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Uncertainty propagation in complex engineering systems by advanced Monte Carlo methods

S. K. Au*, D. P. Thunnissen

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary WorksRGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication)peer-review

    Abstract

    This paper presents a recently developed advanced Monte Carlo method called 'Subset Simulation' for efficient stochastic analysis of complex engineering systems. The method investigates rare failure scenarios by efficiently generating 'conditional samples' that populate progressively towards the rare failure region. In addition to reliability analysis and performance margin estimation, the conditional samples also provide information for sensitivity and data-mining purposes. Subset Simulation is based on a simple but important observation that a small failure probability can be expressed as a product of large conditional failure probabilities of some intermediate failure events. This perspective makes use of the defining properties of conditional probabilities, and so is valid for all applications. The method is illustrated with applications in structural and aerospace engineering. Recent and future development of the method will also be discussed.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationIUTAM Symposium on Dynamics and Control of Nonlinear Systems with Uncertainty
    Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the IUTAM Symposium
    EditorsH. Y. Hu, Edwin Kreuzer
    PublisherSpringer, Dordrecht
    Pages45-54
    Number of pages10
    Volume2
    ISBN (Electronic)978-1-4020-6332-9
    ISBN (Print)978-1-4020-6331-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2007
    EventIUTAM Symposium on Dynamics and Control of Nonlinear Systems with Uncertainty - Nanjing, China
    Duration: 18 Sept 200622 Sept 2006

    Publication series

    NameIUTAM Bookseries
    Volume2
    ISSN (Print)18753507

    Conference

    ConferenceIUTAM Symposium on Dynamics and Control of Nonlinear Systems with Uncertainty
    PlaceChina
    CityNanjing
    Period18/09/0622/09/06

    Bibliographical note

    Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on his previous affiliation.

    Research Keywords

    • Monte Carlo method
    • Structural reliability
    • Subset simulation
    • Uncertainty

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