A few definitions
Concept of robustness and risk in constructions

In the current version of the Eurocodes, some important definitions are proposed (NF EN 1990 and NF EN 1991-1-7):

• accidental project situation: a project situation involving exceptional conditions at the level of the structure or its exposure, for example, fire, explosion, impact or localized failure;

• Potential hazard: in the context of EN 1990 to EN 1999, a serious and unusual event, abnormal environmental influence, insufficient resistance or excessive deviation from the intended dimensions;

• key element: element of a structure on which the stability of the rest of the structure depends;

• local failure: the part of a structure assumed to have collapsed or been seriously damaged as a result of an accidental event;

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