ABSTRACT
after many years of being only an interesting research topic, nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete structures is becoming a standard engineering tool that is used in the assessment of existing structures as well as in the design of new structures. This development has been significantly supported by the introduction of new safety formats for nonlinear analysis in the fib model code 2010. Currently the new version of the fib model code 2020 is being finalized. In addition, some of the methods proposed in the fib model code are being implemented in the new version of Eurocodes. The paper provides a summary of the most promising proposals of safety formats for the nonlinear analysis together with the crucial and very important issue of addressing the modelling uncertainty. Some critical and still not fully addressed issues related to the crack band model are discussed and demonstrated using examples of recent blind competition results. Two examples are selected and described in more detail to demonstrate the application of nonlinear analysis, global safety formats and uncertainty treatment in engineering practice. It is concluded that nonlinear modelling represents a very useful engineering tool that can provide better understanding in the structural behavior, expected failure modes and that suitable safety formats, consistent treatment of modelling uncertainties and solid engineering guidelines are needed for their application in practice.
