BRIDGING STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY AND QUALITY CONTROL: A RISK-BASED OPTIMIZATION CONSIDERING NON-TECHNICAL FACTORS

Resumo

In this paper, we explore the interdependence between quality control, represented by inspection frequency, and optimal redundancy in structural systems. A risk-based optimization of a Daniels system is performed, considering inspection intervals throughout the design life. System reliability is evaluated using a model where loads are represented as pulses of random intensity, and failures due to non-technical factors are modeled as pulses governed by a latent hazard rate λL . Both brittle and ductile material behaviors are considered, along with varying correlation coefficients between element strengths. The results reveal a clear dependency between the optimal number of inspections (ninsp ) and the optimal number of elements (nc ). As λL  increases, both ninsp  and nc  increase accordingly. Moreover, the results are strongly influenced by the strength correlation between elements and the material behavior. The findings highlight the role of latent failure probability as a conceptual link between quality control and structural reliability.