Implementation of Eurocodes in

Malaysia – A view point from

Consulting Engineer

Ir. Tu Yong Eng

The Institution of Engineers Malaysia
MOH Engineering Conference 2011
 Scope of talk
• Introduction
• Background information
• Malaysian’s effort in updating the
structural Eurocodes
• Issues on implementation of Eurocodes
• Notes from Eurocodes
 Scope of talk 2
• Problems encountered in Malaysian
Construction Industry
• Roles of Malaysian Standard in
improving the quality of construction
• Global competitiveness
• Conclusion
 1 Introduction
• The main objective of the construction is to
build reliable structures within the budget.
• The reliability is measured by the chances
of failure to meet the objectives within a
certain time frame
• “Structural failure rate in Malaysia is
alarmingly high”.
 1 Introduction 2
• Malaysia construction industry has
adopted many BS as MS
• At the same time, adopted ISO standards,
ASTM, ACI, JIS, AS/NZ as MS
• MS 1195 – BS 8110
• MS 416 – BS 5950
• MS 523 – BS 5328
• MS 544 – Timber code of practice
 1 Introduction 3
• In March 2010, BSI has published 58
documents of structural Eurocodes (BS
EN)
• Withdraw 57 related/ conflicting structural
codes.
 1 Introduction 4
• Prior to the publication of the structural
Eurocodes, many other BS on the
specification of materials, testing and
workmanship have been withdrawn and
replaced by relevant Eurocodes.
• BS 5328 part 1 to 4 replaced by EN 206-1
• BS 4360 replaced by EN 10025
• BS 6089: 1981 partially withdrawn and
replaced by EN 13791
 2. Back ground info
• MS are published by Department of
Standards, Malaysia, Ministry of Science,
Technology and Innovation.
• a member of ISO, the standards adopted
based on ISO standards are published MS
ISO.
• With the arrangement with CEN, the
structural Eurocodes will be published as
MS EN.
 2. Back ground info 2
• 58 documents of Structural Eurocodes
• EN 1990 (Basis of Action) (1 part)
• EN 1991 (Loading) (10 parts)
• EN 1992 (concrete structures) (4 parts)
• EN 1993 (Steel structures) (20 parts)
• EN 1994 (Composite structures) (3 parts)
 2. Back ground info 3
• EN 1995 (Timber) (3 parts)
• En 1996 (Masonry) (4 parts)
• EN 1997 (Geotechnical) (2 parts)
• EN 1998 (Seismic action) (6 parts)
• EN 1999 (Aluminum) (5 parts)
 2. Back ground info 4
• MS EN consists of :
• Main body – No change is allowed;
• National Annex – National annex published
based on the main text’s requirement to suit
the local condition. This include the nationally
determined parameters, decision on the
application of informative annexes and
references to NCCI.
• NCCI Documents – to further explain and
provide further guidance on the structural
Eurocodes.
 2. Back ground info 5
• NCCI can be published as a guide or as a
standard itself.
• BS 8500-1 & BS 8500 -2 are NCCI
document for EN 206-1;
• BS 6089: 2010 is a NCCI for EN 13791.
 2. Back ground info 6
• Up to date on structural Eurocodes:
• Published 4 documents (MS EN 1990,
1991-1-1, 1992-1-1 and 1993-1-1)
• 1 document pending publication (EN 1997)
• 3 documents in drafting stage (EN 1991-1-
4, wind load, EN 1998 Seismic action, EN
1993-1-8 connection)
 2. Back ground info 7
• Currently, wind load was specified by MS
1553, modeled after AS/NZ.
• Based on 3 seconds gust speed.
• Currently, research jointly done by
Meteorological Department, UTAR and
IEM.
• EN 1991-1-4 based on 10 minutes wind
 2. Back ground info 8
• Related updating works
• EN 10025 (part 1 & 2 pending public
comment) specification of structural steel
(SIRIM)
• EN 206-1 completed together with BS
8500-1 and 8500 – 2.
• EN 1504 (concrete repair) drafting stage
 2. Back ground info 9
• Other Codes needed:
• Specification for material, (EN 10025
part 1 to part 6; EN 206-1, EN 10080:
Steel for the reinforcement of concrete –
.etc)
• Specification for workmanship (EN
13670: Execution of concrete structures)
 2. Back ground info 10
• Specification for material testing (EN 12350:
fresh concrete, EN 12390: hardened concrete)
• Specification for structural evaluation (EN
13791 for concrete structure evaluation)
• Other specifications, including specification for
temporary work, scaffolding, construction
machinery and equipment etc. (EN 39: Loose
steel tubes for tube and coupler scaffolds –
technical delivery conditions; EN 74: Couplers,
spigot pins and baseplates for use in
falsework and scaffolds)
3 Malaysian’s effort in updating the
structural Eurocodes
