Robust Reliability of Time-Varying Systems

Abstract

In chapter 3 we studied the robust reliability of primarily static systems with time-invariant uncertainties. In the present chapter we will consider time-varying uncertainties and dynamic systems or processes which evolve in time. In sections 4.1 to 4.3 we consider linear elastic vibrations driven by uncertain time-varying loads. Uncertainties may exist in both the inputs and the failure states of the structure, which will lead to the ideas of input reliability and failure reliability, as well as the overall reliability of the system. When we consider general multi-dimensional systems we will assess the relative reliability of the individual modes or degrees of freedom, which is developed in section 4.4. In section 4.5 we study the reliability of dynamic buckling of an axially loaded shell. In section 4.6 we develop the robust reliability of a dynamically loaded structure which is vulnerable to fatigue failure under uncertain repetitive loading.