Algorithms for structural reliability analysis by the hypercone method and for calculating the reliability index β

The purpose of this paper is to define the algorithms required for ascertaining the limit state surface geometry so as to be able to employ the hypercone method in structural reliability analysis and determine the reliability index β. The proposed algorithms, which combine the nonlinear simplex technique an the penalty method, assure an application of the hypercone method which is adapted to arbitrary expressions (analytic or numerical) of the limit state equation.