Modified partial safety factors for reinforced-concrete components

Any evaluation or design of an existing structural framework that is not covered by grandfathering or conservation clauses must usually be performed on the basis of currently applicable, officially implemented technical building rules and standards. The safety and verification concept contained in these stan-dards [1, 2] was developed for the construction of new buildings. It takes account of the fact that certain key parameters of the structural framework yet to be constructed, such as dimensions or material characteristics, cannot be known at the time of the structural design exercise. The...