Application of a posteriori error estimation for structural model updating

The aim of structural model updating is to define an error that characteriz es the quality of the model with respect to the experimented data and then to minimize this error. The method developed herein to solve this inverse p roblem is based on the concept of the error of the constitutive relation. I t represents an extension of the work conducted in the field of 'a posterio ri' error estimation for quantifying the quality of a finite-element comput ation. This error can deal with either damping effects or nonlinearities, a nd it can also use all available experimental results (free or forced vibra tion as well). An example is worked out which illustrates the capabilities of this method.