News in Brief: May 2010

SCI wants to test its on-line training facilities and needs volunteers. The idea is to present a one-day course on design to EC3, including worked examples, over three half-day sessions. Volunteer delegates will need a broadband connection and audio (speakers or headphones), and will need to be available for the three sessions, planned for the mornings of 14, 21, 28 May (all Fridays). The only obligation for delegates is to provide feedback on the experience. For more information contact: j.burrell@steel-sci.com

AceCad has launched StruPLANT evolution for the process, plant, oil and gas, and power generation industries. The company said the new software offers an opportu-nity to collaborate effectively across contracting strategies to gain more value when executing structural steel projects. For more information contact: www.acecadsoftware.com

The European Standards for Direct Tension Indicators (DTIs), BS EN 14399-9 and Tension Control Bolts (TCBs), BS EN 14399-10 were published by BSI in March 2009. CE Marking of both is in accordance with BS EN 14399-1 and the relevant clauses of BS EN 14399-9 and BS EN 14399-10. There is a two year period of co-existence with the existing national standards and products.

The British Standards Institute (BSI) has reorganised the technical committees responsible for the design and execution of steel structures. The existing committees B/525/31, B/525/32 and B/521 are to be merged into a single committee CB/203. The aim is to simplify the way that the UK responds to the development of Eurocode 3 and the associated standards EN 1090-1 and -2, dealing with conformity assessment and execution of steel structures. BSI has asked Dr Roger Pope to chair the new committee. Dr Pope said, “This is a great honour for me. Having been involved with the UK input to the development of the Eurocodes and EN 1090 through B/525/31 and B/521 for many years; the new challenge is learn from the experience that will now be gained as the standards are implemented in practice.”