Modified fault tree analysis for structural safety

Abstract

A modified fault tree analysis for structural systems is introduced to determine potential structural problems. The analysis incorporates the development of fault tree models and qualitative evaluation of the models, producing the minimal cut sets that will guarantee the occurrence of a predetermined top event. Structural dependencies and modes of failure are also included in the analysis. The study indicates the enabling, triggering and conditional fault events as the basic events that contribute to component failures. Examples and a case study are presented.

Keywords:

• Failure
• fault tree analysis
• structural safety