Abstract
A method for the reliability analysis of brittle structures subjected to random loads is proposed. The method is based on the weakest-link hypothesis and Weibull statistics for brittle materials. Initial flaws with a given expected size are assumed to be distributed at random with a certain density per unit volume. Basic concepts in random vibration theory and fracture mechanics are utilized in evaluating stress statistics, crack propagation and strength degradation. A structure fails when the stress intensity at any flaw reaches a critical value for rapid crack propagation. The failure of the structure is modeled as the first exceedance in random vibration theory. The effects of multi-vibration modes on the failure probability of the structure are included in the formulation. The evaluation of stress distribution and the computation of failure probability can be accomplished in a finite element analysis. Numerical examples on the evaluation of lifetime reliabilities of structures are given to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.
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