o sistema complexo de realimentação e a interação de processos do continuum solo-vegetação-atmosfera. Esses modelos hidrológicos que investigam explicitamente a influência da vegetação no equilíbrio da água são conhecidos como modelos Solo-Vegetação-Atmosfera (SVAT). Esta pesquisa focou em dois objetivos principais: (i) desenvolvimento e teste de uma combinação de métodos para avaliação de áreas que sofrem com a escassez de dados (pré-requisito do estudo) (Parte I), e (ii) a investigação das consequências da incerteza nos parâmetros de entrada do modelo SVAT, provenientes de dados geofísicos, para modelagem hídrica (Parte II). A fim de satisfazer esses objetivos, o estudo foi feito no nordeste brasileiro,por representar uma área de grande escassez de dados, utilizando como base uma plantação de bambu e uma área de floresta secundária. Uma modelagem do balanço hídrico foi disposta no centro da metodologia para a avaliação de áreas. Este estudo utilizou o CoupModel que é um modelo SVAT unidimensional e que requer informações espaciais detalhadas do solo para (i) a parametrização do modelo, (ii) aumento da escala dos resultados da modelagem, considerando a heterogeneidade do solo de escala local para regional e (iii) o monitoramento de mudanças nas propriedades do solo e características da vegetação ao longo do tempo. Entretanto, as abordagens tradicionais para amostragem de solo e de vegetação e o monitoramento são demorados e caros e portanto muitas vezes limitadas a informações pontuais. Por esta razão, métodos geofísicos como a espectroscopia visível e infravermelho próximo (vis-NIR) e sensoriamento remoto foram utilizados respectivamente para a medição de propriedades físicas e químicas do solo e para derivar as características da vegetação baseado no índice da área foliar (IAF). Como as propriedades estimadas de solo (principalmente a textura) poderiam ser usadas para parametrizar um modelo SVAT, este estudo investigou toda a cadeia de processamento e as incertezas de previsão relacionadas à textura de solo e ao IAF. Além disso explorou o impacto destas incertezas criadas sobre a previsão do balanço hídrico simulado por CoupModel. O método geoelétrico foi aplicado para investigar a estratificação do solo visando a determinação de um perfil representante. Já a sua estrutura foi explorada usando uma técnica de análise de imagens que permitiu a avaliação quantitativa e a comparabilidade dos aspectos estruturais. Um experimento realizado em uma estufa com plantas de bambu (Bambusa vulgaris) foi criado a fim de determinar as caraterísticas fisiológicas desta espécie que posteriormente seriam utilizadas como parâmetros para o CoupModel. Os resultados do estudo (Parte III) destacam que é preciso estar consciente das incertezas relacionadas à medição de parâmetros de entrada do modelo SVAT. A incerteza presente em alguns parâmetros de entrada como por exemplo, textura de solo e o IAF influencia significantemente a modelagem do balanço hídrico. Mesmo assim, esta pesquisa indica que vis-NIR espectroscopia é um método rápido e economicamente viável para medir, mapear e monitorar as propriedades físicas (textura) e químicas (N, TOC, TIC, TC) do solo. A precisão da previsão dessas propriedades depende do tipo de instrumento (por exemplo da resolução do sensor), da propriedade da amostra (a composição química por exemplo) e das características das condições climáticas da área. Os resultados apontam também que a sensitividade do CoupModel à incerteza da previsão da textura de solo em respeito ao escoamento superficial, transpiração, evaporação, evapotranspiração e ao conteúdo de água no solo depende das condições gerais da área (por exemplo condições climáticas e tipo de solo). Por isso, é recomendado realizar uma análise de sensitividade do modelo SVAT prior a medição espectral do solo no campo, para poder considerar adequadamente as condições especificas do área em relação ao clima e ao solo. Além disso, o mapeamento de propriedades de solo previstas pela espectroscopia usando o kriging, resultou em interpolações de baixa qualidade (variogramas fracos) como consequência da acumulação de incertezas surgidas desde a medição no campo até o seu mapeamento (ou seja, previsão do solo via espectroscopia, erro do kriging) e heterogeneidade especifica de uma pequena escala. Osmétodos selecionados para avaliação das áreas (vis-NIR espectroscopia, comparação da estrutura de solo por meio de análise de imagens, análise de laboratório tradicionais) revelou a existência de diferenças significativas entre o solo sob bambu e o sob floresta secundária, apesar de ambas terem sido estabelecidas no mesmo tipo de solo (vertissolo). Refletindo sobre os principais resultados do estudo, pode-se afirmar que a combinação dos métodos escolhidos e aplicados representam uma forma mais detalhada e eficaz de avaliar se uma determinada área é adequada para ser reflorestada. Os resultados apresentados fornecem percepções sobre onde e quando, durante a medição do solo e da vegetação, é necessário se ter uma precisão mais alta a fim de minimizar incertezas potenciais na modelagem com o modelo SVAT

