STATISTICAL COMBINATION OF EXTREME LOADS

As most loads on buildings and structures are stochastic in nature, an analytical method for studying load combination is presented in which the loads are treated as random processes. Factors considered include load occurrence rate, intensity variation, duration of each occurrence, and simultaneous occurrence of different loads. The probability distribution of the maximum combined load effect over a given time interval is derived and the distribution parameters as functions of the first two moments and the occurrence rate of individual loads are also obtained in close form. Numerical examples are given and the results are compared satisfactorily with Monte-Carlo simulation. The reduction factors for load combination as given in current building codes are examined and their inadequacy pointed out. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the ASCE National Structural Engineering Specialty Conference, Madison, Wisconsin, August 23-26, 1976.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Wen, Y K
• Publication Date: 1977-5

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 1079-93
• Serial:
  • Journal of the Structural Division
  • Volume: 103
  • Issue Number: ST5
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge design; Bridges; Building codes; Coding systems; Load transfer; Monte Carlo method; Probability theory; Simulation; Statistical analysis; Stochastic processes; Structural design
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Highways; Law;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00165326
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE 12930 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 14 1978 12:00AM