Sensitivity analysis, optimisation, and sampling methods applied to continuous models: three test problems.

This report covers the initial stages of work in the SSfM project Tools for Continuous Modelling and Simulation. The aims of the project are to improve the understanding and use of continuous modelling packages and to improve the confidence of model users in the quality of their results. The initial stages have investigated the application of sensitivity analysis, optimisation, and sampling methods to finite element models. The work has applied a variety of sensitivity analysis, optimisation and sampling methods to three small finite element models that cover a range of physical problems, complexities and interactions between model parameters. The aim of the work was to identify methods that repetably give accurate results with minimal computational eort, and to provide advice on algorithm selection Due to the varying nature of the test problems, this initial stage of work produced both model specific and more general conclusions that will be applied to two larger case studies in the next stage of the project.