Reducing anchorage length by providing more steel than required

[kww2008]

The Australian concrete standards (AS3600 and AS5100.5) both have a clause which allows development lengths to be be reduced if more steel than required is provided. Doing this at a potential hinge forming region can result in sudden non-ductile collapse when overloaded since bond failure instead of gradual ductile collapse from yielding of rebars. AASHTO LFRD has a similar clause but advise to use only if yield not required. I think the Australian clause should do the same to prevent indiscriminate use of this clause. I believe all concrete structures should be detailed to fail in a ductile manner to give warning of impending collapse when overloaded. Please share your views on this.