Monte Carlo Study of Structural Safety

Abstract

Probabilistic concepts of structural safety are reviewed. A Monte Carlo simulation technique is described that can be used to determine the cumulative distribution functions of stochastic variables such as ultimate strength, factor of safety and region of safety. In a worked example, the variability in strength of an axially loaded short reinforced concrete column is investigated using the Monte Carlo technique and the results are compared with a closed form solution. Short cut methods of selective sampling are also described and demonstrated.