On the use of European and American building codes with low-strength mortars

The standard European building specifications, grouped in a nine-volume Eurocode, describe different approaches for determining the properties of commonly used building materials such as steel, aluminium, concrete, etc.

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) also offers different reports concerning concrete structures (ACI 318R), lightweight concrete (ACI 213R) and the long-term mechanical behaviour (ACI 209R) of concrete. Those reports, used as building codes, are applicable when the properties and composition of the material respect various criteria.

Eurocode 2 – analysis of National Annexes

Eurocode 2 consists of four parts that have to be applied in conjunction with the respective National Annexes of the CEN member states. The National Annexes were introduced, in particular, to maintain national safety levels and to account for regional aspects in the different states. The CEN (European Committee for Standardization) will revise and extend all structural Eurocodes by 2018.

Geomechanics and Tunnelling 03/15

Cover Story: Two large projects requiring EPB machines are currently underway using Herrenknecht technology. The photo shows the EPB working to supply the City of Mekka with a new sewer system with segmental lining.

Steel Construction 02/15

Cover Story: The new pedestrian bridge crosses the Havel river in an S-curve. (© BUGA Zweckverband)

Mauerwerk 02/15

Cover Story: The Burgmühle, or “castle mill”, in the German town of Brandenburg an der Havel has recently been restored from ruins to its former glory. The fire in 2002 destroyed the mill building’s technical infrastructure and left it in grave danger of collapse. The ensemble is an industrial heritage site, and as such cannot be excessively modified. The mill was converted into a total of 64 high-quality flats and two commercial units (s. pages A4 to A7). Image: Wienerberger/Jens Krüger

Geomechanics and Tunnelling 02/15

Cover Story: Construction logistics, and in particular the clearing of excavation spoil, are of great importance in tunnelling. For the construction of the Bibra Tunnel, a decision was made to set up a crushing plant feeding a tunnel conveyor to transport the material out of the tunnel. (photo: DB AG Frank Kniestedt)

Structural Concrete Issue 01/15

Cover Story: They have already become a new landmark: The six new water towers in the Al Jahra area in Kuwait City. Their mushroom-shaped water tanks were post-tensioned using DYWIDAG Strand Tendons. It goes without saying, that these buildings are of decisive importance for the inhabitants of cities in Kuwait, see page A5 (photo: DSI).

Temburong Bridge - Design of two cable stayed bridges

The design of these two bridges is one of the first applications of the Eurocode to a fully concrete cable stayed bridge.

The Temburong Bridge Project is a 30 km long dual two-lane highway crossing over the Brunei Bay. It will connect the relatively isolated Brunei district of Temburong to the other three Brunei districts. The main objective of the project is to stimulate economic growth in the Temburong region by connecting it to the country's airport and ports. The alignment crosses two navigation channels resulting in the need for two cable stayed bridges - the Brunei Channel Bridge (145 m main span) and the Eastern Channel Bridge (260 m main span).

New publications 2014/2015

New publications from the areas: steel construction, technical avalanche protection and net-zero energy building. You can find detailed information on the individual book pages.

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