Standardized basis for assessment of existing structures

摘要

General approaches for the assessment of existing structures were recently developed by ISO and CEN. This paper considers ways in which the procedures for deriving semi-probabilistic design parameters can be applied to the South African head standard for structural design SANS 10160-1 as an example case. Ways are identified for devising assessment procedures that are equivalent to standardized design in terms of compliance to reliability principles. A set of partial factors for assessment are derived that will result in a reduction of around 20% in the assessment margin, whilst still exceeding or complying to societal levels of reliability.