Simulation of a non-Gaussian stochastic process based on a combined distribution of the UHPM and the GBD

To simulate non-Gaussian stochastic processes based on the first four moments, various simulation methods are presented, in which the determination of the transformation model and the calculation of the correlation coefficients between non-Gaussian stochastic processes and Gaussian stochastic processes are the critical procedures in these simulation methods. However, some existing simulation methods are limited to specific ranges. Furthermore, their practical applications are affected negatively due to the expensive cost of determining the transformation model and the correlation coefficients between non-Gaussian and Gaussian stochastic processes. Therefore, an accurate and efficient simulation method of a non-Gaussian stochastic process with a broader range is proposed in this article. Since the simulation of non-Gaussian processes and the Nataf transformation of non-Gaussian variables have some similar characteristics, a new combined distribution is proposed based on the unified Hermite polynomial model (UHPM) and the generalized beta distribution (GBD). Then, the combined distribution is employed in the simulation of non-Gaussian stochastic processes, in which the transformation model is deduced by the combined distribution. The correlation coefficient transformation function (CCTF) between the Gaussian and non-Gaussian stochastic processes can be evaluated through the interpolation method. Furthermore, numerical examples are presented to show the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed simulation method for non-Gaussian stochastic processes.     

Non-Gaussian models for stochastic mechanics

Memoryless transformations of Gaussian processes and transformations with memory of the Brownian and Lévy processes are used to represent general non-Gaussian processes. The transformations with memory are solutions of stochastic differential equations driven by Gaussian and Lévy white noises. The processes obtained by these transformations are referred to as non-Gaussian models. Methods are developed for calibrating these models to records or partial probabilistic characteristics of non-Gaussian processes. The solution of the model calibration problem is not unique. There are different non-Gaussian models that are equivalent in the sense that they are consistent with the available information on a non-Gaussian process. The response analysis of linear and non-linear oscillators subjected to equivalent non-Gaussian models shows that some response statistics are sensitive to the particular equivalent non-Gaussian model used to represent the input. This observation is relevant for applications because the choice of a particular non-Gaussian input model can result in inaccurate predictions of system performance.     

非高斯风压峰值因子估计:基于矩的转换过程法的对比研究

建筑围护结构抗风设计需要准确估计非高斯风压极值或者峰值因子。对于非高斯风压峰值因子估计,常用的基于矩的转换过程法有Hermite多项式模型（HPM）、Johnson转换模型（JTM）及平移广义对数正态分布（SGLD）模型。极值通常由母本概率密度函数（PDF）的尾部决定,现阶段对于三种模型基于相同前四阶矩预测的非高斯母本PDF尾部的差别尚不清楚,自然,对于这三种模型预测的极值或者峰值因子的差别尚无答案。为了探明三种模型的异同,从而提供一定的选取原则,该文就三种方法对非高斯风压峰值因子估计效果进行了系统的对比研究。首先从理论上对比了三种方法预测得到的母本PDF的差异和估计的峰值因子差别;其次,选用长时距风洞试验风压数据检验了三种方法对非高斯风压峰值因子的估计效果。结果表明在三种模型都适用的偏度和峰度组合范围内,HPM对非高斯风压峰值因子估计结果相比SGLD模型和JTM模型估计结果更准确。     

A simple and efficient methodology to approximate a general non-Gaussian stationary stochastic process by a translation process

Some widely used methodologies for simulation of non-Gaussian processes rely on translation process theory which imposes certain compatibility conditions between the non-Gaussian power spectral density function (PSDF) and the non-Gaussian probability density function (PDF) of the process. In many practical applications, the non-Gaussian PSDF and PDF are assigned arbitrarily; therefore, in general they can be incompatible. Several techniques to approximate such incompatible non-Gaussian PSDF/PDF pairs with a compatible pair have been proposed that involve either some iterative scheme on simulated sample functions or some general optimization approach. Although some of these techniques produce satisfactory results, they can be time consuming because of their nature. In this paper, a new iterative methodology is developed that estimates a non-Gaussian PSDF that: (a) is compatible with the prescribed non-Gaussian PDF, and (b) closely approximates the prescribed incompatible non-Gaussian PSDF. The corresponding underlying Gaussian PSDF is also determined. The basic idea is to iteratively upgrade the underlying Gaussian PSDF using the directly computed (through translation process theory) non-Gaussian PSDF at each iteration, rather than through expensive ensemble averaging of PSDFs computed from generated non-Gaussian sample functions. The proposed iterative scheme possesses two major advantages: it is conceptually very simple and it converges extremely fast with minimal computational effort. Once the underlying Gaussian PSDF is determined, generation of non-Gaussian sample functions is straightforward without any need for iterations. Numerical examples are provided demonstrating the capabilities of the methodology.     

