Reducing the effect of uncertainties on substructure coupling through Design of Experiments

In this paper, the effect of component variability (due to dimensional tolerances) on the dynamics of an assembled structure is modeled using procedures derived from Design of Experiments (DOE). Specifically, the possibilities offered by central composite design, in order to fit a regression model of the effect of uncertainties and of their interactions, are explored. The fitted model can then be used instead of the physical model to evaluate the dynamic behaviour of the assembled structure. The procedure is verified by comparing the output of the fitted model with results of the physical model. Furthermore, the contributions of different uncertainties are evaluated, allowing to define a reduced fitted model and to select appropriate actions to reduce the dynamic variability of the assembled structure.