Time-dependent analysis of cable trusses Part II. Simulation-based reliability assessment

One of the possible alternatives of simulation-based time-dependent reliability assessment of pre-stressed biconcave and biconvex cable trusses, the Monte Carlo method, is applied in this paper. The influence of an excessive deflection of cable truss (caused by creep of cables and rheologic changes) on its time-dependent serviceability is investigated. Attention is given to the definition of the basic random variables and their statistical functions (basic, mutually dependent random variables such as the prestressing forces of the bottom and top cable, structural geometry, the Young\'s modulus of elasticity of the cables, and the independent variables, such as permanent load, wind, snow and thermal actions). Then, the determination of the response of the cable truss to the loading effects, and the definition of the limiting values considering serviceability of the structure are performed. The potential of the method, using direct Monte Carlo technique for simulation-based time-dependent reliability assessment as a powerful tool, is emphasized. Results obtained by the First order reliability method (FORM) are compared with those obtained by the Monte Carlo simulation technique.