Application of the polynomial chaos approximation to a stochastic parametric vibrations problem

In the paper the application of the polynomial chaos expansion in case of parametric vibrations problem is presented. Hitherto this innovative approach has not been applied to such a stochastic problem. The phenomenon is described by a nonlinear ordinary differential equation with periodic coefficients. It can be observed among others in cable-stayed bridges due to periodic excitation caused by a deck or a pylon. The analysis is focused on a real situation for which the problem of parametric resonance was observed (a cable of the Ben–Ahin bridge). The characteristic of the viscous damper is considered as a log-normal random variable. The results obtained by the use of the polynomial chaos approximations are compared with the ones based on the Monte Carlo simulation. The convergence of both methods is discussed. It is found that the polynomial chaos yields a better convergence then the Monte Carlo simulation, if resonant vibrations appear.