Uncertainty and imprecision in geotechnical and structural engineering

Abstract

Geotechnical and structural engineering problems are typically associated with uncertainty and imprecision of the available information. The nature of this information can be quite diverse, which may cause severe problems in numerical modeling. Uncertainty and imprecision may not only appear in the structural characteristics and in the load parameters but also in the boundary conditions and even in computational model. Statistical data are frequently quite limited, and subjectivity and experience are involved to a significant amount. This diversity of available information must, however, be quantified and processed properly to obtain realistic results from a subsequent structural or reliability analysis to avoid severe consequences. Moreover, a comprehensive and proper modeling of uncertainty and imprecision can provide new insight in the engineering problems, e.g. in form of sensitivities, and help to identify a robust optimum design. These challenges are particularly significant if geotechnical and structural problems are interactively connected and, thus, involve the full range of uncertainty and imprecision from both fields.
The objective of this mini-symposium is to discuss theories, concepts, methods and techniques for a proper numerical treatment of uncertainty and imprecision in the context of challenging geotechnical and structural engineering problems. The models and strategies may include traditional statistics and probability theory, Bayesian theory, imprecise probabilities with its various branches such as evidence theory or fuzzy probability theory, interval analysis, fuzzy set theory, information gap theory, etc. The issues of numerical efficiency and applicability to industry-size problems are of particular interest.

Organizers

Michael Beer, (cvebm@nus.edu.sg), Phoon Kok Kwang and Quek Ser Tong
National University of Singapore, Department of Civil Engineering, Singapore