On the Computation of the Stochastic Response of Highly Nonlinear Large MDOF-Systems Modeled by Finite Elements

A computational procedure to evaluate the stochastic response of a general non-linear finite element model is presented. Special attention is given to the storage of large systems and to computational efficiency by use of complex modal analysis. The stochastic equivalent linearization method is utilized in the procedure. It also allows one to use all available “deterministic” nonlinear elements. Adaptive Monte Carlo simulation is suggested to determine the stochastic equivalent linear incremental properties of the non-linear finite element.