RELIABILITY BASIS OF DESIGN FOR STEEL BEAMS AND COLUMNS

A reliability analysis of hot- rolled steel beams and columns designed according to as 1250-1981 is presented. Such an analysis is necessary to establish the target safety index beta for conversion of current steel codes to limit states format. The strength of steel beams and columns may vary from the nominal design strength due to (I) variability that is inherent in the structures such as variations in material strength and member dimensions, and (II) variability associated with the design process. Estimates of various components of variability are based on available experimental data. Beams are divided into three classes: "plastic", inelastic buckling and elastic buckling, depending on the slenderness ratio and are treated separately. Axially loaded columns are analysed for various slenderness ratios. The range of safety index for the above members under dead and live load is found to vary between 2.5 to 7.0. The study shows that the major sources of uncertainty are the estimate of the loading condition and the estimate of the effective length. Thus, apart from establishing the target safety index, a reliability analysis also highlights areas which further research and code redraft may have considerable impact on the design and the safety of structures. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0858251833
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was presented during the Metal Structures Conference 1983, Brisbane, May 18-20, 1983.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Engineers

  11 National Circuit
  Barton, A.C.T.,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • Pham, L
  • Bridge, R Q
• Conference:
  • This paper was presented during the Metal Structures Conference 1983, Brisbane, May 18-20, 1983.
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 39-43
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 83/3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Beams; Buckling; Coefficients; Columns; Conferences; Design; Hot rolling; Length; Loads; Reliability; Safety; Significance (Statistics); Standards; Steel; Strength of materials; Ultimate load design; Uncertainty; Variables
• Uncontrolled Terms: Design criteria; Loading; Steel beams
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ITRD Terms: 8006: Australia; 3472: Beam; 3434: Bridge pier; 5522: Buckling; 8525: Conference; 9011: Design (overall design); 6488: Length; 6452: Limit; 5567: Load; 5504: Safety coefficient; 6532: Significance (stat); 187: Specification (standard); 4542: Steel; 5544: Strength (mater); 9086: Variability
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00387135
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0-85825-183-3
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 30 1984 12:00AM