Reliability of Daniels systems with equal load sharing rule subject to stationary Gaussian dynamic loads

Abstract A method is developed for the reliability analysis of a Daniels system with a large number of brittle fibers of independent identically distributed resistances. The system is subject to a stationary Gaussian white noise load process and responds dynamically to this load. The method is based on estimates of the fraction of fibers failing during response maxima that can be obtained from Slepian models of the response process. Several approximations regarding the evolution of the damage process are used to simplify the analysis. The validity of these approximations is evaluated by simulation studies.