BRIGE: A Stochastic Approach to Evaluating Structural Reliability in Fire

BRIGE：评估火灾中结构可靠性的随机方法

• 批准号: 1032493
• 负责人: Ann Jeffers
• 金额: $ 17.36万
• 依托单位: Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-01 至 2013-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1032493&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: BRIGE; Stochastic; Approach; Evaluating; Structural

This Broadening Participation Research Initiation Grants in Engineering (BRIGE) grant provides funding for research that explores the use of probability-based methods to model the behavior of structural systems in fire. The research is motivated by the fact that current methods for modeling structure-fire interaction are unable to account for the high level of uncertainty that exists in the nature of the problem. To overcome this limitation, the proposed research seeks to develop a stochastic approach to account for variability in key model parameters, such as the fire temperature and the strength of materials at elevated temperatures. The project focuses on two methods that are well-established for room temperature applications, specifically, the Monte Carlo method and the stochastic finite element method. The theoretical foundations for each method will be extended to include the effects of fire. In addition, reliability theory will be used to formulate the problem in terms of limit state (or "failure") criteria. The end result will be a computational framework that enables stochastic structure-fire simulation, in which uncertainty is accounted for in a rational way and the fire performance of the structural system can be evaluated based on a calculated probability of failure. This quantification of structural reliability is essential for decision-making, as it allows the adequacy of a given design to be evaluated with confidence.This research has the potential to revolutionize the way in which building fires are considered in structural design. While researchers across the globe advocate a need for performance-based structural fire design, the reality is that the engineering profession does not have the analytical tools to realize this shift in design philosophy. The new computational framework that will be developed addresses a critical need in the structure-fire engineering community and can lead to significant improvements in the design of structures for fire. Improved methods of design will inherently result in greater public safety and a more robust civil infrastructure. Educational, outreach, and scholarship activities associated with this project seek to engage a variety of populations in research activities and aim to address central issues that are impeding the advancement of underrepresented groups in engineering.

这项扩大工程参与研究启动资助 (BRIGE) 资助为探索使用基于概率的方法来模拟火灾中结构系统行为的研究提供资金。这项研究的动机是，当前的结构与火灾相互作用建模方法无法解释问题本质中存在的高度不确定性。为了克服这一限制，拟议的研究旨在开发一种随机方法来解释关键模型参数的变化，例如火灾温度和高温下材料的强度。该项目重点关注两种在室温应用中成熟的方法，特别是蒙特卡罗方法和随机有限元方法。每种方法的理论基础都将扩展到包括火灾的影响。此外，可靠性理论将用于根据极限状态（或“故障”）标准来制定问题。最终结果将是一个能够进行随机结构火灾模拟的计算框架，其中以合理的方式考虑不确定性，并且可以根据计算的失效概率来评估结构系统的防火性能。结构可靠性的量化对于决策至关重要，因为它可以自信地评估给定设计的充分性。这项研究有可能彻底改变结构设计中考虑建筑火灾的方式。尽管全球研究人员主张需要基于性能的结构消防设计，但现实情况是工程专业没有分析工具来实现设计理念的这种转变。将开发的新计算框架解决了结构消防工程领域的关键需求，并可以显着改进消防结构的设计。改进的设计方法本质上会带来更大的公共安全和更强大的民用基础设施。与该项目相关的教育、外展和学术活动旨在让各种人群参与研究活动，并旨在解决阻碍工程领域代表性不足群体进步的核心问题。