ON RANDOM-FIELD DISCRETIZATION IN STOCHASTIC FINITE-ELEMENTS

Several traditional methods for discretizing random fields in stochast ic mechanics applications are considered; they are the midpoint method , the interpolation method, and the local averaging method. A simple a nd computationally convenient criterion for estimating the accuracy of these discretization methods is developed. Also, the Volterra series representation of nonlinear input/output relationships is utilized to assess the effect of the random field discretization methods on the re sponse variability of stochastic mechanics problems. The theoretical d evelopments are elucidated by a numerical example involving a beam pro blem.