Modeling and design of a Hertzian contact: an info-gap approach

We illustrate the generic properties of info-gap robustness analysis by studying the design and data-based modeling of a Hertzian contact. We begin with an example of choosing the load and other operational parameters, to achieve a specified mechanical response, given uncertainty in the material properties of the system. We then study the updating of a mathematical model, based on data, given uncertain similarity of the measured system to the future operational system. We illustrate the universal trade-off between outcome quality and robustness to uncertainty, and we discuss the implications of this trade-off for modeling and design decisions.