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of structural design 2020‐2021 Q2
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Module 1: Basis of design
1. What is the reliability index and what is its relation with the probability of failure? (1 pt.)
2. Related to a generic variable load (q), explain the meaning of 0, 1∙ and 2. (1 pt.)
3. What parts of a design project have contractual consideration? (1 pt.)
4. Explain the process of safety factor calibration based on target reliability index. (1 pt.)
5. Why the unfavourable partial safety factor for variable loads is larger in magnitude than the similar factor for permanent
loads. (1 pt.)
6. Sketch the bending moment diagram and deformed shape of the beam structure shown below. Consider the effect of the
point load and neglect self‐weight (1 pt.)
7. Consider the following continuous bridge, subjected to dead load, variable load (q) and a temperature gradient. The
variable load (q) has been considered distributed in two alternative hypotheses (cannot coexist at the same time);
namely, uniformly distributed on both spans or loaded on one single span. The temperature gradient can take a value of
T=10 ºC, between the top and bottom fibre of the deck (either positive or negative values are possible, but both signs
are not possible at the same time).
The distribution of the bending moments in the structure is shown in the next figure for each of the loads and load
hypothesis. The load combination factors are:
0 1 2
Variable load (q) 0.9 0.7 0.4
Temperature gradient 0.5 0.4 0.2
Compute the following load combinations (4 pts.):
a. Maximum (+) Ultimate Limit State (ULS) bending moment in x=12 m from left support
b. Minimum (‐) Ultimate Limit State (ULS) bending moment in x=12 m from left support
c. Maximum (+) Frequent (SLS) bending moment in x=4.5 m from left support
d. Quasi‐permanent (SLS) bending moment in x=5.25 m from left support
-1223 kNm
5,25 m
688 kNm
688 kNm 669 kNm
-450 kNm
5,25 m
253 kNm
253 kNm 246 kNm
Variable loads (Q). Hypothesis 2 (only 1 span loaded, either left or right)
4,5 m 4,5 m
4,5 m
5,25m 6.75 m 6.75 m 5,25 m
Fig. 1. Bending moment distribution for the bridge deck (question 5).
Some steps are missing. 0.75/1.0
Wrong bending moment
and deformed shape.
0.0/1.0