11.09: Validation of probabilistic theory of plastic mechanism control by means of Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis work aims at the validation of the Probabilistic Theory of Plastic Mechanism Control (P‐TPMC), reported in a companion paper, by means of Monte Carlo simulations. P‐TPMC is devoted to stochastic frames with the aim to assure a collapse mechanism of global type despite of the influence of random material variability. A mechanism of global type develops when all the beams are yielded at their ends while the columns remain in elastic range with the only exception of the base sections of the first storey columns.A parametric analysis is performed considering steel moment resisting frames having different number of bays and different number of storeys. Moreover, in order to achieve a predefined level of reliability in the attainment of the design goal, the parametric analysis is also repeated for increasing values of an overstrength factor of the dissipative zones aiming to its calibration. Finally, a quadratic regression has been derived to provide a simple relationship to compute the value of the overstrength factor needed to include the influence of random material variability in the application of deterministic Theory of Plastic Mechanism Control.