Reliability analysis of engineering structures

Abstract

Reliability analysis is becoming more prevalent in modern engineering. With wider access to finite element method (FEM), reliability analysis provides a new avenue for engineering. The ability to make pre-informed forecasts on probability of failure with the designed inputs. With engineering structures evolving to be more complex and additional uncontrollable variables, traditional methods start to show limitations. Factor of safety (FoS) is often ramped up to avoid any probable failure, resulting in over-engineered structures. In this project, two commonly seen structural elements were considered for simulations. The two scenarios explored – I-beam and a fire extinguisher as a pressure vessel. Based on these real-life case studies, these simulations aim to explore into reliability analysis. Computing software – Ansys Workbench will be used to carry out both simulations. With the objective of validating the use of reliability analysis.