Reliability-based design optimization using optimum safety factors for large-scale problems

Introduction. Reliability-Based Design Optimization (RBDO) model reduces the structural weight in uncritical regions, does not only provide an improved design but also a higher level of confidence in the design.Materials and Methods. The classical RBDO approach can be carried out in two separate spaces: the physical space and the normalized space. Since very many repeated researches are needed in the above two spaces, the computational time for such an optimization is a big problem. An efficient method called Optimum Safety Factor (OSF) method is developed and successfully put to use in several engineering applications. Research Results. A numerical application on a large scale problem under fatigue loading shows the efficiency of the developed RBDO method relative to the Deterministic Design Optimization (DDO). The efficiency of the OSF method is also extended to multiple failure modes to control several out-put parameters, such as structural volume and damage criterion.Discussion and Conclusions. The simplified implementation framework of the OSF strategy consists of a single optimization problem to evaluate the design point, and a direct evaluation of the optimum solution considering OSF formulations. It provides designers with efficient solutions that should be economic, satisfying a required reliability level with a reduced computing time.