Stochastic finite element analysis of shells with combined random material and geometric properties

In this work, an extended stochastic formulation of the triangular composite facet shell element TRIC is presented for the case of combined uncertain material (Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio) and geometric (thickness) properties. These properties are assumed to be described by uncorrelated two-dimensional homogeneous stochastic fields. The stochastic finite element analysis of shell structures is performed using the spectral representation method for the description of the random fields in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) for the computation of the response variability. Useful conclusions regarding the influence of each one of the structural parameters on the response variability are derived from the numerical tests examined. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.