Computational & Technology Resources
an online resource for computational,
engineering & technology publications
Civil-Comp Proceedings
ISSN 1759-3433
CCP: 36
INFORMATION REPRESENTATION AND DELIVERY IN CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING DESIGN
Edited by: B. Kumar and A. Retik
Paper III.4

Interval Methods for Qualitatively Uncertain Models in Structural Design

D.I. Schwartz and S.S. Chen

Civil Engineering Department, State University of New York, Buffalo, United States of America

Full Bibliographic Reference for this paper
D.I. Schwartz, S.S. Chen, "Interval Methods for Qualitatively Uncertain Models in Structural Design", in B. Kumar, A. Retik, (Editors), "Information Representation and Delivery in Civil and Structural Engineering Design", Civil-Comp Press, Edinburgh, UK, pp 63-67, 1996. doi:10.4203/ccp.36.3.4
Abstract
At different stages of designing a structure, various parameters have uncertain values - especially when the structural configuration is not yet finalized. Intermediate models, defined as assumed structural configurations with tentatively defined materials and geometry, can have both numerical and qualitative uncertainty of behavior. While parametric studies are traditional, techniques such as Interval Methods significantly streamline the analysis of intermediate models. In this paper, it is shown that modeling with intervals provides a link between design and analysis where uncertainty may be represented by bounded sets of parameters. While other current interval methods assume limited uncertainty or given qualitative behaviors, a revised algorithm for Matrix Structural Analysis Methods developed herein is applicable for a generalized interval uncertainty solution without restricting the method to any given qualitative solution. This method is demonstrated and compared to other techniques with respect to computation and feasibility.

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £60 +P&P)