This paper presents a probabilistic boundary element method for analys
is of the statistics of structural eigenvalues and eigenvectors, when
the shape parameters of the structures are considered as random variab
les. Using this method, engineers are able to estimate the errors of t
he structural eigenvalues and eigenvectors resulting from manufacturin
g errors, and evaluate the differences between the experimental result
s and numerical results, which are given by the finite element method
or boundary element method, etc. This method can be used to design and
analyse the components of engineering structures because of its simpl
icity and effectiveness. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.