Parsimonious Uncertainty Quantification for Modeling and Simulation of Flow-Induced Vibrations

Abstract Uncertainties pervade the process of constructing credible computational models, generating simulation results, and interpretation thereof. One must compare simulation results with experiment results, which intend to represent the real world environment (e.g., model validation via correspondence with observations). One must additionally compare the conceptual and mathematical models by which we represent the real world and how those models become encoded on a computer (e.g., model verification via consistency with first principles). Those evaluations of real-world correspondence and phenomenological consistency represent two necessary and distinct approaches to uncertainty quantification. Systems, structures, and components subject to stochastic dynamics, such as flow-induced vibration of piping and pressure vessel systems, necessitate additional and unique approaches to this puzzle. We therefore illustrate an approach to verify, validate, and quantify uncertainty for a structure subject to flow-induced vibrations and discuss how this problem can both leverage existing standards, as well as objectively demonstrate compliance to design objectives.