Confidence-based model validation for reliability assessment and its integration with reliability-based design optimization

Abstract

First I would like to thank my advisor Professor Kyung. K Choi for his continuous support and academic guidance throughout my Ph.D. studies. I appreciate all his effort and education in my Ph.D. program. The knowledge, skills, and technical writing that I have developed under his guidance will continue to benefit me throughout my future career. I also thank Professors Jia Lu, Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Shaoping Xiao, and Dr. David A. Lamb for their invaluable advices on this research as my thesis committee. I would also like to express my sincere thanks for all the help and encouragements from my senior colleagues, Dr. Hyunkyoo Cho and Dr. Nicholas Gaul. I also would like to acknowledge the technical and financial support of the