Chapter 7

Reliability-Based Design Methods of

Structures

Chapter 7: Reliability-Based Design Methods of Structures

Contents
7.1 Reliability-Based Design Codes
7.2 Reliability-Based Design Formulas
7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes
7.4 Target Reliability Index in Chinese Codes
7.5 Practical LRFD Formulas in Current Codes

Chapter 7
Reliability-Based Design Methods of
Structures

7.1 Reliability-Based Design Codes

7.1 Reliability-Based Design Codes 1

7.1.1 Role of a Code in the Building Process

The building process includes planning, design, manufacturing of

materials, transportation, construction, operation/use, and demolition.

The role of a design code is to establish the requirements needed to

ensure an acceptable level of reliability for a structure.

The central role of a code is diagrammed in the following figure:

Designer

Owner

Code

Contractor

User

7.1 Reliability-Based Design Codes 2

7.1.2 Code Levels

Level Codes: Use deterministic formulas

K ( SGk SQk ) Rk

Level Codes: Use approximate probability limit state design formula

Level Codes: Use full probability analysis and design formula

Level Codes: Use the total expected life cycle cost of the design as
the optimization criterion

7.1 Reliability-Based Design Codes 2

7.1.3 Reliability-Based Design Codes

1. International Standard
General Principles on Reliability for Structures
(ISO2394: 1998)
2. Chinese Codes
Unified Standard for Reliability Design of
Engineering Structures
(GB50153 92)

7.1 Reliability-Based Design Codes 3

1. Unified Standard for Reliability Design of

Building Structures (GB50068 2001)
2. Unified Standard for Reliability Design of
Highway Engineering Structures (GB/T50283 1999)
3. Unified Standard for Reliability Design of
Railway Engineering Structures (GB50216 94)
4. Unified Standard for Reliability Design of
Hydraulic Engineering Structures (GB50119 94)
5. Unified Standard for Reliability Design of
Harbor Engineering Structures (GB50158 92)

Chapter 7
Reliability-Based Design Methods of
Structures

7.2 Reliability-Based Design Formulas

7.2 Reliability-Based Design Formulas 1

7.2.1 Formulas of Reliability Checking

There are three kinds of reliability checking formulas:

Ps [ Ps ]

(1)

Pf [ Pf ]

(2)

[ ]

(3)

where [ Ps ] , [ Pf ] , [ ] are called target safety probability,

,
target failure probability, or target reliability index.

The third formula is generally used in practical engineering.

Given: the probability distribution and digital characteristic

of the loads and resistance

Find: design vector x

Subjected to: ( x ) [ ]

7.2 Reliability-Based Design Formulas 2

7.2.2 Single Factor Design Formulas

The single factor formula based on mean values is as following:

K0 S R
where
,

S is the mean value of load effect

R is the mean value of resistance
K 0 is the central safety factor

K0

1 R2 S2 (1 2 R2 )
1
2

2
R

K 0 exp( R2 S2 )

R & S are normal distributions

R & S are lognormal distributions

7.2 Reliability-Based Design Formulas 2

7.2.2 Single Factor Design Formulas

The single factor formula based on characteristic values is as following:

KS k Rk
where
,

S k is the characteristic value of load effect

Rk is the characteristic value of resistance
K is the characteristic safety factor
Rk R (1 k R R )
S k S (1 kS S )

1 k R R
K K0
1 kS S

7.2 Reliability-Based Design Formulas 3

Relationships among nominal load, mean load, and factored load

Frequency

S , load effect

S
Mean load

Sn Sn
Factored load

Nominal load

7.2 Reliability-Based Design Formulas 4

Relationships among nominal resistance, mean resistance, and
factored resistance

Frequency

R , Resistance

Rn Rn R

Factored resistance

Mean resistance

Nominal resistance

7.2 Reliability-Based Design Formulas 2

7.2.3 Multiple Factor Design Formulas

(Load and Resistance Factor Design, LRFD)

The LRFD formula is as following:

Total factored nominal load effect

Factored nominal resistance

1
Si Sni Rn
R
where
,

S ni is the nominal (design) value of load effect component,

Si is the load partial factor for load component,
Rn is the nominal (design) value of resistance or capacity,
R is the resistance partial factor.

