Robustness varies highly between applications and consequently it is difficult to precisely quantify. However, robustness is a property of a structural system and thus can be described as a function of its form; in other words, as a function of topology, geometry and member properties. This thesis investigates the relationship between both a structure's geometry and topology, and robustness. Two quantitative metrics are proposed to quantify a structure's robustness as a function of geometry. The first metric is a measure of a member's importance relative to others in the redundancy of a structural system. The second metric characterizes the robustness efficiency of the entire structure. These metrics are developed using a novel analysis method coupled with an interactive MATLAB script which infers properties of a redundant structure through the analysis of its stable substructures. Together, these metrics give designers a powerful tool to evaluate the robustness of their preliminary structural design based soled on geometry and static equilibrium. Moreover, using these metrics, geometry optimization techniques are then implemented to discover robust structural geometries for given topologies and the general parameters that describe them.

This thesis develops a new type of approach to structural robustness, working on geometrical considerations only. It allows the integration of constitutive dimensions of structural robustness at the earliest steps of the design process. Based on graphic statics and strut-and-tie modelling, the method develops a visual robustness indicator...

Robustness is the ability to survive unforeseen circumstances without undue damage or loss of function. It has become a requirement expressed in modern building codes, mostly without much advice as to how it can be achieved. Engineering has developed some approaches based on traditional practice as well as recent insight. However, knowledge about robustness remains scattered and ambiguous, making it difficult to apply to many specific cases. The author's attempt to collect and review elements, methods and strategies toward structural robustness, using a holistic, almost philosophical approach. This leads to a set of considerations to guide selection and implementation of measures in specific cases, followed by a collection of applications and examples from the authors practice. The world, engineering and construction are imperfect and not entirely predictable. Robustness provides a measure of structural safety beyond traditional codified design rules.

Robustness has recently become a popular term in structural and hydraulic engineering. However, the concept of 'robust design' or 'robustness' has no clear definition. The aim of this work was to find a definition for a robust system and to use this definition to search for an added value of robust design in structural engineering. The literature on robust design has been extensively studied to es-tablish a definition for a robust system. It was concluded that a robust system can be found by as-suming that the additional risk that arises due to discrepancies between the reality and the model, is smaller for a robust system than for a less robust system. When designing a system, it is however al-ways the priority to find a cost-optimal design alternative. In other words, economic optimization has priority over robustness. The reason for this it that robustness focuses on hazards for which no value of the risk can be defined, so that it cannot be quantified what may be spent on robustness. In this thesis, the meaning of a robust system was tested in several case studies. From the case studies it as investigated when and why robustness can be of added value.

​This Festschrift in honour of Ursula Gather’s 60th birthday deals with modern topics in the field of robust statistical methods, especially for time series and regression analysis, and with statistical methods for complex data structures. The individual contributions of leading experts provide a textbook-style overview of the topic, supplemented by current research results and questions. The statistical theory and methods in this volume aim at the analysis of data which deviate from classical stringent model assumptions, which contain outlying values and/or have a complex structure. Written for researchers as well as master and PhD students with a good knowledge of statistics.

Safety, Reliability, Risk and Life-Cycle Performance of Structures and Infrastructures contains the plenary lectures and papers presented at the 11th International Conference on STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND RELIABILITY (ICOSSAR2013, New York, NY, USA, 16-20 June 2013), and covers major aspects of safety, reliability, risk and life-cycle performance of str

Focusing on fundamental principles, Hydro-Environmental Analysis: Freshwater Environments presents in-depth information about freshwater environments and how they are influenced by regulation. It provides a holistic approach, exploring the factors that impact water quality and quantity, and the regulations, policy and management methods that are necessary to maintain this vital resource. It offers a historical viewpoint as well as an overview and foundation of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics affecting the management of freshwater environments. The book concentrates on broad and general concepts, providing an interdisciplinary foundation. The author covers the methods of measurement and classification; chemical, physical, and biological characteristics; indicators of ecological health; and management and restoration. He also considers common indicators of environmental health; characteristics and operations of regulatory control structures; applicable laws and regulations; and restoration methods. The text delves into rivers and streams in the first half and lakes and reservoirs in the second half. Each section centers on the characteristics of those systems and methods of classification, and then moves on to discuss the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of each. In the section on lakes and reservoirs, it examines the characteristics and operations of regulatory structures, and presents the methods commonly used to assess the environmental health or integrity of these water bodies. It also introduces considerations for restoration, and presents two unique aquatic environments: wetlands and reservoir tailwaters. Written from an engineering perspective, the book is an ideal introduction to the aquatic and limnological sciences for students of environmental science, as well as students of environmental engineering. It also serves as a reference for engineers and scientists involved in the management, regulation, or restoration of freshwater environments.