Multi-Criteria Reliability Analysis Based on Heuristic Approaches by the Ritz Method

This paper presents a reliability analysis procedure that couples traditional and modified first and second order reliability methods in rectangular plates modeled using Ritz method. Both reliability methods are applicable to the implicit limit state functions through numerical models, like those based on the Ritz method. For traditional reliability approaches, the algorithms FORM and SORM use a Newton-Raphson procedure for estimate design point. In modified approaches, the algorithms are based on heuristic optimization methods such as Genetic Algorithms, Particle Swarm Optimization and Ant Colony Optimization. Numerical applications in static, dynamic and stability problems are used to illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of proposed methodology. These examples consist in a rectangular plates subjected to inplane external loads, material and geometrical parameters which are considered as random variables. The results show that the predicted reliability levels are accurate to evaluate simultaneously various implicit limit state functions with respect to static, dynamic and stability criterions. This manuscript also includes relevant recent patents in structural reliability analysis.