Load combination by partial safety factors

The Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) format, which is a generic form of most current mechanical and structural design criteria, is accepted to be appropriate for load combination purposes. The meaning of the load factors in the framework of a LRFD format is discussed from a theoretical point of view. These load factors can be obtained by suitable calibration procedures. The problems that arise in the application of these procedures are analysed. A new calibration methodology is formulated and its operative aspects are discussed. In this approach, the structure is designed to have a high reliability under permanent and quasi-permanent loads. Consistent degrees of safety for different design situations are achieved by calibrating the combination factors to be applied to the short-duration loads. Some numerical examples of this new calibration procedure are presented. The applications in reactor technology may be of some interest. The structural components of a nuclear power plant are generally subjected to several actions of different nature. By adopting the approach discussed in this paper, the reliability of every sub-structure has to be assessed only when the sub-structure is subjected to a set of few actions in combination. Moreover the safety analyses can be conducted in a deterministic context, all probabilistic calculations being limited to a preliminary investigation on the loads. (orig.)