Load testing, structural reliability and test evaluation

A brief review of the history and types of load testing is followed by an examination of the effects of load test and other information on structural reliability. Two aspects are studied. (1) Multi-mode proof testing is posed as a system relability problem with one or more inequality conditions on structural performance. After-test reliability can then be found using standard system reliability methods from the reliability of the system augmented in “series” with the test mode, divided by the reliability in the test mode alone. (2) Test evaluation procedures for several applications are analysed using simulation of destructive sample tests, including strength uncertainty discoverable by testing and other non-test uncertainties in strength and loading. Evaluation rules are found to have a significant effect on the achieved reliability of test-based design.