ISSN:
0894-9166
Keywords:
finite element method
;
random field
;
stochastic system
;
discretization
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The distinguishing feature of stochastic finite element analysis is that it involves the discretization of the parameter space of random fields of material properties, the geometry of structure and / or the loads. It is shown in earlier investigations that a reasonable procedure of discretization is to take the local averages of the random fields on each element. In the present paper the formulae for the covariance of the local averages of a homogeneous random vector field on rectangular elements are generalized by relaxing the condition. For an inhomogeneous random field and /or non-rectangular elements, a procedure of using Gaussian quadrature to evaluate the means and covariances of the local averages is proposed. Thus, the stochastic finite element method (SFEM) based on the local averages of random fields is adapted to a structure with irregular shape and / or inhomogeneous random fields. The effects of the mesh geometry, the ratio of element size to the correlation scale as well as the number of Gaussian quadrature points on the convergence of SFEM are discussed. It is found that even better results could be obtained by utilizing appropriate Gaussian quadrature instead of exact local average.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02205622
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