Optimal design of truss structures considering progressive collapse due to aleatory and epistemic uncertainties

• Grant number: 22/08009-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: André Teófilo Beck
• Grantee: Lucas Araújo Rodrigues da Silva
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/03848-5 - RISK-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DESIGN OF TRUSS STRUCTURES CONSIDERING REDUNDANCY ALLOCATION AND THE IMPACTS OF NON-TECHNICAL FACTORS, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The following project aims to study the optimal design under uncertainties of truss systems considering the progressive collapse. This phenomenon has raised engineers' and researchers' awareness in recent years. In general, the causes of progressive collapse in structures are related to the existence of uncertainties, which are classified as aleatory and epistemic. In this context, optimization techniques can be employed in the structural design, resulting in solutions that are robust to the presence of uncertainties. Thus, this research has as main objective the investigation of the effect of uncertainties (aleatory and epistemic) and progressive collapse on truss optimization. For this purpose, Reliability and Risk based Design Optimization approaches will be used in order to solve dimensional, geometric and topology optimization problems. Epistemic uncertainties will be taken into account through formulations based on the latent failure probability concept. This novel approach is based on the idea that the environment where the structure is located contributes with a fixed failure probability, which is independent of the usual design variables, such as areas and loads. Therefore, a latent failure probability can be employed to represent the effect of epistemic uncertainties associated with non-structural factors such as human error and failure modes or loading conditions that are not considered in the structural design, which can lead to the progressive collapse of structures. Recent studies already suggest that the latent failure probability has significant implications for the optimal structural design considering progressive collapse. Hence, the potential results of this research are of practical interest to Civil Engineering, considering the current trend of incorporating robustness into structural design. The proposed research has practical application to the design of truss and cable-stayed bridges, as well as to the design of large trussed roofs.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DA SILVA, LUCAS A. RODRIGUES; TORII, ANDRE J.; BECK, ANDRE T.. System-reliability-based sizing and shape optimization of trusses considering millions of failure sequences. STRUCTURAL SAFETY, v. 108, p. 14-pg., 2024-02-21. (19/13080-9, 22/08009-6)