ABSTRACT
According to the procedure described in detail in Chapters 3, 4 and 5, the action effects are defined in a deterministic way, as if the loads were statistically reliable and the response of the structure was in the elastic range. These two weak points in the calculation of the action effects make necessary a more reliable approach to the problem, which would ensure the existence of adequate strength and ductility in crucial regions of the structure, so that premature local or general collapse is excluded.
