A modified force balance method for locating errors in dynamic finite element models

The reconciliation of finite element (FE) analysis with vibration test data is a held of research which has generated considerable interest over the past decade. However, the intermediate, and perhaps most crucial phase of locating modelling errors has received relatively little attention. This paper proposes a new technique for error location in FE models based on the force balance approach. The method differs from some current approaches in that it does not assume that regions of response error are necessarily an indication of modelling error. Go-ordinate completeness is achieved by an appropriate choice of data expansion technique which is chosen specifically to suppress measurement noise. The success of the method is demonstrated by means of a simulated case study. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.