7.2 Reliability-Based Design Formulas 2

7.2.3 Multiple Factor Design Formulas

(Load and Resistance Factor Design, LRFD)
g ( X 1* , X 2* ,L , X n* ) 0
S * S S S S (1 S S )

R* R R R R (1 R R )

Sk S (1 k S S )

Rk R (1 k R R )

S * 1 S S
S

Sk
1 kS S

Rk
1 k R R
R *
R 1 R R

The partial safety factors R and Si must be calibrated based on the

target index adopted by the code.

Chapter 7
Reliability-Based Design Methods of
Structures

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 1

7.3.1 Calibration of Target Reliability Index

1. Basic Principles
Consider a structural member which carry a dead load and a variant load.
According to the original deterministic structural design code, the design
formula of ultimate limit state design for this member can be stated as
follows:

Rk K ( SGk SQk ) 0
where,

K safety factor,
Rk characteristic value of member resistance ,

SGk , SQk characteristic value of permanent load effect and

variant load effect designed according to the
deterministic code .

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 2

Now, the problem can be re-formulated as follows:
How much is the reliability implicit in the original deterministic structural
design code (Level Code)?

When the calibration method is used, the limit state equation in simple
load combination condition can be formulated as:

R SG SQ 0
where,

R structural member resistance,

SG dead load effect,

SQ live load effect.

It is assumed that the parameters and the probability distribution types of

the three basic random variables are known.

The calibration method can be implemented by the FORM method, for

example, JC Method.

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 3

It is assumed that the following parameters of the basic random

variables are known:
bias factor:

SQ
SG
R
R
, SG
, SQ
Rk
SGk
SQk

SQ
SG
R
, VSG
, VSQ
variation factor: VR
R
SG
SQ

It is assumed that
Let
then

SQk
SGk

Rk is linearly related with SGk and SQk .

,

is called load effect ratio,

Rk K ( SGk SQk ) K ( SGk SGk )

K (1 ) SGk

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 4

2. Calculation Procedure
(1) Assume one value of the load effect ratio

(2) Determine the characteristic value of member resistance Rk :

Rk K (1 ) SGk

(3) Determine the mean values and standard deviations of the

basic variables :
mean values:

R R Rk , SG SG SGk , SQ SQ SQk

standard deviations:

R VR R , SG VSG SG , SQ VSQ SQ

(4) Determine the limit state equation:

R SG SQ 0

(5) Solve the reliability index

by the JC method.

(6) Adjust the load effect ratio, calculate the mean value of different
reliability indexes.

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 5

Example 7.1
Consider a RC axial compression short column carrying a dead load and an
office live load, the column was designed according to the old Design Code
of Concrete Structures (TJ9-74).
Assume that the ratio of live load to dead load

SQk / SGk 1.0 ,

Try to calibrate the reliability index of the ultimate limit state in TJ9-74 code.
Assume that the following parameters are known:

R is lognormal

R 1.33 VR 0.17

SG is normal

SG 1.06 VSG 0.07

S L is Extreme

SL 0.70 VSL 0.29

K 1.55

S Lk 10kN m

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 6

Solution
(1) Determine Rk

1.0
SGk S Lk / 10 /1 10
Rk K ( SGk SQk ) 1.55 (10 10) 31
(2) Determine the means and standard deviations

R R Rk 1.33 31 41.23
R VR R 0.17 41.23 7.009
SG SG SGk 10.6

SL SL S Lk 7.0

SG VSG SG 0.742

SL VSL SL 2.03

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 7

(3) Determine the ultimate limit state equation

R SG S L 0
(4) Determine the reliability index by the JC method
The solution process of JC method is omitted.
The solution result is :

3.8082

If the load effect ratio 2.0 , then

3.5828

Please refer to the reference book Reliability of

Structures by Professors Ou and Duan.

Turn to Page 97, look at the table 5.3 carefully!

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 8

7.3.2 Calibration of Partial Factors

1. Basic Principles

The partial factors in the LRFD format must be calibrated based on the
target reliability index adopted by the code.

