reliability index for reinforced concrete frames using nonlinear pushover and dynamic analysis

in the conventional design and analysis methods affecting parameters (loads, materials'strength, etc) are not set as probable variables. safety factors in the current codes andstandards are usually obtained on the basis of judgment and experience, which may beimproper or uneconomical. in technical literature, a method based on nonlinear static analysisis suggested to set reliability index on strength of structural systems. in this paper, a methodbased on nonlinear dynamic analysis with rising acceleration (or incremental dynamicanalysis) is introduced, the results of which are compared with those of the previous (staticpushover analysis) method and two concepts namely redundancy strength and redundancyvariations are proposed as an index to these impacts. the redundancy variation factor andredundancy strength factor indices for reinforced concrete frames with varying number ofbays and stories and different ductility potentials are computed and ultimately, reliabilityindex is determined using these two indices.