Moment-based outcrossing rate method for time-dependent reliability assessment including finite element analysis

In practice, structural limit state function (LSF) is often combined with finite element (FE) models, and the corresponding time-dependent reliability assessment (TRA) inevitably involves dealing with computational inefficiency. In this paper, a general moment-based outcrossing rate (GMO) method is proposed to conduct TRA efficiently, with no limitation in the form of LSF. There are two innovations of GMO method: firstly, an explicit moment-based outcrossing rate is developed; secondly, a separate algorithm is proposed that facilitates the separation of FE analysis from TRA cycle. The proposed method minimizes the computational cost associated with FE analysis and enables TRA cycle to be conducted more efficiently with the assistance of an explicit moment-based outcrossing rate and explicit moment-based outcrossing rate. Three numerical examples are investigated to examine the accuracy and efficiency of GMO method for TRA cycle. GMO method is found from the results that it can efficient and accurate to conduct TRA. Such improvements in computational efficiency are particularly valuable for complex structures where FE analysis is computationally expensive and time-consuming.