A fuzzy arithmetical approach to the solution of finite element problems with uncertain parameters

The application of fuzzy arithmetic to solve finite element problems with uncertain parameters is a powerful but problematic tool. Although the natural uncertainties associated with material variability can be taken into account successfully, the additional artificial uncertainties that arise from some computational aspects in the finite element method distort the result and must therefore be minimized. Thus, to achieve reasonable results, the different numerical techniques for the solution of finite element problems should not be applied in their common form, but should be modified with respect to a reduction of the critical fuzzy arithmetical operations that can cause artificial uncertainties.