• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.313-320
• /
• 2006

The reliability analysis of structures subjected to stochastic loading involves evaluation of time and probability of the system's residence in a reference domain. In this paper, we derive an asymptotic estimate of exit time for multi-degrees-of-freedom structural systems. The system's dynamics is governed by the Lagrangian equations with linear dissipation and fast additive noise. The logarithmic asymptotic of exit time is found explicitly as a sum of two terms dependent on kinetic and potential energy of the system, respectively. As an example, we estimate exit time and an associated structural performance for a rocking structure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.51 no.6
• /
• pp.973-988
• /
• 2014

This paper presents a factor-analysis based questionnaire categorization method to improve the reliability of the evaluation of working conditions without influencing the completeness of the questionnaire both in Taiwanese and Chinese construction enterprises for structural engineering applications. The proposed approach springs from the AI application and expert systems in structural engineering. Questions with a similar response pattern are grouped into or categorized as one factor. Questions that form a single factor usually have higher reliability than the entire questionnaire, especially in the case when the questionnaire is complex and inconsistent. By classifying questions based on the meanings of the words used in them and the responded scores, reliability could be increased. The principle for classification was that 90% of the questions in the same classified group must satisfy the proposed classification rule and consequently the lowest one was 92%. The results show that the question classification method could improve the reliability of the questionnaires for at least 0.7. Compared to the question deletion method using SPSS, 75% of the questions left were verified the same as the results obtained by applying the classification method.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 1989.10a
• /
• pp.34-39
• /
• 1989

Recent trends in design standards development have encouraged the use of probabilistic limit sate design concepts. Reliability analysis adopted in those advanced countries have the potentials that they afford for symplifying the design Process arid placing it on a consistent reliability based for various construction materials. This study is proposed in the reliability analysis of plane frame structures using second-order moment method(Level-II they). Lind-Hasofer's minimum distance method is use in the derivation of an mathematical algorithm as well as an determination of Correlation cofficients, reliability index and total reliability index depending on the multiple failure modes. In addition. This study is employed as a practical tool for the approximate reliability analysis. Results of the numerincal analysis showed that the difference between the reliability index of the failure probability of the multiple failure modes and the total reliability index of the failure probability with the simultaneous failure modes deviated nearly 3∼10% depending on tile performance functions.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
• /
• 2003.05a
• /
• pp.181-186
• /
• 2003

There are many uncertainties in structural failures or structures, so probabilistic failure cause assessment should be performed in order to consider the uncertainties. However, in many cases of forensic engineering, the failure cause assessments are performed by deterministic approach though number of uncertainties are existed in the failures or structures. Thus, deterministic approach may have possibility for leading to unreasonable and unrealistic failure cause assessment due to ignorance of the uncertainties. Therefore, probabilistic approach is needed to complement the shortcoming of deterministic approach and to perform the more reasonable and realistic failure cause assessment. In this study, reliability-based failure cause assessment (reliability based forensic engineering) is performed, which can incorporate uncertainties in failures and structures. For more practical application, the modified ETA technique is proposed, which automatically generates the defected structural model, performs structural analysis and reliability analysis, and calculates the failure probabilities of the failure events and the occurrence probabilities of the failure scenarios. Also, for more precise reliability analysis, uncertainties are estimated more reasonably by using bayesian approach based on the experimental laboratory testing data in forensic report.

• Computational Structural Engineering
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.77-89
• /
• 1993

Current Bridge foundation design is based on Working Stress Design(WSD), but Load Factor Based on Optimum Reliability(LFBOR) design method is more rational than the WSD. For this reason, this study proposes a reliability based design criteria for the bridge foundation, which is most common type of bridge foundation(Shallow, Pile and Caission), and also proposes the theoretical basis of nominal safety factors of stability analysis by introducing the reliability theory. The limit state equations of stability analysis of bridge foundation and the uncertainty measuring algorithms of each equation are also derived by Cornell's MFOSM(Mean First Order 2nd Moment Methods)using the stability analysis fourmula Highway Bridge Design Codes.

