Partial factors for selected reinforced concrete members: Background to a revision of SANS 10100-1

The application of Eurocode EN 1992-1-1 in revising the South African standard for structural concrete design SABS 0100-1 : 1992 will require the determination of partial factors in accordance with the reliability requirements of the revised South African loading code SANS 10160 : 2010. The partial material factors γs for steel and γc for concrete are proposed in analysing the reliability of reinforced concrete slabs and short centrically loaded columns. It appears that the partial factors γs = 1,10 and γc = 1,40 are a suitable set of factors to be considered in the foreseen revision of the code. Further research is required on the model uncertainty for different structural members (flexural members, shear, columns, walls) and the theoretical models of basic resistance variables related to quality control.