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Title:
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Simulation of non-Gaussian Random Fields: Theory and Applications

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Organizers:
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George Stefanou
Institute of Structural Analysis & Seismic Research
School of Civil Engineering
National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
9 Iroon Polytechniou, Zografou Campus
GR-15780 Athens, Greece EU
E-mail: stegesa@central.ntua.gr
Web Page: http://users.ntua.gr/stegesa

Manolis Papadrakakis
Institute of Structural Analysis & Seismic Research
School of Civil Engineering
National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
9 Iroon Polytechniou, Zografou Campus
GR-15780 Athens, Greece EU
E-mail: mpapadra@central.ntua.gr
Web Page: http://users.civil.ntua.gr/papadrakakis/ 

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Minisymposium description:
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The uncertain parameters involved in engineering structures can be represented by suitable random 
field models. The problem of simulating non-Gaussian random fields has received considerable attention 
recently in the field of stochastic mechanics. This is mainly due to the fact that several quantities 
arising in practical problems (e.g. material and geometric properties of structural systems, soil 
properties in geotechnical engineering applications, wind loads, waves) exhibit non-Gaussian 
probabilistic characteristics.

Furthermore, the stochastic analysis of large-scale, real-world structures in affordable computing times 
requires non-Gaussian simulation techniques with reduced computational demands. This is due to the fact 
that, in the framework of the Monte Carlo method most often used in these cases, a new non-Gaussian sample 
function has to be generated in every simulation. In other words, the issue of computational performance 
of the simulation algorithms is of paramount importance for the treatment of realistic problems.

This Mini Symposium aims at presenting recent advances made for the efficient simulation of non-Gaussian 
random fields. In this respect, the Mini Symposium is concerned with theoretical and numerical simulation 
issues as well as with engineering applications involving non-Gaussian random fields (soil mechanics, 
fatigue analysis, load modelling, crossing rates estimation etc.).