INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN STRUCTURAL AND FOUNDATION CODES

This, the second article in a series of three, reports on the paper presented by W.B. Cranston at the September 1981 Concrete Society meeting in London. The speaker traced the origins and development of codes following the adoption of reinforced concrete in the UK. He assessed the usefulness of international activity and discussed the current development of European regulations and standards. Three classes of limit states for structural performance are suggested:. (a) ultimate limit states; (b) serviceability; and (c) durability. Ultimate limit states are to be specified with a virtual zero level probability of occurrence. Loads are to be classified in various ways depending on their nature - whether permanent or variable. Errors arising from the methods of overall analysis and the equations used to predict the strength of sections are to be quantified and assessed. All aspects of the design process are to be subjected to some form of internal and external control. The speaker also reviewed the functions of codes in acting as a regulator to benefit users, contractors and designers. For other papers presented at the meeting see TRIS abstracts 367567 and 367569. (Author/TRRL)