Evidence-Based Design Optimization of Energy Absorbing Components under Material Field Uncertainty

Abstract

An evidence-based framework for optimization of structural components under material field uncertainty is developed. The approach is applied to the evidence-based design optimization (EBDO) of a stiffened tube under axial impact load using an isotropic-elastic-plastic constitutive model to simulate dynamic material behavior. Uncertainty modeling considers the changes in material parameters that are caused by variability in material properties as well as incertitude in the experimental data and the procedure for determination of these parameters. Spatial variability is modeled using a joint field belief structure that includes the effects of both incertitude and randomness on the estimated material properties across the structural component. With propagation of field uncertainties, the evidence-based objective and design constraint functions are modeled. Surrogate models are used in different steps to facilitate both the field uncertainty propagation and subsequent solution of the EBDO problem. The results of the application of the developed methodology to EBDO of an energy-absorbing component are presented and discussed.