Assessment of existing structures in fib modelcode 2020: Solutions and examples

For the assessment of concrete structures in the new fib Model Code 2020 (fib MC 2020), three categories are distinguished: (1) the residual capacity of existing structures without damage, (2) the residual capacity of structures suffering deterioration, and (3) the residual capacity of structures with noncompliant details. In the accompanying...

Monitoring and data-informed approaches for the assessment of existing structures

Accurate information from monitoring of structures plays a critical role in making informed decisions regarding structural safety control and maintenance needs. Unfortunately, there are several gaps in the existing standards and the monitoring practices at local, national, and transnational (e.g., European) levels. The wide diversity of assets...

Structural unsafety revealed by failure databases

After several major structural incidents in the Netherlands, such as the collapse of five balconies in Maastricht in 2001 resulting in two fatalities, various initiatives have been started to improve structural safety. Research studies were initiated on the characteristics, causes and consequences of structural incidents. In this paper the...

Structural incidents in the Netherlands: A comparison of three databases

After several major structural incidents in The Netherlands, various initiatives have been started to improve structural safety. Research studies were initiated on the characteristics, causes and consequences of structural incidents. In this paper the results of three of these research studies are compared. Each study uses different data sources...

Determining the in situ concrete strength of existing structures for assessing their structural safety

EN 13791 applies when assessing the in situ compressive strength of structures and precast concrete components. According to the code itself, it may be adopted when doubt arises about the compressive strength of a concrete. For assessing the structural safety of existing structures, however, the method given in EN 13791 does not seem to be...

Traffic load model based on weigh in motion measurements

The assessment of the structural safety of existing bridges and viaducts becomes increasingly important in many countries. Within the actions applied to the bridges, the traffic load is, in general, the most significant variable action to be considered when the ultimate limit states are under investigation. Over the last years a considerable...

The 2010 fib Model Code for Structural Concrete: a new approach to structural engineering

The fib Model Code is a recommendation for the design of reinforced and prestressed concrete which is intended to be a guiding document for future codes. Model Codes have been published before, in 1978 and 1990. The draft for fib Model Code 2010 was published in May 2010. The most important new element in this Model Code is "Time" in the sense...

Robustness of structures- A report on a joint European project

In 2005, the Joint Committee on Structural Safety (JCSS) together with Working Commission (WC) 1 of the International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) organized a workshop on robustness of structures. Two important decisions resulted from this workshop, namely the development of a joint European project on structural...

Evaluation of the Institution of Structural Engineers' procedure on concrete structures with alkali-silica reaction in the Netherlands

More than forty years ago in 1957, the first publication was published in The Netherlands indicating the possibility of damage due to ASR in a concrete structure. About ten years ago however the first concrete structure in the Netherlands with alkali-silica reaction (ASR) was documented. During the years before it was generally believed that...