• Computational Structural Engineering
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.119-129
• /
• 1991

This study is directed for the development of an efficient Importance Sampling Technique for system reliability analysis of bridge structures. Many methods have been proposed for structural reliability assessment such as the First-order Second-Moment Method, the Advanced Second-Moment Method, Monte Carlo Simulation, etc. The Importance Sampling Technique can be employed to obtain accurate estimates for the system reliability with reasonable computation effort. Based on the results of example analysis, it may be concluded that Importance Sampling Technique is a very effective tool for the system reliability analysis.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
• /
• 1990.10a
• /
• pp.35-40
• /
• 1990

Because of the inherent random nature of most manmade and environmental loadings and materials as well as the emperfect structural analysis, the reliability-based structural design has been recognized as a rational approach and the probability-based design criteria has been successfully developed for many standards. In order to do this it is necessary to establish target reliability levels, for which the reliability levels inherent in present design practice will be used as a rational guide. In this study the reliability levels implied in current practices, therefore, are investigated using the load and resistance models developed for domestic uses.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.65 no.6
• /
• pp.751-760
• /
• 2018

Damages in concrete structures due to aging and other factors could be a serious and immense matter. Making the best selection of the most viable and practical repairing and strengthening techniques are relatively difficult tasks using traditional methods of structural analyses. This is due to the fact that the traditional methods used for assessing aging structure are not fully capable when considering the randomness in strength, loads and cost. This paper presents a reliability-based methodology for assessing reinforced concrete members. The methodology of this study is based on probabilistic analysis, using statistics of the random variables in the performance function equations. Principles of reliability updating are used in the assessment process, as new information is taken into account and combined with prior probabilistic models. The methodology can result in a reliability index ${\beta}$ that can be used to assess the structural component by comparing its value with a standard value. In addition, these methods result in partial safety factor values that can be used for the purpose of strengthening the R/C elements of the existing structure. Calculations and computations of the reliability indices and the partial safety factors values are conducted using the First-order Reliability Method and Monte Carlo simulation.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.4 no.6
• /
• pp.419-435
• /
• 2004

The safety level of a structural system designed per code specifications can not be inferred directly from the reliability of members due to the load redistribution and nonlinear inelastic structural behavior. Comparison of the system and member reliability, which is scarce in the literature, is likely to indicate any possible inconsistency of design codes in providing safe and economical designs. Such a comparative study is presented in this study for moment resisting two-dimensional steel frames designed per AISC LRFD Specifications. The member reliability is evaluated using the resistance of the beam-column element and the elastic load effects that indirectly accounts for the second-order effects. The system reliability analysis is evaluated based on the collapse load factor obtained from a second-order inelastic analysis. Comparison of the system and member reliability is presented for several steel frames. Results suggest that the failure probability of the system is about one order of magnitude lower than that of the most critically loaded structural member, and that the difference between the system and member reliability depends on the structural configuration, degree of redundancy, and dead to live load ratio. Results also suggest that the system reliability is less sensitive to initial imperfections of the structure than the member reliability. Therefore, the system aspect should be incorporated in future design codes in order to achieve more reliability consistent designs.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.93-100
• /
• 2012

In this paper, the deterministic optimal design for the tail plane made of composite materials is conducted under the deterministic loading condition and compared with that of the metallic materials. Next, the reliability analysis with five random variables such as loading and material properties of unidirectional prepreg is conducted to examine the probability of failure for the deterministic optimal design results. The MATLAB programing is used for reliability analysis combined with FEA S/W(COMSOL) for structural analysis. The laminated composite is assumed to the equivalent orthotropic material using classical laminated plate theory. The response surface methodology and importance sampling technique are adopted to reduce computational cost with satisfying the accuracy in reliability analysis. As a result, structural weight of composite materials is lighter than that of metals in deterministic optimal design. However, the probability of failure for the deterministic optimal design of the tail plane structures is too high to be neglected. The sensitivity of each variable is also estimated using probabilistic sensitivity analysis to figure out which variables are sensitive to failure. The computational cost is considerably reduced when response surface methodology and importance sampling technique are used. The study of the computationally inexpensive method for reliability-based design optimization will be necessary in further work.