Centre Technique Industriel
de la Construction Métallique

Certification - CE Marking

2010-07-23T10:00:00Z

Documents to download:

CTICM Notifications and pre-Notifications,
CE Marking Process,
General information on CE Marking ((added 23.7.2010)).

Since 15 February 2007, CTICM Certification activities have been accredited under COFRAC. The accreditation number is : 5-0049. The scope of accreditation is available on www.cofrac.fr - www.cofrac.fr/Annexes/Sect5/5-0049.pdf

CE marking, which allows the free circulation of products in Europe, is being progressively introduced for construction products. The European Commission has given about 40 mandates to CEN and 30 to EOTA to prepare technical specifications required for CE marking.

CTICM is a notified certification body for the CE marking of construction products. CTICM is also notified for other product types awaiting technical specifications and which fall into within the scope of steel construction and fire security expertise; see downloadable document « Notifications et prénotifications du CTICM ». Pre-notifications can be confirmed once harmonised specifications become available.

With its specialist technical expertise, CTICM is ideally placed to conduct assessments and certification for construction products. Its role as a notified body (registration number 1166) has already been assigned for:

Lighting columns in compliance with harmonised standards NF EN 40-5 and NF EN 40-6; (System 1) - COFRAC Accreditation n°5-0049;
Smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems in compliance with harmonised standard NF EN 12101-3, (System 1) - COFRAC Accreditation n°5-0049;
Steel flues and related products (except terminals) in compliance with harmonised standards NF EN 1856-1 and NF EN 1856-2. (System 2+);
LGlass products in compliance with harmonised standards NF EN 572-9, NF EN 1096-4, NF EN 1863-2 or NF EN 12150-2, NF EN 1748-1-2 or NF EN 13024-2, NF EN 1748-2, NF EN 14321-2, NF EN 1279-5, NF EN 14179-2 and 14449 (System 1);
Suspended ceilings in compliance with harmonised standard NF EN 13864 (System 1);
Hot rolled products of structural steel in compliance with harmonised standard NF EN 10025-1 (System 2+);
High strength structural bolting assemblies for preloading in compliance with harmonised NF EN 14399-1 (System 2+) ;
Hollow steel sections in compliance with harmonised standards NF EN 10210-1 and NF EN 10219-1 (System 2+);
Fire protection products in compliance with ETAG 18 parts 1 to 4. (System 1)
Self-supporting metal sheet in compliance with harmonised standard NF EN 14782 (System 1).

To obtain a copy of the CE marking process, you can download the file « Processus de marquage CE ».

Efectis France is also involved as a test and inspection body for a number of products related to fire safety.

For more information, contact the Certification Section
France: Mrs Yannick Le Tallec Telephone: +33 (0)1 60 13 83 20
UK: Mrs Christine Roszykiewicz: +44 (0)1344 31 46 48

Documents to download:

CTICM Notifications and pre-Notifications,
CE Marking Process,
General information on CE Marking ((added 23.7.2010)).

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General information on CE Marking

The European Commission's New Approach to harmonisation came into force in 1985 to guarantee a minimum level of product safety and to facilitate the free circulation of goods within the single Market. It concerns a set of essential requirements in matters of safety, health, environment and consumer protection.

The New Approach directives (Community level legislation which is mandatory in all countries of the European Union when transposed into national law) impose a set of “essential requirements” along with the affixing of a visual symbol to demonstrate that a product complies with “CE marking” requirements. These directives are based on harmonised European standards, or European Technical Approval Guidelines which translate the essential requirements into technical specifications.

CE marking is therefore a mandatory European label for all products which are subject to one or more European Directives.

It is an obligatory and visible sign which indicates that the products concerned can be placed on the market in the European European area. It demonstrates the attestation of conformity system which the manufacturer, or the one responsible for first placing it on the market, has used to ensure that the product complies with all of the provisions in the relevant directive(s) (these provisions deal in particular with matters of safety, public health and consumer protection).

Member States have a dual commitment :

to check that the manufacturer is justified in placing products on the market within the framework of the essential requirements of the directive or directives,
to allow free circulation of CE marked products in their country, regardless of where they originate.

Each directive describes the means by which a product must demonstrate compliance with the essential requirements.
Depending on the nature of the risks inherent in a product, CE marking can then be affixed :

either under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer,
or following third party conformity assessment and compliance checks which are adapted within each directive according to the product family (tests and initial type testing, fabrication control, quality assurance).

The European “Construction Products” directive is already applicable to certain products. Eventually, all products will have to carry the CE Mark.

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Construction products and CE marking

1) Characteristics of the Constructive Products Directive (DPC)

The Construction Products Directive is a New Approach Directive concerned with harmonisation of Member States' legislative, regulatory and administrative arrangements for construction products, in as far as essential requirements for construction works are related to them. Adopted in December 1988, following publication of reference 89/106/CEE in the OJ, its aim is to harmonise regulations in each of the Member States in order to facilitate the free circulation of construction products in Europe, and at the same time allow Member States to guarantee a high level of safety and health for construction end users.

The CPD determines the general essential requirements and refers to harmonised technical specifications when setting out the required characteristics for construction products.

The CPD therefore provides a guarantee that construction products placed on the Community market are suitable for their intended use i.e. that they display the characteristics which will allow the construction works in which they are incorporated to satisfy the essential requirements.

These essential requirements, which are intended for works and not products are :

Mechanical resistance and stability;
Safety in case of fire;
Hygiene, health and the environment;
Safety in use;
Protection against noise;
Energy economy and heat retention.

These requirements must be satisfied for an “economically reasonable working life”.

For each of these requirements, the directive sets out that “interpretative documents” give concrete form to the product characteristics which are specified in detail in the harmonised standards, or European technical approval guidelines, used for application of the directive.

