Uncertainties in structural dynamics: overview and comparative analysis of methods

¹ LMT (ENS-Cachan, CNRS, Université Paris Saclay), 61 avenue du Président Wilson, 94235 Cachan, France
² Université de Toulouse, Institut Clément Ader (ICA), INSA, UPS, Mines Albi, ISAE, 135 avenue de Rangueil, 31077 Toulouse Cedex, France
³ EDF Recherche et Développement: EDF Lab Clamart, Département Analyses Mécaniques et Acoustique, 1 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 92141 Clamart Cedex, France

^a Corresponding author: sami.daouk@lmt.ens-cachan.fr

Received: 4 December 2013
Accepted: 23 November 2014

Abstract

When studying mechanical systems, engineers usually consider that mathematical models and structural parameters are deterministic. However, experimental results show that these elements are uncertain in most cases, due to natural variability or lack of knowledge. Therefore, engineers are becoming more and more interested in uncertainty quantification. In order to improve the predictability and robustness of numerical models, a variety of methods and techniques have been developed. In this work we propose to review the main probabilistic approaches used to model and propagate uncertainties in structural mechanics. Then we present the Lack-Of-Knowledge theory that was recently developed to take into account all sources of uncertainties. Finally, a comparative analysis of different parametric probabilistic methods and the Lack-Of-Knowledge theory in terms of accuracy and computation time provides useful information on modeling and propagating uncertainties in structural dynamics.