A Study on Accelerating the Broad Implementation of Verification and Validation in Computational Models of the Mechanics of Materials and/or Structures

预测计算模型提供了巨大的潜力，可以大大降低新产品和制造方法的成本和开发时间。然而，对于与可变形固体材料和结构的行为相关的计算模型，这种潜力目前是有限的，因为它们很少被充分和广泛地证明能够产生可靠的、准确的结果，其不确定性水平已经被充分量化。因此，对这些模型进行严格的验证和确认是非常必要的;然而，它严重缺乏。一般来说，验证是确定模型的过程？的计算机代码准确地表示了基本的数学/方程，而验证表示确定模型准确表示真实的物理世界的程度的过程。这项研究将召集国际公认的专家制定具体的行动计划，以帮助加速在此类计算模型中广泛实施强大而准确的验证和确认技术，这将增加迄今未发现的科学现象的可能性，缩短开发过程的生命周期，并促进材料和结构的最佳和创新使用。该研究还将有助于为这些强大模型的未来应用和开发提供更强大的基础设施和劳动力。所有这些影响都有助于增强美国的国家安全、经济竞争力以及生活质量和社会福祉。为本研究召集的主题专家将提供和/或执行详细的短期行动计划，最终项目产出将是一份报告，其中涉及七个关键交付成果：（1）一份文件，彻底阐述了在固体力学和材料科学与工程界进行有力和广泛的验证和确认的强有力的价值主张，（2）专门为研究人员和工程师设计的最先进的关键/最佳实践文件，（3）开发新的基准问题，以应用于该建模领域，（4）为大规模合作提供可持续的资金计划建议，这将大大加快这些方法的采用，（5）举办技术协会会议，以激发人们对这些方法的兴趣和实施这些方法，（6）建议举办讲习班，讨论重点突出的分领域的详细战略，（七）连接建模者和实验者以加速实施的具体策略。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为是值得的通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来提供支持。

Predictive computational models provide enormous potential to dramatically reduce the costs and development time of new products and manufacturing methods. For computational models associated with the behavior of deformable solid materials and structures, however, this potential is currently limited because rarely are they adequately and broadly proven to yield trustworthy, accurate results for which the level of uncertainty has been sufficiently quantified. Therefore, the rigorous verification and validation of such models is sorely needed; yet, it is seriously lacking. In generalized terms, verification is the process of determining that the model?s computer code accurately represents the underlying mathematics/equations, while validation represents the process of determining the degree to which a model is an accurate representation of the real, physical world. This study will assemble internationally recognized experts to develop specific action plans to help accelerate widespread implementation of robust and accurate verification and validation techniques in such computational models, which would increase the possibilities of hitherto undiscovered scientific phenomena, reduction in the lifecycle of the development process, and facilitate optimal and innovative use of materials and structures. The study will also help provide a stronger infrastructure and workforce for future application and development of these powerful models. All these effects can help enhance U.S. national security, economic competitiveness, and the quality of life and well-being of society.The subject matter experts convened for this study will provide and/or execute detailed, short term action plans, and the final project output will be a report that addresses seven key deliverables: (1) a document which thoroughly enunciates a strong value proposition for robust and widespread verification and validation in the solid mechanics and materials science and engineering communities, (2) a state-of-the-art key/best practices document specifically designed for researchers and engineers working with these models, (3) development of new benchmark problems for application in this modelling domain, (4) recommendations for sustainable funding programs for large-scale collaborations that will greatly accelerate adoption of these methodologies, (5) development of technical society conference sessions which will jump start interest in and implementation of these methodologies, (6) recommended workshops for addressing detailed strategies in highly focused sub-domains, (7) specific strategies for connecting modelers and experimentalists in order to accelerate implementation.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.