CEN TC Research Articles

Some Highlights on the New Version of EN 1992-1-2 (Eurocode 2, Fire Part)

Revision process of Eurocode 2 relating to concrete structural design is ready for the final step, the Formal Vote in CEN TC 250 Structural Eurocodes at the beginning of 2023. This paper summarizes the main changes and new developments presented by this revision in prEN 1992-1-2 with regard to the version currently in force. It will focus mainly in the introduction on some changes in the structure of the document and the reduction of the number of Nationally Determined Parameters (NDPs). Additionally, some changes and novelties in the properties of concrete, reinforcing and prestressing steel with temperature are commented. Another important point is the novelties in the design and verification methods (tables, simplified and advanced), focusing in the simplified methods and an analytical formulation to find the temperature in rectangular and circular cross-sections. Finally, the new approach in the treatment of concrete spalling that simplifies and clarifies the measures to avoid it and new developments in the Annexes section are discussed.

Development of a new standard for evaluation of sustainable refurbishment

PurposeIncreasing focus on sustainability, in general, climate change impact, circular economy and a substantial need for CO2 footprint reduction within the construction industry, requires new knowledge and processes regarding the existing buildings. To satisfy new laws and regulations for new buildings is an easier challenge in comparison with possibilities in existing building stock which has the biggest contribution to sustainability within the construction industry. The purpose of the study is to develop and present a standardized process for sustainable refurbishment which, in addition to technical aspects, has a goal to create “well-being” for stakeholders, people organizations in private and public businesses and society itself.Design/methodology/approachThe latest state of the art in the mentioned field has been assessed, and the developments along with potential future research focus have been identified. The process is presented in this paper, from the starting point of establishing the Norwegian standards in 1995 (NS 3454) until now, the development of the new CEN standard (prEN 17860:2022). The basic methodology designed for NS 3454 was improved through Nordic tools for indicator requirements SURE 1 (2011) and SURE 2 (2015). Further development of the tool was adopted by CEN TC 350 Sustainable Construction in 2017 with the aim to extend the good Nordic practices to the European level. In the paper, the design of the new standard prEN 17860:2022 is presented, from the process and content perspective, following the Nordic approach of standardized methodology and enhancing it with new dimensions and evaluation tools. Throughout the years, the standardized methodology, based on NS 3424, has been implemented in practical use for facility management in the Norwegian public sector. Positive experiences and feedback from this practical implementation have been taken into consideration in prEN 17680:2022.FindingsThe authors present the guidance, developed as a process, leading facility managers and other stakeholders through sustainable refurbishment standards and rules to make a clear decision about their concrete investment. The tool enables decisions about all three sustainability pillars and better decisions for health, well-being and quality of life. All the characteristics of the standardized methodology from the Nordic approach were supplemented (technical aspects; adaptability; usability; social aspects; energy, water and operational impacts and quality of indoor environment including health aspects) and some new were added (economic, feasibility, climate resilience and embodied environmental impacts). The tool also presents a building performance profile for further service life.Social implicationsSustainable cities have been a focus for many years now from various perspectives such as SURE 1 or 2 and CEN TC 350. What these studies neglect is a clear and helpful guideline, supporting the FM, users and investors while deciding the operating and maintaining infrastructure in an urban environment. Better standardized forms give the possibility to make better climate-neutral choices and keep the well-being focus by choosing buildings with a potential for a long lifetime.Originality/valueThe new focus of addressing all stakeholders, including people, promoting sustainable refurbishment by informing, engaging and empowering them to take the decisions.

