A metamodel-based approach to model validation for nonlinear finite element simulations

Metamodeling, also known as response surface analysis, is the de facto standard for mathematical representation of complex phenomena in many fields, especially when first principles physical relationships are not well-defined, e.g. economics, climatology, and government policy. Metamodels provide a computationally efficient, low-dimension relationship for studying the behavior of a physical system. They can be used for understanding the physical system, predicting its response, optimizing its design or the parameters in a physical model, and performing verification and validation. [1] Metamodels can be derived from simulation results or fit directly to observed test data. [2] In structural dynamics, typical practice is to develop a first-principles-based model such as a finite element model to study the behavior of the system. However, it is common that the features of interest in a structural dynamics simulation are relatively low order (e.g. first few modal frequencies, peak acceleration at certain locations) and sensitive to relatively few model and simulation parameters. In these cases, metamodeling provides a convenient format to facilitate activities of model validation, including parameter screening, sensitivity analysis [3], uncertainty analysis, and test/analysis correlation. This paper describes the creation of metamodels, and presents some examples of how metamodels can be employed to facilitate model validation for nonlinear structural dynamic response simulation.