Reliability method for structure with non-normal variables

On the basis of the equivalent normal distribution with three parameters and the simulated annealing optimization, a reliability method is proposed for the structure with non-normal random variables. The equivalent normal transformation with three parameters is analyzed and the key affecting the accuracy of three parameters is pointed out. Then the optimizing three parameters procedure with simulated annealing algorithm is given in detail. Some examples are taken to demonstrate its feasibility and efficiency. The results show that the error of the failure probability calculation is decreased due to the accurate three parameters sought by the simulated annealing with a global optimization property. The efficiency of the presented method is higher than that of Monte-Carlo simulation.