Reliability Optimization in Isostatic Structures

Reliability optimization is formulated here in a way that permits dealing explicitly with the benefit derived from the existence of the structure, its initial cost, and the expected losses due to failure. This formulation is adapted to the policies in which the structure is either not rebuilt or systematically rebuilt if it fails. Introduction of the time variable in one-component structures leads to expressions that can be put in the form of those for a single load application. Attention is given to disturbances which are generalized Poisson processes and to criteria for deciding on the advisability of providing defense plateaus in specific cases. The treatment is extended to statically determinate structures having uncorrelated component resistance functions or a certain type of correlation of these variables. An iteration procedure is developed for these cases.