BRIGE: A Stochastic Approach to Evaluating Structural Reliability in Fire

BRIGE：评估火灾中结构可靠性的随机方法

• 批准号: 1032493
• 负责人: Ann Jeffers
• 金额: $ 17.36万
• 依托单位: Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-01 至 2013-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1032493&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: BRIGE; Stochastic; Approach; Evaluating; Structural

This Broadening Participation Research Initiation Grants in Engineering (BRIGE) grant provides funding for research that explores the use of probability-based methods to model the behavior of structural systems in fire. The research is motivated by the fact that current methods for modeling structure-fire interaction are unable to account for the high level of uncertainty that exists in the nature of the problem. To overcome this limitation, the proposed research seeks to develop a stochastic approach to account for variability in key model parameters, such as the fire temperature and the strength of materials at elevated temperatures. The project focuses on two methods that are well-established for room temperature applications, specifically, the Monte Carlo method and the stochastic finite element method. The theoretical foundations for each method will be extended to include the effects of fire. In addition, reliability theory will be used to formulate the problem in terms of limit state (or "failure") criteria. The end result will be a computational framework that enables stochastic structure-fire simulation, in which uncertainty is accounted for in a rational way and the fire performance of the structural system can be evaluated based on a calculated probability of failure. This quantification of structural reliability is essential for decision-making, as it allows the adequacy of a given design to be evaluated with confidence.This research has the potential to revolutionize the way in which building fires are considered in structural design. While researchers across the globe advocate a need for performance-based structural fire design, the reality is that the engineering profession does not have the analytical tools to realize this shift in design philosophy. The new computational framework that will be developed addresses a critical need in the structure-fire engineering community and can lead to significant improvements in the design of structures for fire. Improved methods of design will inherently result in greater public safety and a more robust civil infrastructure. Educational, outreach, and scholarship activities associated with this project seek to engage a variety of populations in research activities and aim to address central issues that are impeding the advancement of underrepresented groups in engineering.

这项扩大参与度的工程研究启动补助金(Brige)为探索使用基于概率的方法来模拟结构系统在火灾中的行为的研究提供资金。这项研究的动机是这样一个事实，即目前对结构-火灾相互作用进行建模的方法无法解释问题本质上存在的高度不确定性。为了克服这一局限性，拟议的研究试图开发一种随机方法来解释关键模型参数的可变性，如火灾温度和材料在高温下的强度。本项目的重点是两种成熟的室温应用方法，特别是蒙特卡罗方法和随机有限元方法。每种方法的理论基础都将扩展到包括火灾的影响。此外，可靠性理论将被用来根据极限状态(或“失效”)标准来表述问题。最终的结果将是一个能够实现随机结构-火灾模拟的计算框架，其中以合理的方式考虑不确定性，并且可以基于计算的失败概率来评估结构系统的火灾性能。这种对结构可靠性的量化对决策至关重要，因为它允许对给定设计的充分性进行自信的评估。这项研究有可能彻底改变结构设计中考虑建筑火灾的方式。虽然世界各地的研究人员都主张需要基于性能化的结构火灾设计，但现实情况是，工程专业没有足够的分析工具来实现这种设计理念的转变。即将开发的新计算框架解决了结构-消防工程界的一个关键需求，并可导致火灾结构设计的重大改进。改进的设计方法必然会带来更大的公共安全和更强大的民用基础设施。与该项目相关的教育、推广和奖学金活动旨在使各种人群参与研究活动，并旨在解决阻碍代表人数不足的群体在工程学领域取得进步的核心问题。