SUMMARY An important problem in decision analysis is the evaluation of the difference between two or more different rankings for a set of alternatives. A novel model based on the aggregation technique for combining group member's preferences into one consensus ranking is suggested in this article. The model developed may be used to develop consensus and evolve ranking of alternatives. The application of the model is demonstrated through a case for supplier rating. The advantages of the proposed approach are also highlighted.

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High-strength, precipitation-hardening AA7075 alloy is used extensively in aircraft primary structures. The friction-stir-welding (FSW) process is an emerging solid-state joining process in which the material that is being welded does not melt and recast. The FSW process and tool parameters play a major role in deciding the joint strength. In this paper an attempt has been made to establish an empirical relationship between the FSW process and tool parameters (tool rotational speed, welding speed, axial force, shoulder diameter, pin diameter, and tool material hardness) and the tensile strength of the joint. Statistical tools such as design of experiments, analysis of variance, and regression analysis are used to develop the relationships. The developed empirical relationship can be effectively used to predict the tensile strength of FSW joints at the 95 per cent confidence level. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out and compared with the relative impact of input parameters on tensile strength in order to verify the measurement errors on the values of the uncertainty in estimated parameters.

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