Validation Challenge Workshop Background and Scope

Background and Scope

Various technical communities have been dealing with the topic of model validation, i.e., the comparison of model predictions with experimental measurements to quantify the accuracy of the model. Many simulation model users are no longer satisfied with validation by simple comparisons of model predictions to experimental observations through graphical and tabular techniques. Quantitative techniques are now emphasized, such as those based on probability theory and other theories of uncertainty. We believe it is an opportune time to bring together leading researchers with a variety of viewpoints and experiences to discuss and exchange ideas. Specifically, we wish to bring together researchers from the engineering, statistical, and mathematical fields from the industrial, government lab, and academic communities.

Sandia National Laboratories is organizing and sponsoring a Validation Challenge Workshop to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on May 21 -23, 2006.

To focus attention and discussion on the topic of validation methods, the organizing committee has constructed challenge problems in three disciplines: Thermal, Structural Mechanics, and Structural Dynamics. The three problems have similar features of validation in their design. The challenge problems address validation through a hierarchy of experiments. The problem descriptions and workshop documents are found here.

Both invited and submitted papers will be given at the Workshop. There will be 13 invited papers given by internationally known researchers in the field (Invited Speakers). Submitted papers will be chosen from extended abstracts submitted by individuals. Extended abstracts should solve one or more of the Challenge Problems, or describe in detail how they would solve selected problems. There will be no wide-spread call for submitted papers; only a dozen or so papers will be accepted. Information on submitting an abstract can be found here. The Workshop will have very limited attendance, roughly 60 people, in order to foster in-depth discussions among the participants.

All authors, invited papers as well as submitted papers, are encouraged to have draft copies of their paper available at the Workshop. However, this is not a requirement. At the author’s discretion, the final version of papers presented at the Workshop will be reviewed for publication in a special issue of the journal Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering. For consideration in the special issue, the final version of the paper will be due on September 1, 2006.

Submitted papers will be presented in a poster session.