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Component sensitivity: A tool for the analysis of complex water resource systems
Author(s) -
McCuen Richard H.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr009i001p00243
Subject(s) - sensitivity (control systems) , component (thermodynamics) , computation , computer science , mathematical model , mathematical optimization , set (abstract data type) , complex system , mathematics , algorithm , engineering , artificial intelligence , statistics , electronic engineering , thermodynamics , programming language , physics
The value of sensitivity estimates for determining an optimal set of model parameters has been recognized for over a century. However, the inadequacy of the mathematical foundation of sensitivity has prevented the use of systematic gradient optimization techniques for the analysis of complex water resource systems and hydrologie simulation models. The computer time required to increment each parameter and to measure the change in output is considered excessive for optimization of complex systems. The use of component sensitivity provides an alternative to the method of parameter perturbation that greatly reduces the computational effort. The mathematical foundation of component sensitivity is introduced, and the method of computation is demonstrated for a two‐component system. However, the mathematical foundation of component sensitivity is easily extended to more complex systems.