Structural reliability estimation based on simulation within limited sampling region

This paper outlines an estimation method of structural failure probabilitie s based on a simulation within a limited sampling region. Samples are restr icted outside the beta-sphere and within an effective distance range. The b asic random variables are assumed to be independent normal variables and th e reliability index beta to be known. Each sample for the limited sampling region is produced by combining a random radius generated from a truncated chi-square distribution with a random directional vector generated from sta ndard normal variates. Numerical examples are presented to show the validit y of the proposed method. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.