A RELIABILITY CRITERION TO EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF STRUT-AND-TIE MODELS APPLIED IN DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

This paper shows a reliability criterion for analysis of reinforced concrete structures applying the strut-and-tie model. Monte Carlo simulation method is used to calculate the reliability index and probability of failure modes, considering both safety and ductile behavior of the strut-and-tie model. Three different formulations presented in the literature to compute the effective compression resistance of the concrete are considered: ACI-318, EUROCODE and Schailch et al. Both reliability index value and ductility behavior are considered in this comparison. Two examples for design of a deep beam using reliability analysis for validation of safety and ductility aspects are presented.