Comparison of local and global approximation for reliabiltiy-based structural optimization

摘要

An approach based on approximation concepts to estimate system reliability is presented. Limit-state functions are approxiamted explicitly in terms of the random variables of the system. These approxiamtions are then used in ocnnunction with MOnte Carlo simulation to estimate system reliability. Local and global approximations are stuided and compared for their use in reliability based optimal design. Example problems are presented to illustrate the ideas set forth.