Reliability Analysis in Geotechnics with Deterministic Finite Elements — Theoretical Concepts and Practical Application

Schweiger, Helmut; Thurner, Robert; Pöttler, Rudolf

doi:10.1061/(asce)1532-3641(2001)1:4(389)

Cited by 41 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Reliability and probabilistic thinking for geostructural design (e.g., Freudenthal 1947, Kulhawy 2010) has found use in in many geotechnical design applications e.g., shallow foundation capacity (Phoon et al 2003a, 2003band Foye et al 2006a, 2006b), capacity of deep foundations (Zhang et al 2001), settlement of foundations (Akbas and Kulhawy 2009) and random-parameter finite-element methods (Schweiger 2001). If the probability of failure, which is the probability of failing to meet at least one performance requirement, is pf, then the reliability of the system is said to be rf where:…”

Section: Probability Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

Design of Geostructural Systems

Vardanega

Bolton

2016

ASCE-ASME J. Risk Uncertainty Eng. Syst., Part A: Civ. Eng.

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This paper begins with an extensive review of the literature covering the development of design rules for geostructural systems, beginning with traditional global safety factors and developing through partial factors for loads and resistances, and then considering the use of mobilization factors to limit soil strains. The paper then aims to distinguish two possible functions for geotechnical factors: to compensate for the uncertainty regarding soil strength, and to limit soil deformations that could compromise the associated structure before the soil strength can be fully mobilized, whatever it is. At present, design procedures generally conflate and confuse ultimate limit state (ULS) checks and serviceability limit state (SLS) deformation checks. Furthermore, most geotechnical engineers wrongly associate ULS with soil failure rather than with structural failure. The paper addresses this fundamental confusion by advocating mobilizable strength design (MSD), which is based on assumed soil-structure deformation mechanisms rather than soil failure mechanisms. It is argued that designs using MSD can guard against damaging structural deformations, either small deformations giving SLS or large structural deformations that must be regarded as ULS even though the associated soil strength may not yet be fully mobilized. This distinction effectively challenges much of the previous literature on limit state design principles for geotechnical applications, even where probabilistic approaches have been proposed. Nevertheless, the paper is informed by the concepts and techniques of decision making under uncertainty, and the paper concludes by considering whether MSD can also be placed in a reliability framework.

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Section: Probability Of Failurementioning

confidence: 99%

Design of Geostructural Systems

Vardanega

Bolton

2016

ASCE-ASME J. Risk Uncertainty Eng. Syst., Part A: Civ. Eng.

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“…In a relatively similar research topic Schweiger et al (2001) proposed a comprehensive procedure for combining probabilistic concepts and deterministic finite element methods for geotechnical analysis. They employed Bayes' theorem to arrive at input parameters for the calculations combining different sources of information.…”

Section: Application Of Reliability In Tunnel Engineeringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reliability analysis of idealized tunnel support system using probability-based methods with case studies

Gharouni-Nik

Naeimi

Ahadi

et al. 2014

Int J Adv Struct Eng

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In order to determine the overall safety of a tunnel support lining, a reliability-based approach is presented in this paper. Support elements in jointed rock tunnels are provided to control the ground movement caused by stress redistribution during the tunnel drive. Main support elements contribute to stability of the tunnel structure are recognized owing to identify various aspects of reliability and sustainability in the system. The selection of efficient support methods for rock tunneling is a key factor in order to reduce the number of problems during construction and maintain the project cost and time within the limited budget and planned schedule. This paper introduces a smart approach by which decision-makers will be able to find the overall reliability of tunnel support system before selecting the final scheme of the lining system. Due to this research focus, engineering reliability which is a branch of statistics and probability is being appropriately applied to the field and much effort has been made to use it in tunneling while investigating the reliability of the lining support system for the tunnel structure. Therefore, reliability analysis for evaluating the tunnel support performance is the main idea used in this research. Decomposition approaches are used for producing system block diagram and determining the failure probability of the whole system. Effectiveness of the proposed reliability model of tunnel lining together with the recommended approaches is examined using several case studies and the final value of reliability obtained for different designing scenarios. Considering the idea of linear correlation between safety factors and reliability parameters, the values of isolated reliabilities determined for different structural components of tunnel support system. In order to determine individual safety factors, finite element modeling is employed for different structural subsystems and the results of numerical analyses are obtained in different design scenarios. Finally, the reliability index values are obtained for the entire support structure in different design scenarios. The results of the work demonstrates that proposed reliability evaluation method of tunnel support system is effective not only for investigating the reliability of individual elements in the structure, but also for building an overall estimation about reliability performance of the entire tunnel structure.

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“…[1][2][3][4][5] During the past decades, probabilistic methods are increasingly being used in geotechnical engineering, [6][7][8][9][10][11] in which uncertain variables are modeled as random variables, and the performance of the geotechnical system is measured in terms of the failure probability. Various methods can be used for geotechnical reliability analysis, such as the point estimate method, 12,13 first-order reliability method (FORM), 14,15 second order reliability method, 16,17 and Monte Carlo simulation. [18][19][20] As it is often computationally efficient and reasonably accurate, FORM 21,22 has found widespread application.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A FORM‐based approach for probabilistic analysis in geotechnics: Application to a reinforced concrete drainage culvert

Zhang

Zheng

Cai

et al. 2019

Num Anal Meth Geomechanics

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Summary As numerical models are increasingly used as a design tool in geotechnical engineering, it is highly desirable if geotechnical reliability analysis can be conducted based on numeral models. Currently, the practical use of geotechnical reliability analysis‐based numerical models is still quite limited. In this study, an easy to access method is derived to conduct geotechnical reliability analysis based on numerical models. To facilitate its application, a procedure is outlined to implement the suggested method such that geotechnical reliability analysis can be automated using existing geotechnical numerical packages. The procedure is illustrated in detail with an example, and the source codes provided can be easily adapted to analyze other similar problems. The method described in this paper is used to study the reliability of a deteriorating reinforced concrete drainage culvert in Shanghai, China. The suggested method provides a convenient means for reliability analysis of complex geotechnical problems.

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Reliability Analysis in Geotechnics with Deterministic Finite Elements — Theoretical Concepts and Practical Application

Cited by 41 publications

References 15 publications

Design of Geostructural Systems

Design of Geostructural Systems

Reliability analysis of idealized tunnel support system using probability-based methods with case studies

A FORM‐based approach for probabilistic analysis in geotechnics: Application to a reinforced concrete drainage culvert

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