Abstract In this paper, the principle of load coincidence is investigated to assess the probability distribution of the maximum combined load acting on a structure during its lifetime. By converting time-varying load processes to continuous stochastic functions, the load coincidence problem can be expressed as a coincidence problem for a set of random variables. It is pointed out that, each point in probability space can be regarded as a coincidence realization of these random variables. Meanwhile, the joint probability density function provides a measure of the coincidence possibility for these coincidence realizations. Therefore, a partition technique in the probability space can be used to implement load combinations, and the probability density evolution theory can be used to assess the probability distribution of the maximum combined load. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified by using three examples of combining loads involving: a sustained live load and a transient live load; a sustained live load and two transient live loads; and a sustained live load and an earthquake. All the analytical results show fairly good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations.

中文翻译：

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论结构荷载组合原理

摘要 在本文中，研究了载荷重合原理，以评估在其寿命期间作用于结构的最大组合载荷的概率分布。通过将时变载荷过程转换为连续随机函数，载荷重合问题可以表示为一组随机变量的重合问题。指出，概率空间中的每一点都可以看作是这些随机变量的巧合实现。同时，联合概率密度函数为这些重合实现提供了重合可能性的度量。因此，可以利用概率空间中的划分技术来实现荷载组合，利用概率密度演化理论来评估最大组合荷载的概率分布。通过三个荷载组合实例验证了所提方法的准确性和有效性，包括：持续活荷载和瞬态活荷载；一个持续活荷载和两个瞬态活荷载；以及持续的活荷载和地震。所有的分析结果都显示出与 Monte Carlo 模拟相当好的一致性。