The CPD has been transposed into French law by decree no. 92-647 (revised by decree no. 95-1051). This decree requires the CE mark to be affixed to construction products placed on the market, as and when harmonised technical specifications (harmonised European standards and European technical approvals) relevant to these products become available and their references published in the Official Journal of the European Community. Successive French ministerial orders reflect these Community measures nationally.

There is an obligation for CE marking to be implemented on a product by product basis.

N.B. : Revisions to regulatory arrangements will no doubt be necessary in order to accommodate harmonised technical specifications.

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2) Distinction between product and works

Construction products are either base products, finished products or semi finished products fabricated from certain base materials and which are placed on the market.

The CPD defines these products as : “any product which is produced for incorporation in a permanent manner in construction works, including both buildings and civil engineering works” (article 1 CPD).

For the purpose of the CPD, construction product fulfils these four conditions:

It is pre-fabricated;
It is placed on market;
It is to be incorporated in a permanent manner in construction works;
It is subject (directly or indirectly) to building regulations in at least one Member State.

Several market products together can constitute Kits which, for the purpose of the Directive, are treated in a similar way to products.

Works are constructed from products which are CE marked and their characteristics can only be defined after assembly of the products and installation on site (e.g. a civil engineering works such as a bridge, a retaining wall, a building or a part of a building such as a heating installation etc.).
Works are not subject to CE marking. The characteristics and performance of works can be described in building standards but cannot, in any circumstance, be integrated in the harmonised part of the standards for products.

It is important to clarify the distinction between products and works. The Construction Products Directive regulates the placing of products on the market by the affixing of a CE mark and imposing compliance with relevant technical specifications.

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3) Conformity assessment systems and product conformity

The European Commission defines a system of conformity assessment for each product characteristic and its intended use. This ranges from a self declaration by the manufacturer to third party certification.

In all cases, the manufacturer is responsible for the CE marking affixed to his products and for any related information.

For all systems of conformity assessment, the manufacturer must be able to demonstrate proof of :

“initial type testing” to determine the characteristics which are referenced in the information which accompanies the CE mark -* “factory production control” which allows the manufacturer to ensure that the characteristics evaluated during initial type testing are not subsequently modified.

These systems determine whether or not an independent organisation called a “notified body” should be involved. Depending on the system, the notified body may be responsible for carrying out :

“ initial type testing”;
“ continuing surveillance of factory production control”;
“ product certification”.

CE marking is considered a sine qua non condition for placing relevant products on the market.

The products concerned are those for which the European Commission has issued a mandate for harmonised technical specifications. As these specifications become available, their terms of reference are published in the Official Journal of the European Community.

In France, these references appear in a decree and official notice which set out this legal obligation.

CE marking and its accompanying measures (manufacturer's declaration of conformity and, if need be, certificate of conformity) demonstrate compliance of the product with the appropriate Community regulations in force. Accordingly, they demonstrate that products concerned by the Construction Products Directive comply with the respective harmonised specifications (harmonised standard or European technical approval).

Attestation of the conformity of a product depends on an evaluation which involves various tasks.

The Construction Products Directive (article 13.3) states that :

“The fact of attesting the conformity of a product presupposes :

a) that the manufacturer has a factory control system adequate to give confidence that his processes can produce products that comply with the relevant technical specifications ; or

b) that, for specific products listed in the relevant technical specifications, and in addition to a factory control system, an authorised certification body undertakes the evaluation and surveillance of the factory production controls or of the products themselves”.

There are, accordingly, two types of task :

a) The manufacturer's factory production control

b) Evaluation and surveillance of the production control or products themselves by a notified body.

In Annex III, the Construction Products Directive specifies the different systems of attestation and conformity. The system selected for each type of product is defined in Annex ZA of the harmonised standards and in the appropriate section of the European Technical Approvals. French decrees and official notices also refer to the European Commission ruling.

There are two types of system:

Certification of conformity of the product by a notified certification body for systems 1 and 1+. Tests and inspections are organised by the certificating body in accordance with the technical terms of reference in the standards (harmonised part) or in the European technical approvals. The declaration of conformity of the product by the manufacturer is based on the certificate of conformity delivered by this body.

The declaration of conformity of the product by the manufacturer. Tests and inspections carried out under the responsibility of the manufacturer, if necessary by test laboratories (system 3) or notified inspection bodies (system 2 and 2+) which undertake tasks in accordance with the technical terms of reference in the standards (harmonised part) or in the European technical approvals.

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4) Factory Production Control (FPC)

In Article 13.3 (a) the directive stipulates that CE marking which attests the conformity of a product with the directive can only be affixed if the manufacturer has a factory production control (FPC) which ensures “that production complies with the relevant technical specifications”.

Annex III of the directive defines the FPC as “a permanent internal control, undertaken by the manufacturer”. “All of the components, requirements and measures adopted by the manufacturer shall be systematically documented in the form of written operating and processing instructions. This documentation on the factory control system must ensure a common understanding of the quality checks and allow verification of the characteristics required for a product as well as an efficient production control”.

As a rule, the technical specifications (either harmonised European norms or European technical approvals, as appropriate) describe the information which manufacturers require in order to put in place an FPC which complies with the requirements of the Directive.

In order to assist standards bodies and European technical approval bodies in this task, the European Commission has published a Document Guide (GP B) which sets out the procedures which must be considered when developing a factory control system, and specifies that the requirement of the Directive must not be confused with a quality assurance system such as defined in the family of ISO 9000 standards.

