Reliability analysis of very slender columns subjected to creep

Abstract A mechanical model was developed to evaluate the reliability of very slender columns subject to creep, employing the nonlinear moment-curvature relationship. Second-order effects were considered by the finite difference method. Numerical tests were carried out on 432 columns with a slenderness index between 100 and 200. The general nonlinear method was adopted to determine the design load, applying the displacement of the stress-strain diagram for consideration of creep. The reliability index was calculated using the Monte Carlo method and the First Order Reliability Method. Among the results obtained, it was observed that it is important to review the safety criterion of the Brazilian Standard NBR 6118 about the very slender columns (90 < λ ≤ 200) by performing the calibration of the additional coefficient γn1. In addition, it was observed that an increase in the reinforcement ratio commonly produces a reduction in the reliability index; an increase in the first-order relative eccentricity promotes a decrease in reliability, among other evaluated factors.