Assessment of the structure stability according to the theory of fuzzy sets

There are two different concepts that are often used incorrectly – randomness and imprecision. The randomness is described on the basis of the theory of probability, whereas the analysis of the imprecision is a subject of research of the fuzzy sets theory. The theory of reliability uses the Hasofer-Lind's index for the assessment of probability of failure of structures which are risked by a stability loss. The limit state function in distinction of the classical one was described by applying the fuzzy sets theory. Three fuzzy areas were defined: desirable states, limit states and undesirable states. The suitable probabilities were calculated using the approximation method FORM. It enabled taking into account in the reliability analysis the weakening of a structure before appearing of the limit point on the equilibrium path.