Closed ATM View - 2022/23 - ABCB - 003
National Construction Code Structural Reliability Assessment
Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart
This project involves the probabilistic quantification of the NCC Structure Performance Requirements. It is an extension of work carried out to develop the proposed changes for NCC 2022. Following public comment, the ABCB Board agreed not to include quantified requirements in NCC 2022 but reaffirmed its commitment to further develop changes for NCC 2025.
The scope of work includes:
• Develop the appropriate reliability indices (and corresponding values for probability) for application to NCC Volume 1 and 2 clauses:
o B1P1(1)(b) & H1P1(1)(b) ‘withstand extreme or frequently repeated design actions’.
o B1P1(1)(a), (c) and (d) & H1P1(1)(a), (c) and (d) will not be addressed through this quantification process.
• Reliability values are to apply to structural elements only. Systems of elements (i.e. part or complete structures) are not included in scope.
• If through the quantification process it is deemed necessary to amend the Verification Method B1V1 and H1V1 to incorporate load case combinations, then this will be included in scope.
• A Final report is to be provided by 30 July 2023 to meet the ABCB’s NCC 2025 drafting deadlines. Milestone deliverables are to be provided in stages. Contract execution and project commencement is targeted for 24th April 2023.
It is expected that the technical development of new reliability values will be undertaken by a subject matter expert (SME) in the field of structural reliability.
The ABCB is supported by technical experts and stakeholders through its Improved Robustness of Performance Solutions – Structural Technical Reference Group (TRG). The SME is to consider and incorporate feedback, by incorporating review stages into the development process. The ABCB will help support this process. It is expected that the SME would attend minimum 2 no. 2 hour workshops with the TRG.
The following Code calibration methodology and activities are proposed, considering the work done to-date and feedback from the TRG.
• SME to review the background documentation which supported NCC 2022.
• SME to provide a return brief and forward work plan. This will be circulated to the TRG by the ABCB for comment. The forward work plan should include:
o Summary of the proposed method for determining the new reliability values.
o Summary of the NCC referenced Australian Standards which will be used for reliability calibration. It is expected that these will include (as minimum) AS/NZS 1170.0, AS/NZS 1170.1, AS/NZS 1170.2, AS 4100, AS 3600, AS 3700 and AS 1720 series.
o Summary of the specific clauses of these Standards which will be used for reliability calibration. It is expected that:
• The Standard clauses will be selected based on various failure characteristics.
• In the first instance, SME to propose the type of characteristics which will be considered. A workshop may be held with the SME and TRG for discussion.
o Milestone timeframes.
• Reliability values should be based on aggregated mean values from Code calibration for various failure characteristics. If judgement is required due to anomalous values, adjustment by expert judgement may be required. It is expected that the TRG will be consulted in this instance.
• The values included in the NCC should apply to both single load case combinations and multiple load case combinations in concurrence.
• Feedback from the TRG is to be incorporated into the forward work plan where necessary. Agreement of the forward work plan is required from the ABCB.
Deliverables for this project include:
• Return brief document.
• Draft and final reports. Reports to include (as minimum) introduction, defined calibration methodology, an example calibration calculation, results.
• Microsoft Excel tables including the final reliability values and separate corresponding probability values.
• Code calibration files – these should include the native files to allow review of the calculation / calibration process.
Supplier must possess skills and experience in structural reliability assessments, including working understanding of NCC verification method BV1 NCC2019. Successful supplier will be required to review the background documentation which supported NCC 2022 upon contract execution.
1. The tenderer and any subcontractors proposed in its tender must not be insolvent, bankrupt, in liquidation, or under administration or receivership as at the Closing Time.
2. The Tenderer and any subcontractors proposed in the tender must not be named as non-compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Cth) by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency as at the Closing Time.
April – July 2023