Title:
|
Stochastic finite element model updating and its application in aeroelasticity
|
Knowledge in the field of modelling and predicting the dynamic responses of
structures is constantly developing. Modelling of uncertainty is considered as one
of the tools that increases confidence by providing extra information. This information may then be useful in planning physical tests. However, the complexity of structures together with uncertainty-based methods leads inevitably to increased
computation; therefore deterministic approaches are preferred by industry and a
safety factor is incorporated to account for uncertainties. However, the selection
of a proper safety factor relies on engineering insight. Hence, there has been much
interest in developing efficient uncertainty-based methods with a good degree of
accuracy.
This thesis focuses on the uncertainty propagation methods; namely Monte
Carlo Simulation, first-order and second-order perturbation, asymptotic integral,
interval analysis, fuzzy-logic analysis and meta-models. The feasibility of using
these methods (in terms of computational time) to propagate structural model
variability to linear and Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) based aeroelastic
stability is investigated. In this work only the uncertainty associated with the
structural model is addressed, but the approaches developed can be also used for
other types of non-structural uncertainties.
Whichever propagation method is used, an issue of very practical significance
is the initial estimation of the parameter uncertainty to be propagated particularly
when the uncertain parameters cannot be measured, such as damping and
stiffness terms in mechanical joints or material-property variability. What can
be measured is the variability in dynamic behaviour as represented by natural
frequencies, mode shapes, or frequency response functions. The inverse problem
then becomes one of inferring the parameter uncertainty from statistical measured
data. These approaches are referred to as stochastic model updating or
uncertainty identification.
Two new versions of a perturbation approach to the stochastic model updating
problem with test-structure variability are developed. A method based on minimising
an objective function is also proposed for the purpose of stochastic model
updating. Distributions of predicted modal responses (natural frequencies and
mode shapes) are converged upon measured distributions, resulting in estimations
of the first two statistical moments of the randomised updating parameters. The
methods are demonstrated in numerical simulations and in experiments carried
out on a collection of rectangular plates with variable thickness and also variable
masses on a flat plate.
Stochastic model updating methods make use of probabilistic models for updating
same as the perturbation methods developed in this work. This usually
requires large volumes of data with consequent high costs. In this work the problem
of interval model updating in the presence of uncertain measured data is
defined and solutions are made available for two cases. In the first case, the
parameter vertex solution is used but is found to be valid only for particular
parameterisation of the finite element model and particular output data. In the
second case, a general solution is considered, based on the use of a meta-model
which acts as a surrogate for the full finite-element/mathematical model. The
interval model updating approach is based on the Kriging predictor and an iterative
procedure is developed. The method is validated numerically using a three
degree of freedom mass-spring system with both well-separated and close modes.
Finally the method is applied to a frame structure with uncertain internal beams
locations. The procedure of interval model updating, incorporating the Kriging
model, is used to identify the locations of the beams at each configuration and
to update the bounds of beams positions based on measured data. The method
successfully identifies the locations of the beams using six measured frequencies.
The updated bounds are found to be in good agreement with the known real
bounds on the position of the beams as well.
|