A plan for structural dynamics code and model verification and validation

In this paper,we summarize a verification and validation plan for performing structural dynamics analyses on a class of complex mechanical systems. The plan addresses verification and validation far a new structural dynamics code, SALINAS, which is designed for systems with upwards of 10 million equations running an massively parallel computers. This plan defines a hierarchy of validation cases, building from separable physics to fully-coupled effects. Separable physics validation is directed towards generic elements of the physics of structural dynamic systems as implemented within the code, although those generic elements which are targeted for validation are motivated by the class of applications of the code. The purpose of the fully-coupled system validation cases is to ensure that the integration of the different components and submodels leads to predictive system models. The plan also defines code verification activities such as regression testing code review; and mesh refinement studies to demonstrate correct software implementation and numerical properties Finally it establishes rise protocols such as peer review, error estimation, and the use of uncertainty quantification, to ensure that the code is used properly and that the modeling simplifications are consistent with the validation database.