DYNAMIC SAFETY ANALYSIS
Abstract
In this thesis, a method is developed to compute first-passage probabilities for linear elastic structures subjected to random base accelerations. The base accelerations consist of both horizontal and vertical components. Specifically, the effect of the vertical accelerations on the first passage probabilities are investigated herein. The solution of the first-passage problem is accomplished by discretizing the process in both space and time. Spacial barriers are placed on the response process of the structure. The probabilities associated with the structural response remaining within the specified barriers are computed. This event is the complementary event of first passage. For a single-story frame undergoing horizontal accelerations, the model of the frame is seen to have a significant effect on first passage probabilities. The models used are a shear frame model and a flexible beam model. The effect of vertical accelerations is noticeable regardless of the model chosen. This effect is seen to depend more upon the magnitude of the frame loading than upon the magnitude of the vertical acceleration. For a two-story frame, only a shear frame model is used. First-passage probabilities are computed for arbitrary barriers on the displacement responses of the stories under the action of horizontal base accelerations only. Then the first-passage probabilities are computed for the same frame subjected to both vertical and horizontal accelerations.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Civil engineering
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