Covering the key concepts and statistical techniques for assessing the reliability of structures and the risk factors in their design, this book integrates the risk-based and deterministic design concepts, enabling students to understand the transition from traditional to modern design practices.

The first complete guide to using the Stochastic Finite Element Method for reliability assessment
Unlike other analytical reliability estimation techniques, the Stochastic Finite Element Method (SFEM) can be used for both implicit and explicit performance functions, making it a particularly powerful and robust tool for today's engineer. This book, written by two pioneers in SFEM-based methodologies, shows how to use SFEM for the reliability analysis of a wide range of structures.
It begins by reviewing essential risk concepts, currently available risk evaluation procedures, and the...

The functionality of modern structural, mechanical and electrical or electronic systems depends on their ability to perform under certain conditions. Consideration of uncertainties and their effect on system behaviour is an essential and integral part of defining systems. In 11 chapters, leading experts present an overview of the current state of uncertainty modelling, analysis and design of large systems in four major areas: finite and boundary element methods (common structural analysis techniques), fatigue, stability analysis, and fault-tolerant systems. It describes research developments...

Authored by the most active scholars in their respective areas, this volume covers the most recent developments, both theoretical and applicative, in multi-disciplinary reliability evaluation areas, many of which are cutting-edge and not discussed elsewhere in book form. The broad coverage includes the latest thoughts on design for low probability and high consequence events like the failure of the World Trade Center as well as risk acceptability based on the Life Quality Index. Other chapters discuss the development of the performance-based design concept, and the generally overlooked area...

Health Assessment of Engineered Structures has become one of the most active research areas and has attracted multi-disciplinary interest. Since available financial recourses are very limited, extending the lifespan of existing bridges, buildings and other infrastructures has become a major challenge to the engineering profession world-wide. Some of its related areas are only in their development phase. As the study of structural health assessment matures, more new areas are being identified to complement the concept. This book covers some of the most recent developments (theoretical and...