Definitions (Topic: 12004)

Characteristic resistance The value of resistance, determined on the basis of characteristic strength, which has given probability of being attained by the actual structure.

Design resistance The maximum resistance to be used in the verification of safety of a structure or a part of a structure. I.E. design resistance = characteristic resistance / material coefficient.

Design load Load used in the design of a structure. I.E. characteristic load multiplied by the load coefficient.

Material coefficient A coefficient which takes into account a reduced strength compared to the values measured, local reductions of strength and dimensional tolerances.

Load coefficient A coefficient which takes into account the possibility that the load will reach values more unfavourable than the characteristic ones. The possibility of unfavourable modification of the stresses. Owing to computational assumptions being different from reality and the reduced probability that the different loads all have their characteristic value at the same time.

References: [17]