Multicomponent nonlinear stochastic dynamic analysis by tail-equivalent linearization

This paper extends the Tail-Equivalent Linearization Method (TELM) to the case of a nonlinear mechanical system subjected to multiple stochastic excitations. Following the original formulation, the method employs a discrete representation of the stochastic inputs and the first-order reliability method (FORM). Each component of the Gaussian excitation is expressed as a linear function of standard normal random variables. For a specified response threshold of the nonlinear system, the Tail-Equivalent Linear System (TELS) is defined in the standard normal space by matching the design points of the equivalent linear and nonlinear systems. This leads to the identification of the TELS in terms of a frequency-response function or, equivalently, an impulse-response function relative to each component of the input excitation. The method is demonstrated through its application to an asymmetric, one-story building with hysteretic behavior and subjected to bi-component ground motion. The degree of asymmetry is controlled by the eccentricity of the center of stiffness with respect to the center of mass. The correlation between the probability of failure and the degree of asymmetry is studied in detail. The statistics of the response for stationary excitation obtained by TELM are in close agreement with Monte Carlo simulation results.