Methods of Structural Safety: (Dover Civil and Mechanical Engineering)

Uncertainties about analytical models, fluctuations in loads, and variability of material properties contribute to the small but real probability of structure failures. This advanced engineering text describes methods developed to deal with stochastic aspects of structural behavior, providing a framework for evaluating, comparing, and combining stochastic effects.Starting with the general problem of consistent evaluation of the reliability of structures, the text proceeds to examination of the second-moment reliability index methods that describe failure in terms of one or more limit states. It presents first-order reliability methods for computation of failure probabilities for individual limit states and for systems; and it illustrates identification of the design parameters most affecting reliability. Additional subjects include a self-contained presentation of extreme-value theory and stochastic processes; stationary, evolutionary, and nonlinear aspects of stochastic response of structures; a stochastic approach to material fatigue damage and crack propagation; and stochastic models for several natural and manufactured loads.

Table of Contents:
Preface 1. Introduction 1.1 Historical Background 1.2 The Problem of Structural Safety 1.3 Structural Design 1.4 Summary References 2. Reliability Methods 2.1 Research Models and Technical Models 2.2 Definition and Idealization of the Structural System 2.3 Error Classification 2.4 Idealization of Loads and Influences 2.5 Human Error 2.6 Model Uncertainty 2.7 Levels of Reliability Methods 2.8 Summary References 3. Multiple Safety Factor Formats 3.1 Origin and Purpose 3.2 Multiple-Factor Formats 3.3 Characteristic Values 3.4. Calibration 3.5 Summary References 4. Second-Moment Reliability Index 4.1 Introduction 4.2 The Cornell Reliability Index 4.3 First-Order Second-Moment Reliability Index 4.4 The Hasofer and Lind Reliability Index 4.5 The Generalized Reliability Index 4.6 Summary References 5. Level III Reliability Methods and System Reliability 5.1 Calculation of Failure Probabilities 5.2 The Principle of Normal Tail Approximation 5.3 Classification of Systems: Structure Functions 5.4 Reliability of Series Systems 5.5 Reliability of Nonseries Systems 5.6 Sensitivity Measures 5.7 Summary References 6. Calibration 6.1 The Process of Calibration 6.2 Estimation of Distribution Parameters 6.3 Selection of Characteristic Strength Level 6.4 Control of Characteristic Strength 6.5 Summary References 7. Extreme-Value Distributions and Stochastic Processes 7.1 Two Distribution-Free Results 7.2 Extreme-Value Distributions 7.3 Discrete Processes 7.4 The Normal Process 7.5 Summary References 8. Stochastic Response of Structures 8.1 Stationary Response 8.2 Nonstationary Response 8.3 White Noise Approximation 8.4 Nonlinear Effects 8.5 Summary References 9. Stochastic Models for Material Strength 9.1 Classical Strength Models 9.2 Fatigue 9.3 Stochastic Modeling of Fatigue Crack Growth 9.4 Bogdanoff's Cumulative Damage Model 9.5 Summary References 10. Stochastic Models for Loads 10.1 Gust Wind Loads 10.2 Wave Loads 10.3 Earthquake Loads 10.4 Traffic Load Modeling 10.5 Live Load Modeling 10.6 Theory of Stochastic Load Combination 10.7 Summary References Bibliography Index Errata