A Multi-Criteria Approach for Determining the Reliability Level of Building Structures

Abstract

Most of the previous research on determining the reliability level of building structures focused on the initial state of the structures, while the influence of the construction process and the service period has been ignored. In this research, a multi-criteria approach is used to determine the reliability level of building structures. Taking into consideration of sustainable development and environmental protection, and based on the structure safety of its whole service period, an optimal resolution equation for determining structure liability level is established. Analysis was carried out on the time-dependent performance of structure reliability by using parameters to reflect structure maintenance and reinforcement during the structure life cycle. The effect of construction quality is also discussed and the method to improve structure reliability is presented according to the variability of construction quality. The paper concluded that the reliability level of structure system should be based on the analysis of the whole life of structures and proposed to use a range of values to describe the reliability level of building structures.