Hybrid reliability model for fatigue reliability analysis of steel bridges

A kind of hybrid reliability model is presented to solve the fatigue reliability problems of steel bridges. The cumulative damage model is one kind of the models used in fatigue reliability analysis. The parameter characteristics of the model can be described as probabilistic and interval. The two-stage hybrid reliability model is given with a theoretical foundation and a solving algorithm to solve the hybrid reliability problems. The theoretical foundation is established by the consistency relationships of interval reliability model and probability reliability model with normally distributed variables in theory. The solving process is combined with the definition of interval reliability index and the probabilistic algorithm. With the consideration of the parameter characteristics of the S-N curve, the cumulative damage model with hybrid variables is given based on the standards from different countries. Lastly, a case of steel structure in the Neville Island Bridge is analyzed to verify the applicability of the hybrid reliability model in fatigue reliability analysis based on the AASHTO.

A New Hybrid Reliability Index Definition and Its Application to the Structure Buckling Reliability Analysis of Supercavitating Projectiles

As structure buckling problems easily arise when supercavitating projectiles operate with high underwater velocity, it is necessary to perform structure buckling reliability analysis. Now it is widely known that probabilistic and non-probabilistic uncertain information exists in engineering analysis. Based on reliability comprehensive index of multi-ellipsoid convex set, probabilistic uncertain information is added and transferred into non-probabilistic interval variable. The hybrid reliability is calculated by a combined method of modified limit step length iteration algorithm(MLSLIA) and Monte-Carlo method. The results of engineering examples show that the convergence of MLSLIA is better than that of limit step length iteration algorithm(LSLIA). Structure buckling hybrid reliability increases with the increase of ratio of base diameter to cavitator diameter, and decreases with the increase of initial launch velocity. Also the changes of uncertain degree of projectile velocity and cavitator drag coefficient affect structure buckling hybrid reliability index obviously. Therefore, uncertain degree of projectile velocity and cavitator drag coefficient should be controlled in project for high structure buckling reliability.

Fatigue reliability based on residual strength model with hybrid uncertain parameters

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the fatigue reliability with hybrid uncertain parameters based on a residual strength model. By solving the non-probabilistic setbased reliability problem and analyzing the reliability with randomness, the fatigue reliability with hybrid parameters can be obtained. The presented hybrid model can adequately consider all uncertainties affecting the fatigue reliability with hybrid uncertain parameters. A comparison among the presented hybrid model, non-probabilistic set-theoretic model and the conventional random model is made through two typical numerical examples. The results show that the presented hybrid model, which can ensure structural security, is effective and practical.

Structural reliability analysis and reliability-based design optimization: Recent advances

We review recent research activities on structural reliability analysis,reliability-based design optimization(RBDO) and applications in complex engineering structural design.Several novel uncertainty propagation methods and reliability models,which are the basis of the reliability assessment,are given.In addition,recent developments on reliability evaluation and sensitivity analysis are highlighted as well as implementation strategies for RBDO.