Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
Content archived on 2024-04-16

Unbiased Guess: A Concept to Cope with Fuzzy and Random Parameters

Objective

Any risk analysis dealing with the transport of radionuclides from a radioactive waste repository on the basis of deterministic equations suffers from two severe problems. Firstly, all processes in reality are random in nature and, secondly, the data basis and the knowledge about the relevant processes will never be complete. The aim of the study is to investigate the applicability of fuzzy set theory in decision making and the potential of information theory in this context. Since ambiguity in the valuation of models and model parameters represents the main obstacle for a consent about the results, it seems very promising to apply a kind of maximum entropy method, the "method of unbiased guess", in order to deal with incomplete knowledge. While the incorporation of randomness into this approach is straightforward adequate methods have to be developed in order to deal with incomplete knowledge or subjective quantities (i.e. expert judgement). The main aim of the study is to propose a theoretically well-founded formalism serving this purpose. The capability of this formation will be demonstrated on a non-trivial migration problem.
Any risk analysis dealing with the transport of radionuclides from a radioactive waste repository on the basis of deterministic equations suffers from 2 severe problems. Firstly, all processes in reality are random in nature and, secondly, the data basis and the knowledge about the revelant process will never be complete. The aim of the study is to investigate the applicability of fuzzy set theory in decision making and the potential of information theory in this context. Since ambiguity in the valuation of models and model parameters represents the main obstacle for a consent about the results, it seems very promising to apply a kind of maximum entropy method, the method of unbiased guess, in order to deal with incomplete knowledge. While the incorporation of randomness into this approach is straightforward, adequate methods have to be developed in order to deal with incomplete knowledge or subjective quantities (ie, expert judgement). The main aim of the study is to propose a theoretically well founded formalism serving this purpose. The capability of this formalism will be demonstrated on a nontrivial migration problem.

The principle drawbacks have been completed using probability or fuzzy theory in risk analysis and decision making dealing with the transport of radionuclides from a radioactive waste repository. A method for the unambiguous choice of the characterizing function of the parameters seems to be a generalized maximum entropy method, the method of unbiased guess. Some measures of uncertainty are compiled, whose maximization or minimization may lead to a useful strategy in defining the characterizing functions.
Work programme:

1. Compilation of the relevant aspects of information theory. Special emphasis is put onto the method of unbiased guess and its theoretical foundation.
2. Discussion of the problems of geochemical modelling in risk assessments with respect to uncertainty using probability density functions and the theory of fuzzy sets.
3. Development of a formalism for a consistent and unambiguous incorporation of incomplete knowledge employing the method of unbiased guess.
4. Demonstration of the applicability of the formalism using a simulated migration problem as a test case.
5. Documentation
6. Project coordination

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

Data not available

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Brenk Systemplanung
EU contribution
No data
Address
Heinrichsallee 38
52062 Aachen
Germany

See on map

Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data
My booklet 0 0