• Department of Standards Malaysia has
entrusted SIRIM to carry out the
publication of the Malaysian Standards.
• SIRIM has appointment IEM, CIDB, JKR
and others as Standard Writing
organization (SWO) in charge of
Standards writing
3 Malaysian’s effort in updating the
structural Eurocodes 2
• ISCD/ ISC P to approve the new proposal
on the code drafting
• TC formed by SWO
• TC must be a balance committee,
representatives from all stake holders (i.e.
suppliers & manufacturers, contractors,
consultants, regulators and government
representatives)
3 Malaysian’s effort in updating the
structural Eurocodes 3
• WG will be formed for solving/ resolve
particular problem, if any.
• in order to effectively introduce Eurocodes
as Malaysian Standard, TC must
understand fully the detail of the code as
well as impact to the local industry.
• Research and promotion are part of the
duty of the TC;
3 Malaysian’s effort in updating the
structural Eurocodes 4
• IEM has published series papers on
Eurocodes in his monthly bulletins. These
include EN 1990, EN 1991, EN 1992, EN
1993 and EN 13791 (and BS 6089: 2010).
• IEM has also carried out the road show
together with Department of Standards
and SIRIM on EN 1990, 1991, 1992 and
1993.
3 Malaysian’s effort in updating the
structural Eurocodes 5
• TC on EN 1992 has prepared two NCCI,
Small Size elements and Band beam
design.
 4 Issues on implementation of
Eurocodes
• To implement Eurocodes effectively, there are
several issues to be resolved:
• The philosophy and basic assumption of the
codes is essential to ensure proper
implementation of the standards in Malaysia.
• National Annexes shall be published to suit
the local condition. Normally, Annex from UK
will be adopted. However, careful
consideration shall be taken before the
adoption.
 4 Issues on implementation of
Eurocodes 2
• Publication of NCCI document to enhance
the usage of the code of practice.
• Eurocodes used different terminologies
compare to British Standards. The user
needed further practice and effort to gain
the familiarity.
• Research needed to ensure proper
updating of the standards.
 5 Highlights from Eurocodes
• Few highlights from Eurocodes which may not
be familiar to local practitioners.
• Eurocodes spelt out clearly the scope, limitation
and assumptions.
• Eurocodes also specifically differentiate the
principle and application rules.
• The principles are general statements and
definitions for which there is no alternative, as
well as requirements and analytical models for
which no alternative is permitted unless
specifically stated.
 5 Highlights from Eurocodes 2
• The Application Rules are generally recognised
rules which comply with the Principles and
satisfy their requirements.
• It is permissible to use alternative design rules
different from the Application Rules for works,
provided that it is shown that the alternative
rules accord with the relevant Principles and are
at least equivalent with regard to the structural
safety, serviceability and durability which would
be expected when using the Eurocodes.
 5 Highlights from Eurocodes 3
• The general assumptions of EN 1990 are forming an
integral part of the code and basis to the construction
industry.
• In order to achieve the desired reliability, the conditions
of our construction industry must comply with the
relevant assumptions.
• The assumptions are as follows:
• the choice of the structural system and the design of the
structure is made by appropriately qualified and
experienced personnel;
• execution is carried out by personnel having the
appropriate skill and experience;
 5 Highlights from Eurocodes 4
• adequate supervision and quality control is
provided during execution of the work, i.e. in
design offices, factories, plants, and on site;
• the construction materials and products are
used as specified in EN 1990 or in EN 1991 to
EN 1999 or in the relevant execution standards,
or reference material or product specifications;
• the structure will be adequately maintained;
• the structure will be used in accordance with the
design assumptions.
 5 Highlights from Eurocodes 5
• Reliability management a new concept,
which was not addressed in previous
British Standard
• Pf = Φ(-β)
• Where Pf is the probability of failure and
Φ(-β) is the cumulative distribution
function of the standardised Normal
distribution
5 Highlights from Eurocodes 6
Pf 10-1 10-2 10-3 10-4 10-5 10-6 10-7

