Study Programmes 2016-2017
MECA0010-1  
Reliability and stochastic modeling of engineering systems
Duration :
16h Th, 16h Pr, 28h Proj.
Number of credits :
Master in aerospace engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in biomedical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in mechanical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in physical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Maarten Arnst
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents :
Engineering structures and systems are rarely perfectly known, may present defects, and are often subjected to loadings that can be random or difficult to predict, thus making their design, fabrication, operation, reliability, maintenance, and simulation uncertain. This course aims at familiarizing the students with probabilistic methods that can be used to account for uncertainties in engineering analyses and to ascertain the accuracy of simulation predictions.
 
After a brief review of the basic concepts from the probability theory and from statistics, the course will be divided in two parts. The first part is dedicated to probabilistic methods for the quantification of uncertainties in engineering analysis. After presenting the most widespread and most used probabilistic methods (ISO98 Guide), attention will be turned towards more leading-edge probabilistic methods that are still the subject of ongoing scientific research (Monte Carlo methods, surrogate modeling, polynomial chaos methods, sensitivity analysis).
 
The second part is dedicated to the probabilistic analysis of the reliability and failures of engineering structures and systems. The main probabilistic method to be studied is the modeling of failure instances by means of Poisson stochastic processes. Attention will be turned towards the representation of running-in, useful-life, and aging phases (homogeneous and nonhomogeneous Poisson stochastic processes), the acquisition and exploitation of data about occurrence of failures in structures and systems in operation (statistical inferences, hypothesis tests), and the contribution of these to maintenance planning.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
  • Understanding of the uncertainties that may affect the behavior, evolution, and simulation of structures and systems in mechanics and physics.
  • Ability to apply probabilistic methods for the quantification of uncertainties.
  • Ability to apply probabilistic methods for reliability analysis.
  • Ability to find and read papers from the scientific literature.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in written reports and oral presentations.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Students ideally have a background in probability theory (MATH0062 "Elements of probability calculus" or an equivalent course), statistics (MATH0487 "Elements of statistics" or an equivalent course), and stochastic processes (MATH0488 "Elements of stochastic processes" or an equivalent course). The required background material will be recalled in class as needed.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
The course involves a series of lectures. In addition, students work on two projects, the first of which involves reading a paper from the scientific literature and the second of which involves a numerical project using Matlab or equivalent software.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face.
Recommended or required readings :
Each lecture is supported by slides prepared by the instructor. Papers from the historic and current international scientific literature complement the slides.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Students are required to prepare a classroom presentation for one of their projects and document their work for the other project in a concise report. The final grade is an equally weighted average of the grades obtained for the classroom presentation and the report, which takes into account their content, clarity, and neatness.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
The course will be offered in the Spring semester.
Contacts :
Maarten ARNST : maarten.arnst@ulg.ac.be