Probabilistic analysis of derrick frame in a formwork support system

Abstract

The fastener is the core component of the formwork support system, and its working characteristics have a significant influence on the bearing capacity of the system. The non-intrusive stochastic finite element analysis of the formwork support system was conducted using the Python script process driving the ABAQUS main progress based on the Monte Carlo simulation. The influence of random occurrence of fastener failure with different numbers at any position on the reliability of the system was obtained. The analysis results showed that the increase of the failure probability of the fastener would lead to a significant increase in the magnitude and probability of the decrease of the bearing capacity. The above results also illustrated that the deterministic analysis of the formwork support system based on the integrity of all fasteners is not practical and unsafe.

Keywords

• Stochastic finite elements
• Probability
• Monte Carlo simulation
• Formwork support system
• Fastener failure