Abstract
A new method of structural analysis is proposed for the solution of problems of response uncertainty. In this problem, the target structural model involves uncertainty in shape to follow the non-normal distribution. The proposed method makes use of an Hermite polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) to represent the uncertainty of shapes and the response surface, and involves a mathematical formulation which is a natural extension of the deterministic finite element concept to the space of random variables. In this paper, two cases of the example problems are investigated by the new method, i.e., (1) a plate with a circular hole at the center with uncertainty in shape to follow the normal distribution and the non-normal distribution respectively, and (2) the fillet welded cruciform joints with uncertainty in shape of the weld toe radius to follow the non-normal distribution. Then accuracy of the analysis will be discussed for the two cases. The validity of the new method of structural analysis is discussed using a result of uncertainty analysis through a Monte-Carlo simulation by solution of the deterministic problems.
