Fuzzy sets in seismic inelastic analysis and design of reinforced concrete frames

In this paper, a new approach to the problem of estimating the structural response of systems with uncertain characteristics is presented. The approach is based on the theory of fuzzy sets, which allow the designers to describe the uncertain variables. The method is presented briefly in the following. First, the uncertain parameters are expressed as fuzzy numbers with specific characteristics. The concurrent effect of the various uncertainties on the structural response is obtained by applying methodologies of the theory of fuzzy sets. Then the output parameters of the design process as, e.g. the displacements or the stresses of the structure are obtained as new fuzzy numbers expressing the uncertainties of the output parameters. Finally, numerical applications on a number of relatively simple structural systems give an idea of the applicability of the proposed methodology in various aspects of the design process. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.