Title: Random set finite element method application to tunnelling

Authors: Ali Nasekhian, Helmut F. Schweiger

Addresses: Computational Geotechnics Group, Institute for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Rechbauerstrasse 12, A8010 Graz, Austria. ' Computational Geotechnics Group, Institute for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Rechbauerstrasse 12, A8010 Graz, Austria

Abstract: A real tunnel project is used to demonstrate the validity of Random Set Finite Element Method (RS-FEM) framework in geomechanics where engineers have to face not only imprecise data but also lack of information at the beginning of the project. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the RS-FEM approach, which in the authors| view is an appealing procedure in uncertainty analysis, by means of a real case history validated by in-situ measurements. Furthermore, some advantages and limitations in geotechnical problems are addressed as well as the procedure of RS-FEM approach is elaborated, which includes providing set-based input random variables, computing probability assignment of deterministic finite element calculations and demonstrating the usage of such a framework in reliability analysis.

Keywords: uncertainty analysis; tunnelling; reliability analysis; random set theory; finite element method; FEM; geomechanics; imprecise data; lack of information.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRS.2011.041182

International Journal of Reliability and Safety, 2011 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.299 - 319

Received: 04 May 2010
Accepted: 02 Dec 2010
Published online: 31 Mar 2015 *

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