ABSTRACT
This paper refers to a probabilistic simulation-based structural reliability assessment method (SBRA) and its performance oriented application in designer’s work. Special attention is given to the “rules of the game” of the assessment procedure in case of structures exposed to earthquake (and other loads of very short duration) using analysis based on APT+MLE approach (Arbitrary Point in Time and Maximum Load Effects). Probabilistic assessment of a steel frame containing leaning columns and exposed to numerous mutually statistically independent loads, as well as to the earthquake forces (depending on the magnitude of the actual vertical loads), serves as a pilot example allowing for the explanation of the proposed assessment procedure. The probability of failure Pf of a column is determined using extended SBRA method [2]. The reliability is expressed by comparing Pf and the target probability Pd.
