Development of the Design Code for Building Structures in China

Abstract

This paper gives an overview on the development and updated state of design code for building structures in China. The history of establishing and developing of a structural design code in China can be roughly divided into four phases: introducing and using foreign codes (1950–1969), creating the main Chinese structural design code (1970–1985), establishing advanced Chinese structural design code (1986–2000), and building an integrated standard system (2001–2011). Four levels (technical law, basic code, commonly used code, and specific code) are set to build the standard system for the design of building structures, which included 42 applicable codes, 30 under drafting codes, and 12 planned codes. In accordance with the applicable range, all technical codes are divided into four grades namely national, trade, local, and enterprise standards.Against the general background of global warming and climate changes, globalization of economy, and the events of massive earthquake and disasters caused by wind and snow under extreme weather, a new round revision of design code for building structures has been initiated in China and most of them have been completed in the end of 2011. The principles of low carbon economy and emission reduction have been considered in the new version of the codes. The main contents and revision points were briefly introduced on code of unified standard, loads, concrete structures, and seismic design.