Selecting a Sampling Plan for Reinforcement Bars

Abstract

In this study we employ modern statistical methods to the sampling problem. The application of statistics by engineers dates back a long while in solving industrial, management, and research problems. Quality and reliability engineers, technicians and laboratory analysts, inspectors, operators, opinion pollsters and other scholars are known users of sampling methods. Sampling techniques save time and cost and obtain relevant data that is representative. The methods described here are viable alternatives to the sampling problem. Ultimately the cost factor comes out as the loudest voice in the debate on best choice of sampling plan for reinforcement bars in Kenya.

Keywords: normal distribution, standard deviation, variance, opinion poll, random sampling, confidence level, acceptable error, representative sample, population size, sample size, accidental sampling.