FE model updating with uncertain parameters

The selection of meaningful models and model parameters is the key issue for a successful model updating. The detection of false responses is of primary importance to get correct models, moreover, errors in the experimental data have the potential to destroy the convergence to true solutions. In the paper the method named INTerval Intersection Method (INTIM) is presented. It is formulated in the framework of interval analysis and is of global minimization type. Both these features allow to check for modelling errors and to deal with error affected measurements. Methods derived from the literature are used to construct uncertain finite element models and to solve the interval eigenvalue problem. The concepts of models and parameters admissibility are illustrated through a simple mechanical example but hardly identifiable that concerns the transversal vibrations of a beam with unknown elastic properties and unknown boundary conditions.