Reliability analysis of planar truss designed by AISC 360-16

Abstract

Reliability-based design codes specify the load and resistance factors established through a probabilistic framework, and no probabilistic calculation is performed in the design process. However, without probabilistic analyses, the uniformity and consistency of the design solutions may not be ensured. This study adopted a fully probabilistic analysis to assess the probabilistic safety levels of steel trusses designed by AISC 360-16. First, the truss structures were designed using the load and resistance factors as per the design code. Subsequently, Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to evaluate the probabilistic safety levels of the design solutions. The safety levels were then compared with those predefined in the design codes. These comparisons help assess the uniformity and consistency of the design solutions. In addition, the probabilistic results provide insight into the feasibility of the load and resistance factors in the design code.