Effect of Dependent Interval Distribution Parameters on Reliability Prediction
Abstract
Distributions of input variables of a limit-state function are required for reliability analysis. The distribution parameters are commonly estimated using samples. If some of the samples are in the form of intervals, the estimated distribution parameters will also be given in intervals. Traditional reliability methodologies assume that interval distribution parameters are independent, but as shown in this study, the parameters are actually dependent since they are estimated from the same set of samples. This study investigates the effect of the dependence of distribution parameters on the accuracy of reliability analysis results. The major approach is numerical simulation and optimization. This study indicates that the independent distribution parameter assumption makes the estimated reliability bounds wider than the true bounds due to interval samples. The reason is that the actual combination of the distribution parameters may not include the entire box-type domain assumed by the independent interval parameter assumption. The results of this study not only reveal the cause of the inaccuracy of the independent distribution parameter assumption, but also demonstrate a need of developing new reliability methods to accommodate dependent distribution parameters.
Recommended Citation
Y. Cheng and X. Du, "Effect of Dependent Interval Distribution Parameters on Reliability Prediction," Proceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (2017, Cleveland, OH), vol. 2B-2017, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Aug 2017.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2017-67280
Meeting Name
ASME 2017 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2017 (2017: Aug. 6-9, Cleveland, OH)
Department(s)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Computer Aided Design; Design; Parameter Estimation; Reliability, Distribution Parameters; Input Variables; Interval Parameter; Limit State Functions; Reliability Methodology; Reliability Methods; Reliability Prediction; Simulation And Optimization, Reliability Analysis
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
978-0-7918-5813-4
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2017 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Aug 2017
