Reliability Engineering And

Design Of Experiments
A seminar report on:

Nested And Nested-Factorial Experiments

Presented By:

Kaisar Katchi
(Roll No. 05)
Under The Guidance Of:

Professor S. B. Rane

Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Andheri (West)

Contents
Topic
The Nested Experiment

Page
2

The Nested-Factorial Experiment

Repeated-Measures Design
Conclusion
Multiple Choice Questions
References

6
10
12
13
17

The Nested Experiment

Factor: any item that may affect a measured variable.

Nested Experiment: levels of one factor are nested within (or are subsamples of) another
factor. Also called hierarchical experiments.
Nested-factorial Experiment: an experiment where both factors and nested factors exist.

M
H
a
e
c
a
h
d
i
n
1
2
e
A
B
In a nested experiment, factors are contained, or dependant, on other factors. That is, they are
unique enough to cause significant changes in the experimental reading on their own, but they
are also encapsulated inside other factors, which are under consideration.
Consider an experiment to study the effect of the readings of two machines designed to observe
the strain values on the supports used for fixing cathode ray tubes.
Further, each machine has two heads that individually measure the strain reading.

The following rules are decided for the experiment:

Four readings are observed per machine, that is, two per head (k).
The heads can be chosen from any number of heads. Hence, those heads are a random
sample. But, heads are not crossed (no interchanging; same head is not used for both
machines).
Machines can be considered as fixed. That is, not random.

With the experimental parameters set, the experiment is conducted, and the following
observations are noted:

Machine

Head

13

10

Head Total

16

19

Machine Total

24

22

Experimental Model
Yijk = + Mi + Hj(i) + k(ij)
Where:

j = 1, 2 (number of heads per machine)

i = 1, 2 (number of machines)
k = 1, 2 (number of readings per head)

An Expected Mean Square Table is constructed from the data:

Source

EMS

(Machine) Mi

2 + 4H2 + 16M

(Head) Hj(i)

2 + 4H2

(Error) k(ij)

Data Analysis:
The sum of squares for the factors is calculated:

SS (total) = 62 + 22 + 132 + 32 + 102 + 92 + 22 + 12 - (462/8) = 139.5

SS (machines) = ((242 + 222)/4) (462/8) = 0.5
SS(Head for Machine A) = ((82 + 162)/2) (242/4) = 16
SS(Head for Machine B) = ((192 + 32)/2) (222/4) = 64
SS(Total for Heads) = 16 + 64 = 80
Error sum of squares = 139.5 0.5 80 = 59.
Degrees of Freedom of heads in machine A = 2 -1 = 1.
For both machines, degree of freedom = 2 x 1 = 2.

ANOVA
The analysis of variance yields:
4

Source

df

SS

MS

EMS

(Machine) Mi

139.5

139.5

2 + 4H2 + 16M

4.72

(Head) Hj(i)

80

40

2 + 4H2

1.35

(Error) k(ij)

59

29.5

Totals

278.5

Experiment Conclusions:
From SS (SSHeads) calculation, we see significant difference between the heads of Machines A
and B. These results suggest a more careful adjustment between heads within the machines.

The Nested-Factorial Experiment

In a factorial experiment, multiple factors affect our variable; such as the effect of temperature
and altitude on current flow in an integrated circuit.
When both factors and nested factors appear in the same experiment, it is known as a nestedfactorial experiment.
Consider an experiment to test a new method of loading bullets in a gun, to improve the loading
speed.
Three groups of testers are selected, categorized by their build: slight, average and heavy build.
Each group is divided into three teams.
Each team uses two methods: old and new. Each method is used twice.

Experimental Model
Yijkm = + Mi + Gj + MGij + Tk(j) + MTik(j) + m(ijk)
Where:

Mi = methods, i = 1, 2.

Gj = groups, j = 1, 2, 3.

Tk(j) = teams within groups, k = 1, 2, 3 for all j.

MTik(j) = interaction between methods and teams within groups.

m(ijk) = random error, m = 1, 2 for all i, j, k.

