Assessment of Variable Uncertainties for Reliability-Based Design of Foundations
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 9
Abstract
LRFD shows promise as a viable alternative to the present working stress design (WSD) approach to shallow foundation design. The key improvements of LRFD over the traditional WSD are the ability to provide a more consistent level of reliability and the possibility of accounting for load and resistance uncertainties separately. For LRFD to gain acceptance in geotechnical engineering, a framework for the objective assessment of resistance factors is needed. Such a framework, based on reliability analysis, is proposed in this paper. Probability density functions (PDFs), representing design variable uncertainties, are required for analysis. A systematic approach to the selection of PDFs is presented. A procedure such as that proposed provides a rational probabilistic basis for the development of LRFD methods in geotechnical engineering.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Joint Transportation Research Program, administered by the Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue University. The contents of this paper reflect the views of the writers, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Federal Highway Administration and the Indiana Department of Transportation, nor do the contents constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 9 • September 2006
Pages: 1197 - 1207
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Mar 17, 2003
Accepted: Jan 31, 2005
Published online: Sep 1, 2006
Published in print: Sep 2006
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