Determination of Spatially Distributed Probability Density Functions for Parameter Estimation in Model Updating Procedures

摘要

The parameter estimation methods used in updating algorithms for finite element models (FE-models) of complex structures, depend on the choice of a priori to be determined weighting matrices. The weighting matrices are in most cases assumed by engineering judgement of the analyst carrying out the updating procedure and his assessment of uncertainty of parameters chosen and measured and calculated results. A more natural approach to cope with the uncertainties in parameters and results is a statistical one. The first problem here one is faced with is, that despite their statistical character most of the parameters are spatially distributed (thickness of plates and shells, material properties etc.) and they possess a kind of correlation to each other. The paper presents a method for addressing this problem and its limitations to get suitable statistical distribution.