Effect of the finite element discretisation on the dynamic model updating process

In practical model updating problems, it is often found that the usual assumption that the discretisation error is neglectable cannot be made. In order to avoid the costly process of mesh refinement, we investigate the possibility to use physical parameters such as elementary masses and stiffnesses in order to correct the discretisation error. Two examples are shown on a cantilever beam problem where the discretisation error is global, then local. It is shown that while this approach cannot be used for a global discretisation error, it can improve the model for a local discretisation error.