Field Experience for Determination of Formaldehyde in Stack Emissions

Formaldehyde (H−CHO) is a chemical compound extremely common in many industrial productions. However, in 2004, it was reclassified as carcinogenic (H350) and mutagenic (H341). Therefore, stringent limitations on emissions were implemented; among them, the lowest limit (3 mg/m3) was adopted by some Italian Local Competent Authorities. Up to now, no European-validated method for emission control was available, and for this reason, a specific working group (WG 40) has been created in the framework of the European Committee for Standardization Technical Committees 264 (CEN TC 264) to publish a qualified method for the quantification of Formaldehyde emissions from stationary sources (i.e., power stations, incinerators, petrochemicals, and industrial plants that uses combustion for their energetic purposes). Some preliminary trial tests were conducted to evaluate (1) the sampling protocol, and (2) the analytical technique. From a measurement perspective, two methods were selected: EPA 323—VDI 3862-6 and VDI 3862-2. Every new method prepared by CEN shall be verified before publication in the field and in real conditions to verify its metrological properties (i.e., precision, biases, reproducibility, and repeatability), costs and the training needs for involved personnel. With this aim, two measuring campaigns were conducted, and some important conclusions emerged concerning the H−CHO sampling procedure. Due to high water levels normally present, condensation during sampling is critical and can cause unpredictable errors; wet traps (impingers) give good responses. The sampling in pure water appeared unstable, but using an H2SO4 solution solved this issue, thus being recommended.

Using Knowledge Graph Structures for Semantic Interoperability in Electronic Health Records Data Exchanges

Information sharing across medical institutions is restricted to information exchange between specific partners. The lifelong electronic health records (EHR) structure and content require standardization efforts. The existing standards such as openEHR, HL7, and CEN TC251 EN 13606 (Technical committee on Health Informatics of the European Committee for Standardization) aim to achieve data independence along with semantic interoperability. This study aims to discover knowledge representation to achieve semantic health data exchange. OpenEHR and CEN TC251 EN 13606 use archetype-based technology for semantic interoperability. The HL7 Clinical Document Architecture is on its way to adopting this through HL7 templates. Archetypes are the basis for knowledge-based systems as these are means to define clinical knowledge. The paper examines a set of formalisms for the suitability of describing, representing, and reasoning about archetypes. Each of the information exchange technologies such as XML, Web Ontology Language, Object Constraint Language, and Knowledge Interchange Format is evaluated as a part of the knowledge representation experiment. These examine the representation of Archetypes as described by Archetype Definition Language. The evaluation maintains a clear focus on the syntactic and semantic transformations among different EHR standards.

Stability of Stainless Steel I-Section Beam-Columns at Elevated Temperatures

With the growing use of stainless steel in the construction and offshore industries, there is an increasing interest and need to study the performance of stainless structures at elevated temperatures. The behavior and design of stainless steel I-section beam-columns in fire is investigated in this paper, addressing a scarcity of previous research on this topic. Finite element (FE) models of stainless steel beam-columns, able to replicate their response at elevated temperatures, are created and validated; the validated models are then used to perform parametric studies to generate extensive benchmark structural performance data. The design rules set out in the European structural steel fire design standard EN 1993-1-2 are assessed and shown to provide rather inaccurate and often unsafe ultimate strength predictions for stainless steel I-section beam-columns in fire. New fire design rules for stainless steel beam-columns are put forward. It is shown that the new proposals are able to offer improved accuracy and design efficiency relative to the EN 1993-1-2 beam-column design rules. The reliability of the proposed design rules is also verified on the basis of the fire design reliability criteria set out by Kruppa [Eurocodes–Fire parts: Proposal for a methodology to check the accuracy of assessment methods, CEN TC 250, Horizontal Group Fire, Document no: 99/130 (1999)], thereby demonstrating the suitability of the proposed design rules for inclusion in the upcoming revised version of EN 1993-1-2.

