The relevance of using a Monte Carlo method to evaluate Uncertainty in mass calibration

J. A. Sousa, A. S. Ribeiro, A. B. Forbes, P. M. Harris, F. Carvalho, L. Bacelar

Abstract

In this paper we give the results of four methods of calculating uncertainty associated with a mass calibration problem, three based on different implementations – the first and second order law of propagation of uncertainty and the Monte Carlo method – of the generally methodology described by the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, the fourth based on a Bayesian formulation. Nonlinearities in the model for the calibration problem means that the first order approach can be an unreliable method for evaluating uncertainties, relative to the other three approaches.

Keywords

modelling, uncertainty, Monte Carlo, mass calibration

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IMEKO TC

TC3 - Measurement of Force, Mass, Torque, and Gravity

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