B8644 - STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY

Learning outcomes

The student will acquire knowledge related to all aspects of structural reliability and conceptual structural design. The course will provide concepts to estimate the failure probability of structures and the structural behavior of complex buildings. At the end of the course the student will be able to: - master the basic principles of mathematical theory of probability applied to engineering - estimate the uncertainties related to loads and strengths of structures - master the basic principles of conceptual design of complex structures to predict their structural behavior - estimate the uncertainties in structural behavior and its modelling - calculate the reliability of simple structural systems - understand the nature and origin of the current structural design code formats. The course contributes to the objectives of the master's course related to structural design and natural risk management.

Course contents

The course is articulated in two Modules:

Module 1: Basic probability theory

• Set theory
• Series and parallel systems
• Theorems of probability
• Random variables
• Fundamental case of structural reliability

 

Module 2: Conceptual structural design

• Load paths 
• Concept of catenary
• Concept of robustness
• Concept of bridge-like and tube-like buildings
• Sensitivity to settlements and small variations
• Examples of failures

 

Readings/Bibliography

• Armen Der Kiureghian, "Structural and System Reliability", Cambridge University Press.

• Olga Popovic Larsen, "Conceptual Structural Design: Bridging the Gap Between Architects and Engineers", ICE Publishing.

   

Teaching methods

The lectures will be held by the teachers and tutor during the scheduled hours. Some lectures might be held in a blended format. 

Each lecture will be accompanied either by slides or by the support of a blackboard.

Assessment methods

Module 1: The final exam consists in an oral exam with two open questions on topics related to probability and structural reliability.

 

Module 2: The final exam consists in the presentation of a project of a re-design solution, developed during the course and partially evaluated during the lectures.

 

The final mark will consist in the arithmetic mean of the two grades, weighted upon the credits of each module.

Teaching tools

a) Oral classes.

b) Power point presentations.

 

Students with disabilities and/or learning disorders:

anyone wishing to request adaptations should contact the Office Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD, which is responsible for collecting the documentation and determining which adaptations are acceptable.

 

Services for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity:

Uuniversity Helpdesk against Gender-Based Violence, Alias career, LGBTQIA+ Anti-Discrimination Desk, services to support in difficult times.

Office hours

See the website of Tomaso Trombetti

See the website of Vittoria Laghi

See the website of Vittoria Laghi