Durability design methods used in Australia are generally uncoordinated and do not meet the changing needs of durability engineers. Durability design principles, environmental agents and the existing methods are summarised. An alternative method is proposed to allow engineers to reliably estimate the effect of environmental agents on the strengh and stiffness of timber members and joints. A Durability Coordinators Group is recommended to facilitate further debate.
Reliability-based design (RBD) procedures for engineered structures are being developed and quickly gaining acceptance by cade agencies throughout the world. Numerous organizations are involved in the development of national or regional cades without the benefit of interchange of ideas and methodologies. Harmonization and coordination of these activities is absolutely essential if the ever-increasing international commerce is to flourish. This NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) was organized to bring together, for the first time, experts on RBD and related subjects from various countries to assess the current knowledge and recommend new developments. Further, due to their unique nature and great economic significance in most parts of the world, special emphasis was placed on engineered wood structures. For example, in North America more wood products are used in construction than ali other materials (steel, concrete, brick, etc.) combined. However, the wood industry segment, historically, receives less attention and smaller financial support for new developments than other construction materials. RBD developments are being conducted in Similar, but largely independent, Europe, North America, New Zealand and Australia. Experts from these regions were brought together to exchange information on current work, propose new developments and to provide means of international coordination. Thus, this ARW provided an opportunity to advance the cause of RBD of engineered wood structures.
This volume provides a selected overview of approaches, methods, techniques, tools, systems and technology used to develop knowledge of the service life durability of construction and building materials.
"This technical manual is part of a suite of information, technical and training resources produced to support the use of wood in the design and construction of buildings."--T.p. verso.
Increasing demand on improving the resiliency of modern structures and infrastructure requires ever more critical and complex designs. Therefore, the need for accurate and efficient approaches to assess uncertainties in loads, geometry, material properties, manufacturing processes, and operational environments has increased significantly. Reliability-based techniques help develop more accurate initial guidance for robust design and help to identify the sources of significant uncertainty in structural systems. Reliability-Based Analysis and Design of Structures and Infrastructure presents an overview of the methods of classical reliability analysis and design most associated with structural reliability. It also introduces more modern methods and advancements, and emphasizes the most useful methods and techniques used in reliability and risk studies, while elaborating their practical applications and limitations rather than detailed derivations. Features: Provides a practical and comprehensive overview of reliability and risk analysis and design techniques. Introduces resilient and smart structures/infrastructure that will lead to more reliable and sustainable societies. Considers loss elimination, risk management and life-cycle asset management as related to infrastructure projects. Introduces probability theory, statistical methods, and reliability analysis methods. Reliability-Based Analysis and Design of Structures and Infrastructure is suitable for researchers and practicing engineers, as well as upper-level students taking related courses in structural reliability analysis and design.
Structural mechanics in Australasia is the focus of the some 100 papers, but among them are also contributions from North America, Japan, Britain, Asia, and southeast Asia.
