Structural reliability quantification and cost-based design optimization of concrete elements subjected to fire

Fire is one of the most severe loads for concrete structures. Consequently, fire resistance is an important consideration during design. However, current design practice is generally governed by prescriptive design rules which are based on experience and do not explicitly take into account e.g. the damage costs due to a fire-induced failure and the probability of fire ignition and successful fire suppression. A more rational approach would be to take into account the characteristics of the structure and to determine the economic optimum fire safety design. As an example, the methodology is applied for determining the economic optimum concrete cover of a simply supported concrete slab, considering a more refined structural reliability calculation based on a mixed-lognormal modelling of the bending resistance.