Structural reliability analysis of elasto-plastic structures

Limit and shakedown theorems are exact theories of classical plasticity for the direct computation of the load carrying capacity of structures under constant and varying loads. The theorems may be used for a direct definition of the limit state function for failure by plastic collapse or by inadaptation. The theorems are implemented into a general purpose FEM program in a way capable of large-scale analysis. Then the Limit state function is obtained from a mathematical optimization problem. This direct approach reduces considerably the necessary knowledge of uncertain technological input data, the computing time, and the numerical error. Moreover, the direct way leads to highly effective and precise reliability analyses.