Optimal Reliability Based Design Of Structures Against Several Natural Hazards

Interest in the topic of structural reliability and optimal design has been rapidly growing in recent years. Besides, the field of numerical methods and artificial intelligence is experiencing a surge of new methods and the refinement of existing ones to expand opportunities to apply robust formulations to complex engineering problems. Today, more than ever, the field is receiving fresh ideas on how to face the challenges of finding a balance between cost and benefits that may lead towards the optimal design of systems. Recently, the probability density evolution method (PDEM) was proposed by Prof. Jie Li as an alternative way to obtain the stochastic and dynamic solution of the safety level of engineering systems under any kind of hazard. This work deals with the application of this powerful method to derive optimal design recommendations for large engineering systems under natural hazards. The three case studies illustrate to engineers and academic specialists how to strike a cost-effective balance in designing such systems.

Interest in the topic of structural reliability and optimal design has been rapidly growing in recent years. Besides, the field of numerical methods and artificial intelligence is experiencing a surge of new methods and the refinement of existing ones to expand opportunities to apply robust formulations to complex engineering problems. Today, more than ever, the field is receiving fresh ideas on how to face the challenges of finding a balance between cost and benefits that may lead towards the optimal design of systems. Recently, the probability density evolution method (PDEM) was proposed by Prof. Jie Li as an alternative way to obtain the stochastic and dynamic solution of the safety level of engineering systems under any kind of hazard. This work deals with the application of this powerful method to derive optimal design recommendations for large engineering systems under natural hazards. The three case studies illustrate to engineers and academic specialists how to strike a cost-effective balance in designing such systems.

Increasing demand on improving the resiliency of modern structures and infrastructure requires ever more critical and complex designs. Therefore, the need for accurate and efficient approaches to assess uncertainties in loads, geometry, material properties, manufacturing processes, and operational environments has increased significantly. Reliability-based techniques help develop more accurate initial guidance for robust design and help to identify the sources of significant uncertainty in structural systems. Reliability-Based Analysis and Design of Structures and Infrastructure presents an overview of the methods of classical reliability analysis and design most associated with structural reliability. It also introduces more modern methods and advancements, and emphasizes the most useful methods and techniques used in reliability and risk studies, while elaborating their practical applications and limitations rather than detailed derivations. Features: Provides a practical and comprehensive overview of reliability and risk analysis and design techniques. Introduces resilient and smart structures/infrastructure that will lead to more reliable and sustainable societies. Considers loss elimination, risk management and life-cycle asset management as related to infrastructure projects. Introduces probability theory, statistical methods, and reliability analysis methods. Reliability-Based Analysis and Design of Structures and Infrastructure is suitable for researchers and practicing engineers, as well as upper-level students taking related courses in structural reliability analysis and design.

Authored by the most active scholars in their respective areas, this volume covers the most recent developments, both theoretical and applicative, in multi-disciplinary reliability evaluation areas, many of which are cutting-edge and not discussed elsewhere in book form. The broad coverage includes the latest thoughts on design for low probability and high consequence events like the failure of the World Trade Center as well as risk acceptability based on the Life Quality Index. Other chapters discuss the development of the performance-based design concept, and the generally overlooked area of the reliability evaluation of bridges and offshore structures. Since the finite element method is routinely used for structural analyses, emphasis is put on discussing reliability evaluation using finite elements including consideration of the mesh-free finite element method. Corrosion and fatigue reliability evaluation techniques are other urgent issues that are dealt with in depth. Risk-based optimization using lifecycle cost analysis is presented. Among the many additional included topics, a chapter is devoted to health assessment of existing structures, currently one of the most active research areas. Contents:Risk and Risk Perception for Low Probability, High Consequence Events in the Built Environment (R B Corotis)Socio-Economic Risk Acceptability Criteria (R Rackwitz)Reliability in Structural Performance Evaluation and Design (Y K Wen)Performance-Based Reliability Evaluation of Structure-Foundation Systems (M Chowdhury & A Haldar)Application of Probabilistic Methods in Bridge Engineering (M Ghosn)Stochastic Response of Fixed Offshore Structures (S-T Quek et al.)Application of Reliability Methods to Fatigue Analysis and Design (P H Wirsching)Probabilistic Models for Corrosion in Structural Reliability Assessment (R E Melchers)Seismic Risk Assessment of Realistic Frame Structures Using a Hybrid Reliability Method (J Huh & A Haldar)Meshfree Methods in Computational Stochastic Mechanics (S Rahman)Reliability Analysis Using Information from Experts (J Mohammadi & E Desantiago)Risk-Based Optimization of Life-Cycle Cost for Deteriorating Civil Engineering Infrastructures (R Rackwitz)Structural Health Assessment under Uncertainty (H Katkhuda & A Haldar) Readership: Undergraduates, graduates, researchers and practitioners in the field of reliability in civil, mechanical, offshore, materials, chemical and other related engineering areas. Keywords:Performance-Based Design;Low Probability High Consequence Events;Life Quality Index;Socio-economic Risk Acceptability Criteria;Reliability of Bridges;Fixed Offshore Structures;Stochastic Finite Element Analysis;Mesh-Free Finite Element Methods;Fatigue Analysis and Design;Corrosion;Structural Health Assessment;Reliability Analysis Using Information from Experts;Renewal Model in Reliability-Based Optimization;Lifecycle Cost AnalysisKey Features:Discussions on the most recent developments in multi-disciplinary risk and reliability engineering areasChapters authored by the most active scholars in the areaTopics covered are not available in other booksIncludes subjects reflecting the most recent research interests in the field

This book provides a critical assessment of current knowledge and indicates new challenges which are brought about at present times by fighting man-made and natural hazards in transient analysis of structures. The latter concerns both permanently fixed structures, such as those built to protect people and/or sensitive storage material; or special structures, like bridges and tunnels; and moving structures such as trains, planes, ships or cars.

Solid design and craftsmanship are a necessity for structures and infrastructures that must stand up to natural disasters on a regular basis. Continuous research developments in the engineering field are imperative for sustaining buildings against the threat of earthquakes and other natural disasters. Performance-Based Seismic Design of Concrete Structures and Infrastructures is an informative reference source on all the latest trends and emerging data associated with structural design. Highlighting key topics such as seismic assessments, shear wall structures, and infrastructure resilience, this is an ideal resource for all academicians, students, professionals, and researchers that are seeking new knowledge on the best methods and techniques for designing solid structural designs.

This volume is an outcome of the 11th IFIP WG7.5 working conference on Reliability and Optimization of Structural Systems in Canada. The conference focuses on structural reliability methods and applications and engineering risk analysis and decision-making.

This book presents a unique collection of contributions from some of the foremost scholars in the field of risk and reliability analysis. Combining the most advanced analysis techniques with practical applications, it is one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date books available on risk-based engineering. All the fundamental concepts needed to conduct risk and reliability assessments are covered in detail, providing readers with a sound understanding of the field and making the book a powerful tool for students and researchers alike. This book was prepared in honor of Professor Armen Der Kiureghian, one of the fathers of modern risk and reliability analysis.