Adopting Eurocodes in Pakistan

[Simple Structures]

Time for Pakistan Structural Engineering Profession (& PEC) to look at allowing Eurocodes use?

I would like to advocate the use of EUROCODES in Pakistan for a number of reasons:

1. The Eurocodes covers all structural engineering design of elements, i.e. EC0 (basis of design), EC1 (loadings), EC2 (concrete), EC3 (steel), EC4 (composite steel/concrete), EC5 (timber), EC6 (masonry), EC7 (soils/geotechnical), EC8 (Earthquake), & EC9( (aluminium structures); These are adopted in 27 European countries, and also in Turkey, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore etc. They should be used in conjunction with Pakistan Building Code which would be updated to include Pakistan National Determined Parameters.

2. American codes take an empirical approach, whilst Eurocodes are based on structural engineering theory and mechanics! Lot suited to teaching of theory approach in PK universities. I believe Canadian codes are closer to Eurocodes!

3. Pakistan would benefit from extensive research already in circulation on these codes and would be able to move forward in structural engineering t - and using the existing codes as a stepping stone to progress the country’s construction engineering academia and professionals progressing on with their own research etc.

Whilst its not easy, I will attempt to lobby/inform the relevant authorities in Pakistan to look into this matter of Eurocodes design of structures in Pakistan. I would like to have the views of fellow structural engineers on the issue? 

Any thoughts on the matter?

[Waqar Saleem]

On 1/9/2020 at 2:26 PM, Simple Structures said:

Time for Pakistan Structural Engineering Profession (& PEC) to look at allowing Eurocodes use?

 

 

Any thoughts on the matter?

Dear Engineer,

Here if we start implementing any code would be more better resolution then to start changing the what some of us know already, US codes. Engineering construction practices are pathetic and needs some standard implementation. In 2005, Kashmir earthquake, highest number of building collapsed were engineered buildings which were mostly GOP schools and hospitals. This gives us a view of construction side. Consulting  engineering is further on the downhill, you can get stamped by paying 1000 to consulting engineer and you are asking for the change of code from US to EN. Better to vow for some implementation of standards and fair practices. Architect takes 125/sft design and offers 1/sft for structural engineering design and some cases further less. Client higher  contractor/architect and he hires structural engineer, doesn't seem humiliating.

For this you can not blame anybody else but structural  engineers themselves.

American standards are very good and i doubt your speculation that they are based on empirical knowledge only.

We need to have some serious engineering body for collaboration of industry and institutes, our graduates dont know why they graduated in civil engineering, why they are doing masters in structural engineering. 

what PEC is doing i dont know, how they are regulating is all nonsense, everyone knows about the engineers who are mere stamping the drawings but PEC doesn't know. Building officials are corrupt you name the department and i ll get you evidence. These officials are engineers , included in 5% of your population, who are responsible for worst condition of road infrastructure and Govt buildings.

There is no question to raise for EN codes in this situation, stand for the standard will be enough if you could lobby.

I have been using EN codes in my practice and i am not biased to US codes, my point of view is about the real situation we have in the country.

 

 

Regards

 

 

 

[Simple Structures]

@waqar saleemIf its any consolation, then PEC will not register me a a structural engineer in PK, due to some admin technicality. Having worked all over the world, and also in Pakistan for 2-years long time ago for a foreign company designing structural engineering works for Pakistan Govt !  etc - yet I don't tick some box so cannot be a structural engineer in PK ? I will get there eventually and am enjoying the experience of the little trivial mentality working against the betterment of the country, in the interest of their own ego & self importance.

One of my problems is that I will not offer or take a penny in bribery, service charge or rishwat etc - so the path in PK will be much harder for me to travel, and I know that - am glad about my stance!  

Through PASE: -  Pakistan Association of Structural Engineers - the change will come I hope for the profession in PK.  I will  pass on my 'practical structural engineering design and construction knowledge' to all Pakistani Structural Engineers, Insha'Allah. If I may say so I have had a lot of design and construction experience and now have guaged a good understanding of the 'Pakistan Structural Engineering' fraternity through this Sepakistan forum - which is the first green shoot for the profession in the country and needs watering more. 

Keep an eye on the website - pase.pk - The Pakistan Structural Engineer's Handbook of the future ? Believe you me, Structural Engineering Design is not rocket science. Its all about knowing where to find information - and pase.pk will help you find it. The issue for me is time, as I am also working full time!

Simple Structures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Badar (BAZ)]

 It should be the personal preference in country of ours who does not have ingeniously developed guidelines.

As far as RCC is concerned both codes use empirical approach for shear and torsion and empirical-analytical approach for flexure.

Codes are not central as far as teaching to the students of Structural engineering is concerned. They need concepts of mechanics (statics and dynamics), theory of elasticity strength of materials, mechanics of concrete and various advance and classical methods of structural analysis. 

Faculty is doing extensive research of their own in Pakistan and are also aware of the research going in other parts of the world. How much of that is helpful to construction industry and the profession of Structural engineering is up for debate.