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A new possibilistic reliability index definition

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Abstract

In this work, a new and efficient definition for a reliability index is explored for real structural engineering problems. The main innovative aspect is that it is based on a possibilistic criteria instead of a probabilistic one. Its definition deals with engineering cases where uncertain parameters of basic structural reliability problems can be operatively treated as fuzzy variables. A fuzzy-based version of classic Cornell proposed reliability index is discussed. Consequently, differences and advantages with respect to other non-probabilistic reliability measures reported in literature are critically analyzed with reference to well-specified criterions. Finally, two numerical examples are illustrated. The first, in the framework of the materials strength problem, is a simple comparison between these fuzzy reliability indicators, and is developed to clarify the applicability of our proposal. Subsequently, another more realistic numerical example is proposed; it is developed to appreciate its effectiveness in reliability assessment of complex structural systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development, Technical University of Bari, viale del Turismo 10, 74100, Taranto, Italy

    Giuseppe Carlo Marano

  2. Department of Structural Engineering and Geotechnics, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, via A. Gramsci 53, 00197, Rome, Italy

    Giuseppe Quaranta

Authors
  1. Giuseppe Carlo Marano
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  2. Giuseppe Quaranta
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Correspondence to Giuseppe Carlo Marano.

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Marano, G.C., Quaranta, G. A new possibilistic reliability index definition. Acta Mech 210, 291–303 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00707-009-0194-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00707-009-0194-z

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