Finite element reliability and sensitivity analysis of structures using the multiplicative dimensional reduction method. Issue 12 (1st December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balomenos, Georgios P.; Pandey, Mahesh D.
• Is Part Of: Structure and infrastructure engineering. Volume 12:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: 1553
• Page End: 1565
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01
• Subjects: Structural reliability -- finite element method -- probabilistic methods -- sensitivity analysis -- frames; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Buildings -- Performance -- Periodicals; 620.005
• DOI: 10.1080/15732479.2016.1151446
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1573-2479

Abstract

Abstract: Finite element reliability analysis (FERA) has been used to evaluate the reliability of structures. In FERA, approximate methods are commonly used to estimate the mean and variance of the structural response, while its probability distribution is primarily derived based on the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method. This paper advances FERA by combining it with the multiplicative dimensional reduction method (M-DRM). The proposed M-DRM allows fairly accurate estimation of the statistical moments, as well as the probability distribution of the structural response. The distribution of the response is obtained using fractional moments, which are calculated from the M-DRM, along with the maximum entropy principle. The variance of the response, based on global sensitivity measures, is obtained as a by-product of the analysis. The proposed approach is integrated with the OpenSees software and is illustrated through examples of nonlinear finite element analyses of reinforced concrete and steel frames. The paper shows that the proposed approach is an accurate and efficient alternative for FERA.