Gaussian upcrossing rate solution for structural serviceability

An analytical solution for the structural serviceability problem of concrete creep response is developed herein. The solution is based on stochastic crossing theory, using the upcrossing rate approach for nonstationary stochastic processes. Both the creep effect and applied load are modelled as Gaussian stochastic processes. Since the creep effect is nonlinear in time the resultant structural response is a nonstationary process. Several simple but plausible simplificatons are made to render the solution analytically tractable. An example is given to illustrate the approach and the analytical results have been verified by simulation.