Gears play an important role in mechanical power transmission systems. They enable the prime mover characteristic (a gas turbine for example) to be matched to the characteristic of the driven load (say, a slow speed propeller), thus reducing the cost of both manufacturing and operating the system. The customer requirements for higher power density and lower noise demands more accurate gears. This imposes more stringent requirements on the measuring equipment that controls the quality of the manufacturing machines. Many gears have flank form and tooth spacing tolerances that are less then 10μm, and according to the so called `Golden rule', measuring equipment on the shop floor should have a measurement uncertainty of between 1 to 2μm. These are stringent requirements that demand the highest standards of metrology. Thus the need to accurately quantify the measurement uncertainty of inspection machines is of paramount importance if costly mistakes are to be avoided. The work reported in this thesis was completed as part of the activities undertaken by the author in his role as head of the UK National Gear Metrology Laboratory (NGML). The laboratory is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for gear measurement and on-site calibration of gear measuring machines. The work is mainly experimental in nature. In fact, much of what is reported is centred on work undertaken with two artefact sets: one set consisting of 100mm diameter lead and profile artefacts and a second set of 200mm diameter artefacts. These gear artefacts are probably the most valuable in the world because of the volume and quality of the calibration data associated with them.

Disadvantages of the traditional approach to measurement uncertainty evaluation are analyzed. An algorithm for measurement uncertainty evaluation based on the Monte Carlo method is described, which makes it possible to eliminate these shortcomings. The results of a comparison of measurement uncertainty estimates obtained by the traditional method and the Monte Carlo method are presented. The need to revise the “Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement” is substantiated and its current state is described.

Accurate and complete performance evaluation is playing a major role in the further development of concentrating solar collectors. To ensure dependable test results, an appropriate testing and evaluation procedure is required. Moreover, the selection and installation of suitable measurement instrumentation are essential for obtaining reliable data for the performance evaluation. The quality of the measurement instrumentation greatly influences the representativeness of the test results. Details on the measurement instrumentation recommended for the testing of low-temperature solar collectors have already been provided in the testing standard EN ISO 9806:2013.

This project summarizes the results from 2000–2020and evaluates the trueness andthequality control (QC) procedures of the ongoing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)and trace element measurements in Finlandrelating to Air Quality (AQ) Directive 2004/107/EC. The evaluation was focused on benzo(a)pyrene and other PAH compounds as well as arsenic, cadmium and nickel in PM10and deposition. Additionally, it included lead and other metals in PM10and deposition, gaseous mercury and mercury deposition, andbriefly other specificAQ measurements such as volatile organic compounds (VOC)and PM2.5chemical composition. This project was conducted by the National Reference Laboratory on air quality and thiswas the first time these measurements were assessed. A major part of the project was field and laboratory audits of the ongoing PAH and metal measurements. Other measurements were briefly evaluated through interviews and available literature. In addition, the national AQ database, the expertise of local measurement networks and related publications were utilised. In total, all theseven measurement networks performing PAH and metal measurements in 2019–2020took part in the audits. Eleven stations were audited while these measurements are performed at 22 AQ stations in Finland. For the large networks, one station was chosen to represent the performance of the network. The audits included also six laboratories performing the analysis of the collected samples. The audits revealed the compliance of the measurements with the AQ Decree 113/2017, Directive 2004/107/EC and Standards of the European Committee for Standardization(CEN). In addition, general information of the measurements, instruments and quality control procedures were gained. The results of the laboratory audits were confidential,but this report includes general findings, and the measurement networks were informed on the audit results with the permission of the participating laboratories. As a conclusion, the measurementmethodsusedwere mainly reference methods. Currently, all sampling methods were reference methods; however, before 2018 three networks used other methods that may have underestimated concentrations. Regarding these measurements, it should be noted the results are notcomparable with the reference method. Laboratory methods were reference methods excluding two cases, where the first was considered an acceptable equivalent method. For the other, a change to a reference method was strongly recommended and this realized in 2020. For some new measurements, the ongoing QC procedures were not yet fully established, and advice were given. Some networks used consultant for calibration and maintenance, and thus theywere not fully aware of the QC procedures. EN Standards were mostly followed. Main concerns were related to the checks of flow and calculation of measurement uncertainty, and suggestions for improvement were given. When the measurement networks implement the recommendations given inthe audits, it can be concluded that the EN Standards are adequately followed in the networks. In the ongoing sampling, clear factors risking the trueness of the result were not found. This applies also for the laboratory analyses in 2020. One network had concentrations above the target value, and theindicative measurementsshould be updated to fixed measurements.