工程可靠性与随机力学国际联合研究中心

2025年第18期（总第110期）学术报告

工程力学研究中心第65期学术报告

文远讲坛332期

报告主题

TOPIC

虚拟实验：关于数字化科研工具的探索与发展前景

Virtual Experiment: Exploration and Development Prospects
of Digital Scientific Research Tools

报告人

SPEAKER

Prof. Antonina Pirrotta

Head of PhD School, HEAD of CIDIS, Board
of Governors of ASCE (EMI), University of Palermo, Italy

报告时间

TIME

2025年11月3日（周一）上午10:00-11:00

报告地点

VENUE

同济大学土木大楼 A305

主持人

CHAIR

彭勇波教授、陈建兵教授

联系人：牛立志

报告内容

Abstract

Modeling and simulation are becoming increasingly important enablers for the analysis and design of complex systems. The connection between mathematics and reality lies in experimental tests. The latter distinguishes the mathematical method from the scientific method: experimental validation is an important step in the scientific method.

The scientific community generally agrees on the following classification of methodological components: Characterizations, Hypotheses, Predictions, and Experiments. Experiments are as important as theoretical formulation. Once predictions are made, they must be verified through experiments. The purpose of an experiment is to determine whether real-world observations agree with or conflict with predictions derived from a hypothesis. If they agree, confidence in the hypothesis increases; otherwise, it decreases. Performing experiments, especially for validating theories, is not easy. Experiments should be designed to minimize errors through the use of appropriate scientific controls. Furthermore, experimental failure does not necessarily mean the hypothesis is false: experiments depend on auxiliary assumptions (e.g., that test equipment is functioning properly), and a failure may reflect flaws in these auxiliary hypotheses rather than the core hypothesis itself.

However, conducting experimental tests is time-consuming and costly. In my opinion, a mathematical model aligned with reality can serve as a virtual test when paired with simulation. In fields such as structural design, automotive engineering, mechanical systems, vibration control, and biomechanics, virtual experiments are valuable tools for extensively evaluating and optimizing complex designs before physical prototyping. This do it right the first time approach leads to significant cost savings and improved quality. To achieve this, a rigorous mathematical formulation that captures real-world behavior is essential. Once this theoretical framework is validated through experimental tests, virtual experimental results can be reliably generated. For instance, dealing with vibration control passive systems: Do we have VIRTUAL EXPERIMENTS?

报告人简介

Speaker Bio

Prof. Antonina Pirrotta is a Full Professor in Structural Mechanics at the University of Palermo, Italy. She graduated in Civil Engineering from Palermo University in 1987. Firstly for 6 years she worked as freelance structural engineer, then has done PhD in Structural Engineering in 1996 and as Post-doctoral studies in 1998. In 2000, she became a Researcher, in 2001 Associate Professor and in 2016 Full Professor in Engineering department at the University of Palermo, Italy. Head of PhD School of University of Palermo from 2023. Head of CIDIS from 2021. Board of Governors of ASCE (EMI) 2021-2024 (exceptionally renewed every year).

Her achievements resulted in many scientific recognitions, which include the appointment as Chair of the Stochastic Mechanics Group of AIMETA and of IDEA Innovative Dynamics Experiments Association (2022), several fellowships, memberships on scientific committees of various key international conferences, a membership on the Advisory Board of the MSCA COFUND Doctoral Program at the University of Innsbruck, and many invitations as plenary speaker at several international conferences.

Prof. Pirrotta has organized and co-organized an exceptionally large number of international conferences, the last EMI2023 International Conference organized at University of Palermo and for what she received the appreciation award, minisymposia, and summer schools in Italy and all over the world. She is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Engineering Mechanics (ASCE), (first professor with Italian affiliation) and of Meccanica, which are two absolute top journals in the field. Additionally, she is a member of the Editorial Board of various international scientific journals. She was a Visiting Professor at many universities all over the world such as Tongji University, Columbia University, Liverpool University, TU Wien, etc. With over 180 published papers, she is a leading researcher in the field of structural mechanics and collaborates with renowned institutions worldwide. Prof. Antonina Pirrotta’s contributions and leadership have made her a notable figure in Structural Mechanics and a role model for women in science.