Strategies for mitigating risk to buildings from abnormal load events Online publication date: Mon, 23-Jul-2007
by Bruce R. Ellingwood
International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management (IJRAM), Vol. 7, No. 6/7, 2007
Abstract: Building structures customarily are designed to withstand loads from their occupants and the natural environment. The normal design process provides a measure of structural integrity that is also available to withstand events that traditionally have been outside the design envelope, including accidents, misuse, and sabotage. Changes in design and construction practices over the past several decades have lessened inherent robustness in certain modern structural systems, making them vulnerable to such events. Social and political factors also have led to an increase in hazardous events that may pose a risk to buildings. Finally, public awareness of building safety has increased as a result of well-publicised natural and man-made disasters. Building practices to mitigate the risk of abnormal loads and ensuing unacceptable damage or collapse can be improved using concepts of structural reliability and risk analysis. This paper summarises the basis for such practices, from the perspective of a structural engineer.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management (IJRAM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook