Laleh Fatahi - Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz

This research deals with finite element (FE) model updating of two plates connected by a butt-welded joint using experimental natural frequencies and surrogate modeling. Since there are some uncertainties in the structure especially about the welded joint, sensitivity analysis, and FE model updating are performed to investigate the effects of uncertain parameters on the modal parameters. The results show that while geometric and material properties of the welded joint do not significantly affect the natural frequencies, the geometric parameters of the weld bead influence the mode shapes. Therefore, similar material properties for the plates and the welded joint is utilized in the FE model updating procedure using the experimental natural frequencies

Vibrations, Welded Plates, Finite Element Method, Sensitivity Analysis, Modal Analysis