Some applications of probabilistic methods in space structures design

Abstract

Abstract The paper presents some of the author's recent results on the use of probabilistic methods in space structures design which have been published in the Russian literature and their generalizations. The main objective is to show the advantages of using probabilistic and statistical concepts in design. The application of probabilistic methods in space design is divided into two parts. The first one is devoted to safety factor estimation in the framework of Deterministic Design but on an appropriate statistical basis. The second part is concerned mainly with (i) so-called Optimum Probabilistic Design where only probabilistic concepts are used and (ii) its further generalization which combines a theoretical model and its experimental verifications under statistical concepts. A Bayesian approach and the bootstrap method are used for solving the attendant problems of statistical estimation. All the theoretical results can be used as a good foundation for computer procedures in engineering design.