A probabilistic model for spatial distribution of material properties

✍ Scribed by M. Shinozuka; E. Lenoe

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1976
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 928 KB
• Volume: 8
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0013-7944
• DOI: 10.1016/0013-7944(76)90087-4

✦ Synopsis

This paper deals with probabilistic characteristics of nonhomogeneous properties of structural materials such as structural ceramics and proposes a probabilistic model that can be used for digital-analytical simulation of such material properties. The model will be compatible with the linite element method and therefore extremely useful for the analysis and design of nonhomogeneous structural systems. A technique is also presented to consider simultaneously random variations of two material properties. A particular emphasis is placed, however, on the probabilistic model for spatial variation of material strength which results in a corresponding statistical size effect. The principal idea lies in the interpretation that the material strength is a random function of the space variables. This interpretation together with a digital simulation technique of random function makes it possible to demonstrate the statistical size effect in terms of numerical examples. Specific examples considered here correspond to hot pressed silicone nitride for whch some experimental results are available.