Abstract
Structural reliability and structural robustness, from different research fields, are usually employed for the evaluative analysis of building and civil engineering structures. Structural reliability has been widely used for structural analysis and optimization design, while structural robustness is still in rapid development. Several dimensionless evaluation indexes have been defined for structural robustness so far, such as the structural reliability-based redundancy index. However, these different evaluation indexes are usually based on subjective definitions, and they are also difficult to put into engineering practice. The mathematical relational model between structural reliability and structural robustness has not been established yet. This paper is a quantitative study, focusing on the mathematical relation between structural reliability and structural robustness so as to further develop the theory of structural robustness. A strain energy evaluation index for structural robustness is introduced firstly by considering the energy principle. The mathematical relation model of structural reliability and structural robustness is then derived followed by a further comparative study on sensitivity, structural damage, and random variation factor. A cantilever beam and a truss beam are also presented as two case studies. In this study, a parabolic curve mathematical model between structural reliability and structural robustness is established. A significant variation trend for their sensitivities is also observed. The complex interaction mechanism of the joint effect of structural damage and random variation factor is also reflected. With consideration of the variation trend of the structural reliability index that is affected by different degrees of structural damage (mild impairment, moderate impairment, and severe impairment), a three-stage framework for structural life-cycle maintenance management is also proposed. This study can help us gain a better understanding of structural robustness and structural reliability. Some practical references are also provided for the better decision-making of maintenance and management departments.
Highlights
The structural robustness evaluation index is regarded as a variable, and the structural reliability index is regarded as an independent variable
2021, 26, 26 structural robustness evaluation index is regarded as a variable, and 9 ofthe structural reliability index is regarded as an independent variable
Details are shown as follows: The structural robustness evaluation index increases with the increase of structural reliability index
Summary
One example is structural robustness (closely relevant to the disproportionate collapse of in-service structure) [3,4,5]. Structural robustness can be reflected by the ratio of (β(yield) − β(collapse)) and β(yield) [24,26] These evaluation indexes for structural robustness are mostly subjectively defined based on the different levels of understanding of physical meanings. Further study on structural robustness evaluation index still needs to be carried out. It is still difficult to reflect the real status of this kind of structure only by structural robustness, and it is necessary to consider a combined analysis of multiple methods for a higher-level in-service structural maintenance and management. The sensitivities of structural robustness evaluation index and structural reliability index are analyzed.
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