LCA-Framework to Evaluate Circular Economy Strategies in Existing Buildings

Introduction: Buildings are responsible for 39 % of CO2 emissions in the world and have the largest consumption of natural resources. The concept of Circular Economy can be used as an approach for mitigating environmental impact in this sector. Circular economy in the built environment can be implemented on a building level through preservation instead of demolition and new construction. In order to assess the environmental impact, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework can be used. The purpose of this study is to expand the existing building-LCA framework from the CEN TC 350 standards to include existing buildings on the building site in the assessment of buildings and demonstrate the framework on a building case. This is done in order to include the environmental benefits from preserving the building materials that already exists on the building site. Methods: The framework is developed based on the existing standard for LCA for buildings and the framework is demonstrated on an existing school building. Results: The study develops and demonstrates a framework for performing LCA on buildings when an existing building is the starting point. The framework includes scenarios for 1) preservation, 2) renovation and 3) demolition and new construction. The case building shows the importance of including demolition of the existing building as it accounts for 12 % of impacts. It furthermore illustrates how the scenarios can be compared, especially in terms of when the impacts occur, i.e. that most impacts from scenario 3) happen today, which can be a challenge with a limited climate budget. Conclusion: The developed framework allow us to broaden the LCA scope to include existing buildings in the assessment such as demolition of existing buildings on building site. This makes it possible to evaluate the circular strategies on building level using LCA to the benefit of building designers, clients and policy makers.

Test methods for surface disinfection: comparison of the Wiperator ASTM standard E2967-15 and the 4-field test EN 16615.

Aim: Two test methods for surface disinfection (phase 2, step 2) – the Wiperator method (ASTM standard E2967-15) and the 4-field test (EN 16615) – were compared using a disinfectant solution based on quaternary ammonium compounds and a ready-to-use alcohol-based wipe. As test organisms, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used. Results: While the 4-field test is a manual method and better reflects the process in practice, with the Wiperator, the wiping process is better controlled because it is an automated procedure. A comparison of the effects of both methods on the target log10-reduction of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa indicates a statistically significant difference between the two test methods (Mann-Whitney U-Test. S. aureus: 0 (Umin)<4 (Ucrit); n1=8, n2=8, p=0.001; 2-sided. P. aeruginosa: 24 (Umin)<26 (Ucrit); n1=11, n2=10, p=0.025, 2-sided). In addition, the results indicate that the wipe used has a major influence on the success of the disinfection process. Discussion: Both methods are suitable for efficacy studies of surface disinfectants, yet they differ in some aspects. Additionally our data indicate a statistically significant difference between the two test methods.Conclusion: Efficiency testing of surface disinfection is a complex process that depends on many different parameters. Since the 4-field test better reflects the practice, it makes sense to stick to this test procedure, taking into account that the EN 16615 was approved by CEN TC 216 in 2015 after method validation ring trials.

Usage of Standards to Integration of Hospital Information Systems

Introduction: Data exchange across healthcare facilities is a major issue in healthcare information systems. Standards play an important role in the context of communication. In this paper, we surveyed the usage of standards in the hospital information systems (HISs) in the affiliated hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.Material and Methods: This survey was performed in 2014-2015. A total of 17 hospitals with HISs were surveyed. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The design of the questionnaire was based on a literature review and consisted of three parts. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: XML, HL7 and DICOM are commonly used international interchange standards. In the case of security standards, 76.5% of HISs do not support the HIPPA and CEN TC 251 security standards. ICD was the most commonly used terminology standard in the HISs. Several studies have indicated that HISs should cover data exchange, security and terminology standards to provide integration of heterogeneous systems.Conclusion: In the current study, the role of standards in the architecture of the HISs was inconspicuous. To make the HIS effective, it is necessary to consider the standards when developing the system. In this matter, legislation could help.

PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF SRF PREMIUM QUALITY FROM MUNICIPAL AND COMMERCIAL SOLID NON-HAZARDOUS WASTES IN AUSTRIA, CROATIA, SLOVENIA AND SLOVAKIA

The production of Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) and related energy recovery in the European cement industry represents the state of the art in waste management, having evolved into a highly important part of a sustainable and circular economy. This paper describes the production and quality of eight Solid Recovered Fuels (SRF) of PREMIUM quality that are produced from Municipal (Mixed) and selected Commercial Wastes (i.e. Bulky and Lightweight Fraction from Plastic Sorting Plants) in three types of treatment plants located in four European countries, namely Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia. The investigated SRF PREMIUM Quality was produced in three different Plant Types applying various process technologies. All three types have been investigated and are described in detail (i.e. flow sheet). Eight SRF PREMIUM Qualities have been comprehensively investigated by sorting, sieving, and physical-chemical analyses. Analyses performed are in accordance with (inter)national standards (i.e. Austrian “ÖNORM”, European “EN” standards and CEN TC 343 guidelines). The results gained show that all investigated SRF fulfil the Austrian quality requirements for heavy metals before co-incineration in the cement industry and it can be confirmed that SRF produced in the investigated plants in Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia in fact may be declared as “SRF PREMIUM Quality” that can be used for energy recovery on the European SRF market and utilized in the European cement industry.

