A reliability-based desing format for fatigue-sensitive steel structures is presented based on a novel desing point definition. This design point--defined as an optimization problem with respect to all uncertainties involved--is entirely consistent with its underlying postulates and contains the traditional design point as a special case. Moreover, it can be adapted in a straightforward manner to the specific requirements of fatigue design. This allows to utilize the fatigue relevant failure rate as a reliability measure and to integrate the effect of maintenance procedures in the safety checking procedure. The proposed desing format is exemplified for the design of a structural component against fatigue crack growth under stationary ranodm loading taking into account uncertain material properties and inspection efforts.
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