A reliability-based calibration of partial safety factors has been applied to assess the
reliability levels of the ultimate limit state (ULS) flexural design suggested by the
Italian guidelines CNR-DT 203/2006.
240 FRP-RC beams and 180 FRP-RC slabs have been designed to cover a wide
design space considering an appropriate set of random design variables (crosssectional
dimensions, concrete strengths and FRP reinforcement ratios) used to
develop resistance models for FRP-RC members. Monte-Carlo simulations have
been performed to determine the variability in material properties and fabrication
processes; whereas experimental data reported in the literature have been used to
quantify the variability related to the analysis method. A structural reliability analysis
has been conducted based on the established resistance models and load models
obtained from literature. The reliability index, β, calculated using FORM for all
FRP-RC beams and slabs for five ratios of live load to dead load moments, has been
assessed in different hypotheses, namely depending on ρ
f/ρfb, ML/MD, f
γ , and on the
uncertainty effects due to material properties (M), fabrication process (F) and
analysis method (P);