Application of The Fuzzy Set Theory to Determine The Partial Factor of Safety

The paper focuses on techniques and the motivation for incorporating one's knowledge and experience derived from the field of engineering into geotechnical calculations by applying the fuzzy logic theory. A practical example using the fuzzy representation of knowledge is presented in order to illustrate the theoretical knowledge and to prove that fuzzy logic is applicable to geotechnical engineering. The author suggested her own way of calculating the partial factor of safety, which takes into account both subjective evaluation and uncertainty regarding the information about the ground. A procedure for calculating the partial factor of safety to the classic formula contained in Polish standard and including some elements of the fuzzy set theory was presented. The approach to calculating values of the partial factor of safety discussed in this paper is a merger of the former customary solution applied to determine mechanical properties of ground with the recommendations of Eurocode 7.