Reliability of Nonlinear Brittle Structures

Abstract

A method based on the combination of the imposed deformation approach and the stable configuration approach of structural system reliability analysis is developed for evaluating the reliability of structures with elements that behave in a nonlinear fashion, as well as fracture, or fail in a brittle manner, at some deformation. The basis of the stable configuration approach is examining ways in which a structure may carry an applied load and the basis of the imposed deformation approach is examining the structure under specified deformations. The method is found to generally give conservative estimates of the probability of failure. The proposed method is applied to a practical problem that arises when considering progressive collapse in precast large panel concrete structures. In particular, the probability a precast concrete slab system will not remain suspended if a supporting wall fails is determined to be 0.36.