Comparison of approaches to reliability verification of existing steel structures

Vitali Nadolski

nadolskivv@gmail.com
Department of Structural Reliability; Czech Technical University in Prague; (Czechia)
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4211-7843

Milan Holicky


Department of Structural Reliability; Czech Technical University in Prague; (Czechia)
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5325-6470

Miroslav Sykora


Department of Structural Reliability; Czech Technical University in Prague; (Czechia)
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9346-3204

Viktar Tur


Department of Building Structures; Bialystok University of Technology; (Poland)
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6046-1974

Abstract

Many existing steel structures are exposed to degradation due to corrosion or fatigue and to increasing loads. Their reliability assessment is then needed. The key question is whether a particular structure can be preserved ‘as it is’, or needs to be strengthened, or whether it needs to be replaced. Unnecessary replacements of existing structures may be avoided and the remaining service life of existing steel structures may be authorized by: using advanced reliability verification techniques, optimizing target reliability, and obtaining data for a specific site or structure. In this contribution, the application of advanced reliability approaches is illustrated by the assessment of an existing steel structure. The case study demonstrates that such approaches may significantly improve assessment and allow to increase the load-bearing capacity of the structure (in the case under investigation by 10 to 20%). Improvements in reliability assessment are attributed to the use of an optimal target reliability level, case-specific statistical parameters and probabilistic distributions of the basic variables, and adjusted partial factors.

Supporting Agencies

This study has been supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic under Grant LTT18003.

Keywords:

Existing structures, adjusted partial factors, probabilistic approaches, reliability

Sykora M., Mlcoch J. and Ryjacek P., “Uncertainties in Characteristic Strengths of Historic Steels Using Non-Destructive Techniques”, Trans. VSB - Tech. Univ. Ostrava, Civ. Eng. Ser, Ostrava, vol. 19, no. 2, 2019, pp. 65–70. https://doi.org/10.35181/tces-2019-0022
  Google Scholar

Sýkora M., Holický M. and Diamantidis D., “Probabilistic updating in the reliability assessment of industrial heritage structures”, HERON, vol. 59(2/3), 2014, pp. 59-78.
  Google Scholar

Sýkora M., Holický M. and Markova J., “Verification of existing reinforced concrete bridges using the semi-probabilistic approach”, Engineering Structures, vol. 56, 2013, pp. 1419–1426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2013.07.015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2013.07.015   Google Scholar

Sýkora M. and Holický M., “Verification of existing reinforced concrete structures using the design value method”, in Proceedings of the 3th International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering, Vienna, Austria, Leiden. 2012. pp. 821-828.
  Google Scholar

fib Bulletin 80. Partial Factor Methods for Existing Structures. Recommendation, ed. Caspeele R. // fib. 2016. 129 p. ISBN 978-2-88394-120-5.
  Google Scholar

EN 1990. Eurocode - Basis of structural design. Brussels: CEN. 2002.
  Google Scholar

ISO 2394. General Principles on Reliability for Structures. 4th ed. Geneve, Switzerland: ISO, 2015. p. 111.
  Google Scholar

Faber M.H., “Reliability based assessment of existing structures”, Progress in Structural Engineering and Materials, vol. 2, 2000, pp. 247–53. https://doi.org/10.1002/1528-2716(200004/06)2:2<247::AID-PSE31>3.0.CO;2-H
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/1528-2716(200004/06)2:2<247::AID-PSE31>3.0.CO;2-H   Google Scholar

Schueremans L. and Van Gemert D., “Assessing the safety of existing structures: reliability based assessment framework, examples and application”, Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, vol. X, 2004, pp. 131–41. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2004.9636297
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13923730.2004.9636297   Google Scholar

Diamantidis D., Sykora M. and Lenzi D., “Optimizing Monitoring: Standards, Reliability Basis and Application to Assessment of Roof Snow Load Risks”, Structural Engineering International - Journal of IABSE, vol. 28(3), 2018, pp. 269-279. https://doi.org/10.1080/10168664.2018.1462131
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10168664.2018.1462131   Google Scholar

Braml T., Manfred K. and Mangerig I., “Use of Monitoring Data for a Probabilistic Analysis of Structures”, in IABSE Symposium: Large Structures and Infrastructures for Environmentally Constrained and Urbanised Areas. 2010, pp. 126-127. https://doi.org/10.2749/222137810796012252
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2749/222137810796012252   Google Scholar

Caspeele R., Sýkora M., Allaix D.L. and Steenbergen R., “The design value method and adjusted partial factor approach for existing structures”, Structural Engineering International, vol. 23. no. 4, 2013, pp. 386-393. https://doi.org/10.2749/101686613X13627347100194
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2749/101686613X13627347100194   Google Scholar

JCSS Probabilistic Model Code, Joint Committee of Structural Safety. 2001.
  Google Scholar

CEN TC250/ Ad Hoc Group Reliability of Eurocodes (convenor - Ton Vrouwenvelder) Technical Report for the reliability background of Eurocodes. Draft June 2021. p.165, 2021.
  Google Scholar

Lenner R., Ryjacek P. and Sykora M., “Resistance models for semi-probabilistic assessment of historic steel bridges”, in IABSE Symposium, Wroclaw 2020: Synergy of Culture and Civil Engineering. Wrocław, 2020, pp. 1061–1068.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2749/wroclaw.2020.1061   Google Scholar

Nadolski V. and Sykora M., “Uncertainty in Resistance Models for Steel Members”, Trans. VŠB – Tech. Univ. Ostrava, Civ. Eng. Ser., vol. 14, no. 2, 2015, pp. 26–37. https://doi.org/10.2478/tvsb-2014-0028
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/tvsb-2014-0028   Google Scholar

