Parametric instability of stochastic columns (Q2368229)

The stochastic finite element method is formulated to solve the random system of boundary frequencies of an elastically supported stochastic column subjected to deterministic periodic axial loadings. The formulation makes the finite element discretization independent of the stochastic nature of the material property fluctuations and stiffnesses of elastic supports. The stochastic fields are defined in terms of means, variances and scale of fluctuations. The stochastic finite element method so developed enables the derivation of complete statistics of boundary frequencies and corresponding modes directly in terms of input parameter statistics. The computational efficiency of the method is demonstrated through a numerical example. Extension of the foregoing procedure to problems in two and three dimensions appears to be straightforward.