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 of service life. Additionally, the Model Code contains an extended state-of-theart chapter on the structural materials concrete and steel but regards non-metallic reinforcement and fibres as reinforcement as well. Many loading conditions are considered, ranging from static loading to non-static loading, considering earthquake, fatigue and impact/explosion. Five methods are offered to verify structural safety. Attention is given to verification of limit states associated with durability, robustness and sustainability. Finally, verification assisted by numerical methods and by testing is considered. Other elements that are links in the chain of life cycle design are construction and conservation. In the part on conservation the conservation strategy is treated in combination with conservation management, condition survey and assessment, and evaluation and decision-making.