Safety Formats for Non-Linear Analysis: Are the Current Structural Codes Applicable for Practice?

Abstract

The present paper describes and critically analyses the most widely used safety formats (i.e., partial factor method, global resistance methods, and probabilistic method) for non-linear finite element analysis. It is shown that the global resistance approach initiated by the implementation of non-linear analysis, which is on a global structural resistance model and offers tools for the safety evaluation. In the general case, the global safety concept reflects the variability of the structural responses due to the random properties of basic variables. It concluded that all safety formats for non-linear analysis implemented in currently developed codes are contained many uncertainties, statistically incorrect and vague formulations.