What is the need for verifi cation, validation and quality assurance of computer-aided calculation?

• Chris Rogers ^[1]
  1. [1] CREA Consultants Ltd
• Localización: The Structural Engineer: journal of the Institution of Structural Engineer, ISSN 1466-5123, Vol. 94, Nº. 3, 2016, págs. 48-51
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Modern computer-aided calculations are a signifi cant advantage in the design of structures, whether simple or complex. Software developers invest in the development of tools that are increasingly simple to use; engineers then use those tools to develop and, to a large extent, test the possible structural configurations. The software will then, in many cases, present design calculations and code checks allowing a semi-automated documentation of the design.

    The underlying questions are: how do we know that the results are reasonably correct; and who is responsible if there is a failure? The answer to the second question is that the Chartered Engineer leading the design project is responsible; the answer to the fi rst point is quality assurance. For engineering analysis, the major tools for quality assurance are the twin processes of verifi cation and validation (V&V). In very simple terms, verifi cation is the demonstration that the mathematics and numerics are correct; validation is the emonstration that the idealisation of the physics is correct.

    As V&V underpin any quality assurance system, this paper discusses the need for V&V and indicates who is primarily responsible for the two processes:

    software developer or design engineer.