Where the requirements of the harmonised specifications are not sufficiently clear in respect of the CPD, producers can use the contents of the Guide to determine the procedures which must be implemented. This guide sets out general terms and conditions such as:

The manufacturer's responsibility to organise the FPC and identify tasks and responsibilities
The need to have up to date documentation which defines the CPD
The specification and verification of raw materials and testing frequency

These are followed by test methods and verification for:

Continuous surveillance;
The tests themselves and a record of these;
Identification and correction of non-conformities;
Maintenance of a register;
Traceability.

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Notified bodies for conformity assessment

The Construction Products Directive expects each Member State to notify bodies to the European Commission. These bodies will be responsible for conformity assessment for the purpose of CE marking:

Certifying body (when the attestation level is 1 or 1+)
Inspection body
Testing body

This notification assumes that a certain number of conditions are respected by the notified body. These are defined in Annex III paragraphs III.3 and III.4 of the Directive.

In order to affix CE marking, the manufacturer or organisation responsible for placing the relevant construction products on the market can request certificates or test reports (as appropriate) in respect of tasks to be undertaken by notified bodies for the purpose of CE conformity:

In the case of attestation of conformity of a product which corresponds to system 1 or 1+, from a certifying body of their choice which must be notified to the Commission by one of the Member States,
For attestation of conformity systems 2, 2+ or 3, from inspection and testing bodies of their choice, which must be notified to the Commission by one of the Member States

Once the appropriate attestation of conformity system has been selected for a product, according to its intended use, the tasks of the notified bodies are defined for each type of product use (in Annexes Z of the harmonised standards and in the relevant section of the ETAG).

CTICM is a Notified Certification Body in respect of conformity certification for CE marking of construction products.
CTICM is also pre-notified for other types of products which fall under our areas of expertise in steel construction and fire safety ; please consult the downloadable file « CTICM Notifications and pre-notifications». The « pre-notifications » are confirmed as soon as harmonised specifications become available.

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Technical specifications: standards and ETAGs

1) Standards

The Directive defines the harmonised standard as a technical specification established by CEN or CENELEC or by these two bodies on mandate of the European Commission. This “status” is ratified as soon as the appropriate references are published in the OJ (articles 4.1 and 7.3 of the directive).

The “harmonised standard” or “harmonised part” of the standard describes procedures for verification of compliance with the standard. It refers to the attestation level of conformity to be applied (in order to affix the CE mark), as per the European Commission mandate (Decision of attestation of conformity published in the OJ).
In practice, a single standard incorporating a “voluntary standard” and “harmonised standard” is published, with an annex reference ZA, which sets out the specifications that appear in the text of the standard and which belong to the “harmonised part”, namely:

Characteristics used to describe the product (as performance based as possible) with an indication, wherever possible, of intended use ;
Minimal performance or type of product performance if necessary ;
Testing or performance evaluation methods (these can be described in the testing standards. In this case, the product standard makes reference to the test standards) ;
Evaluation clauses for product compliance with the standard, including conditions for factory production control ;
Annex ZA will also refer to the conformity assessment method.

The harmonised part of the standard deals with requirements introduced by the Construction Products Directive : (Member states take all measures necessary to ensure that the (construction) products ... destined to be used in works can only be placed on the market if they are suitable for their intended use, that is that they have characteristics such that the works in which they are incorporated ... can satisfy the essential requirements (article 1 of the CPD).
“Member states shall assume that the products are fit for their intended use ... comply with (harmonised) standards (article 4.2 of the CPD), compliance attested by the CE mark.

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2) European Technical Approval Guides (ETAGs)

The European Technical Approval (ETA) solution is imposed by the European Commission where no relevant harmonised standard exists or can be developed yet.

ETAs are delivered by approval bodies which are members of EOTA (European Organisation for Technical Agreement). In this case, individual evaluation is carried out by a body authorised for this specific task, for the purpose of establishing compliance with the essential requirements of the Directive. As with European harmonised standards, ETAs constitute a technical specification which is applicable to a specific product.

One the ETA has been secured, and in order to affix the CE mark, manufacturers are required to implement the attestation of conformity system in accordance with the directive.

Organisations competent to instruct and deliver European Technical Approvals are designated by the Member States which draw up a list for the European Commission. Competent organisations make up a European group known as EOTA, which develops procedural rules for requirements, preparation and granting of European Technical Approvals.

EOTA organises, amongst its members, the development of European Technical Approval Guidelines (ETAGs), which comprise common evaluation rules for products. It then submits these for endorsement by the European Commission.

In product areas where no ETAG exists, ETAs can be awarded where assessment of the products is adopted by the Approval Bodies acting jointly in EOTA. This is known as the Common Understanding for Assessment Procedure (CUAP).

It is up to each manufacturer (or body responsible for placing the product on the market) to apply for a European Technical Approval through the approvals body of their choice. Costs are borne by the client. The approval body informs EOTA of all requests logged and ETAs delivered.

An internal consultation procedure exists between approval bodies to ensure the uniformity of product evaluations.

As with harmonised standards, ETAs deal with those aspects of products which are concerned with the essential requirements, in compliance with national regulations.

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Steps to affixing and use of CE Marking on your products

1) First step : Identify text relevant to your product

In order to check if the product which you manufacture or import is subject to mandatory CE marking, you need to refer to the CPD (or appropriate Member State regulations e.g. decrees and formal notices in France).

2) Second step : Respect essential safety requirements

Essential safety requirements are published in annex I of the relevant directive; it is important to be aware of these.

Mechanical resistance and stability;
Safety in case of fire;
Hygiene, health and the environment;
Safety in use;
Protection against noise;
Energy economy and heat retention.

For compliance purposes, the CPD refers to European harmonised standards and to ETAs.

