Code Calibration of the Eurocodes

Abstract

This article addresses the process to optimally select safety factors and characteristic values for the Eurocodes. Five amendments to the present codes are proposed: (1) The load factors are fixed, γG = γQ, by making the characteristic load of the variable load changeable, it simplifies the codes and lessens the calculation work. (2) Currently, the characteristic load of the variable load is the same for all variable loads. It creates excess safety and material waste for the variable loads with low variation. This deficiency can be avoided by applying the same amendment as above. (3) Various materials fit with different accuracy in the reliability model. This article explains two options to reduce this difficulty. (4) A method to avoid rounding errors in the safety factors is explained. (5) The current safety factors are usually set by minimizing the reliability indexes regarding the target when the obtained codes include considerable safe and unsafe design cases with the variability ratio (high reliability/low) of about 1.4. The proposed three code models match the target β50 = 3.2 with high accuracy, no unsafe design cases and insignificant safe design cases with the variability ratio 1.07, 1.03 and 1.04.