• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• 제19권4호
• /
• pp.811-827
• /
• 2015

This paper presents a probabilistic investigation of American and European specifications (i.e., AISC and Eurocode 4) for square concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) stub columns. The study is based on experimental results of 100 axially loaded square CFT stub columns from the literature. By comparing experimental results for ultimate loads with code-predicted column resistances, the uncertainty of resistance models is analyzed and it is found that the modeling uncertainty parameter can be described using random variables of lognormal distribution. Reliability analyses were then performed with/without considering the modeling uncertainty parameter and the safety level of the specifications is evaluated in terms of sufficient and uniform reliability criteria. Results show that: (1) The AISC design code provided slightly conservative results of square CFT stub columns with reliability indices larger than 3.25 and the uniformness of reliability indices is no better because of the quality of the resistance model; (2) The uniformness of reliability indices for the Eurocode 4 was better than that of AISC, but the reliability indices of columns designed following the Eurocode 4 were found to be quite below the target reliability level of Eurocode 4.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제59권4호
• /
• pp.739-759
• /
• 2016

The failure of civil engineering systems is a consequence of decision making under uncertain conditions. Generally, buried flexible pipes are designed for their transversal behavior to prevent from the important failure mode of buckling. However, the interaction effects between soil and pipe are neglected and the uncertainties in their properties are usually not considered in pipe design. In this regard, the present research paper evaluates the effects of these uncertainties on the uncertainty of the critical buckling hoop force of flexible pipes shallowly buried using the subgrade reaction theory (Winkler model) and First-Order Second-Moment (FOSM) method. The results show that the structural uncertainties of the studied pipes and those of the soil properties have a significant effect on the uncertainty of the critical buckling hoop force, and therefore taking into account these latter in the design of the shallowly flexible pipes for their buckling behavior is required.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제29권5호
• /
• pp.469-488
• /
• 2008

Finite element methods have often been used for structural analyses of various mechanical problems. When finite element analyses are utilized to resolve mechanical systems, numerical uncertainties in the initial data such as structural parameters and loading conditions may result in uncertainties in the structural responses. Therefore the initial data have to be as accurate as possible in order to obtain reliable structural analysis results. The typical finite element method may not properly represent discrete systems when using uncertain data, since all input data of material properties and applied loads are defined by nominal values. An interval finite element analysis, which uses the interval arithmetic as introduced by Moore (1966) is proposed as a non-stochastic method in this study and serves a new numerical tool for evaluating the uncertainties of the initial data in structural analyses. According to this method, the element stiffness matrix includes interval terms of the lower and upper bounds of the structural parameters, and interval change functions are devised. Numerical uncertainties in the initial data are described as a tolerance error and tree graphs of uncertain data are constructed by numerical uncertainty combinations of each parameter. The structural responses calculated by all uncertainty cases can be easily estimated so that structural safety can be included in the design. Numerical applications of truss and frame structures demonstrate the efficiency of the present method with respect to numerical analyses of structural uncertainties.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• 제22권4호
• /
• pp.399-411
• /
• 2018

The difficulty in modeling complex nonlinear structures lies in the presence of significant sources of uncertainties mainly attributed to sudden changes in the structure's behavior caused by regular aging factors or extreme events. Quantifying these uncertainties and accurately representing them within the complex mathematical framework of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) are significantly essential for system identification and damage detection purposes. This study highlights the importance of uncertainty quantification in SHM frameworks, and presents a comparative analysis between intrusive and non-intrusive techniques in quantifying uncertainties for SHM purposes through two different variations of the Kalman Filter (KF) method, the Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) and the Polynomial Chaos Kalman Filter (PCKF). The comparative analysis is based on a numerical example that consists of a four degrees-of-freedom (DOF) system, comprising Bouc-Wen hysteretic behavior and subjected to El-Centro earthquake excitation. The comparison is based on the ability of each technique to quantify the different sources of uncertainty for SHM purposes and to accurately approximate the system state and parameters when compared to the true state with the least computational burden. While the results show that both filters are able to locate the damage in space and time and to accurately estimate the system responses and unknown parameters, the computational cost of PCKF is shown to be less than that of EnKF for a similar level of numerical accuracy.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제50권5호
• /
• pp.697-708
• /
• 2014

The intentional buckling design of micro-films has various potential applications in engineering. The buckling amplitude and critical strain of micro-films are the crucial parameters for the buckling design. In the reported studies, the film parameters were regarded as deterministic. However, the geometrical and physical parameters uncertainty of micro-films due to manufacturing becomes prominent and needs to be considered. In the present paper, the probabilistic nonlinear buckling analysis of micro-films with uncertain parameters is proposed for design accuracy and reliability. The nonlinear differential equation and its asymptotic solution for the buckling micro-film with nominal parameters are firstly established. The mean values, standard deviations and variation coefficients of the buckling amplitude and critical strain are calculated by using the probability densities of uncertain parameters such as the film span length, thickness, elastic modulus and compressive force, to reveal the effects of the film parameter uncertainty on the buckling deformation. The results obtained illustrate the probabilistic relation between buckling deformation and uncertain parameters, and are useful for accurate and reliable buckling design in terms of probability.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• 제29권2호
• /
• pp.321-336
• /
• 2022

