Life safety risk-based requirements for concrete structures in accidental situations caused by gas explosions

On this background, the paper explores methods and tools for the practical application of explicit risk analysis in connection with the effects of gas explosions on RC structures. A procedure is established to determine structure-related risks to persons and applied to a representative set of structures designed according to current best practice. Target reliabilities for the design of key elements are deduced from the findings. Such target values facilitate rational decisions on both, the need and the appropriate choice of risk-reduction measures to counteract the effects of gas explosions in buildings.