Application of Structural Systems Reliability Theory

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-VIII

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2. Fundamentals of Structural Reliability Theory

   • Palle Thoft-Christensen, Yoshisada Murotsu

   Pages 1-29

3. Modelling of Structural Systems

   • Palle Thoft-Christensen, Yoshisada Murotsu

   Pages 31-58

4. Reliability of Series Systems

   • Palle Thoft-Christensen, Yoshisada Murotsu

   Pages 59-78

5. Reliability of Parallel Systems

   • Palle Thoft-Christensen, Yoshisada Murotsu

   Pages 79-95

6. Automatic Generation of Safety Margins

   • Palle Thoft-Christensen, Yoshisada Murotsu

   Pages 97-141

7. Reliability Analysis of Structural Systems by the β — Unzipping Method

   • Palle Thoft-Christensen, Yoshisada Murotsu

   Pages 143-214

8. The Branch-and-Bound Method

   • Palle Thoft-Christensen, Yoshisada Murotsu

   Pages 215-265

9. Optimization of Structural Systems

   • Palle Thoft-Christensen, Yoshisada Murotsu

   Pages 267-337

10. Back Matter

    Pages 338-343

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During the last two decades more and more universities offer courses on modern structural reliability theory. A course on structural reliability theory is now a natural part of the curri­ culum for mechanical and structural engineering students. As a result of this, a number of textbooks have been published in this decade. In PlOst of these books it is shown how the reliability of single structural members can be evaluated in a rational way. The methods used are usually so-called level 2 methods, i. e. methods involving certain approximate iter­ ative calculations to obtain an approximate value of the probability of failure of the struc­ tural members. In these methods the joint probability distribution of relevant variables (re­ sistance variables, loads, etc. ) is simplified and the failure criteria are idealized in such a way that the reliability calculations can be performed without an unreasonable amount of work. In spite of the approximations and idealizations made it is believed that a rational treatment of uncertainties in structural engineering can be obtained by level 2 methods. Usually, in­ sufficient data are at hand to make a more advanced estimate of the reliability of a struc­ tural member. It has been recognized for many years that a fully satisfactory estimate of the reliability of a structure must be based on a systems approach. In some situations it is sufficient to estimate the reliability of the individual structural members of a structural system.

• Fundament
• distribution
• engine
• probability
• reliability
• structural engineering
• structure

• Institute of Building Technology and Structural Engineering, University of Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark

  Palle Thoft-Christensen

• Department of Aeronautical Engineering, University of Osaka Prefecture, Sakai, Osaka 591, Japan

  Yoshisada Murotsu

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