Probabilistic Structural Dynamics Of An Inelastic Structural System

Probabilistic structural dynamics is a new approach to building calculations that satisfy safety requirements while at the same time driving new efficiencies. This text provides a tutorial to these new methods.

Probabilistic structural dynamics offers unparalleled tools for analyzing uncertainties in structural design. Once avoided because it is mathematically rigorous, this technique has recently remerged with the aide of computer software. Written by an author/educator with 40 years of experience in structural design, this user friendly manual integrates theories, formulas and mathematical models to produce a guide that will allow professionals to quickly grasp concepts and start solving problems. In this book, the author uses simple examples that provide templates for creating of more robust case studies later in the book. *Problems are presented in an easy to understand form *Practical guide to software programs to solve design problems *Packed with examples and case studies of actual projects *Classical and the new stochastic factors of safety

This book is based on a number of lectures presented at CISM* -Course on "Stochastic Methods in Structural Mechanics", August 28 -30,1985 in Udine, Italy. The chapters presented here are either expanded and/or updated versions of these lectures. The purpose is to introduce readers to basic principles of stochastic methods of structural mechanics, particularly to those of dynamics. For those readers who wish to pursue the study further, the references provided in each chapter will serve as a useful source of information. Nevertheless the readers find some of the advanced topics presented by the authors immediately useful for their own application. The first section of Chapter 1 introduces the reader to the basic principles of probability theory followed by the discussion of methods to calculate time invariant structural reliability estimates, where the exact methods are particularly emphasized. The Chapter continues with a first introduction to the theory of stochastic processes. The properties of Gaussian and other type of processes are discussed. In dealing with observed data, tests of stationarity, as well as methods to estimate power spectra are described in some detail. The Chapter closes with a first treatice of excursions of stochastic processes in terms of number and duration of excursions, extremes, envelopes and time to first excursions. In Chapter 2 linear structures under stochastic loading are analyzed by applying the concepts as outlined in Chapter 1. The analyses are carried out in the time and frequency range respectively.

This book contains some new developments in the area of Structural Dynamics. In general it reflects the recent efforts of several Austrian research groups during the years 1985 - 1990. The contents of this book cover both theoretical developments as well as practical applications and hence can be utilized by researchers as well as the practicing engineers. Quite naturally, realistic modeling of a number of load types such as wind and earthquake loading, etc. , requires taking into account statistical uncertainties. Hence these loads have to be characterized by stochastic processes. As a consequence, stochastic aspects must play a major role in modem structural dynamics. Since an extended modeling of the load processes should not be counterbalanced by simplifying the structural models, considerable efforts have been put into the development of procedures which allow the utilization of e. g. FE models and codes which are utilized presently in context with simplified, i. e. "deterministic" load models. Thus the processing of the additional information on loads as well as including statistical properties of the material allows to provide additional answers, i. e. quantification of the risk of structural failure. This volume concentrates on four major areas, i. e. on load modeling, structural response analysis, computational reliability procedures, and finally on practical application. Quite naturally only special fields and particular, i. e. selected types of problems can be covered. Specific reference is made, however, to cases where generalizations are possible.