Simulation based reliability assessment of cable structures

The intention of the paper is to illustrate the ability of the probabilistic time-dependent reliability assessment procedure applied to non-linear suspended cable structure with rheological properties, when a rope made from the high strength synthetic fibres is used. Attention is turned to the individual main steps in the assessment procedure, i. e. to the selection of an appropriate method of structural analysis, analysis of random variables representing individual actions, evaluation of the structural response with respect to the interaction of the random variables considering a history of the time-dependent action effects and to the definition of the limiting values considering serviceability of cable structure. The potential of the method using direct Monte Carlo technique as one of the possible alternatives for simulation-based time-dependent reliability assessment as a powerful tool is emphasized. The influence of an excessive deflection of suspended cable (caused by creep of cable and rheologic changes) on its serviceability in required time is investigated and illustrative examples are performed.