Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Publication
    Spatial and spatio-temporal modelling of Sitka spruce tree growth from forest plots in Co. Wicklow
    (University College Dublin. School of Mathematics and Statistics  , 2015)
    Individual tree growth in forest plots is spatially dependent, changes overtime and the magnitude of spatial dependence may also change over time,particularly in stands subjected to thinning. Models for tree growth in theliterature have been mainly restricted to either spatial models or temporalmodels. Spatial models have been mostly restricted to those that haveGaussian variograms with comparisons at single time points while dynamicmodels ignore tree competition caused by close spatial proximity. Spatio-temporalmodels were therefore developed to represent the individual treegrowth of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) based on data fromthree long-term, repeatedly measured, experimental plots in Co. Wicklow,Ireland.The initial thinning treatments for the three plots were: unthinned, 40%thinned and 50% thinned. Tree growth was defined as the difference inthe measured diameter at breast height (DBH) (cm) at regular intervals.Thinned and unthinned plots were modelled separately as they were notadjacent. A model for tree growth over all locations in a plot and all timepoints was fitted using a sum-metric spatio-temporal variogram. Negativespatial correlation at small distances (due to competition) is evident atseparate time points while at larger distances it is positive and this isadequately modelled with a wave function. The correlation of a singletree over time also followed a wave variogram while the spatio-temporalanisotropy parameter captured the changing spatial wave intensity.Models with fixed effects of age, number of neighbours and polygon areawere also considered. Predicted values for models were computed usingregression-kriging and mean squared error of prediction was used tocompare models and thinning strategies. Both thinned plots clearly outperformedthe unthinned plot in terms of total individual tree DBH growthand also at a stand level. Spatio-temporal bootstrap methods were usedto assess the precision of the spatio-temporal model parameter estimates.The models indicate, once fixed effects are accounted for, that spatialvariability and correlation is more important than temporal. The modelsprovide insights into the nature of tree growth and it is seen that modellingspatial dependence is important in the understanding of managementstrategies and silvicultural decision making.
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  • Publication
    Characterizing dependence of Irish sitka spruce stands using spatio-temporal sum-metric models
    Individual tree dependence in forest plots is spatially dependent and changes over time, and the magnitude of spatial dependence may also change over time, particularly in stands subjected to thinning. Models for tree dependence in the literature have been mainly restricted to either spatial models or temporal models. We extend these to spatio-temporal models. The data are from three long-term, repeatedly measured, experimental plots of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis [Bong.] Carr.) in Co. Wicklow, Ireland, with thinning treatments of unthinned, 40% thinned, and 50% thinned, respectively. A model for tree by diameter at breast height, over all locations in each plot and all time points, was fitted with fixed covariates and with a sum-metric spatio-temporal variogram for the covariance structure. In the variogram, the spatial correlation component followed a wave function (due to competition at small distances). The correlation over time also followed a wave variogram, whereas the spatio-temporal anisotropy captured the space-time interaction. The models indicate, once fixed effects are accounted for, that spatial variability and correlation are more important than temporal. Models were fitted to plots with three different treatments to demonstrate that model parameters differed by thinning type but were consistent in their interpretation with thinning type. The models show that describing spatial dependence is important for understanding the nature of tree growth and its prediction.
    Scopus© Citations 1  361
  • Publication
    Prediction of tool-wear in turning of medical grade cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy (ASTM F75) using non-parametric Bayesian models
    We present a novel approach to estimating the effect of control parameters on tool wear rates and related changes in the three force components in turning of medical grade Co-Cr-Mo (ASTM F75) alloy. Co-Cr-Mo is known to be a difficult to cut material which, due to a combination of mechanical and physical properties, is used for the critical structural components of implantable medical prosthetics. We run a designed experiment which enables us to estimate tool wear from feed rate and cutting speed, and constrain them using a Bayesian hierarchical Gaussian Process model which enables prediction of tool wear rates for untried experimental settings. However, the predicted tool wear rates are non-linear and, using our models, we can identify experimental settings which optimise the life of the tool. This approach has potential in the future for realtime application of data analytics to machining processes.
      370Scopus© Citations 15
  • Publication
    Prediction of tool-wear in turning of medical grade cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy (ASTM F75) using non-parametric Bayesian models
    We present a novel approach to estimating the effect of control parameters on tool wear rates and related changes in the three force components in turning of medical grade Co-Cr-Mo (ASTM F75) alloy. Co-Cr-Mo is known to be a difficult to cut material which, due to a combination of mechanical and physical properties,is used for the critical structural components of implantable medical prosthetics. We run a designed experiment which enables us to estimate tool wear from feed rate and cutting speed, and constrain them using a Bayesian hierarchical Gaussian Process model which enables prediction of tool wear rates for untried experimental settings. The predicted tool wear rates are non-linear and, using our models,we can identify experimental settings which optimise the life of the tool. This approach has potential in the future for real time application of data analytics to machining processes.
    Scopus© Citations 15  263