Building Code of Pakistan (BCP-2021)

On Wednesday 2nd February, the governing body of Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has approved the new Building Code of Pakistan (BCP-2021). It will soon be available on PEC website after passing through a review from the International Code Council (ICC) and approval from the ministry of science and technology. This updated version adopts the International Building Code (IBC-2021) with several modifications. These include an updated probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) of Pakistan, updated values of design wind speeds, snow loads, rain loads, provisions for flood-resistant construction, etc. The ASCE 41-17 is adopted as the recommended methodology for the seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing buildings. The IBC-2021 itself mainly refers to the ASCE 7-16 and ACI 318-19 for several analysis and design-related issues for reinforced concrete and steel buildings (e.g., load combinations, or the determination of design loads etc.). With the official adoption of IBC-2021, the updated BCP-2021 also includes all referenced provisions and requirements prescribed in ASCE 7-16 and ACI 318-19 in its jurisdiction. Another important aspect of this development is the permission for the use of alternate design philosophies (e.g., the performance-based design) if approved by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) as accorded by the Section 104.11 of IBC-2021. This will open a new dimension in the prevailing design practice in the country.?

Though it is an important development towards a more resilient Pakistan, the code committee has identified several challenges which require dedicated efforts in order to develop a well-researched building code in the future. There is a whole list of (almost mandatory) contributions which the code committee should’ve made; yet couldn’t make either due to lack of data, absence of a permanent organizational setup for code development, or lack of intellectual resources. These challenges must be addressed in near future to make solid contributions towards the safety of our next generation. As part of the code committee, I feel this obligation with its full severity and seriousness. Therefore, within my areas of interest, I have made a list of few future targets for myself. I urge all colleagues from practice and academia to keep these targets in their focus as well. If you are putting in efforts to achieve any of these targets, count me in.

1) The development of an updated crustal faults model for the seismic hazard analysis of Pakistan and surrounding regions. [I know that the geological survey of Pakistan is already working on it].?

2) The development of risk-targeted (MCER) seismic hazard maps of Pakistan in accordance with the hazard definitions of ASCE 7-22 and IBC 2021.

3) The development of wind design provisions and 3-sec gust wind hazard maps for Pakistan in accordance with the hazard definitions of ASCE 7-22 and IBC 2021.

4) The development of flood design provisions and flood hazard zonation of Pakistan in accordance with the flood hazard definitions of ASCE 24 and IBC 2021.

5) The development of provisions and methodology for the routine structural evaluation, strengthening, and retrofitting of the existing building stock in Pakistan.

6) The development of simplified provisions for the seismic analysis and design of indigenous low-rise load-bearing masonry structures in Pakistan.?

Soon I am starting a comprehensive series of webinars or video lectures to explain the design implications of shifting from UBC-97 to IBC-2021. In almost all areas of building design, there will be a significant change in conventional practice and I am not sure how the industry will respond to this change. Nevertheless, this is an important development and I believe and hope that it is a step forward towards a safer Pakistan in the future.?

Regards

Fawad