The influence of the usage of secondary fuels for Portland clinker production on the emission value of heavy metals from cement and concrete

The influence of secondary fuels components used for Portland clinker production on emission value of heavy metals is presented in this paper. Analyses and studies of hazardous substances emission (heavy metals) from cements and concretes were conducted according to standards developed by Technical Committee CEN TC 351. The contents of following heavy metals were analyzed: Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu, Sr, Ba and P in secondary fuels used by cement industry in Poland for Portland clinker production. Total heavy metal contents in cements and their leaching from cements CEM I were studied. Leaching of heavy metals from CEM I-based concretes to environment was also determined. Obtained tests results allow to conclude that changes in technology of cement clinker production leading to the usage of waste materials and secondary fuels does not cause an increase in heavy metals emission in level, which requires qualifying cement as material, which has to be regularly controlled for harmfulness on man and natural environment.

Design, quality and quality assurance of solid recovered fuels for the substitution of fossil feedstock in the cement industry - Update 2019.

Production, quality and quality assurance, as well as co-incineration of solid recovered fuels in cement industry, have become state-of-the-art in the European cement industry. At the global level, average thermal substitution rate is about 17%, whereby, only 13% in Canada and in the USA 16%, while in the European Union 28 it is about 44% (i.e. 11,300,000 t waste fuels utilised in 2016). In Austria, thermal substitution rate was ca. 80% in 2017, which was worldwide the highest one. Regarding solid recovered fuels for the cement industry, two types are relevant, namely solid recovered fuels PREMIUM Quality and solid recovered fuels MEDIUM Quality. In the case study shown, solid recovered fuels PREMIUM Quality from 11 and solid recovered fuels MEDIUM Quality from nine different solid recovered fuels production plants have been investigated. Investigations consist of sorting and sieving analyses (for PREMIUM), as well as physical-chemical analyses (for both solid recovered fuels types) according to the (inter)national standards (i.e. Austrian 'ÖNORM', European 'EN' standards and CEN TC 343 guidelines). The results gained from the first investigation were published in 2014 and here, results of further investigations are updated for 2016 and 2018 and confronted with legal and market relevant requirements. During the investigation, not enough parallel samples could be investigated and therefore no adequate scientific statistical analyses could be elaborated but a more practical indicative interpretation has been made. Finally, it can be confirmed, that all investigated solid recovered fuels fulfil the Austrian legal and international solid recovered fuels and co-incineration market requirements.

Sustainability in Building Construction – A Multilevel Approach

Sustainability in Building Construction – A Multilevel Approach

Product data and building assessment – flow of information

The design, realisation and operation of buildings should be based on the principles of sustainable development, and consequently on the goal to conserve natural resources as a critical aspect of it. To this end, improving the resource efficiency in all building-related activities – from design to end-of-life – is necessary. Yet, such an effort cannot be fully successful if not based on comprehensive information. On the architects’ side, there is a need for information on construction products to be fed into the assessment of building design variants. The exchange of information between product and building level is a topic dealt with in European (CEN TC 350) and International (ISO TC59 SC17) standardization. However, the demand on product information goes beyond the content of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). It is therefore necessary to discuss what are the additional needs for product information and how to provide this information to be practical for a building assessment. Finally, it is necessary to discuss how buildings should be documented along their life cycle to provide useful information for third parties. Third parties are – among others - valuation professionals, facility managers or demolition/dismantling companies. An approach to building files/building information packs will be presented, where information on the physical composition of the building and its material flows in the life cycle (material inventory) becomes an integral part. With regard to standardization, how to determine and present a recycling potential of a building will be discussed. Current research projects in Germany will inform the discussion.

