Reliability of mechanical structures with considering seismic loading

Abstract

The paper deals with summarization of methods used in seismic response evaluation of mechanical structures. The seismic evaluation of structures is inseparable condition in the design of hazardous facilities such as nuclear power plants. Based on demanded results, different methods can be used. For instance, when the anchorage of the structure is determinative, the equivalent static method (ESM) can be advantageously used. To evaluate complex seismic response of a large mechanical structure the ESM is un-sufficient and e.g. for steady-state response of the structure the response spectrum method (RSM) can be employed [3]. The RSM combines the response based on known mode shapes. Applying direct time-history (accelerogram) is also possibility but time consuming. The paper contains definition of seismic safety factor for determining safety reserve of structures. All methods are applied on a sample example. Obtained results of each method are compared and discussed.