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3) Third step : Procedure for conformity assessment

CE marking can be affixed once an attestation of conformity procedure has demonstrated compliance with the essential requirements. This system relies in great part on the involvement of various bodies:

Certification bodies;
The manufacturer;
Test laboratories;
Inspection bodies.

Depending on the risks associated with a product, this procedure varies from simple conformity assessment by the manufacturer to verification by a notified body or implementation of a quality assurance system (ISO 9001 standard), controlled by an accreditation body.

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4) Fourth step : Affixing of CE mark

Directive 93/68 of 22/7/93 (OJEC L220 of 30/8/93) regulating the use and affixing of CE marking.

Once a product complies with the directive's essential safety requirements, you can affix the CE mark. This is the visible sign of a product's conformity.

The look and proportions of the CE mark are described below:

The mark must be visible, legible and indelible.
It must be affixed on the product or its identification sheet, or, if this is not possible, on the packaging, usage instructions and guarantee.
Size : in principle, CE marking components must not be less than 5 mm long (there is no upper limit).
The choice of colour and labelling method (label, engraving etc.) is at the discretion of the manufacturer.
In addition, it is possible to affix voluntary application marks attesting compliance with national or European standards, on condition that these are not confused with CE marking.

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5) Fifth step : Attestation of conformity

It is necessary to attest conformity of the product to the essential mandatory safety requirements. This attestation is based on a declaration and technical file.

The manufacturer or their representative established in one of the EEA countries must produce a CE declaration of conformity, even if they have used a third party checking body.

It is a document which the manufacturer must use to attest that the product complies with the “essential health and safety requirements” of the relevant regulation and for which he takes full responsibility.

In general this information includes:

The name and address of the manufacturer or their representative;
A description of the product;
Reference to the harmonised standards or other specifications used;
Identification of the signatory.

If necessary, this document is accompanied by an attestation delivered by a notified body.

The declaration must be produced in one of the formal languages of the EEA. However, it is strongly recommended that the declaration of conformity be translated into the language of the country to which the product is destined, for obvious commercial reasons and in order to facilitate relations with the Member State authorities responsible for checking.

According to the directives, this declaration must be delivered to the end user or kept available to the Member States authorities for ten years from the date of manufacture of the product.

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6) Sixth step : The consequences of CE marking

No product subject to the CPD can be placed on the market without CE marking.

Once it has obtained the CE mark, a product can circulate freely on the European market without any formality, national safety standard or new test being required.

National authorities responsible for surveillance of product safety (customs, ministerial departments in charge of competition, consumption and anti-fraud) can only demand the declaration of conformity and technical dossier in order to check the validity of the marking. These documents must be produced within a reasonable length of time. When a check takes place, and CE marking is either absent or fake, national authorities can penalise the manufacturer through administrative and criminal procedures (fines and removal of products from market).

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References

Location map

2010-06-16T03:23:18Z

CTICM's offices are situated in the Paris region, with direct connections from the centre of Paris.

Download the location map with road and RER (train)connections


The Centre Technique Industriel de la Construction Métallique in Saint-Aubin (Essonne)

New Nuclear Build

2010-06-10T15:44:33Z

Click here to download CTICM New Nuclear Build Capabilty Statement

List of contents

Introduction

Principal industrial sectors
Services
Recent projects
Major clients
Key skills and capabilities
Adding value

Major projects

Flamanville 3 EPR
Civaux
Fessenheim
Blayais
Gravelines
Shelter at Chernoby

Key Personnel
UK External Consultants

CTICM Specialist Design Services (New Nuclear Build)

CTICM has a long history of working on major nuclear build projects. Its specialist design experience is available to engineering, construction and steelwork contracting companies to help them meet the challenges of these new reactor technologies.

Contacts CTICM New Nuclear Build
UK: Christine Roszykiewicz +44(0)1344 314648, croszykiewicz@cticm.com
France: Daniel Bitar +33 (0)1 60 13 83 38, dbitar@cticm.com

MAJOR PROJECTS

Flamanville EPR – Design assessment and verification; new composite columns concept; formwork resistance; development of application rules
Civaux Turbine Hall Building: (1300 MW nuclear power plant): dynamic structural analysis; innovative vertical bracing systems under seismic action
Fessenheim – Assessment of New Safety Concept for storage tanks and cladding
Blayais – Assessment of New Safety Concept for storage tanks and cladding
Gravelines – Load impact on machine room cladding
Design review for New Safe Confinement shelter at Chernobyl

SPECIALIST TECHNICAL SERVICES

Design assessment and verification for the Generation III+ reactor technologies
Design and consultancy on construction of power plants in France, - - Algeria and Ukraine
Risk assessment
Dynamic seismic analysis and design of major buildings and components
Fire safety engineering analysis
Compliance with codes and standards (including Eurocodes)
Development of application rules where information does not exist in the Eurocodes
Assessment of structural integrity under severe impact loading
Design of new structural concepts for load transmission

Download the 2009 Annual Review

2010-05-31T06:27:28Z

Download the 2009 Annual Review (27 pages - 3,5 mo - PDF) by clicking there

Summary

Word from the President
Editorial
Composition of Board of Directors
Financial Statement
Organisation Chart
Performance Agreement 2008-2011
Standardization
March 2010, introduction of the Eurocodes
Knowledge Transfer
Research
Valorisation
Sustainability
Projects
Services
Certification
List of abbreviations

EBPlate Version 2.01

2010-05-20T08:54:00Z

Description

EBPlate is a piece of software developed by CTICM with partial funding from the European Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS). It assesses the critical stresses associated to the elastic buckling of plates loaded in their plan.

