Research project NM/A/17 (Research action NM)
CONTEXT
Eurocodes are European standards for the structural design of constructions. Their preliminary version has been already published from 1995 to 1999 in English, French and German. These standards, representing a total amount of 5000 pages in 60 documents, form a set classified by material (concrete, steel,...). They cover also the stability of constructions subjected to fire exposure or earthquake events, and geotechnical design. According to the present European Treaties, they need complementary national documents, covering the safety matters, both in their preliminary and final versions - the latest being foreseen in 2005.
As a consequence of these characteristics, there are a lot of crossed references between all these documents.
THE PROJECT
Objectives
The project purpose is to develop scientific computer tools, enabling the application of the Eurocodes in a multilingual environment (i.e. French, Flemish, English and German). It will also bring general information on the scientific and technical conditions for the electronic publication of final European standards.
METHODOLOGY
The following steps are already finished or in progress:
- first step (end 2000 - June 2001): collection of documents, whatever is the language, to form a first reference basis and printing of a first CD-ROM with limited potentialities;
- second step (June 2001 - May 2002): updating of the documents database required for structural calculation, including the stability during fire;
- third step (in progress from June 2002): development of the final software, including the automatic preparation of documents (useful for the standard institutes and administrations);
- fourth step (in parallel): development of "engineer-oriented" tools, for engineers or architects, and "terminology-oriented" tools, for translators;
- fifth step (2003): trial of the "final" CD-ROM and upgrade of its functionalities, presentation (to IBN, CEN, etc.) and publication schedule.
THE PARTNERS
- The "bureau SECO", Belgian institution specialised in control insurance in the construction, which brings its experience in the standard application field both in civil works and large buildings (concrete, steel, concrete-steel composite, aluminium). It has appointed from June 2001 a civil engineer with a large experience (30 year) to follow the project development.
- The CSTC/WTCB (Centre Scientifique et Technique de la Construction / Wetenschappelijk Technisch centrum voor Bouw) which has appointed an industrial engineer for a two year partial-time collaboration to review and assemble the most arduous documents, and establish a first list of conditions to be met by the documents for easy computer publication.
- The Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport (FOD Mobiliteit en Vervoer / SPF Mobilité et Transports) which has made the follow-up of the entire project and the computer upgrade of a big set of documents.
This collaboration led to the completion of available documents (translations of Eurocode prestandards, ENV, in Dutch, upgrade and translation of national application documents, NAD), then giving them a user friendly structure with bookmarks, reference to tables and figures etc...
EXPECTED PRODUCTS AND RESULTS
The main expected result of the present project will be the CD-ROM including the preliminary Eurocodes (ENV) with their national application documents (NAD), with user-oriented functionalities, in a multilingual environment where both French and Dutch documents prevail. The way this CD-ROM will be distributed will be finalised in a later stage.
A rational Guide will describe the development conditions and the available computer functionalities, to further enable production of other CD-ROMs. A prototype including the final Eurocodes with national parameters (EN’s) may also be considered.
SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATIONS
The project is regularly presented to "TC250 Eurocodes" committee of the Belgian standard institute, IBN/BIN, which comprises representatives of universities, research offices, control offices and large public administrations.
USERS COMMITTEE
The user committee comprises the following members, including the potential users:
- Mr Pfefferman (BTC)
- Mr Veraart (Bureau d’études Verdeyen & Moenaert)
- Mr Hoeckman (Buyck steel &co)
- Mr Piraprez (CRIF)
- Mr Heynderickx, Legrand and Parmentier (CSTC/WTCB)
- Mr Van Den Bossche (CTIB/TCHN)
- Mr Janssens and Denoël (FEBELCEM)
- Mr De Blauwe, Trommelmans and Wustenberghs (IBN/BIN)
- Mr Coppin and Tolpe (LIN - MVG/AVS)
- Mr Caby and Wouters (MET)
- Mr Nouwynck (Régie des Bâtiments)
- Mr Taerwe and Vandevelde (RUG)
- Mr Broucke and De Bruyckere (SECO)
- Mr Motteu (TC250 Eurocodes)
- Mr Plumier (Ulg)
- Mr De Somere
PROMOTERS
Gilles LABEEUW
Service public fédéral Mobilité et Transports
Résidence Palace
Rue de la Loi 155
B-1040 BRUXELLES
Tel: +32 2 287.31.63
Fax: +32 2 287.31.80
E-mail: gilles.labeeuw@mobilit.fgov.be
Pierre SPEHL
Bureau de Contrôle Technique pour la Construction
Rue d’Arlon 53
B-1040 BRUXELLES
Tel: +32 2 238.22.11
Fax: +32 2 238.22.61
E-mail: p.spehl@seco.be
Thierry CASTIAU
Bureau de Contrôle Technique pour la Construction
Résidence Palace
Rue de la Loi 155
B-1040 BRUXELLES
Tel: +32 2 287.31.82
Fax: +32 2 287.31.80
E-mail: thierry.castiau@mobilit.fgov.be
Johan VYNCKE
Centre Scientifique et Technique de la Construction
Avenue Pierre Holoffe 21
B-1342 LIMELETTE
Tel: +32 2 655 77 11
Fax: +32 2 653.07.29
E-mail: johan.vyncke@bbri.be
EUROCODE CD-Rom: outils techniques et normatifs pour l’implantation harmonieuse des Eurocodes : rapport final
Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2005 (SP1475)
[To download]
