An improved approach for random parametric response of dynamic systems with non-linear inertia

A non-Gaussian closure scheme is developed for determining the stationary response of dynamic systems including non-linear inertia and stochastic coefficients. Numerical solutions are obtained and examined for their validity based on the preservation of moments properties. The method predicts the jump phenomenon, for all response statistics at an excitation level very close to the threshold level of the condition of almost sure stability. In view of the increased degree of non-linearity, resulting from the non-Gaussian closure scheme, the mean square of the response displacement is found to be less than those values predicted by other methods such as the Gaussian closure or the first order stochastic averaging.