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Potential Applications of Discrete-event Simulation and Fuzzy Rule-based Systems to Structural Reliability and Availability

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Simulation Methods for Reliability and Availability of Complex Systems

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Reliability Engineering ((RELIABILITY))

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Abstract

This chapter discusses and illustrates some potential applications of discrete-event simulation (DES) techniques in structural reliability and availability analysis, emphasizing the convenience of using probabilistic approaches in modern building and civil engineering practices. After reviewing existing literature on the topic, some advantages of probabilistic techniques over analytical ones are highlighted. Then, we introduce a general framework for performing structural reliability and availability analysis through DES. Our methodology proposes the use of statistical distributions and techniques – such as survival analysis – to model component-level reliability. Then, using failure- and repair-time distributions and information about the structural logical topology (which allows determination of the structural state from their components’ state), structural reliability, and availability information can be inferred. Two numerical examples illustrate some potential applications of the proposed methodology to achieving more reliable and structural designs. Finally, an alternative approach to model uncertainty at component level is also introduced as ongoing work. This new approach is based on the use of fuzzy rule-based systems and it allows the introduction of experts’ opinions and evaluations in our methodology.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Computer Sciences, Multimedia and Telecommunication, IN3, Open University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain

    Angel A. Juan & Joshua Hester

  2. Institute of Statistics and Mathematics Applied to the Building Construction, EPSEB, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain

    Albert Ferrer & Carles Serrat

  3. Dept. of Statistics and Operations Research, Public University of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain

    Javier Faulin

  4. School of Engineering and Information Technology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia

    Gleb Beliakov

Authors
  1. Angel A. Juan
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  2. Albert Ferrer
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  3. Carles Serrat
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  4. Javier Faulin
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  5. Gleb Beliakov
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  6. Joshua Hester
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Depto. Estadística e Investigación Operativa, Universidad Pública de Navarra, Campus Arrosadia, Edif. Los Magnolios, 1a planta, 31080, Pamplona, Spain

    Javier Faulin

  2. Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunication Studies, Open University of Catalonia (UOC), Rambla Poblenou, 156, 08015, Barcelona, Spain

    Angel A. Juan

  3. Depto. Ingeniería Química y Nuclear, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera, s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain

    Sebastián Martorell

  4. School of Systems & Enterprises, Stevens Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point on Hudson, 07030, Hoboken, NJ, USA

    José-Emmanuel Ramírez-Márquez

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Juan, A., Ferrer, A., Serrat, C., Faulin, J., Beliakov, G., Hester, J. (2010). Potential Applications of Discrete-event Simulation and Fuzzy Rule-based Systems to Structural Reliability and Availability. In: Faulin, J., Juan, A., Martorell, S., Ramírez-Márquez, JE. (eds) Simulation Methods for Reliability and Availability of Complex Systems. Springer Series in Reliability Engineering. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-213-9_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-213-9_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84882-212-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84882-213-9

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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