Technical Papers
Oct 29, 2019

Structural Reliability Analysis with Conditional Importance Sampling Method Based on the Law of Total Expectation and Variance in Subintervals

Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 146, Issue 1

Abstract

In this paper, a new approach is proposed to estimate the probability of failure in structural reliability analysis. This method is based on the law of total expectation and variance in subintervals, and it combines the conditional Monte Carlo method and the importance sampling method. The conditional input variable can be chosen from the estimates of variance-based sensitivity measures with one set of samples. In addition, the optimal sample size in each subinterval can also be estimated with the same set of samples. The proposed method has a higher rate of convergence compared to the importance sampling method. The numerical and engineering examples show the efficiency of the proposed method.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. NSFC 51775439). The authors are also thankful to the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments.

References

Au, S. K., J. Ching, and J. L. Beck. 2007. “Application of subset simulation methods to reliability benchmark problems.” Struct. Saf. 29 (3): 183–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2006.07.008.
Choi, S.-K., R. V. Grandhi, and R. A. Canfield. 2007. Reliability-based structural design. London: Springer.
Cornell, C. A. 1969. “A probability-based structural code.” In Vol. 66 of Journal Proceedings, 974–985. Farmington Hills, MI: American Concrete Institute.
Der Kiureghian, A., and T. Dakessian. 1998. “Multiple design points in first and second-order reliability.” Struct. Saf. 20 (1): 37–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-4730(97)00026-X.
Der Kiureghian, A., and M. De Stefano. 1991. “Efficient algorithm for second-order reliability analysis.” J. Eng. Mech. 117 (12): 2904–2923. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1991)117:12(2904).
Der Kiureghian, A., H. Lin, and S. Hwang. 1987. “Second-order reliability approximations.” J. Eng. Mech. 113 (8): 1208–1225. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1987)113:8(1208).
Du, X., and Z. Hu. 2012. “First order reliability method with truncated random variables.” J. Mech. Des. 134 (9): 091005. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4007150.
Elegbede, C. 2005. “Structural reliability assessment based on particles swarm optimization.” Struct. Saf. 27 (2): 171–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2004.10.003.
Fiessler, B., R. Rackwitz, and H.-J. Neumann. 1979. “Quadratic limit states in structural reliability.” J. Eng. Mech. Div. 105 (4): 661–676.
Fishman, G. 1996. Monte Carlo: Concepts, algorithms, and applications. New York: Springer.
Hasofer, A. M., and N. C. Lind. 1974. “Exact and invariant second-moment code format.” J. Eng. Mech. Div. 100 (1): 111–121.
Hong, Y. J., J. Xing, and J. B. Wang. 1999. “A second-order third-moment method for calculating the reliability of fatigue.” Int. J. Press. Vessels Pip. 76 (8): 567–570. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-0161(99)00013-7.
Huang, J., and D. V. Griffiths. 2011. “Observations on FORM in a simple geomechanics example.” Struct. Saf. 33 (1): 115–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2010.10.001.
Ibrahim, Y. 1991. “Observations on applications of importance sampling in structural reliability analysis.” Struct. Saf. 9 (4): 269–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-4730(91)90049-F.
Lu, Z., S. Song, Z. Yue, and J. Wang. 2008. “Reliability sensitivity method by line sampling.” Struct. Saf. 30 (6): 517–532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2007.10.001.
Melchers, R. E. 1994. “Structural system reliability assessment using directional simulation.” Struct. Saf. 16 (1–2): 23–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-4730(94)00026-M.
Melchers, R. E., and A. T. Beck. 2018. Chap.3 in Structural reliability analysis and prediction. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Miao, F., and M. Ghosn. 2011. “Modified subset simulation method for reliability analysis of structural systems.” Struct. Saf. 33 (4–5): 251–260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2011.02.004.
Nie, J., and B. R. Ellingwood. 2000. “Directional methods for structural reliability analysis.” Struct. Saf. 22 (3): 233–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-4730(00)00014-X.
Olsson, A., G. Sandberg, and O. Dahlblom. 2003. “On Latin hypercube sampling for structural reliability analysis.” Struct. Saf. 25 (1): 47–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-4730(02)00039-5.
