The proposed Australasian composite bridge standard, AS/NZS 5100 Part 6, Steel and composite construction

This paper details the ongoing progress by the Australian Standards Committee BD-90-06 on the Australasian Standard for Bridge Design, Steel and Composite Construction, AS/NZS 5 100 Part 6 which is currently being prepared for public comment and is scheduled to be released for publication in 20 14. This will be the first harmonised standard between Australia and New Zealand for the design of steel and steel-concrete composite bridges and has been a trailblazer for future harmonisation in standards of steel and steel-concrete composite structures in buildings across the Tasman Sea. This paper details the new provisions introduced into the standard since its last revision in 2004 as an Australian Standard. In addition to a full outline of the standards, some of the salient features that will be addressed in this paper will be the introduction of the use of high strength concrete, high strength quenched and tempered steels, the use of headed shear studs in high strength concrete and in horizontally lying positions. Furthermore, perhaps the most innovative aspect of this standard is the introduction of an appendix that provides conformity assessment rules for overseas steels, which has helped to remove perceived barriers on trade; however, more importantly, has allowed the industry to set minimum standards for delivery of structural steel. A rigorous reliability study was carried out between Australian and New Zealand researchers, which included the present authors, using independent test data and international standards for methods of delivery.