Interval optimization based line sampling method for fuzzy and random reliability analysis

For structural system with fuzzy variables as well as random variables, a novel algorithm for obtaining membership function of fuzzy reliability is presented on interval optimization based Line Sampling (LS) method. In the presented algorithm, the value domain of the fuzzy variables under the given membership level is firstly obtained according to their membership functions. Then, in the value domain of the fuzzy variables, bounds of reliability of the structure are obtained by the nesting analysis of the interval optimization, which is performed by modern heuristic methods, and reliability analysis, which is achieved by the LS method in the reduced space of the random variables. In this way the uncertainties of the input variables are propagated to the safety measurement of the structure, and the membership function of the fuzzy reliability is obtained. The presented algorithm not only inherits the advantage of the direct Monte Carlo method in propagating and distinguishing the fuzzy and random uncertainties, but also can improve the computational efficiency tremendously in case of acceptable precision. Several examples are used to illustrate the advantages of the presented algorithm. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.