Applications to Structural Codes

Abstract

Structural codes are documents which, by their very nature, are subject to periodic revision and amendment, but the decade 1970–80 was a time of marked activity in code development. This is still continuing. The main features have been

• the replacement of many simple design rules by more scientifically-based calculations derived from experimental and theoretical research,

• the move towards limit state design - whereby the designer and/or code writer specifies the relevant performance requirements (limit states) for each structure explicitly; and where separate sets of calculations are required to check that the structure will not attain each limit state (at a given level of probability),

• the replacement of single safety factors or load factors by sets of partial coefficients,

• the improvement of rules for the treatment of combinations of loads and other actions,

• the use of structural reliability theory in determining rational sets of partial coefficients, and

• the preparation of model codes [11.7] for different types of structural materials and forms of construction; and steps towards international code harmonisation, particularly within the European Economic Community (EEC).