A Second-Order Reliability Method With First-Order Efficiency

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junfu Zhang ◽  
Xiaoping Du

The first-order reliability method (FORM) is efficient but may not be accurate for nonlinear limit-state functions. The second-order reliability method (SORM) is more accurate but less efficient. To maintain both high accuracy and efficiency, we propose a new second-order reliability analysis method with first-order efficiency. The method first performs the FORM to identify the most probable point (MPP). Then, the associated limit-state function is decomposed into additive univariate functions at the MPP. Each univariate function is further approximated by a quadratic function. The cumulant generating function of the approximated limit-state function is then available so that saddlepoint approximation can be easily applied in computing the probability of failure. The accuracy of the new method is comparable to that of the SORM, and its efficiency is in the same order of magnitude as the FORM.

Author(s):  
Xiaoping Du ◽  
Junfu Zhang

The widely used First Order Reliability Method (FORM) is efficient, but may not be accurate for nonlinear limit-state functions. The Second Order Reliability Method (SORM) is more accurate but less efficient. To maintain both high accuracy and efficiency, we propose a new second order reliability analysis method with first order efficiency. The method first performs the FORM and identifies the Most Probable Point (MPP). Then the associated limit-state function is decomposed into additive univariate functions at the MPP. Each univariate function is further approximated as a quadratic function, which is created with the gradient information at the MPP and one more point near the MPP. The cumulant generating function of the approximated limit-state function is then available so that saddlepoint approximation can be easily applied for computing the probability of failure. The accuracy of the new method is comparable to that of the SORM, and its efficiency is in the same order of magnitude as the FORM.


2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deshun Liu ◽  
Yehui Peng

In this paper, two second-order methods are proposed for reliability analysis. First, general random variables are transformed to standard normal random variables. Then, the limit-state function is additively decomposed into one-dimensional functions, which are then expanded at the mean-value point to second-order terms. The approximated limit-state function becomes the sum of independent variables following noncentral chi-square distributions or normal distributions. The first method computes the probability of failure by the saddle-point approximation. If a saddle-point does not exist, the second method is then used. The second method approximates the limit-state function by a quadratic function with independent variables following normal distributions with the same variances. This treatment leads to a quadratic function that follows a noncentral chi-square distribution. These methods generally produce more accurate reliability approximations than the first-order reliability method (FORM) with 2n + 1 function evaluations, where n is the dimension of the problem. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is demonstrated with three examples, and the proposed methods are compared with the first- and second-order reliability methods (SROMs).


2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios I. Papadimitriou ◽  
Zissimos P. Mourelatos

A reliability-based topology optimization (RBTO) approach is presented using a new mean-value second-order saddlepoint approximation (MVSOSA) method to calculate the probability of failure. The topology optimizer uses a discrete adjoint formulation. MVSOSA is based on a second-order Taylor expansion of the limit state function at the mean values of the random variables. The first- and second-order sensitivity derivatives of the limit state cumulant generating function (CGF), with respect to the random variables in MVSOSA, are computed using direct-differentiation of the structural equations. Third-order sensitivity derivatives, including the sensitivities of the saddlepoint, are calculated using the adjoint approach. The accuracy of the proposed MVSOSA reliability method is demonstrated using a nonlinear mathematical example. Comparison with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) shows that MVSOSA is more accurate than mean-value first-order saddlepoint approximation (MVFOSA) and more accurate than mean-value second-order second-moment (MVSOSM) method. Finally, the proposed RBTO-MVSOSA method for minimizing a compliance-based probability of failure is demonstrated using two two-dimensional beam structures under random loading. The density-based topology optimization based on the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) method is utilized.


Author(s):  
Dimitrios Papadimitriou ◽  
Zissimos P. Mourelatos

A reliability-based topology optimization (RBTO) approach is presented using a new mean-value second-order saddlepoint approximation (MVSOSA) method to calculate the probability of failure. The topology optimizer is based on a discrete adjoint formulation. MVSOSA is based on a second-order Taylor expansion of the limit state function at the mean values of the random variables. The first and second-order sensitivity derivatives of the limit state cumulant generating function with respect to the random variables in MVSOSA, are computed using direct-differentiation of the structural equations. Third-order sensitivity derivatives, including the sensitivities of the saddlepoint, are computed using the adjoint approach. The accuracy of the proposed MVSOSA reliability method is demonstrated using a nonlinear mathematical example. The results are compared with the available mean value first-order saddlepoint approximation (MVFOSA) method and Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, the proposed RBTO-MVSOSA method for minimizing compliance-based probability of failure, is demonstrated using two 2D beam structures under random loading.


Author(s):  
Zhangli Hu ◽  
Xiaoping Du

Abstract Reliability depends on time if the associated limit-state function includes time. A time-dependent reliability problem can be converted into a time-independent reliability problem by using the extreme value of the limit-state function. Then the first order reliability method can be used but it may produce a large error since the extreme limit-state function is usually highly nonlinear. This study proposes a new reliability method so that the second order reliability method can be applied to time-dependent reliability analysis for higher accuracy while maintaining high efficiency. The method employs sequential efficient global optimization to transform the time-dependent reliability analysis into the time-independent problem. The Hessian approximation and envelope theorem are used to obtain the second order information of the extreme limit-state function. Then the second order saddlepoint approximation is use to evaluate the reliability. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are verified through numerical examples.


