Composites structural modelling with uncertain data

Abstract The aim of this paper is to propose a methodology to take into account the influence of uncertain data in structural calculations. A specific method, based on the approximation of the responses as a function of the uncertain data, is proposed. Classical methods from the literature are also considered. The different methods are compared on a simple example in terms of response (average value and standard deviation) and in terms of computational cost. The method proposed in the present work permits to estimate correctly the whole response and is very simple to use (pre and post processing). This method is applied to a structural calculation on a “hat-shapes” part called, manufactured in the quasi-isotropic IM7/977-2 composite.