Computational Tools for Structural Analysis with Uncertainties: Software Technology and Large-Scale Applications

The systematic application of uncertainty and reliability analysis to engineering structures of practical interest, requires the availability of powerful and efficient software, both for the FE modeling and for the uncertainty analysis. Ideally this software should seamlessly interface existing finite element codes, in order to harness the state-of-theart in finite element modeling and to facilitate the reuse of existing, validated numerical models. The present contribution addresses methodological, conceptual and practical aspects related to software development for structural reliability analysis. From the methodological point of view, advanced simulation methods are emphasized, since they are most robust with respect to the number of uncertain parameters in the numerical model and hence more suitable for the analysis of large FE models of complex structures. With respect to the implementation, particular weight is attached to the interaction of the FE software and the uncertainty analysis software. Furthermore, the utilization of parallel computing is presented as a key requirement on any reliability analysis software. The above issues are discussed and elucidated in the context of a software tool for uncertainty and reliability analysis, COSSAN , which has been developed by the authors and their coworkers. In order to demonstrate the application of the software, two examples from structural engineering are presented, namely a satellite structure under harmonic excitation and a multi-storey building subjected to stochastic ground acceleration.