Glossary
Concept of robustness and risk in constructions

Accidental action: action, usually of short duration but significant magnitude, which is unlikely to occur on a given structure during its project life.

Consequence class: classification of the consequences of all or part of the structure.

Potential hazard: in the context of EN 1990 to EN 1999, a serious and unusual event, e.g. abnormal action, abnormal environmental influence, insufficient strength or excessive deviation from the intended dimensions.

Deflagration: propagation of a combustion zone at a speed below the speed of sound in the initial medium.

Detonation: propagation of a combustion zone at a speed greater than the speed of sound in its initial environment.

Key element: structural element on which the stability of the rest of the structure depends....