Vulnerability assessment of structures with stochastic properties subjected to random seismic excitation

The present work is concerned with assessing the vulnerability of seismically excited structures using non-deterministic analysis concepts, in order to take uncertainties into account. In this respect, uncertainties in both structural properties and earthquake loads are considered. Hence, the variation characteristics of uncertain material parameters along the length of frame members are modelled using Gaussian stochastic fields. Moreover, non-Gaussian probabilistic earthquake loading is assumed, which is described with the use of random variables based on data obtained from natural ground motion records. This modelling of uncertain-ties using random variables and fields is implemented in the framework of the direct Monte Carlo simulation method, in order to calculate structural response statistics for multi-storey frames with stochastic properties subjected to random seismic excitation. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.