Developing Process of the Iranian National Rural Building Code Organized to Mainly Mitigate Earthquake Losses

Abstract eng:
In this paper, developing process of the Iranian national rural building code (The national code for low-rise residential buildings) is reviewed. While earthquakes are responsible for many losses in Iran, rural areas suffer more losses due to unsafety of houses. Unsafe houses are the consequence of improper design or lack of any engineering design and low level of building inspection throughout construction process. Hence, a national program containing both financial facilities and technical supports is developed and implemented by Iranian government body to rehabilitate the rural houses. The developing process of the national code for low-rise residential buildings is ongoing to address the design and construction problems in rural areas and unify the housing practice. The objectives of this code are categorized in three priority levels: (1) Safety and Health, (2) Wellbeing and Energy-Saving, (3) Sustainable development. These three priority levels of objectives are considered to put emphasis on limiting the earthquake losses. This code is considered to be performance-based, but prescriptive solutions are also presented as an acceptable solution. In addition efficiency qualifying methods are utilized to demonstrate the accordance of new systems with the objectives and performance requirements. Prescriptive solutions with simple terms, comprehensive commentary and also design charts for modular members are considered to facilitate the design and construction process and reduce the need for professional engineers.

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