Stochastic finite element: a non intrusive approach by regression

The stochastic finite element method allows to solve stochastic boundary value problems where material properties and loads are random. The method is based on the expansion of the mechanical response onto the so-called polynomial chaos. In this paper, a non intrusive method based on a least-squares minimization procedure is presented. This method is illustrated by the study of the settlement of a foundation. Different analysis are proposed: the computation of the statistical moments of the response, a reliability analysis and a parametric sensitivity analysis.