Extreme value distributions for nonlinear transformations of vector Gaussian processes

Approximations are developed for the marginal and joint probability distributions for the extreme values, associated with a vector of non-Gaussian random processes. The component non-Gaussian processes are obtained as nonlinear transformations of a vector of stationary, mutually correlated, Gaussian random processes and are thus, mutually dependent. The multivariate counting process, associated with the number of level crossings by the component non-Gaussian processes, is modelled as a multivariate Poisson point process. An analytical formulation is developed for determining the parameters of the multivariate Poisson process. This, in turn, leads to the joint probability distribution of the extreme values of the non-Gaussian processes, over a given time duration. For problems not amenable for analytical solutions, an algorithm is developed to determine these parameters numerically. The proposed extreme value distributions have applications in time-variant reliability analysis of randomly vibrating structural systems. The method is illustrated through three numerical examples and their accuracy is examined with respect to estimates from full scale Monte Carlo simulations of vector non-Gaussian processes.     

Efficient stationary multivariate non-Gaussian simulation based on a Hermite PDF model

An efficient stationary multivariate non-Gaussian simulation method is developed using spectral representation and third order Hermite polynomial translation. An approximate closed form relationship is employed to identify the Hermite translation parameters based on target skewness and kurtosis. This preserves a high degree of accuracy over the entire admissible range of the Hermite translation, and eliminates the need for iterative solution of the translation parameters. The Hermite PDF model is suitable for a wide range of strongly non-Gaussian stochastic process. In addition, an explicit bidirectional relationship between the target non-Gaussian and Gaussian correlation is developed to eliminate the need for iteration or numerical integration to identify the underlying Gaussian correlation. Examples apply the simulation method to both theoretical targets and experimental wind pressure data.     

复杂体型屋盖表面风压的高阶统计量与非高斯峰值因子

该文研究了某站台结构刚性屋盖风洞实验中风压统计量对于数据时长的敏感性。采用不同时长的数据计算长时距脉动风压数据的偏度和峰度,结果表明高阶统计量具有非平稳特性,峰度的值受数据时长的变化影响显著。根据随机数据的峰度是否大于3,可以将其划分为软响应过程和硬响应过程。通过分析此建筑屋盖表面风压数据,发现屋盖表面存在峰度小于3的硬响应测点。而现有的峰值因子计算方法都没有具体探讨其对于这种峰度小于3的硬响应测点的适用性,该文将不同计算方法得到的软响应和硬响应峰值因子结果与标准统计方法计算值进行对比,进而判断各种方法的优劣性。结果表明非高斯峰值因子计算当中不宜引入峰度这个参数,TPP方法对于计算硬响应过程和软响应过程的非高斯峰值因子都有很好的适用性。     

Translation vectors with non-identically distributed components

A model for non-Gaussian random vectors is presented that relies on a modification of the standard translation transformation which has previously been used to model stationary non-Gaussian processes and non-Gaussian random vectors with identically distributed components. The translation model has the ability to exactly match target marginal distributions and a broad variety of correlation matrices. Joint distributions of the new class of translation vectors are derived, as are upper and lower bounds on the target correlation that depend on the target marginal distributions. Examples are presented that demonstrate the applicability of the approach to the modelling of heterogeneous material properties, and also illustrate the possible shortcomings of using second moment characterizations for such random vectors. Lastly, an outline is given of a method under development for extending the model to non-stationary, non-Gaussian random processes.     

A Monte Carlo simulation model for stationary non-Gaussian processes

A class of stationary non-Gaussian processes, referred to as the class of mixtures of translation processes, is defined by their finite dimensional distributions consisting of mixtures of finite dimensional distributions of translation processes. The class of mixtures of translation processes includes translation processes and is useful for both Monte Carlo simulation and analytical studies. As for translation processes, the mixture of translation processes can have a wide range of marginal distributions and correlation functions. Moreover, these processes can match a broader range of second order correlation functions than translation processes. The paper also develops an algorithm for generating samples of any non-Gaussian process in the class of mixtures of translation processes. The algorithm is based on the sampling representation theorem for stochastic processes and properties of the conditional distributions. Examples are presented to illustrate the proposed Monte Carlo algorithm and compare features of translation processes and mixture of translation processes.     

Reliability of dynamic systems under limited information

A method is developed for reliability analysis of dynamic systems under limited information. The available information includes one or more samples of the system output; any known information on features of the output can be used if available. The method is based on the theory of non-Gaussian translation processes and is shown to be particularly suitable for problems of practical interest. For illustration, we apply the proposed method to a series of relevant examples and compare with results given by traditional statistical estimators. It is demonstrated that the method delivers accurate results for the case of linear and nonlinear dynamic systems, and can be applied to analyze experimental data and/or mathematical model outputs.     

