Stochastic Finite Element Analysis of Plate Structures Considering Spatial Parameter Random Fields

Abstract

For plate structures, their random parameters can be regarded as a two-dimensional random field in the plane. To solve the plate theory considering a two-dimensional random field, an efficient strategy for the stochastic finite element method was adopted. Firstly, the stochastic finite element method was used to establish the plate structural model, in which the random field characteristics of the parameter were considered, and the mathematical expression of its random field was obtained through the Karhunen–Loève expansion; secondly, the point estimate method was applied to calculate the statistics of random structures. The computational efficiency can be significantly improved through the reference point selection strategy. The accuracy and efficiency of the calculation strategy were verified, and the influences of correlation length and coefficient of variation of the parameter on the random response of plate structures under different plate types (including Kirchhoff plate and Mindlin plate) and boundary conditions (including simply supported and clamped supported) were discussed. The proposed method can provide some help in solving static problems of plate structures.