STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT WITH STOCHASTIC PARAMETERS

The performance of a structure [23] is assessed by its safety [1], serviceability [1] and economy [1]. Since we do not know the exact details of loads [4] acting on a structure at any time, there is always some uncertainty about the total loads on structure. Thus random variables (means stochastic variable) of loads and other parameters are the main criteria of design variables [18]. They vary with space and time. The input variables is never certain and complete. The safety factor provided in the existing codes and standers primarily based on practice, judgment and experience, may not be adequate and economical. Using the techniques presented earlier, we can design or analyze individual members in the contest of structural reliability [2][3][22][24]. However we are not examined how the system performs [23] or how to calculate the reliability of the structure as a whole.