Applying the spectral stochastic finite element method in multiple-random field RC structures

This paper uses the spectral stochastic finite element method (SSFEM) for analyzing reinforced concrete (RC) beam/slab problems. In doing so, it presents a new framework to study how the correlation length of a random field (RF) with uncertain parameters will affect modeling uncertainties and reliability evaluations. It considers: 1) different correlation lengths for uncertainty parameters, and 2) dead and live loads as well as the elasticity moduli of concrete and steel as a multi-dimensional RF in concrete structures. To show the SSFEM's efficiency in the study of concrete structures and to evaluate the sensitivity of the correlation length effects in evaluating the reliability, two examples of RC beams and slabs have been investigated. According to the results, the RF correlation length is effective in modeling uncertainties and evaluating reliabilities; the longer the correlation length, the greater the dispersion range of the structure response and the higher the failure probability.