Building the Future in the Euro-Mediterranean Area EUROCODES: Building the Future in the Euro-Mediterranean Area EUROCODES IN MALTA

Transcription

1 EUROCODES: EUROCODES IN MALTA Varese, November 27-29, 2006

2 RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION OF EUROCODES assigned to MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY STANDARDISATION DIRECTORATE PREPARATION OF NATIONAL ANNEXES task of TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (MSA/TC/250)

3 MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY was created in 2000, as part of the preparation for Malta s accession to the European Union (previously Malta Standardisation Authority ) MSA identified as EU Central Notification Point in Malta, in 2001 with task of providing information in the field of technical standards, regulations and rules, as part of the procedures aimed at the prevention of the creation of trade barriers

4 STANDARDISATION DIRECTORATE set up in 2000 amongst its responsibilities: the adoption of Eurocodes and the development of National Annex Documents Participating in consultation re draft Eurocodes and voting on approval Task of preparing NADs entrusted to TECHNICAL COMMITTEE - MSA/TC 250 with representation from Department responsible for Building Regulations, from Professional Body, from University, and from Construction Industry Consultative Council

5 CURRENT LEGISLATIVE STATUS when Eurocode is formally approved, MSA- EN version (similar to BS-EN version) is transposed into Maltese Legislation by publication of Notice in Government Gazette. Draft NADs are circulated to profession and industry, and after period for comments, recommended for approval by MSA and publication in Government Gazette Target is to adopt Eurocodes by 2010

6 CURRENT LEGISLATIVE STATUS Process completed for: MSA EN 1990: 2002 Basis of Structural Design MSA EN : 2002 Actions on Structures Part 1-1 It is expected that by first quarter of 2007, 85% of NADs will be promulgated, on the basis of either Recommended Values, or, Values adopted in UK (Concrete and Steel) Of the remaining, the NADs for the Masonry Eurocode will take more time, in order to assess impact on local masonry industry, and NADs for wind and seismicity effects will need more calibration work

7 CURRENT LEGISLATIVE STATUS Up to now, Malta has not had mandatory structural design standards. Practice has been to refer to British Standards, because of traditional links to Britain, particularly at University level. However, it is possible for professionals trained elsewhere (generally Italy) to use other standards. Contracts generally require that design is based on British Standards, although on occasions, design of some specialised elements, such as highway bridges or roads, according to German Standards has been required

8 CURRENT LEGISLATIVE STATUS Also, Malta lacks a complete body of modern building regulations, with regulation based on various pieces of legislation, often dating back to early part of 20 th century, or ad hoc regulation Responsibility for structural integrity based on Civil Law, and is a personal responsibility shared with Contractor. Sanitary legislation based on Code of Police Laws, often on 19 th century concepts up-dated at various intervals. Draft Building Regulations have been prepared and will be introduced gradually. First parts to be adopted refer to Fire Safety, and now to Energy Efficiency

9 SITUATION re EDUCATION AND TRAINING Department of Building and Civil Engineering, within Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering of the University of Malta responsible for courses in structural engineering for local professional courses

10 SITUATION re EDUCATION AND TRAINING At the moment, preparation of architects and civil/structural engineers is based on five year course, with three common years of study, and two years of specialised streams of study, leading to Bachelor degree. Traditionally, structural engineering design is based on British practice and Standards. Limit state approach adopted in late seventies, as in Britain, but before this date, no formal reference to standards

11 SITUATION re EDUCATION AND TRAINING At the moment, Faculty is studying restructuring of course, in accordance with Bologna Agreement, to one with a four year bachelor level course in general studies in built environment, and two year masters level, leading to professional qualification. It is envisaged that one of professional masters courses will be in structural engineering

12 SITUATION re EDUCATION AND TRAINING Teaching of structural engineering is not based on Standard Codes but on more general concepts. However, courses in design in Structural Concrete, Structural Steel and Structural Masonry are offered, with reference to specific design codes. At the moment, classes are starting to be offered with exposure to both BS and EN Codes It is envisaged that over the next two years courses will gradually shift solely to EN Codes

13 SITUATION WITH PROFESSIONALS Adoption of Eurocodes by profession is still very slow. there is limited familiarity; there is still no statutory obligation to follow any particular code of practice; adoption of MSA-EN standards and preparation of NADs still at initial steps Some training courses have, however, started, and when most MSA-EN standards and NADs will be published, more training courses will take place, via University Summer Courses, or Continuing Professional Development Courses

14 SITUATION WITH INDUSTRY Adoption of Eurocodes by INDUSTRY is also slow. once again, there is limited familiarity; the link with Material Standards is still not widely understood the advantages of adoption of Eurocodes not yet apparent, because of limited size of local industry producing building materials stone and concrete products However, as professionals become more proficient in use of Eurocodes, and as Contracts and Specifications start making reference to Eurocodes and related material standards, it is expected that industry will follow quickly.

15 PERCEIVED DIFFICULTIES Eurocodes are a formidable body of standards, with unprecedented consistency of approach. however, Eurocodes have been perceived as having too much repetition of common parts, and too many parts. Eurocodes are, in parts, too complex, with an implied degree of correctness and accuracy which is perhaps not related to the site or to the normal design office. Eurocodes are strong in principles but short of specific equations or design methods. This can be a disadvantage when compared to, say, British Standards (ii) (i) On the other hand, two main advantages perceived: EuroCodes will become national codes and not borrowed from other countries If accompanied by Euro Norm regime, of great value in context of responsibility of architect and engineers

16 FUTURE ENVISAGED Changing to Eurocodes can be expensive if whole volumes have to be bought, and if office has to change software to this basis of design. Up-dating and revision (simplification) of Eurocodes should not require wholesale investment in new documents and software. Many books, design guides, manuals are becoming available (in English) it is important that similar texts are available in other major European languages. Advantages of Eurocodes are meant to be free movement of services and removal of barriers to trade. Process to achieve this and hence really fulfill these advantages is likely to be slow.

17 EUROCODES

18 Not based on Eurocodes! - (3000BC) Thank You