This paper presents an evaluation of the safety of I-section steel columns designed according to the new revision of the Brazilian code for design of steel buildings (NBR8800) and to the code for loads and safety of structures (NBR8681). The safety evaluation is based on structural reliability analysis of columns designed to comply with these codes, and on advanced (FE-based) analysis of actual column resistance. The effects of geometrical imperfections and residual stresses in column resistance are taken into account. The uncertainty in yield stress, elasticity modulus, geometrical imperfections and dead and live loads are considered in the reliability evaluation. Reliability indexes are obtained for several column configurations. These indexes reflect the safety of the columns designed according to the two building codes. Reliability indexes are compared with target reliability indexes used in calibration of the ANSI code and with indexes proposed in the new EUROCODE.
steel columns; structural safety; building codes; nonlinear finite element analysis
