Stochastic Finite Element Expansion for Random Media

Keywords: Stochastic Process, Random Processes, Random Media, Reliability Modeling, and Finite Element Method.

Abstract: A new method for the solution of problems involving random media is proposed. The medium property is represented by a stochastic process. The method makes use of an orthogonal expansion of the process with a finite set of random variables and leads to a formulation compatible with the finite element method. The usefulness of the method, in terms of accuracy and efficiency, is exemplified by considering a cantilever beam with random rigidity.