SAFETY FORMAT FOR NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS IN THE MODEL CODE - VERIFICATION OF RELIABILITY LEVEL

Probabilistic methods are applied to verify global resistance factors based on safety formats provided in the new fib Model Code - global safety factor method and the Method of Estimate of Coefficient of Variation of resistance (ECOV). The new format proposed by Schlune (2011) is also discussed. Numerical examples reveal that the global resistance factor may be well assessed using the method ECOV or the new safety format. When the reduced value of concrete strength is applied, the recommended value of the global resistance factor 1.2 is mostly conservative. The model uncertainty factor 1.06 recommended in the Model Code is rather low and should be increased.