A general fidelity transformation framework for reliability-based design optimization with arbitrary precision

Reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) offers a powerful tool to handle optimization problems with inherently unavoidable uncertainty factors. However, solving the engineering systems with high fidelity remains a great challenge. In this study, a novel fidelity transformation framework is proposed to address this issue, where an arbitrary high-fidelity RBDO method can be converted into an arbitrary low-fidelity RBDO method without sacrificing the accuracy. The fidelity transformation factor plays the central role. Furthermore, two fidelity transformation strategies are developed to solve the RBDO problem efficiently and accurately. In addition, the well-known performance measure approach and sequential optimization and reliability assessment method are employed as the low-fidelity RBDO methods. In this way, six new methods are developed based on three high-fidelity RBDO methods and two low-fidelity RBDO methods. One highly mathematical example, two numerical examples, and a stiffened panel with cutouts are used to demonstrate the generality, fidelity, and superiority of the proposed methods.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel fidelity transformation framework is proposed to convert high-fidelity RBDO methods into low-fidelity methods without sacrificing accuracy. Two fidelity transformation strategies are developed to efficiently and accurately solve RBDO problems.