Uncertainty analysis via aggregation operators for cost estimation in a large-scale nuclear project. (13th June 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruan, Da; Li, Tianrui
• Is Part Of: International journal of nuclear knowledge management. Volume 2:Number 4(2007)
• Page Start: 375
• Page End: 395
• Publication Date: 2007-06-13
• Subjects: aggregation operators -- cost estimation -- decision support systems -- DSS -- fuzzy logic -- interval uncertainty -- MYRRHA -- probability uncertainty -- Belgium -- uncertainty analysis -- large-scale projects -- nuclear industry -- nuclear costs -- nuclear systems; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear energy -- Management -- Periodicals; Nuclear industry -- Periodicals; Nuclear industry -- Management -- Periodicals; 333.792405
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-540X

Abstract

Cost estimation for large projects can be difficult because of many complex factors and uncertainties involved. It is often the case that only very rough guesses of actual costs may be provided. In this paper, we will examine the various types of uncertainty in the cost estimation problem of a large-scale nuclear project, namely, the MYRRHA project at SCK_CEN. We will then use a few examples from the conceptual phase of the project to illustrate the practical use of a software package, the IDS Cost Estimator, in cost analysis of nuclear systems. It is demonstrated that the IDS Cost Estimator can take care of several types of uncertainties in cost estimation and provide user friendly interfaces for data collection, reporting and display. Moreover, several common aggregation operators are extended under the ordered 3-tuple space to achieve aggregation of any items and uncertainty analysis by output of the IDS cost estimator.