Design for Robustness

Abstract

<p>Robustness is the ability to survive unforeseen circum-stances without undue damage or loss of function. It has become a requirement expressed in modern building codes, mostly without much advice as to how it can be achieved. Engineering has developed some approaches based on tra-ditional practice as well as recent insight. However, know-ledge about robustness remains scattered and ambiguous, making it difficult to apply to many specific cases.<p> The authors' attempt to collect and review elements, methods and strategies toward structural robustness, using a holistic, almost philosophical approach. This leads to a set of consid-erations to guide selection and implementation of measures in specific cases, followed by a collection of applications and examples from the authors practice.<p>The world, engineering and construction are imperfect and not entirely predictable. Robustness provides a measure of structural safety beyond traditional codified design rules.