Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Discussion of sensitivity factors and dominating variable for design value method

  • Construction Management
  • Published:
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope

Abstract

The partial factor method is considered to be one of the most reliable design methods. However, engineers have examined the shortcomings of the partial factor method, primarily its flexibility and generality in searching for the values of partial factors. In order to improve upon the partial factor method, the design value method has been established on the basis of probability. The design value method is more flexible, general, and represents the developing direction of the reliability design method. However, based on experience, a set of sensitivity factors α i values has been developed. The sum of squares may be greater than 1.0 as a result of conservatism. Although some researchers have revised the values of α i by using the enumeration optimization method, the results are not ideal. This paper focuses on the recommended values of sensitivity factors that are applicable to the safety design as well as the serviceability design. It will be shown that these recommended values can improve the accuracy of the reliability index and present specific ranges of relative errors. This makes it possible to establish a practical design value method based on probability. In addition, a method to determine the dominating parameter is illustrated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Society of Civil Engineers (2010). Minimum design load in buildings and other structures, ASCE/SEI 7-10, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Virginia.

  • China Academy of Building Research (1984). Unified standard for design of building structures, GBJ 68-84, China Architecture and Building Press, Beijing, China.

  • European Committee for Standardization (2002). Basis of Structural Design, EN1990:2002, BSI, London, UK.

  • Feng, Y. F. and Gong, J. X. (2011). “Reliability index-based design for building structure.” Industrial Construction, Vol. 41, No. 7, pp. 1–8.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China (2008). Unified standard for reliability design of engineering structures, GB50153-2008, China Architecture and Building Press, Beijing, China.

  • International Organization for Standardization (1998). International standard: General principles on reliability for structures, ISO2394: 1998, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland.

  • Joint Committee on Structural Safety (2001). Probabilistic model code: Part 1: Basis of design, Joint Committee on Structural Safety, Copenhagen, Denmark.

  • Li, J. H., Lin, Z. M., Li, M. S., Ma, K. Z., Shao, Z. M., Chen, J. F., and Hu, D. X. (1990). The limit state design based on probability for building structures, China Architecture and Building Press, Beijing, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordic Committee on Building (1987). Guidelines for loading and safety regulations for structural design, Nordic Committee on Building.

  • Pan, Z. F. and Lu, Z. T. (2010). “Design of late spare tendon for longspan PC box girder bridge based on uncertainty analysis.” Journal of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Ports and Harbors Association of Japan (2007). The basis and interpretation of the infrastructure technology for ports and harbors, The Ports and Harbors Association of Japan, Tokyo, Japan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao, J. T. (2011). The reliability assessment of existing structures based on uncertainty inference, Science Press, Beijing, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao, J. T. and Cheng, K. K. (2014a). “General expressions for structural safety design.” Chinese Journal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 275–281.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, J. T. and Cheng, K. K. (2014b). “General expressions for structural serviceability design.” Chinese Journal of Applied Mechanics, Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 440–445.

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, A. D. and Ye, R. X. (1986). The security and reliability of building structures, Shanghai Science and Technology Literature Press, Shanghai, China.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Shaanxi, 710055, China

    Jitao Yao & Kaikai Cheng

Authors
  1. Jitao Yao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kaikai Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kaikai Cheng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yao, J., Cheng, K. Discussion of sensitivity factors and dominating variable for design value method. KSCE J Civ Eng 21, 37–44 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-016-0232-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-016-0232-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation