Adaptive Meta-Learning Stochastic Gradient Hamiltonian Monte Carlo Simulation for Bayesian Updating of Structural Dynamic Models

arXiv stat.ML / 4/29/2026

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Key Points

  • The paper proposes an adaptive meta-learning version of stochastic gradient Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (AM-SGHMC) aimed at Bayesian updating for structural dynamic models in structural health monitoring.
  • Prior neural-network-augmented MCMC methods often require costly retraining when tasks change, but AM-SGHMC is designed so the learned sampler can be reused across similar Bayesian updating problems without additional training.
  • The method works by training adaptive neural networks that shape the sampling strategy through adaptive network inputs and outputs, enabling “meta-learning” across problem instances of the same structural type.
  • The authors address practical feasibility considerations for applying AM-SGHMC to structural dynamic model updating.
  • Experiments on Bayesian updating of multi-story building models with differing model fidelities show improved effectiveness and strong generalization capabilities of the proposed approach.

Abstract

In the last few decades, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods have been widely applied to Bayesian updating of structural dynamic models in the field of structural health monitoring. Recently, several MCMC algorithms have been developed that incorporate neural networks to enhance their performance for specific Bayesian model updating problems. However, a common challenge with these approaches lies in the fact that the embedded neural networks often necessitate retraining when faced with new tasks, a process that is time-consuming and significantly undermines the competitiveness of these methods. This paper introduces a newly developed adaptive meta-learning stochastic gradient Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (AM-SGHMC) algorithm. The idea behind AM-SGHMC is to optimize the sampling strategy by training adaptive neural networks, and due to the adaptive design of the network inputs and outputs, the trained sampler can be directly applied to various Bayesian updating problems of the same type of structure without further training, thereby achieving meta-learning. Additionally, practical issues for the feasibility of the AM-SGHMC algorithm for structural dynamic model updating are addressed, and two examples involving Bayesian updating of multi-story building models with different model fidelity are used to demonstrate the effectiveness and generalization ability of the proposed method.