Abstract: Open wharfs on piles are an important structure form, and are widely used throughout the nation. Due to their structural complexity, safety issues associated with open wharfs have always received the attention of engineers. By assessing a series of standards for structural reliability analysis both at home and abroad, and examining previous research on structural safety classifications, the present study developed a quantitative classficiation system for the overall safety evaluation of open wharfs on piles. The ultimate bearing capacity was used to represente structural resistance, and structural reliability indices were calculated. Relevant standards were referred to when retrospectively calculating the objective reliability indices. In addition, the classification system was further examined under variable loadings, with a view to gaining greater insight into safety evaluation processes of such structures. A case example was also used in this study, applying the developed classification system, and the results were backed up by the knowledge gained from engineering practice.