Finite element model updating using statistics analysis

A new finite element model updating method using statistics analysis is presented. Major issues discussed are: parameter selection using variance analysis, response surface fitting using regression analysis and model updating based on response surface. The parameter screening method using variance analysis selects the design variables considering the global information while the traditional method considers local sensitivity which only gives the information at one design point. Response surface is a close-form multinomial which gives the relationship between concerned features and selected design variables. It is an approximation to FEM and is used as a substitution in the updating iterations. The presented statistical based updating method can be applied without the restriction of linear assumption. In addition, there is no data exchange between the updating program and the finite element analysis program in the updating iteration. This makes the method beneficial to be applied in engineering. GARTEUR aircraft test structure is employed to verify the effectiveness of the method.