Design basis

Abstract

The first step towards the establishment of standards design is defining failure criteria, mechanical properties and safety factors for all materials considered as well as classifying loads and load combinations to be used. The aim of this article is to describe all the aforementioned criteria, as considered in the EC4 standard. It must be noted that there are special difficulties to be faced because of the duality of materials used in composite structures. The article also describes the present situation i Spain: there are no specific standards for composite structures in effect at the moment, and some contradictions are encountered when considering loads, load combinations and safety factors specified in the different applicable standards.