Probabilistic Design for Structural Performance Considering Linear and Nonlinear Factors

Abstract

In the design of mechanical systems, structural problems result from uncertainties. Uncertainties exist in dimension, applied loads, boundary conditions, and material properties from manufacturing. Therefore, it is very important to qualify uncertainty and to define approximate deviations in manufacturing, which can be probabilistic or statistical. In this paper, a mixed integrated approach to mechanical systems with probabilistic structural characteristics is proposed. A deterministic optimization design that considers structural performance searches critical points and then a reliability-based design is performed in the interactive design steps. This interactive design can be applied to the optimization problem considering both linear and non-linear structural performances simultaneously.