Citation

Weed RM. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 613: 44-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Computer simulation is one of the most useful techniques available to the statistican. However, current literature indicates that this approach has been widely used by engineers. This paper provides the basic tools for anyone with an elementary knowledge of statistical theory and computer programming to simulate a random normal process on a digital computer. The usefulness of this technique is illustrated by two examples that involve concrete strength specifications. The first deals with the determination of the best sampling plan for a quality-assurance testing program, and the second illustrates the simulation of a statistical acceptance procedure with a reduced pay schedule. Several FORTRAN subroutines are described for generating both uniform and normal random numbers, sorting a data array, selecting a random sample, calculating statistical parameters, and printing a histogram.