Column-orthogonal nearly strong orthogonal arrays.

Strong orthogonal arrays enjoy more attractive space-filling properties than ordinary orthogonal arrays for computer experiments. In this paper, we propose two methods for constructing column-orthogonal nearly strong orthogonal arrays. These designs enjoy column orthogonality, inherit the attractive two-dimensional space-filling property of strong orthogonal arrays, and can accommodate twice or more number of factors than the existing strong orthogonal arrays. In addition, the proposed designs with four levels enjoy an attractive space-filling property under the maximin distance criterion. The construction methods are convenient and flexible, and the resulting designs are useful in computer experiments. • The concept of column-orthogonal nearly strong orthogonal arrays is proposed. • Convenient and flexible construction methods are provided. • New designs have column-orthogonality, space-filling properties and more factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]