FINITE-ELEMENT FRACTURE RELIABILITY OF STOCHASTIC STRUCTURES

This study presents a methodology for the system reliability analysis of cracked structures with random material properties, which are model ed as random fields, and crack geometry under random static loads. The finite element method provides the computational framework to obtain the stress intensity solutions, and the first-order reliability method provides the basis for modeling and analysis of uncertainties. The ul timate structural system reliability is effectively evaluated by the s table configuration approach. Numerical examples are given for the cas e of random fracture toughness and load.