Accurate and Efficient Reliability Analysis of Complex Structural Engineering Problems

本研究的目的是开发一种准确和有效的方法，计算和概率复杂的结构工程问题，不能准确地解决与目前的可靠性方法，没有高成本的模拟方法的可靠性分析。 这将通过制定一个基于模拟的方法的基础上的方法的条件期望和估计的概率密度的模拟结果中的关键区域的利益。 该项目将开发一种用于概率密度构建的最佳算法，一种估计计算可靠性中误差的方法，以及一种利用方差减少技术进行有效模拟的新的准确方法。 该项目中开发的方法将在基准可靠性问题数据库以及代表工程实践的选定复杂结构可靠性问题上进行验证。这项研究预计将推进各种复杂，高保真工程问题的结构安全分析，如碰撞，冲击和爆炸分析;金属成型;以及各种工程学科的复杂结构系统评估。 这项工作将为本科生和研究生提供高级培训，他们可能会通过现有的大学外展计划从代表性不足的群体中招募。 选定的研究成果将被纳入结构工程课程，让学生接触到最先进的安全分析方法。

This research aims to develop an accurate and efficient method for reliability analysis of computationally and probabilistically complex structural engineering problems that cannot be accurately solved with current reliability methods without high-cost simulation approaches. This will be accomplished by formulating a simulation-based approach based on the method of conditional expectation and estimation of the probability density of the simulated results in the critical region of interest. The project will develop an optimal algorithm for probability density construction, a method to estimate error in the calculated reliability, and a new and accurate approach for efficient simulation utilizing variance reduction techniques. The methods developed in the project will be validated on a database of benchmark reliability problems as well as selected complex structural reliability problems representative of engineering practice. This research is expected to advance structural safety analysis for a variety of complex, high-fidelity engineering problems such as crash, impact, and blast analysis; metal forming; and complex structural system evaluation in various engineering disciplines. The work will provide advanced training to undergraduate and graduate students with their possible recruitment from underrepresented groups through existing university outreach programs. Selected research results will be incorporated in the structural engineering curriculum to expose students to state-of-the-art safety analysis methods.