• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.367-382
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• 2015

This paper aims to conduct the reliability-based assessment of the welded joint in the orthotropic steel bridge deck by use of a mesh-insensitive structural stress (MISS) method, which is an effective numerical procedure to determine the reliable stress distribution adjacent to the weld toe. Both the solid element model and the shell element model are first established to investigate the sensitivity of the element size and the element type in calculating the structural stress under different loading scenarios. In order to achieve realistic condition assessment of the welded joint, the probabilistic approach based on the structural reliability theory is adopted to derive the reliability index and the failure probability by taking into account the uncertainties inherent in the material properties and load conditions. The limit state function is formulated in terms of the structural resistance of the material and the load effect which is described by the structural stress obtained by the MISS method. The reliability index is computed by use of the first-order reliability method (FORM), and compared with a target reliability index to facilitate the safety assessment. The results achieved from this study reveal that the calculation of the structural stress using the MISS method is insensitive to the element size and the element type, and the obtained structural stress results serve as a reliable basis for structural reliability analysis.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.45-56
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• 2018

Wind damage of urban trees arises to be a serious issue especially in the typhoon-prone areas. As a family of tree species widely-planted in Southeast China, the structural behaviors of Plane tree is investigated. In order to accommodate the complexities of tree morphology, a fractal theory based finite element modeling method is proposed. On-site measurement of Plane trees is performed for physical definition of structural parameters. It is revealed that modal frequencies of Plane trees distribute in a manner of grouped dense-frequencies; bending is the main mode of structural failure. In conjunction with the probability density evolution method, the fragility assessment of urban trees subjected to wind excitations is then proceeded. Numerical results indicate that small-size segments such as secondary branches feature a relatively higher failure risk in a low wind level, and a relatively lower failure risk in a high wind level owing to windward shrinks. Besides, the trunk of Plane tree is the segment most likely to be damaged than other segments in case of high winds. The failure position tends to occur at the connection between trunk and primary branches, where the logical protections and reinforcement measures can be implemented for mitigating the wind damage.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.102-109
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• 2001

In order to take account of the statistical properties of probability variables used in the structural analysis, the conventional approach using the safety factor based on past experience usually estimated the safety of a structure. The real structures could only be analyzed with the error in estimation of loads, material characters and the dimensions of the members. But the errors should be considered systematically in the structural analysis. Structural safety could not precisely be appraised by the traditional structural design concept. Recently, new approach based on the probability concept has been applied to the assessment of structural safety using the reliability concept. Thus, the computer program by the Probabilistic FEM is developed by incorporating the probabilistic concept into the conventional FEM method. This paper estimated for the reliability of a plane stress structure by Advanced First-Order Second Moment method using von Mises, Tresca and Mohr-Coulomb failure criterions. The reliability index and failure probability of attained by the Monte Carlo Simulation method with the von Mises criterion were same as PFEM, but the Monte Carlo Simulation were very time-consuming. The variance of member thickness and load could influence the reliability and failure probability most sensitively among the design variables from the results of the parameter analysis. And proper failure criterion must be used to design safely.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 1990.10a
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• pp.22-27
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• 1990

Since an eigenvalue problem in structural analysis has been recognized as an important process for the assessment of structural strength, it is usually to be carried out the eigenvalue analysis or buckling analysis of structures when the compression behabiour of the member is dorminant. In general, various variables involved in the eigenvalue problem have also shown their variability. So it is natural to apply the probabilistic analysis into such problem. Since the limit state equation for the eigenvalue analysis or buckling reliability analysis is expressed implicitly in terms of random variables involved, the probabilistic finite element method is combined with the conventional reliability method such as MVFOSM and AFOSM for the determination of probability of failure due to buckling. The accuracy of the results obtained by this method is compared with results from the Monte Carlo simulations. Importance sampling method is specially chosen for overcomming the difficulty in a large simulation number needed for appropriate accurate result. From the results of the case study, it is found that the method developed here has shown good performance for the calculation of probability of buckling failure and could be used for checking the safety of the calculation of probability of buckling failure and could be used for checking the safely of frame structure which might be collapsed by either yielding or buckling.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.295-300
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• 2007

Probabilistic Risk Assessment considering statistically random variables is performed for the preliminary design of a Arch Bridge. Component reliabilities of girders have been evaluated using the response surfaces of the design variables at the selected critical sections based on the maximum shear and negative moment locations. Response Surface Method (RSM) is successfully applied for reliability analyses for this relatively small probability of failure of the complex structure, which is hard to be obtained by Monte-Carlo Simulations or by First Order Second Moment Method that can not easily calculate the derivative terms of implicit limit state functions. For the analysis of system reliability, parallel resistance system composed of girders is changed into parallel series connection system. The upper and lower probabilities of failure for the structural system have been evaluated and compared with the suggested prediction method for the combination of failure modes. The suggested prediction method for the combination of failure modes reveals the unexpected combinations of element failures in significant]y reduced time and efforts compared with the previous permutation method or system reliability analysis method.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2014

