Reliability analysis in building physics design

The idea of reliability analysis in building physics design is presented. Reliability of building performance is described in terms of the probability of exceeding the critical values by the physical measures as a result of the changes of physical state of a building due to variations of climatic, structural or serviceability parameters. Demand–capacity model and the first-order reliability method (FORM) are proposed as a tool for the reliability analysis. An example of probability-based analysis of air exchange in a building illustrates the use of the reliability analysis approach in ventilation design.