Failure consequences and reliability acceptance criteria for exceptional building structures

Modern structural design codes ensure an economic design, construction and operation of structures in compliance with the required safety for persons and the environment. Today, the development of such codes is based on decision theory, methods of structural reliability and the modelling of consequences. Hereby, all consequences, which may possibly occur throughout the life cycle of the considered structure, have to be taken into account. Failure consequences are one of the significant consequences, which determine the optimal structural reliability. In particular, consequences associated with the failure of exceptional structures are of special interest, as they may lead to significant indirect or so-called follow-up consequences. The research project aims to incorporate follow-up consequences into the decision framework to derive acceptable levels of safety. In this respect, the consequences are studied with regard to the failure of the World Trade Centre Twin Towers.

• Failure Consequences and Reliability Acceptance Criteria for Exceptional Building Structures (ETH Research Database 12165)