Non-Gaussian solution for random rocking of slender rigid block

This paper adopts a random vibration approach to study the response of the slender rigid block to seismic action. The problem is strongly non-linear because of (i) the restoring term and (ii) the quadratic dissipation of energy due to the inelastic impacts, modeled as an impulsive process. The excitation process is firstly assumed to be a Gaussian white noise; secondly, a non-stationary filtered Gaussian white noise is assumed to simulate seismic shaking more accurately. The solution of the associated Fokker-Planck equation in terms of moments of the response is obtained by means of a non-Gaussian closure technique, that enables the complete statistical definition of the approximated transient response process to be achieved. The mean upcrossing rates and the response spectra in terms of displacement are evaluated. The reliability of the solutions derived is assessed by comparing them with Monte Carlo simulations.