SIMULATION OF CORRELATED NON-GAUSSIAN PRESSURE FIELDS

Among a host of techniques developed for the analysis and prediction o f nonlinear structural response, simulation methods are gaining popula rity as computational efficiency increases. Implementation of time dom ain methods require simulated load time histories with case-specific s tatistical and spectral characteristics. When the assumption of Gaussi an wind loading is inappropriate, techniques for simulating non-Gaussi an loading must be sought. Over a larger expanse of building surface, simulation of correlated loads at several spatially separated location s is required. This work introduces a multi-variate non-Gaussian simul ation method capable of producing realizations with a wide range of sp ectral and probabilistic characteristics. The correlation between mult iple locations is accurately simulated simultaneously, while retaining the appropriate spectral and probabilistic content at each location.