Abstract: A three-step method for model updating consisting of model structure tuning, model parameter updating and model validation is presented in this article. The method is thought to be better than the traditional model updating method in that model structure tuning based on error location, sensitivity analysis and engineering insight can generate an appropriate initial model in the first step and ensure the success of model updating. Then, the model of the GARTEUR19 benchmark structure is updated by the three-step method, and details of the process for model structure tuning, parameter updating and model validation are provided. The prediction accuracy of the updated model is on a par with pioneering results of European research, which confirms the effectiveness of the method.

Key words: three-step method, model structure tuning, model parameter updating, model validation, sensitivity analysis, GARTEUR19