Ono, T., and H. Idota. 1986. “Development of high-order moment standardization method into structural design and its efficiency.” [In Japanese.] J. Struct. Constr. Eng. 365: 40–47.
Pradlwarter, H. J., G. I. Schuëller, P. S. Koutsourelakis, and D. C. Charmpis. 2007. “Application of line sampling simulation method to reliability benchmark problems.” Struct. Saf. 29 (3): 208–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2006.07.009.
Rackwitz, R., and B. Flessler. 1978. “Structural reliability under combined random load sequences.” Comput. Struct. 9 (5): 489–494. https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-7949(78)90046-9.
Rahman, S., and D. Wei. 2006. “A univariate approximation at most probable point for higher-order reliability analysis.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 43 (9): 2820–2839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2005.05.053.
Rashki, M., M. Miri, and M. Azhdary Moghaddam. 2012. “A new efficient simulation method to approximate the probability of failure and most probable point.” Struct. Saf. 39 (Nov): 22–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2012.06.003.
Rubinstein, R. Y., and D. P. Kroese. 2008. Chap. 5 in Simulation and the Monte Carlo method. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley.
Schuëller, G. I., and R. Stix. 1987. “A critical appraisal of methods to determine failure probabilities.” Struct. Saf. 4 (4): 293–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-4730(87)90004-X.
Tichý, M. 1994. “First-order third-moment reliability method.” Struct. Saf. 16 (3): 189–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-4730(94)00021-H.
Wang, P., Z. Lu, and Z. Tang. 2013. “An application of the Kriging method in global sensitivity analysis with parameter uncertainty.” Appl. Math. Modell. 37 (9): 6543–6555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2013.01.019.
Weiss, N. A., P. T. Holmes, and M. Hardy. 2006. A course in probability. Boston: Pearson Addison Wesley.
Xiao, S., and Z. Lu. 2016. “Structural reliability analysis using combined space partition technique and unscented transformation.” J. Struct. Eng. 142 (11): 04016089. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0001553.
Xiao, S., and Z. Lu. 2018. “Reliability analysis by combining higher-order unscented transformation and fourth-moment method.” ASCE-ASME J. Risk Uncertainty Eng. Syst. Part A: Civ. Eng. 4 (1): 04017034. https://doi.org/10.1061/AJRUA6.0000944.
Xiao, S., Z. Lu, and L. Xu. 2017. “Global sensitivity analysis based on random variables with interval parameters by metamodel-based optimization.” Int. J. Syst. Sci.: Oper. Logist. 5 (3): 268–281. https://doi.org/10.1080/23302674.2017.1296600.
Zhai, Q., J. Yang, and Y. Zhao. 2014. “Space-partition method for the variance-based sensitivity analysis: Optimal partition scheme and comparative study.” Reliab. Eng. Syst. Saf. 131 (Nov): 66–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2014.06.013.
Zhao, Y.-G., and Z.-H. Lu. 2007a. “Applicable range of the fourth-moment method for structural reliability.” J. Asian Archit. Build. Eng. 6 (1): 151–158. https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.6.151.
Zhao, Y.-G., and Z.-H. Lu. 2007b. “Fourth-moment standardization for structural reliability assessment.” J. Struct. Eng. 133 (7): 916–924. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2007)133:7(916).
Zhao, Y.-G., and T. Ono. 1999. “A general procedure for first/second-order reliability method (FORM/SORM)” Struct. Saf. 21 (2): 95–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-4730(99)00008-9.
Zhao, Y.-G., and T. Ono. 2001. “Moment methods for structural reliability.” Struct. Saf. 23 (1): 47–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-4730(00)00027-8.
Zhao, Y.-G., and T. Ono. 2004. “On the problems of the fourth moment method.” Struct. Saf. 26 (3): 343–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strusafe.2003.10.001.
Zio, E. 2013. The Monte Carlo simulation method for system reliability and risk analysis. London: Springer.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 146Issue 1January 2020

History

Received: May 16, 2017
Accepted: May 17, 2019
Published online: Oct 29, 2019
Published in print: Jan 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Mar 29, 2020

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Ph.D. Student, School of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical Univ., Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China. Email: [email protected]
Zhenzhou Lu [email protected]
Professor, School of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical Univ., Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072, China (corresponding author). Email: [email protected]

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share