When the bridge structure stability safety factor of the first type is 4, the research that whether the structure reliability index will reach target reliability index under the more-likely-to-happen collapse situation of the second type is necessary. The stability calculations of the first and the second type are made respectively for single layer and single span rigid frame bridge. Based on the critical load obtained from the stability calculation of the first type, the stability safety factor of the first type is taken as 4, and the first order reliability method is used to program and calculate the reliability index. Then, the load effect under the stability reliability index cal- culation of the first type and the critical load of the second type are employed to calculate the reliability index of the second type. The evaluation of structure stability safety factor is discussed according to reliability index. Based on the discussion above, parameter analysis of the stable critical loads of two types is made, and the in- fluence of critical load change on reliability index is researched. The result shows that stability analysis should identify collapse state; when the stability safety factor of the first type is 4, but the structure has the collapse of the second type, the reliability index cannot be ensured to reach the target reliability index under certain condi- tions.
