A review of stochastic sampling methods for Bayesian inference problems

Adolphus Lye, Alice Cicirello, Edoardo Patelli

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution book

5 Citations (Scopus)
31 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This study was done with the aim to analyze and evaluate the strengths and limitations of the Markov Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC), Transitional Markov Chain Monte-Carlo (TMCMC), and Sequential Monte-Carlo (SMC) sampling methods in the context of solving engineering design problems. For each of these methods discussed in this paper, a case example will also be presented in the form of simple toy-model problems to demonstrate its use and effectiveness in estimating parameters under uncertainty and comparing it with determined results. For the MCMC case example, a simple harmonic oscillator will be looked into to estimate the value of the spring constant, k. For the TMCMC case example, the problem will be extended into a coupled oscillator problem and the goal would be to estimate the values of two spring constants to which there is imprecise knowledge: κ and κ12. Finally, for the SMC case example, a simple harmonic oscillator will be analyzed once again as a static linear system to estimate the spring constant, k. As such, this conference paper is also targeted at readers who are new to these methods and to provide succinct information in facilitating the understanding of the three sampling approaches.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 29th European Safety and Reliability Conference, ESREL 2019
EditorsMichael Beer, Enrico Zio
Pages1866-1873
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9789811127243
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Sept 2019
Event29th European Safety and Reliability Conference, ESREL 2019 - Hannover, Germany
Duration: 22 Sept 201926 Sept 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 29th European Safety and Reliability Conference, ESREL 2019

Conference

Conference29th European Safety and Reliability Conference, ESREL 2019
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityHannover
Period22/09/1926/09/19

Keywords

  • bayesian inference
  • estimation methods
  • markov chain monte-carlo
  • random sampling
  • sequential monte-carlo
  • transitional markov chain monte-carlo
  • inference engine
  • safety engineering
  • uncertainty analysis
  • coupled oscillators
  • harmonic oscillators

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