Title: Towards a comprehensive framework for simulation-based design validation of vehicle systems

Authors: M. Kokkolaras; G. Hulbert; P. Papalambros; Z. Mourelatos; R.J. Yang; M. Brudnak; D. Gorsich

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Oakland University, Oakland, Michigan 48309, USA ' Ford Motor Company Dearborn, Michigan 48121, USA ' US Army Tank Automotive Research and Development Engineering Center, Warren, Michigan 48397, USA ' US Army Tank Automotive Research and Development Engineering Center, Warren, Michigan 48397, USA

Abstract: We present an overview of our most recent and ongoing research efforts to develop a comprehensive framework for simulation-based design validation of vehicle systems. Specifically, we present the three major building blocks of our framework: (1) the introduction of an appropriate validation metric for dealing with the multivariate functional data that are the output of dynamic vehicle systems; (2) the robust implementation of a Bayesian interval-based hypothesis testing technique for quantifying the confidence in simulation models used for design under uncertainty; (3) the development of a sequential design optimisation and calibration-based validation methodology that addresses the inadequacy of current validation practices in simulation-based design optimisation. We present a simple yet illustrative example and discuss the techniques being developed currently that will complete the proposed framework.

Keywords: simulation; dynamic systems; validation metrics; probabilistic PCA; principal component analysis; Bayesian interval-based hypothesis testing; confidence quantification; sequential design optimisation; calibration based validation; optimal design; vehicle design; vehicle dynamics; dynamic modelling; uncertainty.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2013.050847

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2013 Vol.61 No.1/2/3/4, pp.233 - 248

Accepted: 21 May 2012
Published online: 12 Apr 2013 *

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