ISO 2394, “General principles on reliability for structures,” has just been updated. The new 4th Edition from 2015 is available now in paper format, for pdf download and as part of Standards Online multi-user subscription service, all from Document Center Inc. The new 4th Edition replaces the 3rd Edition from 1998, which is now obsolete. This is a technical revision.
ISO 2394 is called out in Eurocode 1, “Actions on structures.” This makes it part of good practice when designing buildings and other civic structures. The ISO standard has been updated to reflect advances in how decisions about load-bearing structures are made in the construction industry today. The changes focus on risk considerations and reliability. This means that safety and reliability requirements are now based on risk considerations and socio-economics rather than efficiency requirements of a heuristic character (rule-of-thumb.)
The implementation of this protocol means that there’s a three level approach to the problem of reliability: 1. Risk informed, 2. Reliability based, and 3. Semi-probabilistic. In order to help the user get up-to-speed with this approach, the committee has included informative annexes as well as references to other publications with further details.
Now down to the details of what’s actually in ISO 2394 2015. First, there’s the usual scope and terms and definitions clauses. Then symbols are reviewed. Clause 4 discusses the fundamentals of structures and structural performance. Performance modelling is then reviewed in Clause 5, while Clause 6 covers uncertainty representation and modelling. Next the standard covers the three types of decision making: Risk-informed, Reliability-based and the Semi-probabilistic method. Annexes A through F cover such topics as quality management, lifetime considerations, code calibration, life safety, and so on. A 21-item bibliography completes the standard.
The new edition is 120 pages in length and provides you with a wealth of information on this topic. Not only is the publication well-used in Europe, it is also called out in the requirements for many other regions. And certainly, there is no doubt that the committee strongly urges other jurisdictions to review and use this information. It’s part of an international effort to provide more harmonization where building codes and requirements are concerned.
Where should you purchase your copy of ISO 2394? From an authorized distributor or your national standards body. Go to the Document Center webstore to order online at www.document-center.com. Or contact our staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We have been selling ISO standards under contract since the 1990’s and have the expertise to help you with your compliance documentation issues. Make us your Standards Experts!
