Safety Formats for Non-Linear Analysis: Are the Current Structural Codes Applicable for Practice?

Abstract

The present paper describes and critically analyses the most widely used safety formats (i.e., partial factor method, global resistance methods, and probabilistic method) for non-linear finite element analysis. It is shown that the global resistance approach initiated by the implementation of non-linear analysis, which is on a global structural resistance model and offers tools for the safety evaluation. In the general case, the global safety concept reflects the variability of the structural responses due to the random properties of basic variables. It concluded that all safety formats for non-linear analysis implemented in currently developed codes are contained many uncertainties, statistically incorrect and vague formulations.

Nonlinear analysis procedures for safety assessment of existing RC bridges under traffic loads

“…where qud represents the ultimate loading evaluated with the NLA, γRd=1.06 is the partial factor for model uncertainty for resistance, γSd=1.15 is the partial factor for model uncertainty for action, γO=1.20 is the overall safety factor, and γO'= γRd•γO = 1.27. It should be noted that in the last years several works have been addressed to propose SFs for NLA of RC structures in order to overcome the limits of EC2 approach [7,8].…”