Natural frequency and mode shape analysis of structures with uncertainty

Two methods called random factor method (RFM) and interval factor method (IFM) for the natural frequency and mode shape analysis of truss structures with uncertain parameters are presented in this paper. Using the RFM, the structural physical parameters and geometry can be considered as random variables. The structural stiffness and mass matrices can then, respectively, be described by the product of two parts corresponding to the random factors and the deterministic matrix. The structural natural frequencies, mode shapes and random response can be expressed as the function of the random factors. By means of the random variable's algebra synthesis method, the computational expressions for the mean value and standard deviation of natural frequencies and mode shapes are derived from the Rayleigh quotient. Using the IFM, the structural parameters can be considered as interval variables and the computational expressions for the lower and upper bounds of the natural frequency and mode shape are derived by means of the interval operations. The effect of uncertainty of individual structural parameters on structural dynamic characteristics, and the comparison of structural natural frequency and mode shape using the RFM and IFM are demonstrated by truss structures.