Xi

X di
xi*

X ri X ri

In determining partial factors, the problem is reversed compared with

reliability analysis context introduced in Chapter3.
Reliability analysis

Partial factor calibration

Known:

X i , VX i

Known:

Find:

*
, xi

Find:

[ ] , VX i
X i , xi*

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 9

2. Iteration Algorithm
(1) Formulate the limit state function and design equation.

Determine the probability distributions and appropriate parameters

for basic variables.

There can be at most only two unknown mean values needed to

solve. One is R , the other corresponds a variant load effect Si .
Load effect ratios are used to relate the means of the load effects.
For the first iteration, we can use the limit state equation Z 0
evaluated at the mean values to get a relationship between the two
unknown means.

(2) Obtain an initial design point xi by assuming mean values.

(3) For each of the design point values xi* corresponding to a none
normal distribution, determine the equivalent normal mean X i
and standard deviation Xe by using equivalent normalization.
i

X i Xe i

X i Xe i

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 10

(4) Calculate the n values of direction cosine i

g
X i

i 1 X i
n

X i
P*

X i

P*

(i 1, 2,L , n)

(5) Calculate the n values of design point xi

xi* X i i [ ] X i

(i 1, 2,L , n)

(6) Update the relationship between the two unknown mean values by
solving the limit state function.

g ( x1* , x2* ,L , xn* ) 0

(7) Repeat Steps 3-6 until { i } converge.
(8) Once convergence is achieved, calculate the partial factors.

X i xi* / X ri

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 11

Example 7.2
Please refer to the textbook
Reliability of Structures
by Professor A. S. Nowak.

Turn to Page 231, look at the example 8.1 carefully!

Z R Q
The design equation: R R Q Q
The limit state function:

Known parameters:

VR 0.1

VQ 0.12

[ ] 3.0

Probability information: R and Q are all normal and uncorrelated.

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 12

Solution
Iteration cycle 1
(1) Assume iteration initial values

r* R

q * Q

R Q

r * q* 0
(2) Calculate direction cosine

Z
GR
R
R
GQ

GR
G G
2
R

2
S

Z
Q
Q

R VR R 0.1Q
P*

Q VQ Q 0.12 Q
P*

0.6402

GQ
G G
2
R

2
S

0.7682

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 13

(3) Calculate design points

r * R R [ ] R R 0.6402 3.0 0.1 R 0.8079 R

q* Q Q [ ] Q Q 0.7682 3.0 0.12 Q 1.2766 Q
(4) Update the relationship between the two unknown means

R 1.5801Q

r * q* 0
Iteration cycle 2
(1) Calculate direction cosine

GR 0.1 R 0.15801Q
GQ 0.12 Q

GR
G G
2
R

2
S

0.7964

GQ
G G
2
R

2
S

0.6048

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 14

(2) Calculate design points

r * R R [ ] R R 0.7964 3.0 0.1 R 0.7611 R

q* Q Q [ ] Q Q 0.6048 3.0 0.12 Q 1.2177 Q
(3) Update the relationship between the two unknown means

R 1.5999 Q

r * q* 0
Iteration cycle 3
(1) Calculate direction cosine

GR 0.1 R 0.15999 Q
GQ 0.12 Q

GR
G G
2
R

2
S

0.8000

GQ
G G
2
R

2
S

0.6000

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 15

(2) Calculate design points

r * R R [ ] R R 0.8 3.0 0.1 R 0.7600 R

q* Q Q [ ] Q Q 0.6 3.0 0.12Q 1.2160Q
(3) Update the relationship between the two unknown means

R 1.6000 Q

r * q* 0
Iteration cycle 4
(1) Calculate direction cosine

GR 0.1 R 0.1600 Q

GR
G G
2
R

2
S

0.8000

GQ 0.12 Q

{ i } have converge. The iteration stop.

