Frequency analysis of uncertain structures using imprecise probability. (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Modares, Mehdi; Bergerson, Joshua
• Is Part Of: International journal of reliability and safety. Volume 9:Number 4(2015)
• Page Start: 235
• Page End: 254
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: structural dynamics -- uncertainty -- imprecise probability -- p-box -- interval Monte-Carlo -- frequency analysis -- uncertain structures -- finite element analysis -- FEA; Reliability (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; 620.00452
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-389X

Abstract

Two new methods for finite element based frequency analysis of a structure with uncertainty are developed. An imprecise probability formulation based on enveloping p-boxes is used to quantify the uncertainty present in the mechanical characteristics of the structure. For each element, independent variations are considered. Using the two developed methods, P-box Frequency Analysis (PFA) and Interval Monte-Carlo Frequency Analysis (IMFA), sharp bounds on natural circular frequencies at different probability levels are obtained. These methods establish a framework for handling incomplete information in structural dynamics. Numerical example problems are presented that illustrate the capabilities of the new methods along with discussions on their computational efficiency.