Speaker: Prof. Carlos Mazzilli, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Date & Time: Thursday, 24th September, 10:00 - 11:00
Location: IRZ-Library
Title: Integrating Reliability and Dynamic Integrity in Buckling Analysis
Abstract:
Stability, dynamic integrity, and reliability are fundamental properties of dynamical systems that must be considered in safe structural design. Classical approaches to define buckling strength — from Euler’s load for perfect rods to Koiter’s load accounting for imperfection sensitivity of slender structures, and to Thompson’s load associated to a minimum safe integrity measure — have provided critical benchmarks. Yet a reliability measure for Thompson’s load remains lacking. A proposition of an integrated methodology combining reliability theory and dynamic integrity measures to define the load capacity of imperfection-sensitive structures is addressed. Using in-house computational tools and Monte Carlo simulations, erosion profiles of safe basins are obtained for systems with asymmetric and unstable symmetric bifurcations. Bayesian inference is employed to merge probability density functions of applied load and imperfections with integrity measure profiles, yielding a probabilistic definition of load capacity. Results show good correlation between analytical and numerical evaluations of global integrity measures and confirm that the proposed reliability-integrity framework provides a robust criterion to define the safe-load capacity, extending beyond imperfection sensitivity alone. Ongoing work explores alternative probability distributions, additional integrity measures, dynamic instabilities and applications to higher-dimensional dynamical systems.
Biography:
Carlos Mazzilli is a Brazilian civil engineer and professor whose academic career spans five decades. He graduated in Civil Engineering in 1975, earned his MSc and habilitation at the University of São Paulo, and obtained his PhD in Structural Engineering at the University of London in 1982, under Prof. Michael Thompson’s supervision. Since joining the University of São Paulo in 1976, he has advanced to Full Professor in 1992 and held several leadership positions, including Head of the Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering and Chair of the Graduate Programme in Structural Engineering. His international experience includes visiting professorships in Germany, United States, Scotland, and Italy.
He has been a member of the American Academy of Mechanics since 1994 and European Mechanics Society since 2012, served on editorial boards of leading journals, and organized major congresses. His expertise lies in civil and offshore engineering, focusing on structural mechanics, stability theory, nonlinear dynamics, and vibration control. He has published more than 120 papers, six book chapters, co-authored four books, and co-edited two volumes.
