In the context of recent earthquakes in Iran and Pakistan which slightly affected some countries in the gulf region, and to raise the efficiency and safety of buildings in the Emirate of Dubai, Building Department of Dubai Municipality issued a new circular to all consulting offices and contractors operating in the Emirate to amend some of the requirements of structural design related to wind and seismic loads.
Eng. Moawya Zafarini, Head of the structural engineering unit at Dubai Municipality, said the circular stipulates to amend the specifications of wind and seismic loads for the buildings higher than ten floors to the structural specifications of non traditional buildings. The new requirement will be applicable for all commercial buildings, markets, hospitals and public buildings.
'According to the circular the structure of buildings above 10 stories should be as per either American Building Code (UBC) or International Building Code (IBC) or Dubai Seismic Code (DSC) , as updated,' Moawya said.
'Buildings taller than 10 floors as well as schools and hospitals should be built to withstand quakes between 5.5 and 5.9 (Zone 2B). Buildings with between four and 10 floors will be designed for Zone 2A,' he explained.
'With regard to the wind loads, Dubai Wind Code, British code (BS6399) or U.S. Code (ASCE7-05) as updated are applicable for all buildings in Dubai,' he further said.
'DM urged all related parties to strictly apply the newly announced codes for new projects to ensure the safety of public, Zafarini added.
© Press Release 2013
