Geometrically nonlinear finite element reliability analysis of structural systems. II: applications

This is the second part of an investigation on finite element reliability a nalysis of geometrically nonlinear elastic structures (GNS). This study con centrates on applications. The linkage code RELSYS-FEAP presented in the co mpanion paper is used for finding both component and system reliabilities o f GNS. Structural reliabilities are evaluated for both geometrically linear and nonlinear elastic behaviors. Two geometrically nonlinear applications are presented, including a truss and a suspended structure. The stress and displacement reliabilities of the truss are computed considering both geome trically linear and nonlinear elastic behaviors. The system reliability of a geometrically nonlinear suspended structure is evaluated. The structure i s modeled as a series of parallel subsystems according to three system fail ure criteria. The effects of correlation between loads, correlation between resistances, and material behavior (brittle or ductile) are evaluated and discussed. Finally, displacement reliability indices of the suspended struc ture are computed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.