Application of the spectral stochastic finite element method for performance prediction of composite structures

This paper demonstrates an application of the spectral stochastic finite element method (SSFEM) for predicting the performance of a composite structure with variable material constitutive properties. The SSFEM can provide an efficient means of calculating statistical moments (e.g. mean and variance) and probability distributions associated with the probabilistic behaviour of a structure, and should therefore be suitable as an alternative to Monte Carlo Simulation for assessing structural reliability. A summary of the SSFEM theory is given, and it is shown how the method can be used to calculate the variability of strain and stress in a composite structure with variable material properties. An example is presented to demonstrate application of the method, and solutions are compared with results from other methods of analysis.