Estimating Load and Resistance Factors without Using Distributions of Random Variables

Abstract

In this paper, a new method for estimating the load and resistance factors using the first three moments of random variables is proposed. Unlike the currently used method, the load and resistance factors can be determined without using distributions of random variables, and the present method needs neither the iterative computation of derivatives nor any design points. The present method can effectively reflect the characteristics of the skewness of random variables and the performance function, and generally provide much more accurate results than the second moment method. Thus, the present method should be convenient and more effective in estimating the load and resistance factors in practical engineering. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the advantages of the present method.