Probabilistic analysis of reinforced concrete columns

The subject of this work is the probabilistic finite element analysis of re inforced concrete columns. Concrete properties are represented as homogeneo us Gaussian random fields. The yield stress and position of steel reinforce ment, dimensions of the column cross-section and axial load are considered as random variables. The Monte Carlo method is employed to obtain expected values and standard deviations of the rupture load. The partial safety fact ors method is used for columns design and structural safety is evaluated by means of the reliability index, which is obtained through simulations. The effects of main parameters on the reliability index are investigated. It i s shown that the correlation length of random fields for concrete propertie s may have a significant effect on reliability. Therefore, simplified proce dures, which do not consider spatial variations of concrete properties are inappropriate for safety analysis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.