Multivariate non-Gaussian process simulation based on HPM-JTM hybrid model

For the simulation of wind field or wind load, the Gaussian assumption is not applicable in some situations. Hence the simulation of non-Gaussian process becomes significant. In order to avoid the iteration and maintain a wide application range, a HPM-JTM hybrid model is proposed based on translation process. During the simulation, the correlation function of the related Gaussian process can be solved by analytical or numerical expression. Through a numerical example, the application of the model is presented. Results show that the model provides a reasonable estimation for the target case, which can be regarded as an appropriate candidate for the simulation of multivariate non-Gaussian process.     

Space–time extreme value statistics of non-Gaussian random fields

This paper focuses on two new methods for predicting the extreme values of a non-Gaussian random field in both space and time. Both methods rely on the use of scalar time series expressing spatial extremes. These time series are constructed by sampling the available realizations of the random field over a suitable grid defining the domains in question and extracting the extreme values for each time point. In this way, time series of spatial extremes are produced. The realizations of the random field are obtained from either measurements or Monte Carlo simulations. The obtained time series provide the basis for estimating the extreme value distribution using recently developed techniques for time series, which results in an accurate practical procedure. The proposed prediction methods are applied to two specific cases. One is a second-order random ocean wave field, whose statistics deviate only mildly from the Gaussian, and the other is an example of a random field whose statistics is strongly non-Gaussian.     

Simulation of stationary Gaussian/non-Gaussian stochastic processes based on stochastic harmonic functions

A new model is proposed to represent and simulate Gaussian/non-Gaussian stochastic processes. In the proposed model, stochastic harmonic function (SHF) is extended to represent multivariate Gaussian process firstly. Compared with the conventional spectral representation method (SRM), the SHF based model requires much fewer variables and Cholesky decompositions. Then, SHF based model is further extended to univariate/multivariate non-Gaussian stochastic process simulation. The target non-Gaussian process can be obtained from the corresponding underlying Gaussian processes by memoryless nonlinear transformation. For arbitrarily given marginal probability distribution function (PDF), the covariance function of the underlying multivariate Gaussian process can be determined easily by introducing the Mehler’s formula. And when the incompatibility between the target non-Gaussian power spectral density (PSD) or PSD matrix and marginal PDF exists, the calibration of the target non-Gaussian spectrum will be required. Hence, the proposed model can be regarded as SRM to efficiently generate Gaussian/non-Gaussian processes. Finally, several numerical examples are addressed to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

一种非高斯随机振动过程数值模拟方法

目的 考虑真实随机振动的非高斯特性,提出一种根据已知信息生成与其相符的非高斯随机振动过程的数值模拟方法。方法 基于均值、方差、偏斜度、峭度及功率谱密度函数（或自相关函数）等约束条件,对非高斯随机振动进行模拟。根据功率谱获取非高斯过程的自相关矩阵;通过Hermite多项式的正交性质和多项式混沌展开方法推导出的公式,构造满足标准正态分布随机过程的协方差矩阵,并对其进行谱分解和主成分分析;最后,利用Karhunen-Loeve展开和多项式混沌展开来表示所模拟的非高斯振动过程。结果 随着采样点个数的增加,实测数据与模拟数据之间的误差越来越小,该方法具有较好的模拟精度。结论 应用多项式混沌展开、Karhunen-Loeve展开以及蒙特卡洛等方法,可生成非高斯随机振动过程,并得到准确有效的各项统计参数模拟值。     

A translation model for non-stationary, non-Gaussian random processes

A model for simulation of non-stationary, non-Gaussian processes based on non-linear translation of Gaussian random vectors is presented. This method is a generalization of traditional translation processes that includes the capability of simulating samples with spatially or temporally varying marginal probability density functions. A formal development of the properties of the resulting process includes joint probability density function, correlation distortion and lower and upper bounds that depend on the target marginal distributions. Examples indicate the possibility of exactly matching a wide range of marginal pdfs and second order moments through a simple interpolating algorithm. Furthermore, the application of the method in simulating statistically inhomogeneous random media is investigated, using the specific case of binary translation with stationary and non-stationary target correlations.     

