Reliability assessment for the critical buckling load of SDTS columns with the tubular cross-section

Abstract

The symmetric double tapered steel (SDTS) columns with tubular cross-section (TC) are common structures in the civil and industrial engineering because of its bearing capacity and aesthetics advantages. However, determining the critical buckling load (CBL) of the SDTS column with TC is not specified in the design standards. Meanwhile, the quality inspection and testing of the bearing capacity of this structure are necessary problems. On the other hand, the CBL of the SDTS column with TC depends on the geometrical and material parameters, which are random variables in practices. This paper aims to perform the reliability assessment of CBL of the SDTS column with TC considering geometrical and material random parameters. To achieve the goal, the deterministic model is built based on the CBL of the SDTS column with TC using the Bubnov-Galerkin method. Meanwhile, the stochastic model is established based on the deterministic model, in which the geometrical and material are random parameters. Finally, the reliability assessment is conducted using the Monte Carlo simulation method. The sensitivity effect of the input parameters on the reliability value is also investigated in this study.