9301992, PI-Rao: This work aims at developing a fuzzy finite element for the analysis of imprecisely defined systems. The development of the present methodology starts from the basic concepts of fuzzy numbers and fuzzy arithmetic and implements suitably defined fuzzy calculus concepts such as differentiation and integration for the derivation, manipulation and solution of the finite element equations. The approach is applicable to all types of analyses including stress analysis , fluid flow and heat transfer. Representative stress analysis problems involving vaguely defined geometry, material properties, external loads and boundary conditions will be solved to establish and illustrate the new procedure. Simple experiments will be conducted to verify some of the results predicted by the fuzzy methodology. The approach developed will be applicable to systems which are described in linguistic terms as well as those that are described by incomplete information.