The following data represents the number of bullets loaded per minute (more is better):
GROUP

II

III

Team

Method I

20.2

26.2

23.8

22

22.6

22.9

23.1

22.9

21.8

24.1

26.9

24.9

23.5

24.6

25

22.9

23.7

23.5

14.2

18

12.5

14.1

14

13.7

14.1

12.2

12.7

16.2

19.1

15.4

16.1

18.1

16

16.1

13.8

15.1

Method II

EMS Table:
Source

EMS

Mi

2 + 2MT 2 + 18M

Gj

2 + 4T 2 + 12G

MGij

2 + 2MT 2 + 6MG

Tk(j)

2 + 4T 2

MTik(j)

2 + 2MT 2

m(ijk)

The Sample Squares are computed:

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Group

II

III

SS (Cell)

256.18

199.96

246.96

SS (Method)

214.19

196.83

242.10

SS (Team)

35.74

1.62

1.90

SS (MxT Interaction)

6.25

1.51

10.72

ANOVA:
An Analysis of Variance leads to:
Source

df

SS

MS

EMS

Mi

651.95

651.95

2 + 2MT 2 + 18M

Gj

16.05

8.02

2 + 4T 2 + 12G

MGij

1.19

0.60

2 + 2MT 2 + 6MG

Tk(j)

39.26

6.54

2 + 4T 2

MTik(j)

10.72

1.79

2 + 2MT 2

m(ijk)

18

41.59

2.31

Totals

35

760.76

To calculate the effect of Methods and Teams, the group readings are retabulated:
Method
s

Teams
1

Method
3

Totals

Teams
4

M
6

Totals

Teams
7

M
9

Totals

II

Team

20.2

26.2

23.8

22

22.6

22.
9

23.1

22.9

21.8

24.1

26.9

24.9

23.5

24.6

25

22.9

23.7

23.5

44.3

53.1

48.7

45.5

47.2

47.
9

46

46.6

45.3

14.2

18

12.5

14.1

14

13.
7

14.1

12.2

12.7

16.2

19.1

15.4

16.1

18.1

16

16.1

13.8

15.1

30.4

37.1

27.9

95.4

30.2

32.1

29.
7

92

30.2

26

27.8

84

74.7

90.2

76.6

241.5

75.7

79.3

77.
6

232.6

76.2

72.6

73.1

221.9

146.1

Totals

140.6

137.9

Experiment Conclusion:
The mean number of bullets per minute for methods 1 (new) and 2 (old) are 23.58 and 15.08
respectively, showing significant improvement.
The significant difference between teams within the groups is concentrated in group 1 (SS
35.74).
Mean for teams in group I are: 18.68, 22.55, 19.15, suggesting that team 2 from group 1 is
exceptionally faster than the other two teams.

Repeated-Measures Design
Consider an experiment to determine the weight lifting capacity of strength trainers before and
after a new training method. Here, the same subjects repeat the experiment; hence, the same
experimental unit is repeated. There are two repeated measures on each subject. Such an
experiment is called a repeated-measures experiment.
Seven trainers undergo the experiment, and the following results are obtained:

Subjects

Pretest

100

110

90

110

125

130

105

Post-test

115

125

105

130

140

140

125

Experiment Model:
Yij = + Si + j(i)
Degress of Freedom for Si: 6 and j(i): 7.
Model for the within-subject experiment, that is, before and after test results:

Yij = + Si + Tj + STij
Degrees of Freedom for Si: 6, Tj: 1 and Stij: 6.

ANOVA
10

An analysis of variance for square of samples leads to:

Source of Variation

df

SS

MS

Between Subjects (Si)

2084.71

347.45

Within Subjects

901.00

128.71

Tests (Tj)

864.29

864.29

Residual

35.71

5.96

Totals

13

145

2985.71

If treated as a two-factor factorial experiment (that is, treating the members as two factors: one
before the new training method, one after), with one observation per treatment, gives us the
following EMS table:
Source

df

EMS

Si

2 + 2S 2

Tj

2 + 2ST 2 + 7T

STij

2 + 2ST 2

k(ij)

Hence, repeated measures experiments can be treated as nested factorial experiments.

Conclusion

Examples of factors in the nest may be:

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Farms within townships.

Classes within schools.
Heads within machines.
Samples within batches etc.

As more factors are added to experiment, only the mathematical model needs to be expanded.

