Structural reliability theory is concerned with the rational treatment of uncertainties in struc­ tural engineering and with the methods for assessing the safety and serviceability of civil en­ gineering and other structures. It is a subject which has grown rapidly during the last decade and has evolved from being a topic for academic research to a set of well-developed or develop­ ing methodologies with a wide range of practical applications. Uncertainties exist in most areas of civil and structural engineeri'1.g and rational design decisions cannot be made without modelling them and taking them into account. Many structural en­ gineers are shielded from having to think about