Probability and Risk Analysis: An Introduction for Engineers

This text presents notions and ideas at the foundations of a statistical treatment of risks. The focus is on statistical applications within the field of engineering risk and safety analysis. Coverage includes Bayesian methods. Such knowledge facilitates the understanding of the influence of random phenomena and gives a deeper understanding of the role of probability in risk analysis. The text is written for students who have studied elementary undergraduate courses in engineering mathematics, perhaps including a minor course in statistics. This book differs from typical textbooks in its verbal approach to many explanations and examples.

This book presents notions and ideas from the foundations of a statistical treatment of risks. Bayesian methods are frequently used in that area, hence a reasonable proportion of the presentation is devoted to such approaches. Modern statistical tools, namely Poisson regression, analysis of deviance, extreme-value theory and threshold methods are also used to identify and solve practical problems. The knowledge of such tools facilitates the understanding of the role of probability in risk analysis and proper use of outputs given by software packages.

The book is written with a student in mind who has studied elementary undergraduate courses in engineering mathematics, perhaps including an introductory course in statistics. The text emphasizes an understanding of the theory and methods presented. Hence, comments are given verbally and an intuitive reasoning is frequent. This is not just another new textbook on elementary probability and statistics, but focuses strongly on applications within the field of risk and safety analysis.