MULTITANGENT-PLANE SURFACE METHOD FOR RELIABILITY CALCULATION

In this paper, a multitangent-plane surface method is suggested for calculating the reliability of complex structures of which the limit-state surfaces are not known explicitly. In this approach, multiple tangent planes are used to approximate the actual limit-state surface. In addition, radial importance sampling is used in conjunction with probabilistic finite-element analysis. Numerical results suggest that the new method can be used to improve the accuracy of solutions obtained from first-order second moment analysis and also require considerably less central processing unit time when compared with Monte Carlo simulation analysis. This method is only suitable for the case of a nonlinear concave or convex limit-state surface.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07339399
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Page Range: pp 996-1002
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Guan, X L
  • Melchers, R E
• Publication Date: 1997-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 996
• Serial:
  • Journal of Engineering Mechanics
  • Volume: 123
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-9399
  • EISSN: 1943-7889
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/jenmdt

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Calculation; Central processing units (Computers); Economic efficiency; Failure analysis; Finite element method; Information processing; Limit state design; Monte Carlo method; Probability; Reliability; Structural analysis; Ultimate load design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency; Probabilistic analysis; Structural reliability
• Old TRIS Terms: Central processing units; Computing; Multitangent-plane surface method
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Design; Economics; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00742187
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: IO037MAN, 890422-8, 261/94-61
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 3 1997 12:00AM