Reliability analysis of space exploration truss support structures

An adaptive reliability estimation technique for three-dimensional trusses used in space exploration applications is proposed. Both component-level an d system-level reliability issues are addressed. For individual member-leve l performance criteria, efficient analytical methods are implemented for re liability estimation. Multiple potential failure paths are considered for s ystem-level performance, and a hybrid adaptive sampling technique is propos ed by combining the best features of analytical and sampling methods. A sig nificant failure path is enumerated using analytical reliability estimation and branch and bound search. An adaptive importance sampling method is use d to identify other significant failure paths. The proposed methodology is illustrated for application to a simplified solar array support truss, usin g a commercial finite element code.