• Interaction and multiscale mechanics
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.369-379
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• 2008

A combined stochastic diffusion and mean-field model is developed for a systematic study of the grain growth in a pure single-phase polycrystalline material. A corresponding Fokker-Planck continuity equation is formulated, and the interplay/competition of stochastic and curvature-driven mechanisms is investigated. Finite difference results show that the stochastic diffusion coefficient has a strong effect on the growth of small grains in the early stage in both two-dimensional columnar and three-dimensional grain systems, and the corresponding growth exponents are ~0.33 and ~0.25, respectively. With the increase in grain size, the deterministic curvature-driven mechanism becomes dominant and the growth exponent is close to 0.5. The transition ranges between these two mechanisms are about 2-26 and 2-15 nm with boundary energy of 0.01-1 J $m^{-2}$ in two- and three-dimensional systems, respectively. The grain size distribution of a three-dimensional system changes dramatically with increasing time, while it changes a little in a two-dimensional system. The grain size distribution from the combined model is consistent with experimental data available.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2022

In structural engineering, the material properties of the structures such as elastic modulus, shear modulus, density, and size may not be deterministic and may vary at different locations. The dynamic response analysis of such structures may need to consider these properties as stochastic. This paper introduces a stochastic finite element method (SFEM) approach to analyze moving loads problems. Firstly, Karhunen-Loéve expansion (KLE) is applied for expressing the stochastic field of material properties. Then the mathematical expression of the random field is substituted into the finite element model to formulate the corresponding random matrix. Finally, the statistical moment of the dynamic response is calculated by the point estimation method (PEM). The accuracy and efficiency of the dynamic response obtained from the KLE-PEM are demonstrated by the example of a moving load passing through a simply supported Euler-Bernoulli beam, in which the material properties (including elastic modulus and density) are considered as random fields. The results from the KLE-PEM are compared with those from the Monte Carlo simulation. The results demonstrate that the proposed method of KLE-PEM has high accuracy and efficiency. By using the proposed SFEM, the random vertical deflection of a high-speed railway (HSR) bridge is analyzed by considering the random fields of material properties under the moving load of a train.

• Computational Structural Engineering
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.127-136
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• 1995

In this paper the stochastic FE analysis considering the material and geometrical property of the plate structure is performed by the weighted integral method. To consider the stochasity of the material and geometrical property, the stochastic field is assumed respectively. The mean value of the stochastic field is 0 and the value of variance is assumed as 0.1. The characteristics of the assumed stochastic field is represented by auto-correlation function. This auto-correlation function is used in evaluating the response variability of the plate structure. In this study a new auto-correlation function is derived to concern the uncertainty of the plate thickness. The newly derived auto-correlation function is a function of auto-correlation function and coefficient of variation of the assumed stochastic field. The two results, obtained by proposed Weighted Integral method and Monte Carlo Simulation method, are coincided with each other and these results are almost equal to the theoretical result that is derived in this study. In the case of considering the variability of plate thickness, the obtained result is well coincide with those of Lawrence and Monte Carlo simulation.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

In this paper, the spatial randomness and probability characteristics of material properties are inversely estimated by using a set of the stochastic fields for the material properties of geotechnical structures. By using the probability distribution and probability characteristics of these estimated material properties, topology optimization is performed on structure shape, and the results are compared with the existing deterministic topology optimization results. A set of stochastic fields for material properties is generated, and the spatial randomness of material properties in each field is simulated. The probability distribution and probability characteristics of actual material properties are estimated using the partial values of material properties in each stochastic field. The probability characteristics of the estimated actual material properties are compared with those of the stochastic field set. Also, response variability of the ground structure having a modulus of elasticity with randomness is compared with response variability of the ground structure having a modulus of elasticity without randomness. Therefore, the quantified stochastic topology optimization result can be obtained with considering the spatial randomness of actual material properties.

• Current Applied Physics
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1174-1181
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• 2018

In nanomagnetism, one of the crucial scientific questions is whether magnetic behaviors are deterministic or stochastic on a nanoscale. Apart from the exciting physical issue, this question is also of paramount highest relevance for using magnetic materials in a wealth of technological applications such as magnetic storage and sensor devices. In the past, the research on the stochasticity of a magnetic process has been mainly done by macroscopic measurements, which only offer ensemble-averaged information. To give more accurate answer for the question and to fully understand related underlying physics, the direct observation of statistical behaviors in magnetic structures and magnetic phenomena utilizing advanced characterization techniques is highly required. One of the ideal tools for such study is a full-field soft X-ray microscope since it enables imaging of magnetic structures on the large field of view within a few seconds. Here we review the stochastic behaviors of various magnetic processes including magnetization reversal process in thin films, magnetic domain wall motions in nanowires, and magnetic vortex formations in nanodisks studied by full-field soft X-ray microscopy. The origin triggering the stochastic nature witnessed in each magnetic process and the way to control the intrinsic nature are also discussed.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.421-441
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• 2014

