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Dealing with alternative construction methods through performance based building codes

Benge, C.
1999
Construction Industry Development In The New Millenium, October 27 ¡ª 29, Singapore


Benge, C., (1999), "Dealing with alternative construction methods through performance based building codes", Construction Industry Development In The New Millenium, October 27 ¡ª 29, Singapore.
Abstract:
In a world that is becoming more regulated and more aware of liability it is increasingly difficult to introduce radically new materials or to revive traditional methods of construction. As third world countries face increasing poverty, higher costs and demands for conservation of world resources, the use of alternative (ie non-mainstream) or revived traditional methods of construction to improve the housing of people in third world countries in the new millenium is becoming important. Performance based building codes have the facility to accommodate diversity of construction methods, satisfying the regulators, conservationists and lawyers alike while providing improved cheaper buildings.

This paper will discuss the New Zealand experience of processing building consents for alternative methods of construction such as earth buildings, straw bale construction and log houses. The performance criteria of NZ Building Code clauses B1 "Structure", B2 "Durability" and E2 "External moisture" and others are used to measure the adequacy of systems. The use of performance based building codes to assess materials or systems that are not current standard construction can be used in any country taking local considerations into account.


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