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Reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) has been widely used to obtain a reliable design via an existing CAE model considering the variations of input variables. However, most RBDO approaches do not consider the CAE model bias and uncertainty, which may largely affect the reliability assessment of the final design and result in risky design decisions. In this paper, the Gaussian Process Modeling (GPM) approach is applied to statistically correct the model discrepancy which is represented as a bias function, and to quantify model uncertainty based on collected data from either real tests or high-fidelity CAE simulations. After the corrected model is validated by extra sets of test data, it is integrated into the RBDO formulation to obtain a reliable solution that meets the overall reliability targets while considering both model and parameter uncertainties.

Computer modeling has played important roles and gained great momentum in product development as numerical methods, computer software and hardware technologies advance rapidly. Computer models (e.g. MADYMO) that simulate vehicle interior, restraint system and occupants in various crash modes have been widely used to improve occupant safety. However, to build good occupant models, engineers often have to spend tremendous time on model correlation. The challenge of model correlation for occupant safety is that it requires matching numerous injury curves with tests, for examples: head G, chest G, chest deflection, shoulder belt load, femur loads, neck load and moment. Traditionally, this model correlation task is done by a trial and error method. This paper attempts to solve the problem systematically by using a genetic algorithm. It demonstrates that the genetic algorithm is a valuable optimization tool to obtain a high quality MADYMO model.

Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) has become a vital tool for product development in automotive industry. Increasing computer models are developed to simulate vehicle crashworthiness, dynamic, and fuel efficiency. Before applying these models for product development, model validation needs to be conducted to assess the validity of the models. However, one of the key difficulties for model validation of dynamic systems is that most of the responses are functional responses, such as time history curves. This calls for the development of an objective metric which can evaluate the differences of both the time history and the key features, such as phase shift, magnitude, and slope between test and CAE curves. One of the promising metrics is Error Assessment of Response Time Histories (EARTH), which was recently developed. Three independent error measures that associated with physically meaningful characteristics (phase, magnitude, and slope) were proposed.