ISO 4355. Basis for design of structures - Determination of snow loads on roofs. Geneve: ISO, 2013. 40 p.
  Google Scholar

EN 1991-1-3. Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 1-3: General actions; Snow loads. Brussels: CEN, 2003.
  Google Scholar

Sanpaolesi L., Snow Loads (Phase 1 Final Report to the European Commission, Scientific Support Activity in the Field of Structural Stability of Civil Engineering Works). Pisa: Univ. of Pisa. 1998.
  Google Scholar

Sadovský Z., Response to discussion on “Exceptional snowfalls and the assessment of accidental loads for structural design” from M. Kasperski [Cold Regions Science and Technology 101 (2014) 83–86], Cold Regions Science and Technology, vol. 110, 2015, pp. 67-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2014.11.008
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2014.11.008   Google Scholar

Rózsás Á., Sykora M. and László Gergely Vigh. “Long-Term Trends in Annual Ground Snow Maxima for the Carpathian Region”, Applied Mechanics and Materials, vol. 821, 2016, pp. 753-760. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.821.753
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.821.753   Google Scholar

Rózsás Á. and Sykora M. “Model Comparison and Quantification of Statistical Uncertainties for Annual Maxima of Ground Snow Loads”, in Safety and Reliability of Complex Engineered Systems – Proceedings of the European Safety and Reliability Conference ESREL 2015, 2015, pp. 2667-2674.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/b19094-349   Google Scholar

Rózsás Á. and Sykora M., “Effect of Statistical Uncertainties in Ground Snow Load on Structural Reliability”, in Proceedings of IABSE Conference Geneva 2015, Structural Engineering: Providing Solutions to Global Challenges, 2015. pp. 220-227.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2749/222137815818357142   Google Scholar

Nadolski V., Rózsás Á. and Sykora M., “Calibrating Partial Factors - Methodology, Input Data and Case Study of Steel Structures”, Periodica Polytechnica, vol. 63(1), 2019, pp. 222-242. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.12822
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.12822   Google Scholar

Ceribasi S., “Reliability of Steel Truss Roof Systems Under Variable Snow Load Profiles”, International Journal of Steel Structures, vol. 20, 2020, pp. 567–582. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13296-020-00307-7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13296-020-00307-7   Google Scholar

Klasson A., Björnsson I., Crocetti R. and Frühwald Hansson E., “Slender Roof Structures - Failure Reviews and a Qualitative Survey of Experienced Structural Engineers”, Structures, vol. 15, 2018, pp. 174-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.06.009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.06.009   Google Scholar

prEN 1990-2 Eurocode - Basis of assessment and retrofitting of existing structures: general rules and actions (draft April 2021). CEN/TC 250/WG 2. – 2021.
  Google Scholar

Holický M., “Optimisation of the target reliability for temporary structures”, Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, vol. 30, no. 2, 2013, pp. 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2012.733373
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10286608.2012.733373   Google Scholar

Steenbergen R. and Vrouwenvelder A., “Safety philosophy for existing structures and partial factors for traffic load on bridges”, Heron, vol. 55, no. 2, 2010, pp. 123-140.
  Google Scholar

Steenbergen R., Sýkora M., Diamantidis D. and, Holický M., “Economic and human safety reliability levels for existing structures”, Structural Concrete, vol. 16, no. 3, 2015, pp. 323-332. https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.201500022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/suco.201500022   Google Scholar

Sýkora M., Diamantidis D., Holický M. and Jung K., “Target Reliability for Existing Structures Considering Economic and Societal Aspects”, Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, vol. 13, no. 1, 2017, pp. 181-194. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781351204590-16
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2016.1198394   Google Scholar

Holicky M., “Safety design of lightweight roofs exposed to snow loads”, Engineering Sciences, vol. 58, 2007, pp. 51-57. https://doi.org/ 10.2495/EN070061
  Google Scholar

Holický M. and Marková J., “Reliability of light-weight roofs exposed to snow load”. Journal Civ. Eng., vol. 16, no. 3, 2007, pp. 65–69.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2495/EN070061   Google Scholar

Maslak M. and Małgorzata S., “The axial force influence on the flexibility of steel joints subject to bending under fully developed fire conditions”, Budownictwo i Architektura, vol. 13, 2014, pp. 251-258. https://doi.org/10.35784/bud-arch.1827
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35784/bud-arch.1827   Google Scholar

Gulvanessian H. and Holicky M., “Eurocodes: using reliability analysis to combine action effects”, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Structures and Buildings, vol. 158(4), 2015, pp. 243–252. https://doi.org/10.1680/stbu.2005.158.4.243
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1680/stbu.2005.158.4.243   Google Scholar


Published
2022-12-14

Cited by

Nadolski, V. (2022) “Comparison of approaches to reliability verification of existing steel structures”, Budownictwo i Architektura, 21(4), pp. 013–024. doi: 10.35784/bud-arch.3022.

Authors

Vitali Nadolski 
nadolskivv@gmail.com
Department of Structural Reliability; Czech Technical University in Prague; Czechia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4211-7843




Authors

Milan Holicky 

Department of Structural Reliability; Czech Technical University in Prague; Czechia
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5325-6470

Authors

Miroslav Sykora 

Department of Structural Reliability; Czech Technical University in Prague; Czechia
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9346-3204

Authors

Viktar Tur 

Department of Building Structures; Bialystok University of Technology; Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6046-1974

Statistics

Abstract views: 169
PDF downloads: 535 PDF downloads: 11 PDF downloads: 12


License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Budownictwo i Architektura supports the open science program. The journal enables Open Access to their publications. Everyone can view, download and forward articles, provided that the terms of the license are respected.

Publishing of articles is possible after submitting a signed statement on the transfer of a license to the Journal.