Analytical and numerical solutions for a reliability-based benchmark example

The aim of this elementary reliability-based truss topology example is to serve as a benchmark for checking on the validity, accuracy and convergence of FE-based numerical topology optimization methods. The above problem has been solved analytically by using an extension of the optimal layout theory (Prager and Rozvany) and the solution has been verified numerically by a first order reliability approach (FORM) combined with a material distribution method (SIMP).