Uncertainty Propagation for the Structures with Fuzzy Variables and Uncertain-but-Bounded Variables

Abstract

Various uncertain factors exist in the practical systems. Random variables, uncertain-but-bounded variables and fuzzy variables are commonly employed to measure these uncertain factors. Random variables are usually employed to define uncertain factors with sufficient samples to accurately estimate probability density functions (PDFs). Uncertain-but-bounded variables are usually employed to define uncertain factors with limited samples that cannot accurately estimate PDFs but can precisely decide variation ranges of uncertain factors. Fuzzy variables can commonly be employed to define uncertain factors with epistemic uncertainty relevant to human knowledge and expert experience. This paper focuses on the practical systems subjected to epistemic uncertainty measured by fuzzy variables and uncertainty with limited samples measured by uncertain-but-bounded variables. The uncertainty propagation of the systems with fuzzy variables described by a membership function and uncertain-but-bounded variables defined by a multi-ellipsoid convex set is investigated. The combination of the membership levels method for fuzzy variables and the non-probabilistic reliability index for uncertain-but-bounded variables is employed to solve the uncertainty propagation. Uncertainty propagation is sued to calculate the membership function of the non-probabilistic reliability index, which is defined by a nested optimization problem at each membership level when all fuzzy variables degenerate into intervals. Finally, three methods are employed to seek the membership function of the non-probabilistic reliability index. Various examples are utilized to demonstrate the applicability of the model and the efficiency of the proposed method.