Reliability Theory of Structures with Strength Degradation in Load History

Abstract

The theory of structural reliability is developed for repeated loads with due consideration for strength degradation dependent on the load intensity. The probability distribution of the residual strength of the structure is treated as such that modified by successive application of loads in the sense of both the non-failure effect and the strength-degradation effect. The numerical results of this study show some essential and interesting aspects as to the change in the structural strength and the reliability function through applications of repeated loads.