Recursive approach for random response analysis using non-orthogonal polynomial expansion

Using non-orthogonal polynomial expansions, a recursive approach is proposed for the random response analysis of structures under static loads involving random properties of materials, external loads, and structural geometries. In the present formulation, non-orthogonal polynomial expansions are utilized to express the unknown responses of random structural systems. Combining the high-order perturbation techniques and finite element method, a series of deterministic recursive equations is set up. The solutions of the recursive equations can be explicitly expressed through the adoption of special mathematical operators. Furthermore, the Galerkin method is utilized to modify the obtained coefficients for enhancing the convergence rate of computational outputs. In the post-processing of results, the first- and second-order statistical moments can be quickly obtained using the relationship matrix between the orthogonal and the non-orthogonal polynomials. Two linear static problems and a geometrical nonlinear problem are investigated as numerical examples in order to illustrate the performance of the proposed method. Computational results show that the proposed method speeds up the convergence rate and has the same accuracy as the spectral finite element method at a much lower computational cost, also, a comparison with the stochastic reduced basis method shows that the new method is effective for dealing with complex random problems.