While methods to estimate system reliability are being studied extensively, the practical inclusion of system reliability at the design level has received comparatively little attention. In designing a structure, the ultimate concern is system reliability rather than individual component reliabilities. However, existing Reliability-Based Design methods are component-based. The objective of this project is to develop a model system- reliability-based-LRFD method. Since the proposers have a wide experience with transmission structures, this model LRFD method will apply to the design of electric transmission structures. The project will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will develop a computer program that designers and utilities can use to incorporate system reliability in the design of transmission structures. The second phase will use the computer program from phase one to extend the investigators component- based RBD method for transmission structures to include system reliability capability. This project is seeking 50% co-sponsorship from NSF. The U.S. power industry, represented by the Electric Power Research Institute, has committed to obtain the other 50% of the funds required for this project.
