Discussion on: Reliability evaluation of reinforced concrete beams

In the paper under discussion the authors give a comprehensive analysis of reliability of RC beams designed under the provisions of ACI Building Code and obtain many important results. The implication of their analysis is that ACI Code 318-89 gives a uniform reliability for the investigated design situations. All component reliability indices vary from 3.2-4.2. The aim of this discussion is to show that in some cases the probability of brittle failure is rather high, reliability is inadequate and reliability indices go well below 3.2. The reasons for these phenomena are revealed and some measures to remedy the situation are recommended.