Structural durability and concept system of structural reliability

Abstract Research on durability is vital for reliability analysis and control. The main aim is to analyze the deterioration of concrete structures resulting from material degradation. While there is still a large difference in understanding the concept of the structural durability, and a misunderstanding of the relationship among safety, serviceability, and durability, which influence the process of establishing the structural reliability concept system, and the analysis and control of structural durability. Based on former researches and the definition of “condition limit state” in an international standard, the concept of structural durability and the relationship among safety, serviceability, and durability of a structure are elucidated clearly. Furthermore, the basic solution to durability analysis and control is put forward, and the concept system of structural reliability is built. The research will lay the foundation of defining the structural durability uniformly, measuring the structural durability reasonably, and analyzing and controlling structural reliability and structural durability effectively.