State of the art on structural reinforced concrete design guidelines with non-linear analyses

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Structural design rules of reinforced concrete structures for using non-linear analysis with MC2010 are presented in this article. The authors propose guidelines and good practice for using the non-linear analysis tools when performing structural design tasks. A brief resume of the state of the art in non-linear constitutive concrete models is presented as well. In general, Portugal’s structural design is based on linearized analysis, using the partial safety factor method. Although this methodology is validated and commonly used, it still presents several drawbacks: (i) it is uneconomic if the behavior is fragile, localized or unknown; (ii) it makes architectural solutions unfeasible with the reduction of constructed spaces; (iii) rendering existing structures design with outdated codes is unfeasible. The civil engineering industry widely accepted the linearized analyses, due to its easy and fast implementation with minimum material inputs and knowledge. On the contrary, in developed European countries, the non-linear analyses are already used in structural design to optimize the constructed space. Although the natural uncertainties arising from the properties of concrete are taken into account, the use of advanced constitutive models allows to promote structural solutions that enhance constructed space and satisfy the expectations of potential investments, either in the private and public sector rationally and safely.