Reliability-based code calibration of local buckling strength design of pultruded GFRP I- and H-section columns

This paper presents and discusses a reliability-based code calibration (RBCC) procedure for the determination of optimal partial safety factors to be employed in the semi-probabilistic design rules of pultruded Glass Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (pGFRP) columns, susceptible to local buckling, considered in the technical specification CEN/TS 19101: 2022, Design of Fibre-Polymer Composite Structures. First, the description of the two distinct resistance models for local buckling of I- and H-section columns adopted in CEN/TS 19101:2022 is presented. Next, attention is turned to the detailed presentation of the procedure to perform a RBCC, including all the relevant data, with emphasis to all the probabilistic models adopted. Next, the results obtained by applying the RBCC procedure are presented and discussed. Lastly, the paper closes with the presentation of relevant concluding remarks and recommends the partial safety factors for I- and H-section pGFRP columns susceptible to local buckling triggered by the web and flanges. • Characterization of the uncertainty of two resistance models for local buckling design according to CEN/TS 1901:2022. • Structural reliability analysis involving material, loads, geometrical, modal and load effect uncertainties. • Analysis, quantification and discussion of the relevant random variables for various structural problems. • Reliability-based code calibration of design rules for local buckling of I- and H-section pGFRP columns. • Determination of partial safety factors for pGFRP columns susceptible to web- and flange-triggered local buckling.