With the assistance of typhoon field data at aerial elevation level observed by meteorological satellites and wind velocity and direction records nearby the ground gathered in Guangzhou Weather Station between 1985 and 2001, some key wind field parameters under typhoon climate in Guangzhou region were calibrated based on Monte-Carlo stochastic algorithm and Meng's typhoon numerical model. By using Peak Over Threshold method (POT) and Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD), Wind field characteristics during typhoons for various return periods in several typical engineering fields were predicted, showing that some distribution rules in relation to gradient height of atmosphere boundary layer, power-law component of wind profile, gust factor and extreme wind velocity at 1-3s time interval are obviously different from corresponding items in Chinese wind load Codes. In order to evaluate the influence of typhoon field parameters on long-span flexible bridges, 1:100 reduced-scale wind field of type B terrain was reillustrated under typhoon and normal conditions utilizing passive turbulence generators in TJ-3 wind tunnel, and wind-induced performance tests of aero-elastic model of long-span Guangzhou Xinguang arch bridge were carried out as well. Furthermore, aerodynamic admittance function about lattice cross section in mid-span arch lib under the condition of higher turbulence intensity of typhoon field was identified via using high-frequency force-measured balance. Based on identified aerodynamic admittance expressions, Wind-induced stochastic vibration of Xinguang arch bridge under typhoon and normal climates was calculated and compared, considering structural geometrical non-linearity, stochastic wind attack angle effects, etc. Thus, the aerodynamic response characteristics under typhoon and normal conditions can be illustrated and checked, which are of satisfactory response results for different oncoming wind velocities with resemblance to those wind tunnel testing data under the two types of climate modes.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-60
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• 2007

Transmission tower is a vital component in electrical system. In order to accurately compute the dynamic response and reliability of transmission tower under the excitation of wind loading, a new method termed as probability density evolution method (PDEM) is introduced in the paper. The PDEM had been proved to be of high accuracy and efficiency in most kinds of stochastic structural analysis. Consequently, it is very hopeful for the above needs to apply the PDEM in dynamic response of wind-excited transmission towers. Meanwhile, this paper explores the wind stochastic field from stochastic Fourier spectrum. Based on this new viewpoint, the basic random parameters of the wind stochastic field, the roughness length $z_0$ and the mean wind velocity at 10 m heigh $U_{10}$, as well as their probability density functions, are investigated. A latticed steel transmission tower subject to wind loading is studied in detail. It is shown that not only the statistic quantities of the dynamic response, but also the instantaneous PDF of the response and the time varying reliability can be worked out by the proposed method. The results demonstrate that the PDEM is feasible and efficient in the dynamic response and reliability analysis of wind-excited transmission towers.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.433-455
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• 2013

A phase delay spectrum model towards the representation of spatial coherence of stochastic wind fields is proposed. Different from the classical coherence functions used in the spectral representation methods, the model is derived from the comprehensive description of coherence of fluctuating wind speeds and from the thorough analysis of physical accounts of random factors affecting phase delay, building up a consistent mapping between the simulated fluctuating wind speeds and the basic random variables. It thus includes complete probabilistic information of spatial stochastic wind fields. This treatment prompts a ready and succinct scheme for the simulation of fluctuating wind speeds, and provides a new perspective to the accurate assessment of dynamic reliability of wind-induced structures. Numerical investigations and comparative studies indicate that the developed model is of rationality and of applicability which matches well with the measured data at spatial points of wind fields, whereby the phase spectra at defined datum mark and objective point are feasibly obtained using the numerical scheme associated with the starting-time of phase evolution. In conjunction with the stochastic Fourier amplitude spectrum that we developed previously, the time history of fluctuating wind speeds at any spatial points of wind fields can be readily simulated.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.477-492
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• 2018

Recently, the adaptive nonlinear static analysis method has been widely used in the field of performance based earthquake engineering. However, the proposed methods are almost deterministic and cannot directly consider the seismic record uncertainties. In the current study an innovative Stochastic Adaptive Pushover Analysis, called "SAPA", based on equivalent hysteresis system responses is developed to consider the earthquake record to record uncertainties. The methodology offers a direct stochastic analysis which estimates the seismic demands of the structure in a probabilistic manner. In this procedure by using a stochastic linearization technique in each step, the equivalent hysteresis system is analyzed and the probabilistic characteristics of the result are obtained by which the lateral force pattern is extracted and the actual structure is pushed. To compare the results, three different types of analysis have been considered; conventional pushover methods, incremental dynamic analysis, IDA, and the SAPA method. The result shows an admirable accuracy in predicting the structure responses.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.541-558
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• 2011

This paper presents an analysis of stochastic eigenvalue problem of plane bar structures. Particular attention is paid to the effect of spatial variations of the flexural properties of the structure on the first four eigenvalues. The problem of spatial variations of the structure properties and their effect on the first four eigenvalues is analyzed in detail. The stochastic eigenvalue problem was solved independently by stochastic finite element method (stochastic FEM) and Monte Carlo techniques. It was revealed that the spatial variations of the structural parameters along the structure may substantially affect the eigenvalues with quite wide gap between the two extreme cases of zero- and full-correlation. This is particularly evident for the multi-segment structures for which technology may dictate natural bounds of zero- and full-correlation cases.