The scope of the program is the following:

Plates : Rectangular plate with uniform thickness;
Isotropic or orthotropic behaviour.
Edges : Plate supported on its four edges for the out-of-plane direction (no free edge);
Three possible conditions for the rotation of the edges : free rotation, fixed edges or elastic restraint (defined by flexural and torsional stiffnesses).
Stiffening : Possible definition of several stiffeners in both longitudinal and transverse directions of the plate, with identical or different properties;

Axial, flexural and torsional rigidities of stiffeners are accounted for;
5 predefined types of stiffener cross-sections, which allow a direct definition from the dimensions;
Possible smearing of identical and regularly spaced stiffeners (orthotropic properties of the plate);
Specific treatment of stiffener with closed cross-section, for example trapezoidal sections.

Stresses : Stress pattern (σ_x, σ_y, τ) acting in the plate;

Predefined stress patterns the parameters of are the stresses acting along the edges of the plate;
Possibility of generating any stress distribution by defining directly the stresses within the elements of a regular meshing of the plate;
Possibility to import the stress pattern from an other piece of software;
Possibility to impose one or more stress values at buckling state and to perform the buckling analysis on the remaining free stresses.

For the case defined by the User, EBPlate calculates the minimal factor Ф_cr, the critical factor, to be applied to the stresses to obtain the elastic buckling of the plate. The program can also find all the elastic buckling modes and their associated critical factor.

The critical stresses given by the piece of software are calculated according to the theory of the linear elastic buckling of idealized perfect plates, so that they are not the limit stresses of the real plate. These values are generally used to determine intermediate parameters, for example the reduced slenderness in Eurocode 3 Part 1.5, required in the formulae of ultimate resistance of cross-sections.

Numerous function are proposed with EBPlate, especially for the post-treatment of results: three-dimensional display of the buckling mode shape, edition of a calculation sheet, export of the mathematical function giving the shape of the buckling mode, remote use from an other program.

Since the version 2.00, a new function is proposed to directly assess the critical stress s_cr,p associated to the global buckling mode of the longitudinally stiffened plates under normal stresses.

The User Graphical Interface is available in English, French, German and Spanish, whereas the Help file is provided only in English and in French.

Version

The last available version to be downloaded here is the 2.01.
Required space on disk: 22,3 Mo.

Operating systems

EBPlate V2.01 has been validated and runs on the following OS: Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista et Microsoft Windows Seven.

Support

All malfunction reports and questions relative to EBPlate can be transmitted by electronic mail to the following address: cticm@cticm.com, with the reference "EBPlate Support" in the object of the email.

To download

Download the software on SteelBizFrance website.

Regulation and standardization

2010-04-30T12:00:00Z

On the 23rd of December 2008, the Ministry of Ecology has adopted a new regulation concerning warehouses storing combustible materials. It concerns only overcast warehouses in which can be stored more than 500 tons for a volume between 5000 m3 and 50 000m3 of combustible materials.

Concerning fire stability applying to single storey warehouses (whatever the height), this new regulation requires R15 for all elements of the structure. According to some organisations attached to the Ministry of Ecology, this new regulation could avoid the use of materials which could have too low critical temperatures (for example less than 500°C).

It is required that construction design aims at assuring that the ruin of the structure element doesn't cause the collapse of the rest of the building structure, especially neighbouring cells and doesn't contribute to the collapse outwards from the first cell in fire.

Steel construction fully fulfils this last requirement and fire stability R15 for unprotected steel structures can be justified by a method funded on the structural Eurocodes.

Download the method: Method justifying R15 fire stability for steel structure (French - PDF - 780 ko).

**
*

Staff members of CTICM actively take part in regulation and standardization commissions for fire safety.

Among these activities, we can quote:

In France

Commissions managed by AFNOR or standardization task groups dealing with fire tests, fire safety engineering and calculation methods for structure behaviour in fire condition.

In Europe

Working in CEN (European Standardization committee), CEN TC 127 (Fire Tests for building), CEN TC 191 (Ventilation), CEN TC 250 (Eurocodes- Structures calculation).

World wide

Works of ISO TC 92 (Fire safety) and subcommittees SC2 (Compartimentation – fire resistance) and SC4 (Fire safety engineering), CIB W 14 Building behaviour in fire condition), IAFSS (International Association for Fire Safety Science), SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineers).

Particularly Joël Kruppa, director of the fire and certification department of CTICM, convenor of the horizontal group “fire” (HGF) of CEN TC 250 and chairman of the international committee ISO TC 92/SC4 and of the French mirror committee AFNOR-ISI “fire safety engineering”.

Documents concerning fire safety regulation:

Fire safety regulation (French - PDF - 130 ko)
Fire safety regulation – Fire reaction (French - PDF - 107 ko)
Fire safety regulation – Fire resistance (French - PDF - 128 ko)
Fire safety regulation – warehouses (French - PDF - 70 ko)
Fire safety regulation – Silos (French - PDF - 45 ko)
Fire safety regulation – Car parks (French - PDF - 121 ko)
Fire safety regulation – Dwelling houses (French - PDF - 112 ko)
Fire safety regulation – High rise buildings (French - PDF - 110 ko)
Fire safety regulation – Public Establishments (French - PDF - 158 ko) (updated 30.4.2010)
Fire safety regulation – Work establishments (French - PDF - 115 ko) (updated 5.5.2010)

Attached documents:

European harmonisation (French - PDF - 93 ko)
Standardization and Regulation (French - PDF - 88.6 ko)

SteelBizFrance

2010-04-18T19:19:14Z

http://www.steelbizfrance.com/

SteelBizFrance – the portal for steel construction professionals – contains up-to-date, quality assured, technical information and software aimed at the steel design and construction community. It was developed by CTCM and contains three catalogues of electronic, downloadable resources:

A Software Library, which includes software to Eurocode 3 Part 1-8;
A Publications Library from which the user can search and retrieve guidance from a wide range of publications, including CTICM guides, case studies and worked examples, and information published by other technical centres and standards organisations;
A Media Library with technical articles drawn from a number of official sources, including CTICM's quarterly review the CMI (Construction Métallique)

The key features of this website are:

No need for registration:
A clean and user friendly interface:
Ease of navigation:
Minimum number of clicks required to locate required information:
Consistent format with clear graphical displays.

