Reliability analysis for nonlinear structures

Abstract

An efficient stochastic finite element-based procedure is proposed for the reliability analysis of two- or three-dimensional frame structures with linear or geometrical nonlinearity. The method is based on the advanced first order second moment reliability analysis procedure. The assumed stress field approach is used in the finite element formulation to efficiently compute the nonlinear structural response and the corresponding response gradients. The material properties, geometry, and external loads are considered to be random variables. The failure criteria of the structure are expressed in terms of the ultimate and serviceability limit state functions. The proposed method is not only very efficient but has several other advantages.