Optimization of the uncertain structures based on the non-probabilistic reliability

Optimization of the uncertain structures is usually based on the probabilistic reliability procedure, which needs a wealth of data on probabilistic parameters and may be very expansive to solve. In the paper, a different strategy that makes use of the non-probabilistic reliability method proposed in a previous paper is used in the optimization of the uncertain structures. In our method, the optimization problem is stated as minimizing the structural weight or cost and as satisfying the requirement on the non-probabilistic reliability of structural elements or system. Compared with the traditional probabilistic optimization, the method requires less data to be known. Only the bounds or ranges of variation of the uncertain parameters are required. This may alleviate the computational burden and may be a valid and reasonable alternative when the available information on the uncertain parameters is limited. A numerical example shows that the method is effective and feasible.