GQ
G G
2
R

2
S

0.6000

7.3 Calibration for Deterministic Codes 16

Table 7.1 Convergence process for Example 7.2
Numbers of
Iteration

-0.6402

-0.7964

-0.8000

-0.8000

0.7682

0.6048

0.6000

0.6000

Assuming the mean values are the nominal design values, then the
partial factors are :

r*
R
0.7600
R
q*
Q
1.22
Q

Chapter 7
Reliability-Based Design Methods of
Structures

7.4 Target Reliability Index in Chinese Codes

7.4 Target Reliability Index in Chinese Codes 1

7.4.1 Safety Class of Building Structures

According to the importance and the consequences of structural damage,

the safety class of buildings in Unified Standard for Reliability Design of
Building Structures (GB50068 2001) is divided into three categories.
The safety class is considered through the importance factor 0
Table 7.2 Safety class of building structures
Safety
Class

Consequences of
Damage

Types of
Buildings

Importance
factor 0

Class one

Very severe

Important buildings

1.1

Class two

Severe

Common buildings

1.0

Class three

not severe

Unimportant buildings

0.9

7.4 Target Reliability Index in Chinese Codes 2

7.4.2 Target Reliability Index for Ultimate Limit State

Table 7.3 Target reliability index [ ] for ULS of structural member

Types of damage

Safety class
Class one

Class two

Class three

Ductile

3.7

3.2

2.7

Brittle

4.2

3.7

3.2

7.4 Target Reliability Index in Chinese Codes 3

7.4.3 Target Reliability Index for Serviceability Limit State

Table 7.4 Target reliability index [ ] for SLS of structural member

Irreversible Limit State

1.5

Reversible Limit State

1. What are the rules of target reliability indexes ?

2. Why are the target reliability indexes for ultimate limit
state and serviceability limit state different ?
3. How are these target reliability indexes determined ?

Chapter 7
Reliability-Based Design Methods of
Structures

7.5 Practical LRFD Formulas in Current Codes

7.5 Practical LRFD Formulas in Current Codes 1

7.5.1 Ultimate Limit State Design Formulas

0 ( G SGk Q1 SQ1k
0 ( G SGk
where,

1
Qi ci SQi k ) Rk ( f k , ak ,L )
R
i 2
n

1
Qi ci SQi k ) Rk ( f k , ak ,L )
R
i 1
n

0 structural importance factor,

G partial factor for dead load,

Q1 , Qi partial factors for the 1st and ith variant load,

SGk effect of permanent load characteristic value
SQ1k effect of variant load characteristic value which
dominates the load effect combination.

7.5 Practical LRFD Formulas in Current Codes 2

SQi k effect of the ith variant load characteristic value

ci combination factor of the ith variant load

R () function of structural member
R partial factor for structural member resistance,
f k characteristic value of material behavior,
ak characteristic value of geometric parameter.

The second formula is mainly used in the structures, which is dominated

by permanent load. The most unfavorable one of the above two formulas
should be used in practical design situations.

The partial factors in the above two formulas are determined by the
principles introduced in this course and optimization method. You can
refer to the P.98-101 in the reference book.

7.5 Practical LRFD Formulas in Current Codes 3

7.5.2 Serviceability Limit State Design Formulas

1. Design Formula for Characteristic Values
n

SGk SQ1k ci SQi k [ f1 ]

i 2

2. Design Formula for Frequent Values

n

SGk f1 SQ1k qi SQi k [ f 2 ]

i2

3. Design Formula for Quasi-Permanent Values

n

SGk qi SQi k [ f3 ]
i 1

7.5 Practical LRFD Formulas in Current Codes 4

where,

f1 SQ1k effect of a variant load frequent value which

dominates the frequent load combination.

qi SQi k effect of quasi-permanent value of a variant load.

[ f1 ] the deformation or crack limit value corresponding
to characteristic value combination.

[ f 2 ] the deformation or crack limit value corresponding

to frequent value combination.

[ f 3 ] the deformation or crack limit value corresponding

to quasi-permanent value combination.

Chapter 7: Homework 7

Homework 7
Programming the above algorithms in MATLAB
environment according to the iteration algorithm proposed
by this course.
(1) By using your own subroutine, re-check the example 7.2
in this course.
(2) By using your own subroutine, re-calculate the example
8.3 in the text book on P.231

End of
Chapter 7

End of
This Course

Thank you
Very Much!