Probabilistic analysis of shear resistance assured by concrete compression

Abstract

The aim of the work was to assess the safety margin of reinforced rectangular concrete cross-sections subjected to shear. Monte Carlo simulations were performed of the shear resistance assured by concrete compression. Analyzed models of resistance were taken from standards. Two of them from formerly used Polish standards: PN-84/B-03264, PN-B-03264:2002 and the third one from the European standard EN-1992-1-1:2004. The analyses included assessment of the safety margin, influence of the differences in selected assumptions on the results and “sensitivity” of the models to changes of the individual random variables distribution parameters. Results showed that all the analyzed models guarantee similar safety margin and the most important variable that influences the safety margin level is the variability of the compression strength distribution.