Complex engineering models are typically computationally demanding and defined by a high-dimensional parameter space challenging the comprehensive exploration of parameter effects and design optimization. To overcome this curse of dimensionality and to minimize computational resource requirements, this research demonstrates a user-friendly approach to formulating a reduced-dimension surrogate model that represents a high-dimensional, high-fidelity source model. This approach was developed specifically for a non-expert using commercially available tools. In this approach, the complex physical behavior of the high-fidelity source model is separated into individual, interacting physical behaviors. A separate reduced-dimension surrogate model is created for each behavior and then all are summed to formulate the reduced-dimension surrogate model representing the source model. In addition to a substantial reduction in computational resources and comparable accuracy, this method also provides a characterization of each individual behavior providing additional insight into the source model behavior. The approach encompasses experimental testing, finite element analysis, surrogate modeling, and sensitivity analysis and is demonstrated by formulating a reduced-dimension surrogate model for the damage tolerance of an aluminum plate reinforced with a co-cured bonded E-glass/epoxy composite laminate under four-point bending.

翻译：复杂工程模型通常计算需求庞大且由高维参数空间定义，这给参数效应的全面探索及设计优化带来挑战。为克服维数灾难并最小化计算资源需求，本研究提出一种用户友好的降维替代模型构建方法，该方法可表征高维高保真源模型。该方案专为非专业用户设计，采用商用工具实现。其中，将高保真源模型的复杂物理行为分解为相互作用的独立物理行为，为每个行为分别建立降维替代模型，最终求和得到表征源模型的降维替代模型。该方法在显著降低计算资源消耗并保持可比精度的同时，还能通过各独立行为表征为源模型行为提供额外洞察。该方法整合了实验测试、有限元分析、替代建模及灵敏度分析，并通过四点弯曲工况下共固化粘接E-玻璃/环氧复合材料层压板增强铝板的损伤容限降维替代模型构建进行了验证。