Robustness: Key property of modern structures

Abstract

Recent developments of high-performance materials, construction technologies and methods of structural analysis facilitate design of increasingly complex and slender structures. These structures may be vulnerable to unfavourable effects of extreme events including man-made hazards. In most cases, failures of structures exposed to such events may hardly be completely prevented. However, for sufficiently robust structures, failure consequences can be significantly reduced and safety of occupants essentially increased. The paper summarises present achievements in present codes and technical literature. Appropriate structural models, exposure conditions and construction measures for design of new structures and assessment of existing structures are discussed. It appears that structural robustness can become a key concept in design of modern structures. Despite significance of structural robustness, its quantification and methods of assessment are not yet sufficiently developed and further improvements are urgently needed. Available experience indicates that decisions concerning structural robustness can be efficiently based on methods of risk assessment and on the theory of reliability. © 2011 WIT Press.