Leaching Behavior and Immobilization of Heavy Metals in Geopolymer Synthesized from Red Mud and Fly Ash

Fly ash is an industrial waste from coal-fired thermal power plants whereas red mud is an industrial waste generated during aluminum production from bauxite. If both fly ash and red mud are not properly managed, they could cause negative impact on the environment. This study utilized red mud and fly ash in combination with sodium silicate solution to produce a geopolymer-based material which can be used as building materials. This study focussed on the leachability of heavy metals in the raw materials and the geopolymer as this would be significant in assessing the environmental impact of the product. Leachability of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, and Cr was evaluated based on European standard (EN 124572 – 2, EU CEN TC292/ CEN TC 308) with pH values at 7. The results showed that raw materials (red mud and fly ash) have higher leachability than geopolymer specimens. And the values of leaching tests for heavy metals in the geopolymer - based materials belonged to limits of EULFD and USEPA.

Draft for Revision of the Standards EN 12640 and EN 12641 Regarding the Securing of Cargo on Road Means of Transport

AbstractSince 2014, work regarding the revision of the Standard EN 12642 “Securing of cargo on road vehicles - Body structure of commercial vehicles - Minimum requirements” has been done, which is known for users of CODE XL certified swap bodies. Based on the negotiations on the above-mentioned standard, requirements for the revision of other standards for the cargo securing emerged. Currently, Expert group CEN TC 119 WG 7 is working on these standards. This paper discusses about the standards revision regarding the cargo securing.

Ravelling by traffic: Performance testing and field validation

The use of new types of asphalt mixtures for thin to very thin surface courses is seen as a cost-effective solution for reducing traffic noise in Belgium. However, ravelling is a major concern for this type of mixtures and there is a need for a standardized laboratory test to predict resistance to ravelling caused by shear forces (also known as “scuffing”). The Belgian Road Research Centre (BRRC) uses the Darmstadt Scuffing Device, an apparatus developed in Germany for testing porous asphalt. This paper describes the experience of BRRC with this test device. As a first step, it was verified whether the test is capable of discriminating between mixtures other than porous asphalt, the mixture type for which the apparatus was originally designed. The second step was to verify if the ranking of mixtures is in agreement with the observations on the road. Therefore, the test was applied to mixtures from different test sections that are being monitored at regular times, a work that will be continued in the coming years. While this work is going on, CEN TC 227 WG1/TG2 is in the process of drafting a European standard for the scuffing test (prCEN/TS 12697-50). The results of this research will be used to contribute to the development of a standard European test method.

Standardization on for Mastering Healthcare Transformation on - Challenges and Solutions

Background: The ongoing healthcare transformation results in systems medicine and personalized care. This requires advanced interoperability scenarios. Objectives: The paper aims at introducing a reference architecture model to enable the harmonization of existing and future specifications and standards. Methods: For enabling the harmonization of standards and specifications, they have to be correctly and formally represented using a system-theoretical, architecture-centric, ontology-based, policy-driven approach. Results: An Interoperability Reference Architecture Model has been developed and standardized at ISO TC 215 and CEN TC 251. It is used for re-engineering specifications and standards, that way enabling harmonization with any other specification. The proposed modeling methodology has also been introduced in several HL7 specifications. It is demonstrated by re-engineering the ISO 13606 reference model. Conclusion: The approach presented in the paper off ers a solution for comprehensive interoperability at any interoperability level also including user domains and the individual user. That way, never-ending revision cycles and negotiation rounds for integrating diff erent specifications in complex eHealth solutions become obsolete.

