Civil engineering is one of the many fields of occurrences of uncertain parameters. The present paper in an attempt to present and describe the most common methods used for inclusions of uncertain parameters . These methods can be applied in the area of civil engineering as well as for a larger domain. Definitions and short explanations of methods based on probability, interval analysis, fuzzy sets, and convex sets are presented. Selected advantages, disadvantages, and the most common fields of implementation are indicated.

An example of a cantilever beam presented in this paper shows the main differences between the methods. Results of the performed analysis indicate that the use of convex sets allows us to obtain an accuracy of results similar to stochastic models. At the same time, the computational speed characteristic for interval methods is maintained.

In the present paper tensile stresses perpendicular to the grain in reinforced double-tapered beams made of glued laminated timber are discussed. The beams are analysed using the finite element method within the linear elasticity theory with the influence of orthotropic material properties. The main objective is to assess the influence of transverse reinforcement on the values and distributions of the analysed stresses and to identify the most efficient scheme of reinforcement. The obtained results prove that, with the use of the proposed tools, it is possible to assess the level of stress, including delaminating stress, and to indicate the areas of occurrence of such stress with high precision.