GOST was a very powerful term in Russia when I was there. It was meant to provide a better way to build.
If you are building in Russia, it will still be difficult, but not impossible unless there are enough "tips" involved OR there is and official blessing on the importance of the methods and project.
The traditional Russian standards have still survived, since the country was based on concrete construction that was standardized even though it was built by different agencies. There is pressure to become world-wide, it is facing the pride and tradition.
In advice, try to get your design approved. If you run into a road-block, do not fight it unless you have the support of your employer AND the Russian authority.-If not, use the existing Russian standards. For small project the economical and professionalism will be difficult to justify.
If you ever wandered through a Russian testing laboratory, you would understand the differences and the philosophy of a country based on massive construction. - Where else do you see an 8'x12'x40' precast housing unit for flexural resistance? That unit was to be shipped about 400 km to be erected within 1 km of another precast manufacturer. At least, they did not require the skid pad to be precast in a factory and delivered and set there.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
