Reliability-Based Optimization of Geotechnical Systems
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 12
Abstract
Reliability-based optimization (RBO) intends to minimize the cost involved in a design while satisfying all technical requirements specified by using reliability theory. Although this idea is attractive, its implementation is generally difficult because an accurate evaluation of the reliability constraints is often computationally prohibitive when it is coupled with the minimization of a cost function. This paper suggests an indirect method for RBO of geotechnical systems initially on the basis of the mean first-order reliability method (MFORM). Because reliability analysis with MFORM is very efficient, the computational work involved in RBO is greatly reduced. The major concern about MFORM is that it is not an accurate reliability method. A reliability index mapping function was used to relate the reliability index calculated by MFORM to that calculated by a more accurate method. When the mapping function perfectly reflects the relationship between MFORM reliability index and that from an accurate reliability method, the RBO from MFORM and the original RBO problem are equivalent. When a perfect mapping function cannot be built, a procedure has been suggested to fine-tune the optimal design such that accurate reliability constraints can be maintained in the final optimal design. The proposed method is illustrated with two geotechnical examples: the optimal design of a shallow foundation and a gravity retaining wall.
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Acknowledgments
This research was substantially supported by the Program for Young Excellent Talents in Tongji University, Natural Science Foundation of China (UNSPECIFIEDNo. 41102174), Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (UNSPECIFIEDPCSIRT, IRT1029), National 973 Basic Research Program of China (UNSPECIFIED2011CB013800), and Research Grants Council (RGC) of the Hong Kong SAR UNSPECIFIED(No. HKUST9/CRF/09 and 622308).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 12 • December 2011
Pages: 1211 - 1221
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 16, 2009
Accepted: Apr 12, 2011
Published online: Apr 14, 2011
Published in print: Dec 1, 2011
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