In this study, the probabilistic internal pressure fragility analysis was performed by using the non-linear finite element analysis method. The target structure is one of the containment buildings of typical domestic pressurized water reactors(PWRs). The 3-dimensional finite element model of the containment building was developed with considering the large equipment hatches. To consider uncertainties in the material properties and structural capacities, we performed the sensitivity analysis of the ultimate pressure capacity with respect to the variation of four important uncertain parameters. The results of the sensitivity analysis were used to the selection of the probabilistic variables and the determination of their probabilistic parameters. To reflect the present condition of the tendon pre-stressing force, the data of the pre-stressing force acquired from the in-service inspections of tendon forces were used for the determination of the median value. Two failure modes(leak, rupture) were considered and their limit states were defined to assess the internal pressure fragility of target containment building. The internal pressure fragilities for each failure mode were evaluated in terms of median internal pressure capacity, high confidence low probability of failure(HCLPF) capacity, and fragility curves with respect to the confidence levels. The HCLPF capacity was 115.9 psig for leak failure mode, and 125.0 psig for rupture failure mode.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.31-37
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• 2011

Pressurized Water Reactor Owners Group(PWROG) proposed and applied a risk-informed inservice inspection(RI-ISI) program to alternate existing ASME Section XI periodic inspections. The RI-ISI programs enhance overall safety by focusing inspections of piping at high safety significant(HSS) and locations where failure mechanisms are likely to be present, and by improving the effectiveness on inspection of components because the examination methods are based on the postulated failure mode and the configuration of the piping structural element. The RI-ISI programs can reduce NDE, man-rem exposure, costs of engineering analysis, outage duration and chance of complicating plant operations etc. RI-ISI methods of piping inservice inspection were applied on 3 units(KSNP : Korea Standard Nuclear Power Plant) and are scheduled to apply on the other units. In this paper, we compared and showed the results of the 2 units and we concluded that the RI-ISI application could enhance and maintain plant safety and give unquantifiable benefits.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.567-575
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• 2001

In order to consider statistical properties of probability variables used in the structural analysis the conventional approach using the safety factor based on past experience usually estimated the safety of a structure Also the real structures could only be analyzed with the error in estimation of loads material characters and the dimensions of the members. But the errors should be considered systematically in the structural analysis Safety of structure could not precisely be appraised by the traditional structural design concept Recently new aproach based on the probability concept has been applied to the assessment of structural safety using the reliability concept Thus the computer program by the Probabilitstic FEM is developed by incorporating the probabilistic concept into the conventional FEM method. This paper estimated for the reliability of a plane stress structure by Advanced First-Order Second Moment method using von Mises, Tresca and Mohr-Coulomb failure criterions. Verification of the reliability index and failure probability of attained by the Monte Carlo Simulation method with the von Mises criterion were same as PFEM, but the Monte Carlo Simulation were very time-consuming. The variance of member thickness and load could influence the reliability and failure probability most sensitively among the design variables from the results of the parameter analysis. The proper failure criterion according to characteristic of materials must be used for safe design.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.21 no.6 s.78
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• pp.74-81
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• 2006

Probabilistic Risk Assessment considering statistically random variables is performed for the preliminary design of a Arch Bridge. Component reliabilities of girders have been evaluated using the response surfaces of the design variables at the selected critical sections based on the maximum shear and negative moment locations. Response Surface Method(RSM) is successfully applied for reliability analyses for this relatively small probability of failure of the complex structure, which is hard to be obtained by Monte-Carlo Simulations or by First Order Second Moment Method that can not easily calculate the derivative terms of implicit limit state functions. For the analysis of system reliability, parallel resistance system composed of girders is changed into parallel series connection system. The upper and lower probabilities of failure for the structural system have been evaluated and compared with the suggested prediction method for the combination of failure modes. The suggested prediction method for the combination of failure modes reveals the unexpected combinations of element failures in significantly reduced time and efforts compared with the previous permutation method or system reliability analysis method.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2010.04a
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• pp.653-656
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• 2010

월성 1호기 격납건물에 대하여 극한내압하중에 대한 확률론적 취약도 평가를 수행하였다. 격납건물 성능의 불확실성은 가동중 검사 결과를 통해 얻어진 재료 물성치 중앙값과 텐던 긴장력 중앙값을 적용하여 고려하였다. 격납건물은 개구부를 고려하여 3차원 유한요소로 모델링하였으며, 확률론적 취약도 평가를 위하여 대규모의 비선형 유한요소 해석 모델을 적용하기에 적합한 효율적인 취약도 평가 기법을 개발하였다. 월성 1호기 격납건물에 대한 취약도 평가 결과, 벽체 중단부가 극한내압발생으로 인한 방사능물질 누출에 가장 취약한 것으로 나타났으며, 중앙값 성능은 약 55psi, 고신뢰도 저파괴 파괴확률값인 HCLPF(High Confidence Low Probability of Failure)는 약 29psi를 나타내었다.