Application of risk analysis in structural engineering – gas explosions

Abstract

AbstractThe present contribution describes the development of methods and tools intended for the practical application of explicit risk analysis in structural design. More specifically, it deals with the risk of personal injury caused by structural damage resulting from gas explosions, regarded as a significant threat to structural safety. Risk quantification entails the use of models able to quantify the uncertainties associated with the basic variables involved. A probabilistic model for the predominant action involved in explosions, explosion pressure, was deduced from test results available in the literature. This model was subsequently used to analyse the reliability level of a representative series of reinforced concrete beams against the implicit requirements laid down in building codes. The wide scatter observed is an indication of the lack of consistent calibration of current design rules. The findings may be used in future studies to deduce a consistent level of acceptable personal risk associated with gas explosion-induced structural collapse.KeywordsConcrete BeamLimit State FunctionReliability LevelReinforced Concrete BeamConcrete Compressive StrengthThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.