CTICM Engineering Design Consultancy

2010-04-15T10:00:00Z

Contacts CTICM:
Jean-Claude Delongueville, Head of the Buidings section, 01 60 13 83 42, jcdelongueville@cticm.com
Daniel Bitar, Head of the Bridges section, 01 60 13 83 38, dbitar@cticm.com

List of Projects

CTICM's Steel Construction Division has almost 50 years' experience in steel design. We supply our clients with specialist engineering support on a vast range of steel and composite (steel/concrete) construction projects:

New construction projects:

Preliminary design; technical assistance to the client,
Design studies, consultancy and verification
Risk assessment
Checking and control
Practical application of, and compliance with, the Eurocodes, together with French and other national standards, ECCS recommendations, FEM rules etc.

Existing construction projects:

Steelwork diagnosis – rehabilitation, renovation,
Temporary or permanent strengthening studies, expert advice.

Technical support for manufacturers of building systems and products:

Product and software development and assessment
One stop shop in support of CE marking and ETAs (CTICM is a notified body for Modular Construction and Metal Frame Building Kits)
Acoustic and thermal performance
Load assessment
Design and use of composite cladding panels etc.,

With our numerical analysis capabilities (Ansys, Effel, ESA, Robot and the many software programs which are developed in-house), we are able to deliver the very best solutions to a large range of complex problems:

Dynamic analysis,
Instability,
Large displacements,
Cable structures,
Fatigue.

Principal applications:

Commercial buildings
Industrial buildings
Residential buildings
Steel and composite bridges
Nuclear installations
Non-nuclear strategic installations
Pylons, Silos and Chimneys

Distribution of specialist design studies:

1. EPR* in Flamanville

Client: EDF

Design Project: EPR engine rooms in Flamanville.

The construction of this EPR is in preparation for the replacement of EDF nuclear centres, the first of which could be decommissioned in about 2020. Brought into service in 2012, this will be the first example in France of a new generation of nuclear reactors.

Nature of CTICM's mission: prior to fabrication of the steel frame for the engine room, CTICM was commissioned by EDF to provide technical assistance, verification of design calculations to the Eurocodes, and to act as an advisor to assist with any problems in the application of specific parts of the standards e.g. composite steel-concrete.

The client's decision to adopt the Eurocodes as their point of reference instead of French rules and guidance documents constitutes an important step in the effective application of these new standards.
The need to apply practically the entire scope of the Eurocodes for buildings led to the design offices of companies involved in the project investing in and adapting to the new European process.

(*) = European Pressurized Reactor

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2. Paris metro, line 6 - The Motte-Picquet-Grenelle viaduct.

Client: VSL France

An exemple: The Motte-Picquet-Grenelle viaduct.

Built in 1906 to conform with the 1891 steel regulations, the viaduct has a steel deck with lateral truss beams. The spans are simply supported with lengths of approximately 20 meters.

Nature of study carried out by CTICM: CTICM became involved in the replacement of the support devices on behalf of VSL, France, to design the knuckle supports, pieces of steel shaped to support the two adjacent half-spans (about 300 tons).

The supports were replaced by RATP in August 2007.

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3. Tancarville Bridge

Client: Le Havre Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Project: The Tancarville Bridge.

The Tancarville suspension bridge, built by Le Havre Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIH), has provided a crossing over the Seine since 1959, as well as a link between Le Havre and the motorway to Normandy, linking it to Paris in two hours. At that time, the 608 meter central span was the longest in Europe.

Work carried out by CTICM: CTICM provided support to the client for the on site replacement of bars connecting the towers with the end abutments during general repair operations started in 2006 and due to be completed in July 2008.

The bars, located at the joints in the deck beams on the right of the towers and end abutments, ensures the transmission of vertical loads (these are in the order of 1 000 tons) and at the same time allows adequate rotation of the deck.
Built by Eiffel CM, they are about 5 meters long and, depending on their position, on the pylon or the abutment, can weigh as much as 2 tons.

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4. Louis Joubert dock in Saint-Nazaire

Client: The autonomous port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire

Project: downstream side of the “Louis Joubert” lock

Serving large sea vessels (50m wide and up to 350m long), this is both a lock, a direct entrance into the Penhoët basin, and a dry dock.

Located on the estuary, this large gateway (50m long, 16m high and 8m wide) is a particularly complex structure that is required to hold thousands of tonnes of water whilst subject to tidal ranges and silting.

CTICM mission: CTICM was commissioned by Eiffel CM in 2007 to design an alternative to the existing structure, in order to satisfy new operational and exploitation needs. The solution proposed by Eiffel and CTICM was accepted.

Design studies will be undertaken by CTICM with the aim of completing in the first quarter of 2008.

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5. Aeroplane hangar in Afghanistan

Client: Bachmann

Project: Main loading structure for an aeroplane hangar in Afghanistan.

CTICM mission: Verification of the main loading structure to European standards (EN 1990, EN 1991, EN 1993 and EN 1998).
This structure is made up of 11 single bay frames, each with a span of 51,6 meters and 5.15 meters apart.

The transverse elements which make up the roof are trusses in the shape of vaults with key heights of 19,81m.
The roofing is steel-fabric.
The structure is subject to climatic and seismic loads.
Given the type of structure (truss and vault), it was necessary to carry out several checks on the structural elements (trusses), the two dimensional frames and the under frames.

