Robust Design Optimization in Computational Mechanics

Abstract

The motivation of this paper is to propose a methodology for analyzing the robust design optimization problem of complex dynamical systems excited by deterministic loads but taking into account model uncertainties and data uncertainties with an adapted nonparametric probabilistic approach, whereas only data uncertainties are generally considered in the literature by using a parametric probabilistic approach. The possible designs are represented by a numerical finite element model whose design parameters are deterministic and belong to an admissible set. The optimization problem is formulated for the stochastic system as the minimization of a cost function associated with the random response of the stochastic system including the variability of the stochastic system induced by uncertainties and the bias corresponding to the distance of the mean random response to a given target. The gradient and the Hessian of the cost function with respect to the design parameters are explicitly calculated. The complete theory and a numerical application are presented.