The Quantified Uncertainty with Optimization for the Finite Element Method (quoFEM) application (formerly uqFEM) is intended to advance the use of uncertainty quantification and optimization within the field natural hazards engineering. The application achieves this by combining existing finite element applications, e.g. FEAPpv, with uncertainty quantification (UQ) applications, e.g. Dakota, behind a simple user interface (UI). The combined application will enhance the finite element applications with uncertainty quantification and optimization capabilities. To overcome the issue of computational overhead, which typically precludes these types of probabilistic analysis from being performed, the user has the option of specifying that the simulations take place on HPC resources, e.g. the TACC Frontera supercomputer made available through DesignSafe-CI.
The specific types of analyses that the quoFEM application provides are:
Read the quoFEM Application Summary (V3.4.0).
To help expand the workflow capabilities with your contributions, contact NHERI-SimCenter@berkeley.edu or join the SimCenter Forum conversation.
Tool Training Workshop: February 22-23, 2022
quoFEM Day 1: Introduction to the SimCenter and the quoFEM application: capabilities including Latin Hypercube Sampling, Monte Carlo Sampling, and Sensitivity Analysis. Plus, an introduction to the Custom UQ Engine - a new feature that invites advanced users to integrate and use their tools within the SimCenter's Application Framework and the benefits of Gaussian process-based surrogate modeling
quoFEM Day 2: Introduction to the custom FEM engine with demonstrations of two structural engineering examples. The first will drive ETABS to calibrate a moment frame structure using modal characteristics. The second example calibrates an MDOF model run through Matlab.
Tool Training Workshop: May 24-25, 2021
quoFEM Day 1: New features in quoFEM: Global Sensitivity Analysis and Bayesian Calibration
quoFEM Day 2: A presentation of quoFEM's advanced features and backend workflow
Tool Training Workshop: June 15-16, 2020
quoFEM Day 1: An Introduction to the the SimCenter, examples of research applications the SimCenter has developed, educational software and an overview of quoFEM
quoFEM Day 2: A demonstration of how quoFEM works with Python scripts, OpenSeesPy or other custom scripts. Calibration examples: conventional and Bayesian
Join the User Forum Conversation:
Weekly Virtual UQ Office Hours:
Software Insights:
How to cite:
Frank McKenna, bsaakash, Sang-ri Yi, claudioperez, Adam Zsarnoczay, nickberkeley, Michael Gardner, Charles Wang, Noam-Elisha, Kuanshi Zhong, Peter Mackenzie-Helnwein, Wael Elhaddad, ZGGhauch, & yisangri. (2023). NHERI-SimCenter/quoFEM: Version 3.4.0 (v3.4.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8400732
Deierlein, G.G., McKenna, F., et al. (2020). A Cloud-Enabled Application Framework for Simulating Regional-Scale Impacts of Natural Hazards on the Built Environment. Frontiers in Built Environment. 6, 196. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2020.558706.