Modern structural design codes

Abstract

In this paper from the UK Building Research Establishment the authors suggest that a simple partial factor format is a practical alternative to the more complex formats of many national and international code drafts currently in preparation. The role of codes of practice within the overall structure of building control is also discussed. It is argued that any format of practical value must accord with our current state of knowledge of structural behaviour, which is limited. The partial factors used must be unambiguously defined, and must further be capable of rational evaluation. These criteria themselves tend to produce a simple format.