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Load-resistance duality and case-specific sensitivity in reliability-based design

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Abstract

Reliability-based design (RBD) can overcome some limitations and ambiguities in the partial factor design approach found in Eurocode 7 (EC7) and the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) method used in North America. The aim of this study is to show how RBD via the first-order reliability method (FORM) can complement LRFD and EC7 codes. Three geotechnical engineering examples are used to demonstrate that RBD-via-FORM can provide guidance to the partial factor design approach in situations with load-resistance duality, shear strength parameters with context-dependent sensitivities, parameters not covered in design codes, cross-correlated parameters, and designs aimed at a target reliability or failure probability. Insights from RBD-via-FORM are presented. The differences and similarities between the design points in RBD, partial factor, and LRFD methods are explained. Comparisons are made with Monte Carlo simulations, the mean-value first-order second-moment method, and the Bathurst–Javankhoshdel closed-form reliability index solution which is restricted to simple linear limit state performance functions with lognormally distributed load and resistance terms and bias factors. It is suggested that RBD-via-FORM can be conducted in tandem with EC7 and LRFD methods in order to overcome limitations and ambiguities which sometimes arise using these methods.

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Data availability

Data reported in this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Code availability

Spreadsheets used to carry out the calculations in this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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  1. Bak Kong Low

    Present address: Research Affiliate, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Formerly, NTU Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Bak Kong Low

  2. GeoEngineering Centre at Queen’s-RMC, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Richard J. Bathurst

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  1. Bak Kong Low
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Correspondence to Richard J. Bathurst.

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Low, B.K., Bathurst, R.J. Load-resistance duality and case-specific sensitivity in reliability-based design. Acta Geotech. 17, 3067–3085 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-021-01394-4

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