A dedicated multiparametric strategy for the fast construction of a cokriging metamodel

•A strategy for building gradient-based metamodels is proposed.•A multiparametric strategy is used for solving assembly problems.•Significant reduction of the computation time is obtained.•Gradient-based kriging and RBF approximations are introduced.•Building cost and quality are compared on analytical and mechanical test cases.

This paper deals with the building of a gradient-based metamodel using a dedicated strategy for solving structural assemblies problems. This work is the first part of a two-levels global optimization strategy. The general objective is to reduce computation costs; here, we focus on the costs which are associated with the generation of the metamodel. Our goal is achieved through the introduction of two main elements: what we call a “multiparametric strategy” based on the LATIN method, which reduces the computation costs when the parameters vary, and the use of a cokriging metamodel taking gradients into account. Several examples illustrate the efficiency of these two elements.