Geometrically nonlinear finite element reliability analysis of structural systems. II: applications

This is the second part of an investigation on finite element reliability analysis of geometrically nonlinear elastic structures (GNS). This study concentrates on applications. The linkage code RELSYS-FEAP presented in the companion paper is used for finding both component and system reliabilities of GNS. Structural reliabilities are evaluated for both geometrically linear and nonlinear elastic behaviors. Two geometrically nonlinear applications are presented, including a truss and a suspended structure. The stress and displacement reliabilities of the truss are computed considering both geometrically linear and nonlinear elastic behaviors. The system reliability of a geometrically nonlinear suspended structure is evaluated. The structure is modeled as a series of parallel subsystems according to three system failure criteria. The effects of correlation between loads, correlation between resistances, and material behavior (brittle or ductile) are evaluated and discussed. Finally, displacement reliability indices of the suspended structure are computed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.