Abstract
The load and resistance factors are generally determined using the first order reliability method, in which the “design point” must be determined and derivative-based iteration has to be used. In the present paper, the general formula of the load and resistance factor based on the method of moments is deduced based on the review of basic principle of the load and resistance factor format for structural design. A simple formula for determining the load and resistance factors using the fourth moment method in which neither the design point nor derivative-based iteration is necessary, is proposed. From the investigation of the present paper, it is found that the present method gives good improvement upon the method based on the third moment method and although the load and resistance factors obtained using the method of moments are different from those obtained through the first order reliability method, the required structural resistances under a specific design condition are almost the same.
