Statistics in Engineering
With examples in MATLAB® and R

Andrew Metcalfe, David Green, Tony Greenfield, Mahayaudin Mansor, Andrew Smith and Jonathan Tuke.


Statistics in Engineering

Chapter data sets


Engineers are expected to design structures and machines that can operate in challenging and volatile environments, while allowing for variation in materials and noise in measurements and signals. This book covers fundamentals of probability and statistics, and explains how to use these basic techniques to estimate and model random variation in the context of engineering analysis and design in all types of environments.

The first eight chapters cover probability and probability distributions, graphical displays of data and descriptive statistics, combinations of random variables and propagation of error, statistical inference, bivariate distributions and correlation, linear regression on a single predictor variable, and the measurement error model. This leads to chapters including: multiple regression; comparisons of several means and split-plot designs together with analysis of variance; probability models; and sampling strategies. Distinctive features are:

  • all examples are based on work in industry, consulting to industry, and research for industry;
  • examples and case studies include all engineering disciplines;
  • an emphasis on probabilistic modeling including decision trees, Markov chains, and processes, and structure functions;
  • intuitive explanations are followed by succinct mathematical justifications;
  • an emphasis on random number generation that is used for stochastic simulations of engineering systems, demonstration of key concepts, and implementation of bootstrap methods for inference;
  • use of MATLAB® and the open source software R, both of which have an extensive range of statistical functions for standard analyzes and also enable programing of specific applications;
  • use of multiple regression for times series models and analysis of factorial and central composite designs;
  • inclusion of topics, such as Weibull analysis of failure times and split-plot designs, that are commonly used in industry but not usually included in introductory text books;
  • experiments designed to show fundamental concepts, that have been tested with large classes working in small groups;
  • website with additional materials that is regularly updated.

Solutions to odd numbered exercises

Supplementary exercises
with solutions to odd numbered questions

Errata

Glossary