English

If sufficient demand

The purpose with the course is to present a systematic, statistical methodology to analyse and handle safety problems in structural engineering. Such a methodology has been developed during the last 30 years in the field of Structural Reliability, which nowadays is widely employed in advanced civil and mechanical engineering applications. Even if the course will focus on Structural Reliability, the general methodology is applicable for a large variety of other engineering problems which can be described by mathematical models.

The course includes
• Fundamentals in probability theory
• Reliability assessment and uncertainties
• Solution methods for the generalised reliability problem
• Reliability of structural systems
• Time dependent reliability
• Modelling of loads and load effects
• Resistance modelling
• Code calibration
• Evaluation of existing structures

The course presents a systematic, statistical methodology to analyze and evaluate uncertainties related to safety and performance in structural engineering applications, as support for design with respect to load bearing capacity, deflections, vibration and durability.

• understand and evaluate uncertainties related to external actions and exposures as well in the performance of engineering systems in buildings and infrastructure facilities
• understand and apply relevant methods and tools for analysis and management of uncertainties in design, planning and construction
• understand the background for methods used to verify safety in structural design

• be able to perform a statistical evaluation of a data material so that it can be used in evaluation of safety and performance of new structures as well as for evaluation of existing built facilities
• be able to use statistical methodology and software to verify the probability that requirements of safety and performance are met
• be able to collect and critically evaluate information about uncertainties in factors affecting performance and safety for buildings and infrastructural facilities

• have the insight that engineering methods to be used as basis for decisions lead to results which are associated with uncertainties
• be able to assess the degree of uncertainty depending on the nature of the problem considered

Lectures

Exercises

Project

The course is based on lectures, exercises and a major project assignment. The student can choose application area in the project assignment according to interest. Special computer software for reliability analysis is used in the course.

Written exam

Written report

The examination is based on a written exam together with evaluation of the report from the project assignment.

Failed, pass

Masters degree in Civil Engineering or correspondent

Ph.D-students within the Swedish Building Universities (LTH, KTH, LTU, Chalmers) are priority

Daalsgaard-Sörensen, J.: Notes in Structural Reliability. Ålborg University, 2004.
Rychlik, I. & Rydén, J.: Probability and Risk Analysis. An Introduction for Engineers. Springer Verlag, 2006. ISBN 9783540242239.

The course is given every 4 years

VBK001F

 -02-06

FN3/Per Tunestål