Stochastic Finite Element Based Structural Analysis And Reliability Assessment

The first complete guide to using the Stochastic Finite Element Method for reliability assessment Unlike other analytical reliability estimation techniques, the Stochastic Finite Element Method (SFEM) can be used for both implicit and explicit performance functions, making it a particularly powerful and robust tool for today's engineer. This book, written by two pioneers in SFEM-based methodologies, shows how to use SFEM for the reliability analysis of a wide range of structures. It begins by reviewing essential risk concepts, currently available risk evaluation procedures, and the use of analytical and sampling methods in estimating risk. Next, it introduces SFEM evaluation procedures, with detailed coverage of displacement-based and stress-based deterministic finite element approaches. Linear, nonlinear, static, and dynamic problems are considered separately to demonstrate the robustness of the methods. The risk or reliability estimation procedure for each case is presented in different chapters, with theory complemented by a useful series of examples. Integrating advanced concepts in risk-based design, finite elements, and mechanics, Reliability Assessment Using Stochastic Finite Element Analysis is vital reading for engineering professionals and students in all areas of the field.

The book provides a self-contained treatment of stochastic finite element methods. It helps the reader to establish a solid background on stochastic and reliability analysis of structural systems and enables practicing engineers to better manage the concepts of analysis and design in the presence of uncertainty. The book covers the basic topics of computational stochastic mechanics focusing on the stochastic analysis of structural systems in the framework of the finite element method. The target audience primarily comprises students in a postgraduate program specializing in structural engineering but the book may also be beneficial to practicing engineers and research experts alike.

This book provides readers with an understanding of the fundamentals and applications of structural reliability, stochastic finite element method, reliability analysis via stochastic expansion, and optimization under uncertainty. It examines the use of stochastic expansions, including polynomial chaos expansion and Karhunen-Loeve expansion for the reliability analysis of practical engineering problems.

Reliability Calculations with the Stochastic Finite Element presents different methods of reliability analysis for systems. Chapters explain methods used to analyze a number of systems such as single component maintenance system, repairable series system, rigid rotor balance, spring mechanics, gearbox design and optimization, and nonlinear vibration. The author proposes several established and new methods to solve reliability problems which are based on fuzzy systems, sensitivity analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, HL-RF methods, differential equations, and stochastic finite element processing, to name a few. This handbook is a useful update on reliability analysis for mechanical engineers and technical apprentices.

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS WITH THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD Linear Statics Volume 1 : The Basis and Solids Eugenio Oñate The two volumes of this book cover most of the theoretical and computational aspects of the linear static analysis of structures with the Finite Element Method (FEM). The content of the book is based on the lecture notes of a basic course on Structural Analysis with the FEM taught by the author at the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) in Barcelona, Spain for the last 30 years. Volume1 presents the basis of the FEM for structural analysis and a detailed description of the finite element formulation for axially loaded bars, plane elasticity problems, axisymmetric solids and general three dimensional solids. Each chapter describes the background theory for each structural model considered, details of the finite element formulation and guidelines for the application to structural engineering problems. The book includes a chapter on miscellaneous topics such as treatment of inclined supports, elastic foundations, stress smoothing, error estimation and adaptive mesh refinement techniques, among others. The text concludes with a chapter on the mesh generation and visualization of FEM results. The book will be useful for students approaching the finite element analysis of structures for the first time, as well as for practising engineers interested in the details of the formulation and performance of the different finite elements for practical structural analysis. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS WITH THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD Linear Statics Volume 2: Beams, Plates and Shells Eugenio Oñate The two volumes of this book cover most of the theoretical and computational aspects of the linear static analysis of structures with the Finite Element Method (FEM).The content of the book is based on the lecture notes of a basic course on Structural Analysis with the FEM taught by the author at the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) in Barcelona, Spain for the last 30 years. Volume 2 presents a detailed description of the finite element formulation for analysis of slender and thick beams, thin and thick plates, folded plate structures, axisymmetric shells, general curved shells, prismatic structures and three dimensional beams. Each chapter describes the background theory for each structural model considered, details of the finite element formulation and guidelines for the application to structural engineering problems Emphasis is put on the treatment of structures with layered composite materials. The book will be useful for students approaching the finite element analysis of beam, plate and shell structures for the first time, as well as for practising engineers interested in the details of the formulation and performance of the different finite elements for practical structural analysis.

This book systematically introduces readers to the finite element analysis software DIANA (DIsplacement ANAlyzer) and its applications in civil engineering. Developed by TNO Corporation in the 1970s, DIANA is frequently used in civil engineering and engineering mechanics. Unlike the software user’s manual, which provides a comprehensive introduction and theoretical analysis, this book presents a simplified overview of the basic background theory to help beginners master the software quickly. It also discusses GUI operation and the command console in Python language, and includes examples involving classical modeling operations to help readers review each section. Both the book and DIANA itself are valuable resources for students and researchers in all the structural engineering fields, such as civil engineering, bridge engineering, geotechnical engineering, tunnel engineering, underground structural engineering, irrigation, municipal engineering and fire engineering.

This report presents a study of stochastic finite element methods (SFEM) for structural reliability analysis, beginning with a literature review of various SFEM methodologies and subjects relating to probabilistic finite element analysis. The report describes case studies of two existing SFEM-based reliability analysis programs (NESSUS and CALREL-FEAP), with discussion of their methodology, main features, structure, and capabilities. The report then presents the design and implementation of a software package for random field discretization (RANFLD) and a SFEM-based reliability analysis (STOVAST), the latter designed for operation with the commercial VAST finite element analysis system. The package was verified using several beam and plate problems. Finally, the report discusses bias and modelling errors in SFEM-based reliability analysis. Appendices include input formats and output files for RANFLD and STOVAST.