ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT The design of reliable buildings is mandatory in current design codes. This is done by a verification in the ultimate limit state and taking into account an exceptional (accidental) load case. The latter one can be guaranteed by adding tying reinforcement, or by checking the structure against the consequences of column loss. It seems that flat slabs can develop even an alternative load path even elastically. This without or by means of simple modifications for square to rectangle column grids. By doing so, the floor slabs behave elastically which means that no extraordinary costs are needed to keep the adjacent structures in service and to restore the building to its original safety level. Several aspects were studied, results are shown and where possible easy useful rules for the design are presented which do not require much effort from the designer.
