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On the Solution of First Excursion Problems by Simulation with Applications to Probabilistic Seismic Performance Assessment

Citation

Au, Siu-Kui (2001) On the Solution of First Excursion Problems by Simulation with Applications to Probabilistic Seismic Performance Assessment. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/C0JQ-G051. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:03062014-085528325

Abstract

In a probabilistic assessment of the performance of structures subjected to uncertain environmental loads such as earthquakes, an important problem is to determine the probability that the structural response exceeds some specified limits within a given duration of interest. This problem is known as the first excursion problem, and it has been a challenging problem in the theory of stochastic dynamics and reliability analysis. In spite of the enormous amount of attention the problem has received, there is no procedure available for its general solution, especially for engineering problems of interest where the complexity of the system is large and the failure probability is small.

The application of simulation methods to solving the first excursion problem is investigated in this dissertation, with the objective of assessing the probabilistic performance of structures subjected to uncertain earthquake excitations modeled by stochastic processes. From a simulation perspective, the major difficulty in the first excursion problem comes from the large number of uncertain parameters often encountered in the stochastic description of the excitation. Existing simulation tools are examined, with special regard to their applicability in problems with a large number of uncertain parameters. Two efficient simulation methods are developed to solve the first excursion problem. The first method is developed specifically for linear dynamical systems, and it is found to be extremely efficient compared to existing techniques. The second method is more robust to the type of problem, and it is applicable to general dynamical systems. It is efficient for estimating small failure probabilities because the computational effort grows at a much slower rate with decreasing failure probability than standard Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation methods are applied to assess the probabilistic performance of structures subjected to uncertain earthquake excitation. Failure analysis is also carried out using the samples generated during simulation, which provide insight into the probable scenarios that will occur given that a structure fails.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Civil Engineering
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Civil Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Beck, James L.
Group:Earthquake Engineering Research Laboratory
Thesis Committee:
  • Beck, James L. (chair)
  • Hall, John F.
  • Iwan, Wilfred D.
  • Kanamori, Hiroo
  • Conte, Joel P.
  • Katafygiotis, Lambros
Defense Date:9 May 2001
Other Numbering System:
Other Numbering System NameOther Numbering System ID
EERL Report2000-01
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:03062014-085528325
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:03062014-085528325
DOI:10.7907/C0JQ-G051
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechEERL:2000.EERL-2000-01Related ItemTechnical Report EERL 2000-01 in CaltechAUTHORS
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Au, Siu-Kui0000-0002-0228-1796
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:8106
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Dan Anguka
Deposited On:06 Mar 2014 17:28
Last Modified:01 Dec 2022 22:55

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