Undeniably, error analysis is integral because it targets uncertainties or errors in measurements and calculations. For structural engineers, the accuracy and reliability of their analysis results is crucial, so they can be sure that the data they’re passing along is correct. Being able to identify and quantify the inaccuracies or deviations in a model early-on is essential to avoid them becoming a bigger problem and creating ongoing issues in a project—not to mention other project stakeholders losing confidence in the analyses provided by the structural engineer.
Typically, structural validations are carried out after completion of the structural calculations, in order to ensure that what the engineers have calculated in theory is feasible in practice and doesn’t incorporate stresses that weren’t analyzed when making the calculations. While encountering errors is inevitable, understanding their implications is essential. Not catching them early enough can lead to an inaccurate model, wrong predictions and faulty designs.
In order to properly identify and eliminate errors early in the process, here are three types of validation structural engineers can use to ensure their measurements and calculations are correct:
Model Validation
This type of validation should be one of the first integrity checks performed on a model and can be performed as many times as needed. Performing model integrity checks ensures that all the assemblies in a model are connected and supported correctly, and that loads are applied correctly.
