Effect of E-Variability on the Deflection Behavior of a Structure

Structural engineering is concerned with strength and stiffness. Engineering problems concerned with strength provide a fertile subject for statistical analysis, but little is known of the application of new statistical technology to stiffness problems. A pinned axial member and a three-member pin connected truss were investigated. The expected deflection and deflection variance for each structure were calculated by a second moment approximation and by 10,000 Monte Carlo trials. These two fundamental examples demonstrate that average structural stiffness is significantly affected by the variability of the materials used. The result, contrary to intuitive reasoning, opens opportunities for making practical improvements in the structural use of wood.

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