Recent methodologies for reliability-based design optimization

Abstract

In the field of Deterministic Design Optimization (DDO), the designer reduces the structural cost without taking into account uncertainties concerning materials, geometry and loading. This way the resulting optimum solution may represent a lower level of reliability and thus a higher risk of failure. But in the Reliability-Based Design Optimization (RBDO) model, the mean values of uncertain system variables are usually used as design variables, and the cost is optimized subject to prescribed probabilistic constraints as defined by a nonlinear mathematical programming problem. Therefore, a RBDO solution that reduces the structural weight in uncritical regions does not only provide an improved design but also a higher level of confidence in the design. In this paper, we present the advantage of the DDO and RBDO models and next some recent methodologies in order to show that the RBDO model is a practical tool for structural engineers.