De l'application des Eurocodes aux ouvrages maritimes ou fluviaux: Fid-Bau Portal

De l'application des Eurocodes aux ouvrages maritimes ou fluviaux

Kovarik, Jean-Bernard

The « Recommendations for limit state design of maritime structures » (to be extended soon to river structures) set out rules for a safe design according to the semi-probabilistic and limit state format chosen by the Eurocode's system. The analysis of uncertainties and the verification process are presented through an approach similar to quality insurance methods. Two kinds of partial factors are introduced, « at source factors » and « model factors ». For the latter specific calibrations were carried out for each limit state and for each calculation model in order to put the average level of safety very close to the present traditional level. The structural and geotechnical approaches are unified through a widened format which enlightens in particular the concept of characteristic value of soil properties. It has been necessary to allow some simplifications to make the pratical implementation of the format easier and to ensure continuity with the existing French regulations. The « Recommandations » have presently entered a testing stage. We expect them to lead to better optimized structures and to provide a better communication between people involved in a construction project; they should furthermore facilitate the evolution of the French regulation (in general) towards Eurocodes.