How safe are our structures? - Conceptual paper of the DGGT Working Group 2.15 "Reliability-Based Methods in Geotechnical Engineering"

The future Eurocode 7 will explicitly allow the use of reliability-based methods in geotechnical planning and design. In Germany, there is hardly any experience in the practical application of such methods so far and thus the reservations towards these methods are plenty. The new DGGT Working Group (WG) 2.15 "Reliability-Based Methods in Geotechnical Engineering" has set itself the goal of providing a practical access to those methods by means of practice-oriented instructions and recommendations as well as accompanying training and further education courses. The aim is to clarify the possibilities and limitations and, above all, to exploit their potential. This article presents the general principles as well as the future fields of work of the WG 2.15. Starting with the introduction of relevant technical terms, the implementation of reliability-based methods within the current codes of practice and regulations is shown. Using the life cycle of a geotechnical structure, the uncertainties in geotechnical designs and assessments are described. Subsequently it is outlined, in which situations and to what extend reliability-based methods can aid engineers, clients and inspectors in verification and decision-making processes. In the future, WG 2.15 will develop recommendations on individual topics and publish them successively.