Analysis of structural dynamic reliability based on the probability density evolution method

A new dynamic reliability analysis of structure under repeated random loads is proposed in this paper. The proposed method is developed based on the idea that the probability density of several times random loads can be derived from the probability density of single-time random load. The reliability prediction models of structure based on time responses under several times random loads with and without strength degradation are obtained by using the stress-strength interference theory and probability density evolution method. The resulting differential equations in the prediction models can be solved by using the forward finite difference method. Then, the probability density functions of strength redundancy of the structures can be obtained. Finally, the structural dynamic reliability can be calculated using integral method. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated numerically through a speed reducer. The results have shown that the proposed method is practicable, feasible and gives reasonably accurate prediction.