*ARCHIVE* - Design and compliance standards in structural engineering 1 Dec 2003
The Building Industry Authority (BIA) says the open letter from Auckland engineer John Scarry has been a timely reminder to the sector of the continuing need to maintain and improve design and compliance standards in structural engineering.
Two associated investigations, by the BIA and the Institution of Professional Engineers (IPENZ), were undertaken after Mr Scarry raised questions about standards of engineering practice in New Zealand.
The BIA commissioned an independent report on technical issues, at the same time helping to fund an IPENZ review of engineering practice issues. The BIA accepts in principle the recommendations that have emerged from each report.
BIA CE John Ryan says the BIA recognised the need for a detailed inquiry into the issues raised by Mr Scarry but that many of the recommendations to emerge have been dealt with or are currently being addressed by way of the BIA workplan. Changes contained in the Building Bill will help to resolve others.
Mr Ryan says the technical report, prepared by engineering firm Sinclair Knight Merz, has pinpointed a number of practices that will be the subject of further research and has identified areas where specific guidance information is required. The BIA will be involved in leading this work.
In particular, he says, the BIA is committed to improving the quality and availability of guidance information on design and structural issues. It also intends to commission Standards New Zealand to address any deficiencies that exist in current New Zealand standards governing concrete design.
Mr Ryan says it is essential that practical research keeps pace with advances in design in this complex aspect of the building environment.
Key documents
The full report to the BIA, 'John Scarry open letter - Update on progress', is available as a PDF file below:
John Scarry open letter - Update on progress (PDF 174 Kb)
The report 'Significant Design and Construction Issues arising out of a Review of the "Scarry Open Letter"' commissioned by the BIA from engineering firm Sinclair Knight Merz on technical matters raised in the Open Letter is also available here.
Significant Design and Construction Issues arising out of a Review of the "Scarry Open Letter" (PDF 399 Kb)
The following link will give access to the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) website which carries the associated report of the Structural Engineering Taskforce Enquiring Into the State of Practice in Structural Engineering in New Zealand.
www.ipenz.org.nz/media
Background information on earthquakes and structural risk (19 Dec 2003)
Earthquakes and structural risk (PDF 47 Kb)
An overview document produced by the BIA which addresses: The concept of risk, structural design, design for earthquake resistance, earthquake risk assessment, probability of a serious earthquake, the effect on a building, and overall structural performance.
Contact: Laurie Edwards, BIA Communications (04) 495 2773 or (027) 258 2849.