An integrated modeling method of uncertainties: application-orientated fuzzy random spatiotemporal analysis of pipeline structures

Abstract

The present study proposes an integrated modeling method to simulate probabilistic- and physic-informed representation of uncertainties in pipelines under fuzzy random spatiotemporal excitation for performance assessment. The fuzzy random response model is solved in general closed form according to the rigorous definition of equations of mathematical physics to simulate the nonlinear mechanical behavior of realistic pipeline structures. The use of confidence level parameters with the α-level cut-off sets captures the model uncertainties quantitatively to identify fuzzy random variables on the response interval of the pipeline structures. The effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method are illustrated by numerical examples. The results demonstrate the representation of the uncertainty level of fuzzy random variables significantly impacts structural performance assessment. The proposed method is expected to be a general method for solving hybrid epistemic and aleatory uncertainties in the performance assessment of pipeline structures.