β 1.28 2.32 3.09 3.72 4.27 4.75 5.20

 5 Highlights from Eurocodes 7
• For the purpose of reliability differentiation,
consequences classes (CC) may be
established by considering the
consequences of failure or malfunction of
the structure.
• CC1 – Low consequence
• CC2 – medium consequence
• CC3 – High consequence
 5 Highlights from Eurocodes 8
• β for normal structure (RC 2)
corresponding to CC2 is 3.8 in 50 years.
• This means the expected failure in 50
years less than 1: 14,958
• For important structure such as hospital,
higher reliability needed, where it became
shelter during disaster.
 5 Highlights from Eurocodes 9
• Important structure should be designed
and constructed as RC 3 structure (or
higher reliability) by multiplication of
important factor.
• For RC 3 structure, β is 4.3 in 50 years.
(failure rate of 1: 116,025 in 50 years).
5 Highlights from Eurocodes 10
• Eurocodes uses cylinder strength compare
to cube strength (even though cube
strength can still be used).
• Concept of Limit states are used in EN
1997, Geotechnical consideration.
• EN 13791 specifically exclude the
interpretation of single core test result.
• Product certification is compulsory in
Eurocodes.
6 Problems encountered in Malaysian
Construction Industry
• Academicians – In University, syllabus
has to be revised and new teaching
material will be provided. More research
work will be carried out.
• Manufacturers – New specification of the
product needed and hence more
machinery, testing equipment and
training of human resources needed.
 6 Problems encountered in
Malaysian Construction Industry 2
• Consultants – Training forming a major
part of the capital expenses for the
consulting firm due to new codes of
practice. Furthermore, new software
needed.
• Contractor – Human resources training
based on new construction specification
needed.
 6 Problems encountered in
Malaysian Construction Industry 3
• Our legal framework has not been
changed to adopt the application of
Eurocodes in Malaysia construction
industry.
• Currently, we relied on Uniform Building
By Law to determine the requirement of
the building condition. Hence, UBBL has
to be amended to provide a legal status
of the Eurocodes.
 6 Problems encountered in
Malaysian Construction Industry 4
• Many other aspects shall also be
specified, for example, the reliability of the
building industry, accidental load, the
responsibility of all professional and
industry player involved in the construction
industry (Eurocodes allowed for the third
party supervision, product certification
etc).
 7. Global competitiveness
• In order to stay global competitiveness,
the construction industry shall be
competitive in terms of:
• Familiar with the latest state of art for the
construction through the practice of up to
date code of practice (e.g. Eurocodes).
• Research work;
 7. Global competitiveness 2
• Practice sufficient and up to date quality
assurance and control plan;
• Training and development for human
resources.
• Develop new construction techniques
complying with the latest code of practice.
• Global mobility.
 8. Conclusion
• We would conclude that our industry are not
ready to adopt the Structural Eurocodes.
• More efforts have to put in to enjoy the benefit of
the Eurocodes.
• To further facilitate the industry players, existing
Malaysian Standards should be remained even
though it will not be updated. The co-existence
period should be sufficiently long to cover the
codes drafting and training period.
 8. Conclusion 2
• More effort needed to ensure our
construction are reliable, in line with the
presumption of the codes.
• Legal framework has to be amended.
• More research needed to ensure local
condition being taken into consideration.
 Thank You
Ir. Tu Yong Eng
The Institution of Engineers Malaysia

MOH Engineering Conference 2011