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Development of design codes
The first design code for concrete structures was introduced in 1934. Subsequently new codes have been introduced; the key codes are listed in the Table below. Invariably there was some overlap at each transition between an old and a new code. In addition codes are subject to revision before they are eventually replaced. Some codes were accompanied by Handbooks, see References below.
Additional information may be found in Concrete Society Technical Report 70, Historical approaches to the design of concrete buildings and structures, which includes such information as likely concrete and steel strengths, permissible materials etc.
An interesting paper on The development of reinforced concrete: design theory and practice was published by Bussell in 1996, see Reference below.
| Date | Design codes |
| 1948 | CP 114, The structural use of normal reinforced concrete in buildings (revised version published in 1957, published in metric form as Part 2 in January 1969). |
| 1959 | CP 115, The structural use of prestressed concrete in buildings. |
| 1960 | CP 2007: Part 2, Design and construction of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures for the storage of water and other aqueous liquids (published in metric form in 1970) |
| 1965 | CP 116, The structural use of precast concrete. |
| 1972 | CP 110, Code of practice for the structural use of concrete. |
| 1973 | Technical Memorandum (Bridges) BE 1/73, Reinforced concrete highway structures, BE 2/73 Prestressed concrete highway structures. |
| 1976 | BS 5337, Code of practice for the structural use of concrete for retaining aqueous liquids. |
| 1984 | BS 5400, Steel, concrete and composite bridges, Part 4, Code of practice for design of concrete bridges. |
| 1984 | BS 6349, Maritime structures. |
| 1985 | BS 8110, Structural use of concrete, Part 1, Code of practice for design and construction, Part 2, Code of practice for special circumstances. |
| 1987 | BS 8007, Code of practice for design of concrete structures for retaining aqueous liquids. |
| 1990 | BS 5502, Buildings and structures for agriculture. |
Acknowledgement:
The Concrete Society
Other references:Scott, WL, Glanville, W and Thomas, FG. Explanatory handbook on the BS Code of Practice for reinforced concrete, 1950 (revised 1957)
Walley, F and Bate, SCC. A guide to the BS Code of Practice for prestressed concrete CP 115: 1959, 1961
Bate, SCC et al. Handbook to the unified Code for structural concrete (CP110: 1972), 1972
Bussell, MN. The development of reinforced concrete: design theory and practice, Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers, Structures and Buildings, August/November 1996, pp.317-334.
Anchor, RD et al, Handbook on BS 5337: 1976 (the structural use of concrete for retaining aqueous liquids), 1979 (Second Edition published 1983).
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TR70 Historical approaches to the design of concrete buildings and structures
