An exact closed-form solution for linear multi-degree-of-freedom systems under Gaussian white noise via the Wiener path integral technique

Abstract

The exact joint response transition probability density function (PDF) of linear multi-degree-of-freedom oscillators under Gaussian white noise is derived in closed-form based on the Wiener path integral (WPI) technique. Specifically, in the majority of practical implementations of the WPI technique, only the first couple of terms are retained in the functional expansion of the path integral related stochastic action. The remaining terms are typically omitted since their evaluation exhibits considerable analytical and computational challenges. Obviously, this approximation affects, unavoidably, the accuracy degree of the technique. However, it is shown herein that, for the special case of linear systems, higher than second order variations in the path integral functional expansion vanish, and thus, retaining only the first term (most probable path approximation) yields the exact joint response transition Gaussian PDF. Both single- and multi-degree-of-freedom linear systems are considered as illustrative examples for demonstrating the exact nature of the derived solutions. In this regard, the herein derived analytical results are also compared with readily available in the literature closed-form exact solutions obtained by alternative stochastic dynamics techniques. In addition to the mathematical merit of the derived exact solution, the closed-form joint response transition PDF can also serve as a benchmark for assessing the performance of alternative numerical solution methodologies.