Analysis of Structural Reliability

Advances in the field of structural analysis should be accompanied by improved statistical methods of determining structural safety. The reliability or the probability of survival of the structure is used as a rational criterion for structural safety. Three methods including Monte Carlo simulation, numerical integration, and failure mode ordering are developed for computing the reliability of a structure with many members and load conditions described by frequency distributions. An elastic pinned end truss with thirteen members and two load conditions is analyzed. Investigation of different values of standard deviation for the load and strength distributions leads to a criterion for determining whether failure modes may be treated as statistically dependent or independent. The design of structures for a specified reliability is also discussed.