STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY AND ERROR CONTROL IN REINFORCED-CONCRETE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Available statistical data suggest that human error in design and construction causes a significant proportion of performance failures; namely, structural failure, cost overruns and delays. A Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) model has been developed to simulate the effect of human error on the design and construction of a reinforced concrete beam. The proposed HRA model incorporates the effect of designer checking, independent design checking, engineering inspections of construction works, and interaction between the designer and contractor. Human performance models are described for all design and construction microtasks. It was found that human error leads to a significant loss of structural safety, but that error control measures (particularly design checking) significantly reduce this loss. It was also shown that construction errors are more detrimental to structural safety and are more difficult to detect and correct.