Performance‐based durability design, carbonation part 2 – Classification of concrete

AbstractAt present, prescriptive regulations with regard to concrete cover and composition are applied to provide sufficient durability of reinforced concrete members under exposure conditions with different degrees of severity. In view of current knowledge on deterioration mechanisms and their modelling, it is planned to change from these deemed‐to‐satisfy specifications to a performance‐based design approach in future standards. In such specifications, concrete durability design is based on the statistically characterized performance of concrete, determined in standardized tests with respect to defined classes of concretes with similar performance.This paper presents the results of a study in which concrete mixes were tested and analysed with respect to their carbonation resistance. Compositions with similar performance are grouped into carbonation resistance classes. These classes are described statistically and requirements for performance testing are given. In addition, composition requirements are introduced in order to determine concrete performance depending on mix composition prescriptively. Finally, an example is given for the assessment of concrete performance with regard to carbonation.This work was carried out at the request of JWG under CEN TC 250/SC2 and CEN TC 104/SC1 as an input and starting point for the ongoing committee work to implement the methodology from the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 in the next generation (2021) of European concrete standards.

EN Criteria for Evaluation of Daylight in Interiors

Daylighting in buildings is commonly designed and evaluated after the Daylight Factor criterion which is required also by the Slovak standard STN 73 0580. The model of the overcast sky representing the worst daylight conditions is the basis of all standard daylight calculations in many countries. Currently, the prEN standard Daylighting of buildings is elaborated by the CEN TC 169 WG11. A new climatological criterion for evaluation of daylight provision is proposed to reflect various luminous conditions in European localities. This paper informs and discusses the concept of the new standard and presents an example of daylighting evaluation in an interior applying STN and new EN criteria.

Standards and Certification Schemes for Solar Thermal Collectors, Stores and Systems — An Overview about the Latest Developments

During the last decade the use of solar thermal products has grown drastically all over the world. One reason for this increase was the implementation and continuous further development of specific standards series like the EN 12975 [1], EN 12976 [2] and EN 12977 [3] as well as the European certification scheme Solar Keymark which has become the most important certification scheme worldwide. The Solar Keymark being the world wide largest certification program with approx. 1600 certificates is not only accepted basically throughout Europe but is also introduced in other regions such as Northern Africa or Latin America and other countries like Japan or Canada. With the latest revision of the EN 12977 series Solar Keymark can now also be granted for so-called custom built solar thermal systems as well as for solar thermal heat stores.In order to support the global solar thermal market further developments of the International Standards and the implementation of a global certification schemes are essential. The first steps have been taken in the field of the solar thermal collectors. In 2011 ISO TC 180 decided to join their efforts in the review of the EN 12975 series dedicated to solar thermal collectors with CEN TC 312 to come up with a joined standard. The FDIS/ISO 9806 is currently under enquiry and is expected to come in force as EN ISO 98096 by the end of 2013. This standard will pave the way towards a global certification scheme which is currently under discussion between the already existing schemes Solar Keymark and SRCC with the support of certification bodies (e.g. AENOR and DINCERTCO) and Research and Testing Centre for Solar Thermal Systems (TZS) at ITW, University of Stuttgart being one of the leading test laboratories worldwide. Apart from the well-known collector technologies the EN ISO 9806 will cover in addition concentrating and tracking collectors, air collectors and PVT collectors.Besides the harmonization of existing standards another important topic is the development of new test procedures in order to make the existing standards applicable for new developments and to reduce testing costs as well as the implementation of new standards. Just lately ITW/TZS developed an indoor test procedure for complete solar thermal domestic hot water systems which will help to reduce the testing time and development periods. Examples for new standards are standards for the absorber durability, the durability and performance testing of evacuated tubes and the durability and performance testing of heat pipes which are currently under development in cooperation of ISO TC 180 and CEN TC 312.Additional work is done in the project SpeedColl funded by the German Government. Here the project partners ITW/TZS and Fraunhofer ISE are developing test procedure for accelerating aging testing of complete solar collectors.This conference contribution will give an overview of the current international standards, the ones to come and new test procedures. In the field of product certification it will provide a review of the existing Solar Keymark certification and an outlook to the currently discussed global certification scheme. The advantages of a global certification scheme on the future development of the worldwide market for solar thermal products will be described as well as the roadmap towards its implementation.