Visualizing uncertainty with uncertainty multiples

It is difficult to depict uncertainty graphically. Conventional means, which rely on mapping uncertainty to graphical attributes in an image, have limited effectiveness because they require presenting additional variables and are not generally intuitive. The concept of uncertainty multiples is proposed herein to address these challenges. Uncertainty multiples are small-scale images positioned within the eyespan on a single page or screen showing the range of possible interpretations of the information. This concept is illustrated and its implementation in practice, including the role of software technology, is discussed. Copyright ASCE 2006.