Simulation of wind velocity time histories on long span structures modeled as non-Gaussian stochastic waves

A methodology is proposed for efficient and accurate modeling and simulation of correlated non-Gaussian wind velocity time histories along long-span structures at an arbitrarily large number of points. Currently, the most common approach is to model wind velocities as discrete components of a stochastic vector process, characterized by a Cross-Spectral Density Matrix (CSDM). To generate sample functions of the vector process, the Spectral Representation Method is one of the most commonly used, involving a Cholesky decomposition of the CSDM. However, it is a well-documented problem that as the length of the structure – and consequently the size of the vector process – increases, this Cholesky decomposition breaks down numerically. This paper extends a methodology introduced by the second and fourth authors to model wind velocities as a Gaussian stochastic wave (continuous in both space and time) by considering the stochastic wave to be non-Gaussian. The non-Gaussian wave is characterized by its frequency–wavenumber (FK) spectrum and marginal probability density function (PDF). This allows the non-Gaussian wind velocities to be modeled at a virtually infinite number of points along the length of the structure. The compatibility of the FK spectrum and marginal PDF according to translation process theory is secured using an extension of the Iterative Translation Approximation Method introduced by the second and third authors, where the underlying Gaussian FK spectrum is upgraded iteratively using the directly computed (through translation process theory) non-Gaussian FK spectrum. After a small number of computationally extremely efficient iterations, the underlying Gaussian FK spectrum is established and generation of non-Gaussian sample functions of the stochastic wave is straightforward without the need of iterations. Numerical examples are provided demonstrating that the simulated non-Gaussian wave samples exhibit the desired spectral and marginal PDF characteristics.     

非高斯风压极值估计:基于无可行区限制的传递函数对比研究EI北大核心CSCD

非高斯风压的极值估计对建筑围护结构抗风设计是极其重要的。由于简便性和无可行区限制,基于矩的piecewise HPM(PHPM)、Johnson转换模型(JTM)和piecewise JTM(PJTM)常用于非高斯风压极值估计。现阶段,PJTM对非高斯风压极值的估计效果还缺乏系统的研究,且对于三种无可行区限制模型的极值估计差别尚不明确。为探明三种模型的差别,从而提供一定的选择原则,该文系统对比了三种模型估计非高斯风压极值的精度。该文从理论上对比了三种模型的母本概率密度函数和传递函数;选用超长风洞试验风压数据对三种模型估计非高斯风压极值的精度进行了评估。结果表明:PHPM对非高斯风压(负偏度)极小值的估计精度比PJTM和JTM高,PHPM和PJTM对非高斯风压(负偏度)极大值的估计精度比JTM高。     

Importance sampling for reliability assessment of dynamic systems under general random process excitation

This paper develops a reliability assessment method for dynamic systems subjected to a general random process excitation. Safety assessment using direct Monte Carlo simulation is computationally expensive, particularly when estimating low probabilities of failure. The Girsanov transformation-based reliability assessment method is a computationally efficient approach intended for dynamic systems driven by Gaussian white noise, and this approach can be extended to random process inputs that can be represented as transformations of Gaussian white noise. In practice, dynamic systems may be subjected to inputs that may be better modeled as non-Gaussian and/or non-stationary random processes, which are not easily transformable to Gaussian white noise. We propose a computationally efficient scheme, based on importance sampling, which can be implemented directly on a general class of random processes — both Gaussian and non-Gaussian, and stationary and non-stationary. We demonstrate that this approach is in fact equivalent to Girsanov transformation when the uncertain inputs are Gaussian white noise processes. The proposed approach is demonstrated on a linear dynamic system driven by Gaussian white noise and Brownian bridge processes, a multi-physics aero-thermo-elastic model of a flexible panel subjected to hypersonic flow, and a nonlinear building frame subjected to non-stationary non-Gaussian random process excitation.     

Dynamic reliability analysis for non-stationary non-Gaussian response based on the bivariate vector translation process

Calculation of probability of exceedance for nonstationary non-Gaussian responses remains a great challenge to researchers in the field of structural reliability. In this paper, an analytical solution is proposed for calculating the mean upcrossing rate (MCR) of the non-stationary non-Gaussian responses by approximating the displacement and velocity responses with the bivariate vector translation process, in which the unified Hermite polynomial model (UHPM) is selected as the mapping function. The first four moments (i.e., mean value, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) and cross-correlation function of the displacement and velocity responses needed in UHPM are estimated from some representative samples generated by random function-spectral representation method (RFSRM) and time-domain analysis. Under the Poisson assumption of the upcrossing events, the calculation of extreme value distribution or probability of exceedance for structural response can be determined with the proposed method. The proposed method is applicable to a wide range of structural responses, including asymmetric and hardening or softening responses. Three numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. It can be concluded that the proposed method provides an accurate and useful tool for dynamic reliability assessment in engineering applications.     

Parametric identification of systems with non-Gaussian excitation using measured response spectra

The problem of estimating parameters in dynamic systems excited by stochastic processes is addressed. Attention is focused on situations where the response processes are measurable but the excitation processes are non-Gaussian, unmeasurable and known only in terms of parameterised stochastic process models. General techniques for simultaneously estimating system and excitation process parameters are developed, based on the use of both normal, second order spectra and higher order, trispectra. The method is validated through application to some simulated data, relating to an oscillator driven by two specific kinds of non-Gaussian stochastic excitation.