Several models and analyses were required:

Global elastic analysis of portals,
Bracing systems 3D analysis,
Second-order analysis with geometric imperfections for battened columns.

Lastly, the out of plane columns stability was studied by the Eurocode 3 general method (via the global slenderness parameter).

This study has resulted in proposals to strengthen the structure.

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6. Project to refurbish n° 1 lift bridge in Belgium

Client: Eiffel « Refurbishment » division

Project: n° 1 hydraulic lift on the Louvière Central Canal (Belgium)

Built at the end of the XIXth century and classified as a Unesco world heritage site, this lift enabled 120 T boats to cross the water at a depth of more than 15 m between the mill and tail races.

Following an accident in 2002, the hydraulic lift has been out of action.

Type of study carried out by CTICM: CTICM was brought in to model and design connections for the steel structures in the boat lift, specifically:

the upstream aqueduct
the lock itself which provides the mobile « dock » for entry and departure of boats during the docking operation
the lock guide structure which provides horizontal stability (wind, movement of water in the lock...) and safety during lifting and descent operations by means of a hydraulic jack.
The design data needed to verify the design of this unusual project underwent several evolutions requiring various design reiterations.
In fact, the earlier designs had to be changed after the removal of some sections led to significant modifications.

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7. Project: Engine room for a thermal plant in Algeria.

Some CTICM inputs may lead to a significant modification in the structural behaviour of a building.

This was the case for the engine room of a thermal plant in Algeria. The structure contains two gas turbines, which in turn accommodate two structures, each of which accommodate an alternator and supporting equipment used for air filtration. These buildings are made of steel frames with fixed columns supported on mass concrete foundations.

Following a site accident during erection of the structure (rupture of tie rod through shear after a moderate impact) it became clear that the tie rods would not offer adequate resistance in case of seismicity.

The fabricator suggested that the weakened tie rods be replaced in an unusual manner.

The client sought reassurance about the validity of the proposed solution and commissioned Turbolab, a recognised international technical assistance provider. Turbolab, in turn, decided to call upon the expertise of CTICM.

CTICM consultancy: After analysing the various test results and reports, CTICM was able to confirm a lack of ductility in the tie rods. Moreover, the unusual position of the tie rods proposed by the fabricator, some doubts about the civil engineering, and evidence of defects (ground and mass concrete foundations, together with the design of some of the steel column base fasteners, meant that it was neither possible to confirm the hypothesis of column base fixing nor to justify the level of “dissipative” behaviour which had been required for the structural design. In conclusion, it was not possible to guarantee structural stability in the event of a serious earthquake.

CTICM proposed significant modifications to the structure's loading system, through the articulation of the columns, together with the addition and reinforcement of structural elements. A design was developed for a new support mechanism in order to articulate the connection of the columns to the mass concrete foundations. Methods of propping were developed with a method statement in order to avoid any risk during construction. Modifications were also proposed to remove some of the structural restraints, thereby improving the structural behaviour.

Research and valorisation

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Research activities undertaken by CTICM make a very valuable contribution to the technical advancement of steel in construction. The outcome of this research is a more accurate evaluation of the behaviour of both hot and cold rolled steel structures.

CTICM valorisation activities ensure that state of the art knowledge and outcomes from our research projects is transferred to practitioners. This includes the dissemination or publication of recommendations, practical guides and software tools etc. Results are then made available through a number of channels and contribute to the development of steel construction standards and regulations.

The benefits of having research and design within one organisation, with a strong ethos of interaction between the two communities, encourages the application of latest research results to new situations. Below are a few examples of recent research and valorisation projects. The first three are concerned with application of the Eurocodes in the framework of the strategic “Europe Plan” (Le Plan Europe) with funding from CSTB (Le Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment).

Section capacity tables

This guide was published in August 2009 and can be purchased from the online CSTB bookshop at http://boutique.cstb.fr/dyn/cstb/fiche_produit.asp?pf_id=648.

The aim of the guide is to produce resistance tables for the most common sections (I or H sections, rectangular, round or square hollow sections) and for grades S235 and S355, in compliance with Eurocode 3 (EN 1993).
The guide was published by CSTB in 2008. It covers section resistances (to axial force, to bending moment), resistance to the buckling of members in axial compression versus their buckling length, as well as resistance to lateral torsional buckling of the l section members for different forms of moment distribution diagrams, versus the distance between two points of lateral restraint.

Steel column base connections

The aim of this guide is to offer practitioners (fabricators, design offices, inspection bodies) tools for the design to EN 1993-1-8 of steel column base connections in typical steel buildings (i.e. using welded plates with reinforced concrete foundations anchored by tie rods and grouted). These connections are mostly used in single storey industrial or commercial buildings (factories, hangars, warehouses, logistics, etc.) for which transverse stability is provided by the frames. Similar connections are also used for columns in typical single or low rise multi-storey buildings e.g. offices, housing, car parks, schools and hospitals.

This guide presents verification methods suitable for steel column base connections which are either made from plates or portions of I sections with unstiffened end plates. The guide explains new concepts, provides application examples for the methods described, and presents sizing tables for the two types of steel column base connections that are most commonly used for steel construction in standard buildings: “hinged” and “ fixed”. It also fills several gaps which exist in EN 1992-1-1, with suggestions for the design of tie rods fabricated from undeformed bars, and proposed amendments are currently under discussion.
The body of the text, which is divided into 5 chapters (field of application; definition of the connection configurations; steel, concrete and rod resistances; verification methodologies and, design examples) is complemented by several annexes, two of which present pre-sized connection tables for a selection of combinations commonly used (sections, steel grades, tie rod grades, grades of concrete):

IPE, HEA and HEB sections,
Steel grades S235, S275 and S355,
Concrete grades 20/25, 25/30 or 30/37,
Tie rod grade 4.6 or steel grade S355.