Model uncertainty is a key factor that could influence the accuracy and reliability of numerical model-based analysis. It is necessary to acquire an appropriate updating approach which could search and determine the realistic model parameter values from measurements. In this paper, the Bayesian model updating theory combined with the transitional Markov chain Monte Carlo (TMCMC) method and K-means cluster analysis is utilized in the updating of the structural model parameters. Kriging and polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) are employed to generate surrogate models to reduce the computational burden in TMCMC. The selected updating approaches are applied to three structural examples with different complexity, including a two-storey frame, a ten-storey frame, and the national stadium model. These models stand for the low-dimensional linear model, the high-dimensional linear model, and the nonlinear model, respectively. The performances of updating in these three models are assessed in terms of the prediction uncertainty, numerical efforts, and prior information. This study also investigates the updating scenarios using the analytical approach and surrogate models. The uncertainty quantification in the Bayesian approach is further discussed to verify the validity and accuracy of the surrogate models. Finally, the advantages and limitations of the surrogate model-based updating approaches are discussed for different structural complexity. The possibility of utilizing the boosting algorithm as an ensemble learning method for improving the surrogate models is also presented.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제87권3호
• /
• pp.231-242
• /
• 2023

A novel combinatorial type-2 adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (T2-ANFIS) and robust proportional integral derivative (PID) control framework for intelligent vibration mitigation of uncertain structural system is introduced. The fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs), are designed independently of the mathematical model of the system. The type-1 FLCs, have a limited ability to reduce the effect of uncertainty, due to their fuzzy sets with a crisp degree of membership. In real applications, the consequent part of the fuzzy rules is uncertain. The type-2 FLCs, are robust to the fuzzy rules and the process parameters due to the fuzzy degree of membership functions and footprint of uncertainty (FOU). The adaptivity of the proposed method is provided with the optimum tuning of the parameters using the neural network training algorithms. In our approach, the PID control force is obtained using the generalized type-2 neuro-fuzzy in such a way that the stability and robustness of the controller are guaranteed. The robust performance and stability of the presented framework are demonstrated in a numerical study for an eleven-story seismically-excited building structure combined with an active tuned mass damper (ATMD). The results indicate that the introduced type-2 neuro-fuzzy PID control scheme is effective to attenuate plant states in the presence of the structured and unstructured uncertainties, compared to the conventional, type-1 FLC, type-2 FLC, and type-1 neuro-fuzzy PID controllers.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제9권5호
• /
• pp.1501-1510
• /
• 2014

Low voltage direct current (LVDC) distribution system is a suitable techno-economic candidate which can create an innovative solution for distribution network development with respect to rural electrification. This research focuses on the use of LVDC distribution system to replace some of KEPCO's existing traditional medium voltage alternating current (MVAC) distribution network for rural electrification in South Korea. Considering the technical and economic risks and benefits involved in such project, a comparative techno-economic analysis on the LVDC and the MVAC distribution networks is conducted using economic assessment method such as the net present value (NPV) on a discounted cash flow (DCF) basis as well as the sensitivity analysis technique. Each would play a role in an economic performance indicator and a measure of uncertainty and risk involved in the project. In this work, a simulation model and a computational tool are concurrently developed and employed to aid the techno-economic analysis, evaluation, and estimation of the various systems efficiency and/or performance.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
• /
• 제22권7호
• /
• pp.320-326
• /
• 2022

The main purpose of the article is to determine the role of the digitalization phenomenon (its positive and negative sides) as a means of anti-corruption policy in the healthcare sector of Ukraine and provide practical recommendations for transforming the domestic healthcare sector based on digitalization through the implementation of organizational and legal measures. The definitions of such concepts as: corruption in the healthcare sector; digitalization; digitalization of the healthcare sector; e-medicine. A typology of reasons for promoting the development of corruption in the healthcare sector of modern Ukraine is given. As a result of the study, a number of scientific tasks were implemented. The negative side of the introduction of digitalization in the healthcare sector has been identified and illustrated. The types of e-services in the healthcare sector are systematized, each of them is characterized and the fundamental directions of their development are indicated. The existing problems of technostress are characterized (techno-overload; techno-invasion; techno-complexity; techno-insecurity; techno-uncertainty). In the context of considering digitalization as a means of anti-corruption policy in the healthcare sector, practical organizational and legal measures are proposed for implementation.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제56권5호
• /
• pp.707-726
• /
• 2015

There is a growing trend of considering uncertainty in optimization process since last few decades. In this regard, Robust Design Optimization (RDO) scheme has gained increasing momentum because of its virtue of improving performance of structure by minimizing the variation of performance and ensuring necessary safety and feasibility of constraint under uncertainty. In the present study, RDO of reinforced concrete folded plate and shell structure has been carried out incorporating uncertainty in the relevant parameters by Monte Carlo Simulation. Folded plate and shell structures are among the new generation popular structures often used in aesthetically appealing constructions. However, RDO study of such important structures is observed to be scarce. The optimization problem is formulated as cost minimization problem subjected to the force and displacements constraints considering dead, live and wind load. Then, the RDO is framed by simultaneously optimizing the expected value and the variation of the performance function using weighted sum approach. The robustness in constraint is ensured by adding suitable penalty term and through a target reliability index. The RDO problem is solved by Sequential Quadratic Programming. Subsequently, the results of the RDO are compared with conventional deterministic design approach. The parametric study implies that robust designs can be achieved by sacrificing only small increment in initial cost, but at the same time, considerable quality and guarantee of the structural behaviour can be ensured by the RDO solutions.