Probabilistic parameter estimation and reliability assessment of a simulated sheet pile wall system

This paper investigates the impact of structural health monitoring (SHM) on the failure probability of a simulated sheet pile wall system. We use Bayesian statistics to estimate non-directly observable soil parameters from measured structural responses. These estimates are used to calculate the failure probability of the structure against...

Siamese Convolutional Neural Networks to Quantify Crack Pattern Similarity in Masonry Facades

This paper proposes an automated approach to predict crack pattern similarities that correlate well with assessment by structural engineers. We use Siamese convolutional neural networks (SCNN) that take two crack pattern images as inputs and output scalar similarity measures. We focus on 2D masonry facades with and without openings. The image...

Uncertainty quantification of the failure assessment diagram for flawed steel components in BS 7910:2019

The failure assessment line (FAL) describes the interaction between plastic failure and fracture of flawed steel components subjected to tension or bending. This paper quantifies the model uncertainty of the FAL as provided in the internationally used British Standard BS 7910:2019 by comparing the assessment with the actual failure load of 82...

Structural and load parameter estimation of a real-world reinforced concrete slab bridge using measurements and Bayesian statistics

This paper describes a static diagnostic load testing and measurement campaign of a reinforced concrete road bridge in Amsterdam. We consider 29 vertical translation sensors and 37 strain sensors. Multiple Bayesian parameter estima tions are performed to estimate two structural and two load parameters of a three-dimensional finite element (FE)...

Calibrating partial factors - methodology, input data and case study of steel structures

Partial factors are commonly based on expert judgements and on calibration to previous design formats. This inevitably results in unbalanced structural reliability for different types of construction materials, loads and limit states. Probabilistic calibration makes it possible to account for plentiful requirements on structural performance,...

The added vlaue of full-probabilistic nonlinear finite element analysis for the assessment of reinforced concrrete structural members

The objective of this paper is to explore the added value of full-probabilistic nonlinear finite

On the value of a reliability-based nonlinear finite element analysis approach in the assessment of concrete structures

The objective of this paper is to explore the value of reliability-based nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) over the currently available, standardized assessment methods. To our knowledge, no studies are available on this subject, and this paper provides a first insight into the value and reliability level of these assessment methods. The...

What can we gain from advanced modeling of reinforced concrete structures The added value of nonlinear finite element analysis and reliability based assessment

Using statistical and interval-based approaches to propagate snow measurement uncertainty to structural reliability

Observations are inevitably contaminated with measurement uncertainty, which is a predominant source of uncertainty in some cases. In present practice probabilistic models are typically fitted to measurements without proper consideration of this uncertainty. Hence, this study explores the effect of this simplification on structural reliability...

Assessment of compressive strength of historic masonry using non-destructive and destructive techniques

Masonry structures were built by various techniques using different materials, the properties of which exhibit a considerable scatter dependent on periods of construction and region-specific conditions. For historic structures with a heritage value, various non- or minor-destructive tests (NDTs) are commonly applied, while the application of...

Target reliability of new and existing structures: A general framework for code making

Target reliability levels, design and remaining working lifes and reference periods recommended in various national and international codes and guidelines are sometimes inconsistent. Design working lifes for new structures are typically 50 to 100 years for different types of structures. For existing structures the remaining working life is often...

The effect of copulas on time-variant reliability involving time-continuous stochastic processes

In structural reliability the dependence structure between random variables is almost exclusively modeled by Gauss (normal or Gaussian) copula; however, this implicit assumption is typically not corroborated. This paper is focusing on time-variant reliability problems with continuous stochastic processes, which are collection of dependent random...