Design for computer experiments with qualitative and quantitative factors

We introduce a new class of designs, called marginally coupled designs, for computer experiments with both qualitative and quantitative variables. The proposed design maintains an economic run size with attractive space-filling properties. The design points for quantitative factors forms a Latin hypercube design. In addition, for each level of any qualitative factor of a marginally coupled design, the corresponding design points for quantitative factors form a small Latin hypercube design. Existence of the proposed designs is studied. Constructions are provided for various types of designs with qualitative factors.