AS3700-2018 and its amendment by the NCC

[blihpandgeorge]

In another recent thread a link to this presentation was linked: [URL unfurl="true"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPew-D5RBX4&t=4247s[/url]

From about 32:00 onwards it discusses how the new NCC 2019 amends the use of AS3700-2018. A quick look at NCC-2019 and there it is under B1.4. It thus appears you can be designing compliantly to the Aus Standard but be non-compliant with the NCC 2019. I personally find this a bit dangerous as the technical info is now spread between the Standard and NCC, and most engineers will stay up to date with the standards but less so on the NCC. I accept that you should be across all documents and ignorance is no defence, but this feels out of place.

Is this well known or have i been hiding under a rock? Can anyone recall any other similar examples for structural standards?

 

[Agent666]

Our building code in NZ has a whole section as well amending some wording or clauses in design standards or adding other governing advice. I agree it is a little annoying at times when you forget, but it's just a matter of knowing what's in there so it doesn't trip you up. There's a whole raft of changes to some joint standards like loadings (AS/NZS1170 series) and reinforcement standards (AS/NZS4671) for example. Often it seems like they use this process to cover shortfalls in standards or to New Zealandise certain advice that might have been more suited to Australia in joint standards.

https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/b-stability/b1-structure/

 

[brizstruct]

If someone is able to explain why NCC is overriding the standard (and can do this without needing future legal advice I would love to know the logic. As a personal opinion, I think that the small diameter ties in blockwalls would interfere with the core filling density and reduce the strength of the wall.
I am interested if anyone else has an opinion

 

[rapt]

NCC controls the Building Code of Australia which actually controls it all and references the standards produced by Standards Australia.

NCC sets the overall rules.

 

[brizstruct]

Hi Rapt
I understand that NCC can, should they wish, make up their own rules.
I can remember a few occasions where amended codes took a while to be included in the Building Code of Australia
However,
it would be valuable if NCC provide commentary on why they have moved away from adopting a standard in full.
For example, if NCC adopted AS3600 but excluded portions of Section 10 and Section 14 where there are some parties dragging the chain, would that be acceptable without some justification.
If NCC thinks that the code committee have stepped too far or there is another driver, it would be good to have some discussion on it, even if this was limited information
I would understand if they had modified the earthquake resistance

 

[rapt]

NCC control what we are allowed to modify in AS3600. It can be very frustrating sometimes but changes to AS3600 have to be within guidelines controlled by NCC in terms of the effects on the construction industry, economics etc and changes are approved by NCC before publication. So we basically have government lawyers controlling the technical content of the code to a degree.

You will have to expand on

"excluded portions of Section 10 and Section 14 where there are some parties dragging the chain, would that be acceptable without some justification."

as I am not sure who might be dragging which chain.