Geo-RBD for Foundations — Let's Do It Right!

The transition to reliability-based design (RBD) of foundations has not been smooth. Design engineers do not necessarily object to RBD. Instead, they are concerned that the new design process restricts or eliminates their flexibility to mod- ify the process depending on site- or project-specific conditions. The broad issues that relate to these concerns are discussed, and an effort is made to clarify some key points that illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of RBD implementations. ABSTRACT: The transition to reliability-based design (RBD) of foundations has not been smooth. Design engineers do not necessarily object to RBD. Instead, they are concerned that the new design process restricts or eliminates their flexibility to mod- ify the process depending on site- or project-specific conditions. The broad issues that relate to these concerns are discussed, and an effort is made to clarify some key points that illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of RBD implementations.