Journal of the Engineering Mechanics Division · 1980 · 105 citations · 0 references
EngineeringCivil EngineeringEarthquake EngineeringStructural AnalysisStructural EngineeringDamage AssessmentStructural AssessmentStructural Condition AssessmentStructural MechanicsStructural ReliabilityStructural TestingDamage DetectionDamage State IdentificationDamage State ModelingFuzzy SetsSeismic Damage AssessmentStructural Damage IdentificationStructural Risk AssessmentStructural Vulnerability Assessment
After hazardous events such as strong‑motion earthquakes, structural engineers routinely inspect structures, generating voluminous data, yet summarizing these results into a simple conclusion remains a specialized skill. The report investigates using fuzzy sets, alone or with other methods, to assess damage states of existing structures. The authors apply fuzzy set theory to model expert knowledge for damage assessment of existing structures. The methodology enables incorporation of expert experience, intuition, and judgment into damage assessment, advancing the profession.
Important structures are frequently tested and inspected by structural engineers following the occurence of a hazardous event such as a strong-motion earthquake. Usually, voluminous data are obtained from such an inspection. While it is relatively simple to understand various experimental and analytical procedures in the investigation of any particular structure, the complex decision-making process summarizing the many results of such an investigation into a simple concluding statement remains privileged and specialized knowledge for highly qualified structural engineers. In this report, an attempt is made to explore the application of fuzzy sets as an alternative or supplementary approach or both, to assessing the damage state of existing structures. This proposed methodology can be used to incorporate the experience, intuition, and judgment of various experts, who may be willing to verbalize their valuable knowledge in advancing the state of the art of our profession.