Structural reliability analysis with ANSYS
Andre T. Beck
Engenharia de Estruturas, Escola de Engenharia de Sao Carlos, Universidade de Sao Paulo, SP _ Brazil
Edison da Rosa
Departamento de Engenharia Mecanica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, SC _ Brazil
Abstract
The paper shows how structural reliability algorithms can be incorporated into determin- istic (commercial) finite element codes and used to perform numerical structural reliability analysis based on finite element models of a structure. A structural reliability module is developed and linked to the ANSYS finite element program, creating a customized version of the program. Structural reliability analysis can be performed in the ANSYS environment,
and involves construction of a parametric finite element model, de finition of random param- eter distributions, de finition of a limit state function based on finite element results, and solution for the failure probability. Numerical examples involving truss and frame structures are studied. An application example - structural reliability analysis of an eye-bar suspension bridge - is also presented