Author(s):  
Rami Mansour ◽  
Mårten Olsson

Abstract In the Second-Order Reliability Method, the limit-state function is approximated by a hyper-parabola in standard normal and uncorrelated space. However, there is no exact closed form expression for the probability of failure based on a hyper-parabolic limit-state function and the existing approximate formulas in the literature have been shown to have major drawbacks. Furthermore, in applications such as Reliability-based Design Optimization, analytical expressions, not only for the probability of failure but also for probabilistic sensitivities, are highly desirable for efficiency reasons. In this paper, a novel Second-Order Reliability Method is presented. The proposed expression is a function of three statistical measures: the Cornell Reliability Index, the skewness and the Kurtosis of the hyper-parabola. These statistical measures are functions of the First-Order Reliability Index and the curvatures at the Most Probable Point. Furthermore, analytical sensitivities with respect to mean values of random variables and deterministic variables are presented. The sensitivities can be seen as the product of the sensitivities computed using the First-Order Reliability Method and a correction factor. The proposed expressions are studied and their applicability to Reliability-based Design Optimization is demonstrated.


Author(s):  
Zhangli Hu ◽  
Xiaoping Du

In traditional reliability problems, the distribution of a basic random variable is usually unimodal; in other words, the probability density of the basic random variable has only one peak. In real applications, some basic random variables may follow bimodal distributions with two peaks in their probability density. When binomial variables are involved, traditional reliability methods, such as the first-order second moment (FOSM) method and the first-order reliability method (FORM), will not be accurate. This study investigates the accuracy of using the saddlepoint approximation (SPA) for bimodal variables and then employs SPA-based reliability methods with first-order approximation to predict the reliability. A limit-state function is at first approximated with the first-order Taylor expansion so that it becomes a linear combination of the basic random variables, some of which are bimodally distributed. The SPA is then applied to estimate the reliability. Examples show that the SPA-based reliability methods are more accurate than FOSM and FORM.


Author(s):  
Carl E. Jaske ◽  
Panos Topalis ◽  
Wong Sin Loong ◽  
Azura Sharina Md Sidek

Risk-based inspection (RBI) methodologies are widely used by industry to develop effective inspection programs for pressure vessels and piping. The RBI approach use data on equipment design, maintenance, and operation along with inspection history to evaluate both the likelihood and consequences of failure. RBI results provide a basis for selecting inspection methods and establishing inspection intervals and coverage. API RP 580 provides guidance on developing a RBI program for fixed equipment and piping, while API RP 581 provides quantitative procedures for establishing RBI methodology. Appendix J of the first edition (2000) of API RP 581 contained procedures for application to creep damage of furnace tubes. However, the second (2008) and third (2016) did not contain any procedures for application to creep damage of equipment, including furnace tubes. DNV GL undertook a RBI project for a coal-fired power plant in Malaysia that required evaluation of components subject to creep damage. As part of this project, a detailed likelihood of failure (LoF) model for creep was developed. This paper reviews the creep LoF model that was developed and discusses a case study of its application. The LoF is estimated using a limit state function where the resistance is characterized using Larson-Miller parameter creep-rupture expressions for the materials of interest and the load is characterized by the time in service. A mean value first order second moment (MVFOSM) method is employed to numerically compute LoF. Guidelines for including metallurgical replication results in the LoF estimate and for assigning inspection effectiveness for creep damage also are discussed.


Author(s):  
Ikjin Lee ◽  
David Yoo ◽  
Yoojeong Noh

This paper proposes a novel second-order reliability method (SORM) using non-central or general chi-squared distribution to improve the accuracy of reliability analysis in existing SORM. Conventional SORM contains three types of errors: (1) error due to approximating a general nonlinear limit state function by a quadratic function at most probable point (MPP) in the standard normal U-space, (2) error due to approximating the quadratic function in U-space by a hyperbolic surface, and (3) error due to calculation of the probability of failure after making the previous two approximations. The proposed method contains the first type of error only which is essential to SORM and thus cannot be improved. However, the proposed method avoids the other two errors by describing the quadratic failure surface with the linear combination of non-central chi-square variables and using the linear combination for the probability of failure estimation. Two approaches for the proposed SORM are suggested in the paper. The first approach directly calculates the probability of failure using numerical integration of the joint probability density function (PDF) over the linear failure surface and the second approach uses the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the linear failure surface for the calculation of the probability of failure. The proposed method is compared with first-order reliability method (FORM), conventional SORM, and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) results in terms of accuracy. Since it contains fewer approximations, the proposed method shows more accurate reliability analysis results than existing SORM without sacrificing efficiency.


2014 ◽  
Vol 945-949 ◽  
pp. 1159-1162
Author(s):  
Wei Tao Zhao ◽  
Xiao Li ◽  
Feng Guo

Reliability of laminate structure is deeply influenced by uncertainties such as fiber properties, loads and design sizes. It is very difficult to evaluate the reliability and sensitivity of laminate structure because that laminate structure is anisotropic and the limit state function (LSF) is a high nonlinear function. In this paper, reliability and sensitivity are evaluated by using first order reliability method (FORM), response surface method (RSM) and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). The study aims to find a numerical method to evaluate the reliability and sensitivity of laminate structures efficiently and accurately. An example of laminate with a large number of variables is analyzed. The results obtained by using different methods are compared in terms of efficiency and accuracy. It is shown that FORM is not accuracy, and RSM has a very good accuracy and efficient in terms of reliability, but the accuracy of sensitivity obtained by using RSM is not good enough.


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