Title: Reliability assessment of temporary structures using past performance information

Authors: Jamshid Mohammadi; Mehdi Modares; Aram Zare Najafabadi

Addresses: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA ' Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA ' Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA

Abstract: Temporary structures are structural systems set up for applications in relatively short time periods for such functions as maintenance, repair or retrofit of a structure or for staged performances. This paper provides an overview of risk analysis models for temporary structures. In an attempt to provide a decision-making strategy for repeated usage of a given temporary structure, the performance record of a structure is used in predicting its future condition in the form of a probability of failure. This probability of failure is demonstrated as being a key factor in the decision-making process. To quantify the model, the special case of tube and coupler scaffolds is investigated. Considering stability requirement for a scaffold, gross capacity values are obtained for several configuration types. These capacity values are also important in computing the probability of failure of the systems and decision making in whether to allow the use of a system to continue.

Keywords: reliability assessment; past performance; tube scaffolds; coupler scaffolds; seismic forces; temporary structures; wind loading; risk assessment; failure probabilities; earthquakes; capacity values.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRS.2015.072719

International Journal of Reliability and Safety, 2015 Vol.9 No.2/3, pp.191 - 202

Received: 30 Oct 2014
Accepted: 13 May 2015
Published online: 27 Oct 2015 *

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