Reliability of Asymmetrically Reinforced Columns

The criterion of reliability - compulsory minimal eccentricity was verified by axially loaded columns which were unsymmetrical reinforced. By design of concrete columns a condition of min eccentricity (emin= h/30 resp. 20 mm) has to be fulfilled to decrease the column resistance defined by normal force NRd. This condition was supposed to increase a level of reliability of axially loaded columns but it should be substituted by restriction of normal force as it was in previous Slovak and British code. In a case of unsymmetrical cross-section or section reinforced with asymmetrical reinforcement, this requirement is not accurate as in some cases the application of the condition 6.1(4) STN EN 1992-1-1 leads to decrease of the design reliability. Results of theoretical and experimental analysis are content of our contribution.