A Multi-Agent System Approach to Risk Allocation for Reliability Based Design Optimization
Abstract
In probabilistic design, uncertainties (such as material properties or loads on the structure) are considered when calculating the reliability of a structure, and the structure is optimized such that the risk is distributed amongst different modes of failure. The changes in the design that protect against the failure in the different modes often conflict [1]. For example, we can consider a vertical column that experiences both a compressive load and thermal load at its top surface, where failure occurs if the column buckles or the temperature of the bottom face exceeds the allowable. If the column is made thin, the amount of heat transferred to the bottom surface is limited, and the probability of thermal failure is reduced. However, the risk of buckling failure is increased.