Model validation for a complex jointed structure

An overview of the modeling and validation of a complex engineering simulation performed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory is presented. The application discussed represents the highly transient response of an assembly with complex joints subjected to an impulsive load. The primary sources of nonlinearity were the contact mechanics. Several tests were conducted to assess the degree of experimental uncertainty, the variability of the geometry of the test article and its assembly procedures, and to provide reference data for model validation. After presenting the experiment and the corresponding numerical simulation, several issues of model validation are addressed. They include data reduction, feature extraction, design of computer experiments, statistical effects analysis, and model updating. It is shown how these tools can help the analyst gain confidence regarding the predictive quality of the simulation.