Nested and nested-factorial experiments may hence be designed in the following method:
Experiment

Design

Analysis

Completely randomized

ANOVA with interactions

Two or more
Factors:
A. Factorial
(crossed)

Yijkm = + Ai + Bj + ABij + k(ij),

For more factors
General case

B. Nested
(hierarchical)
C. Nested
factorial

Completely randomized

Nested ANOVA

Yijkm = + Ai + Bj(i) + k(ij)

Completely randomized

Nested-factorial ANOVA

Yijkm = + Ai + Bj(i) + Ck + ACik +

BCjk(i) + m(ijk)

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Multiple Choice Questions

1. Nested experiments are a form of:
a) Screening experiment
b) Full-factorial experiment
c) Finishing experiment
d) Hypothesis test
2. Nested experiments are:
a) Limited to a single factor
b) Limited to two factors
c) Limited to factors with one level of nesting
d) Not limited in terms of factors and levels of nest.
3. Nested experiments are also known as:
a) Hierarchial experiments
b) Taguchi experiments
c) Plackett-Burman experiments
d) Reliability experiments
4. Which of the following are examples of nests?
a) Farms within townships of a district
b) Ships within docks of a bay
c) Samples within batches
d) All of the above
5. Nested-factorial experiments consider:
a) Nested factors
b) Independent factors
c) Nested and independent factors
d) None of the above
6. Which of the following will require nested-factorial experiment?
a) Crops within farms within district for multiple seasons
b) Local and visiting ships within docks in a bay
c) a and b
d) Number of students in ME Machine Design course in SPCE

7. Nested-factorial experiment must contain:

a) Factors and nested factors
b) Only independent factors
c) Non-interacting factors
d) Only interacting factors

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8. Which of the following is true?

a) Nested-factorial experiments neglect error
b) Nested-factorial experiments are partially hierarchical
c) Nested-factorial experiments require complex models
d) Nested-factorial experiments are recursive
9. A nested experiment will not have any
a) Independent factors outside a nest
b) Interactions between nests and their factors
c) Interactions in between nested factors
d) All of the above
10. Which of the following is a nested experiment?
a) Gear tooth failure analysis per tooth for five different gears
b) Effect of temperature and pressure on molding process.
c) Stress failure test for a random sample of pistons
d) Crash test for a batch of 100 trucks, on 3 samples
11. A nested-factorial experiment may have
a) Independent factors outside a nest
b) Interactions between nests and their factors
c) Interactions in between nested factors
d) All of the above
12. Which of the following is a nested-factorial experiment?
a) Gear tooth failure analysis per tooth for five different gears
b) Effect of temperature and pressure on molding process.
c) Study of efficiency of a new anticorrosive layer coating on land, sea, and air vehicles,
using four different types of construction metals versus old anticorrosive layer
coating.
d) Crash test for a batch of 100 trucks by four different manufacturers.

13. In the repeated measures example, which is the repeated measure?

a) Physical strength of the subject
b) Strength subject
c) The test
d) The experiment
14. What must be done to the mathematical model of a nested experiment as more factors are
added?
a) It must be simply expanded
b) It must be significantly changed
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c) It must be discarded and remodeled

d) It remains the same
15. Which of the following most accurately describes a nest?
a) A container for factors
b) A factor which contains other factors
c) A repeated value
d) None of the above
16. Which of the following is true for nested factors?
a) They may have interactions with the nest
b) They may be independent of other factors in the nest
c) They may significantly affect the nest
d) All of the above
17. In an experiment to determine principal cause of defects in a system, if x1, x2, x3 are
nested factors inside nest x4, and a Pareto chart shows highest magnitude for the x1x4
(interaction) factor, then what is recommended?
a) Factor x1 needs to be changed/improved to reduce defects
b) Nest x4 needs to be changed/improved to reduce defects
c) Factor x1 needs to be placed in another nest
d) Stratification of the interaction is necessary to determine the exact cause
18. If Ai represents the nest in the model, and B is a nested factor with j levels, how is B
represented in the model?
a) jBi
b) jBi
Bj(i)
c)
d) AjBi

19. There must be no interaction between factors from different nests.

a) True
b) False
c) Depends on the factors and nest under consideration
d) Factors must be carefully chosen to minimize cross-nest interaction, to simplify
model.
20. If the ME Machine Design and Thermal Engineering courses both represent nests, which
of the following is a better consideration for a factor within the nest that affects the final
result of the class?
a) The professor
b) The student
c) The amount of preparation leave (PL)
d) All of the above
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References
Fundamental Concepts in the Design of Experiments Charles R. Hicks (Oxford University
Press, Fourth Edition).

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