On random field discretization in stochastic finite elements

Several traditional methods for discretizing random fields in stochastic mechanics applications are considered; they are the midpoint method, the interpolation method, and the local averaging method. A simple and 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 response variability of stochastic mechanics problems. The theoretical developments are elucidated by a numerical example involving a beam problem.