The reliability of the support zone of beams formed with the use of ST models

The following paper presents the analysis of the reliability assessment of a reinforced concrete beam whose shear zone was formed with the use of various truss models. Model 1 is a truss model that was generated using topological optimization. Model 2 is an intuitive model with vertical, tension bars which represent reinforcement in the shear zone by means of stirrups. Model 3 is a statically indeterminate truss. The conducted analysis of reliability of a support node formed with the use of three substitute trusses of varied topology shows that statically determinate models produce lower structural reliability than statically indeterminate models and thus the optimization of ST models should be considered on multi-criteria basis with the aim of obtaining models that are characterized by optimum stiffness and maximum reliability.