Finite element method for stochastic beams based on variational principles

Author Type

Faculty

Co-Author Type 1

Faculty

Co-Author Type 2

Outside Researcher

Co-Author Type 3

Outside Researcher

College

Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Ocean and Mechanical Engineering

Document Type

Article

Publication/Event/Conference Title

Journal of Applied Mechanics Transactions ASME

Publication Status

Version of Record

Abstract

This paper proposes a new version (fimdamentally different from the existing ones) of finite element method for the mean and covariance functions of the displacement for bending beams with spatially random stiffness. Apart from the conventional finite element method for stochastic problems, which utilizes either perturbation or series expansion technique or the Monte Carlo simulation, the present method is based on the newly established variational principles. The finite element scheme is formulated directly with respect to the mean function and covariance function, rather than perturbed components of the displacement. It takes into account an information on joint probability distribution function of the random stiffness to obtain the covariance function qf the displacement. Therefore, the accurate solution can be obtained even if the coefficient of variation of the random stir[hess is large, in contrast to conventional technique. Several examples are given to illustrate the advantage of the proposed method, compared with the conventional ones. © 1997 ASME.

First Page

664

Last Page

669

DOI

10.1115/1.2788944

Publication Date

1-1-1997

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