Zhou Jian-fang

Reliability Analysis of Skin Plates on Hydraulic Gates

The objective of this paper is to propose a procedure to evaluate the reliability level of skin plates on hydraulic gates associated with the Chinese hydraulic gates design code SL 74–95. Firstly, the limit state function for reliability analysis of the skin plates is established. Secondly, probabilistic load and resistance models for the skin plates on hydraulic gates are developed. Furthermore, statistical parameters of load and resistance are determined. Finally, target reliability indexes are recommended for the design of skin plates on hydraulic gates. Examples are investigated to illustrate the proposed procedure. The results indicate that the calculated reliability indexes of the skin plates depend on the skin plate specifics, the type of hydraulic gates, the safety level of hydraulic gates and the materials used by skin plates. The proposed target reliability indexes are 4.7, 3.9, and 3.4 for the design of the skin plates on safety level I, II, and III crest gates, respectively. They are 4.4, 3.6, and 3.1 for the design of the skin plates on safety level I, II, and III submersible gates, respectively. These results can form a basis to develop load and resistance factors for reliability-based design of the skin plates on hydraulic gates.