The design value method and adjusted partial factor approach for existing structures

In contrast to the design of new structures, the assessment of existing structures often relies on the subjective judgement of the investigating engineer. An objective verification format for existing structures based on alternative partial factors is however feasible, enabling a rather simple and straightforward, but objective and coherent...

Stochastic finite element analysis of steel structures

The paper describes two well known but adapted methods for calculating the probability of failure of structures. First the First Order Reliability Method (FORM) is described using an adapted response surface. Secondly the Directional Sampling (DS) procedure is described using truncated stochastic distributions. Both methods are implemented in...