Choice of method of global analysis for steel framed buidings (Choix du type d'analyse globale des ossatures en acier)

This guide will be published by June 2010 and available for purchase from the CSTB online bookshop at http://boutique.cstb.fr/dyn/cstb/liste_produit.asp?sous_famille=311.

When carrying out a structural analysis of steel framed buildings, Eurocode requirements may give rise to concern about existing practices for design companies and practitioners used to the classical linear elastic analysis.

The requirements for global analysis (i.e. determination of the internal forces and moments) are described with an introduction to concepts such as second order effects, frame imperfections, plasticity and semi-rigid connections. In addition, and as part of the Europe Plan (Eurocodes) to facilitate the application of Eurocode 3, CSTB commissioned CTICM to produce a guide clarifying the “new” concepts and assisting the practitioner with initial steps in the design process and structural verification. The structures covered by the guide are standard two dimensional steel frames in buildings (portals, multi-storey buildings) loaded in their plane, in the context of an elastic analysis which covers the essentials of standard practice.

The guide provides specific definitions and classifications, describes the various methods of analysis presented, and conditions under which they can be applied.

New aspects are either dealt with in detail (e.g. effects of geometrical changes and imperfections), or treated more concisely (plasticity, semi-rigid connections). As far as the effect of change in geometry is concerned, phenomena are highlighted for very simple frames, and an explanation given for the effects described in order to establish the basis for certain formulae proposed in the Eurocode. The main objective is to ensure that the rules in EN 1993-1-1 are interpreted correctly and to facilitate their application. The impact and consequences of the global analysis to verify the individual resistance of the members are described, and a simple flowchart offered for the elastic analysis of existing steel framed buildings.

Illustrated examples of standard steel framed buildings are presented for clarification. The guide presents procedures in detail, adapted and in compliance with EN 1993-1-1, for the following examples:

Two-dimensional frames for standard single storey buildings,
Two-dimensional roofs of standard buildings,
Wind girders for roofs of standard buildings.

One example for each type of frame is presented.

Seismic action on steel frames

This guide will be published by June 2010 and available for purchase from the CSTB online bookshop at http://boutique.cstb.fr/dyn/cstb/liste_produit.asp?sous_famille=311.

Within the Eurocodes, the new standard EN 1998-1 defines seismic design rules for buildings. Application will be mandatory for all structures located in seismic zones and will replace current regulations PS92 between now and 2010.

In the framework of the “Europe Eurocodes Plan Europe”, CSTB commissioned CTICM to draft a practical guide for the application of design rules for steel buildings to the new standard. This publication focuses on the essential aspects of seismic design. An introduction to the concept of dissipative structure at the core of the standard is followed by an overview of the different types of bracing, with their respective advantages and constraints. The rules in EN 1998-1 are commented on and presented as flowcharts.

A five storey building and an industrial building with an overhead travelling crane are both covered in this guide, which provides the reader with practical solutions to the Eurocode requirements. Full design examples for seismic loads and checking criteria are given for both structures.

Wind Guide (“EOLE”)

Timetable: forthcoming publication funded by CTICM.

Objectives: A guide on wind loads for buildings which demonstrates compliance with EC1 parts 1-4 and its National Annex.

By using a simplified method applied to an intentionally simple structure, this guide will direct the user through detailed methods which are increasingly used on complex buildings.

A number of factors are considered:

Dynamic pressure calculation,
A step by step introduction to pressure coefficients,
accompanied by
Complementary notes where required,
Highlighted commentary with reference to NV65 rules,
Case studies.

At the end of the guide, some examples will be given, ranging from determination of the dynamic design pressure to unitary forces imposed on walls.

Most industrial and multi-storey buildings will be covered. For projects not covered, the reader will be referred to information in EN 1991-1-4 and its National Annex.

ACOBRI Software

Software release: Version 3.0 was released in April 2008, followed by Version 3.01 in July 2008 and can be downloaded from the ArcelorMittal website (www.arcelormittal.com/sections).

Funding: Development of this software was funded by ArcelorMittal

Objectives: To develop the scope of Acobri software to cover design to the EN Eurocodes.

Results: The Acobri software, developed by CTICM on behalf of ArcelorMittal, covers the design of composite bridges with plate girders. It deals with road, rail and pedestrian bridges. The user can select designs for compliance with French standards, German DIN standards or the Eurocodes.

In 2007, at the request of ArcelorMittal, the software was revised to comply with the new Eurocodes (the EN version which replaced the ENV) and released in early 2008.

COMBRI+ Project: COMBRI Guide for design and calculation of steel and composite bridges – Parts 1 and 2.

Publication: Parts 1 and 2 of this guide can be downloaded free of charge from the CTICM bookstore at http://publication.cticm.org/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=combri&x=0&y=0.

Funding: partly funded by RFCS

Partners: University of Stuttgart (D), RWTH (D), University of Lulea (S), University of Liège (B), Sétra (F), Labein (E), CTICM (F)

The aim of the European COMBRI+ project, was to disseminate the results of the Combri project which was completed in 2006 (improving the competitiveness of steel and composite bridges through improved design and execution). The outcome of this project was the publication of a two part guide translated into French (annotated examples for application to the Eurocodes of a complete steel bridge structure, with design and construction examples) and some technical workshops, one of which was held in Paris at the end of 2008.

Bracing for composite bridges under construction

A technical note by Maël Couchaux has been published in the quarterly review Construction Métallique (CMI no 4-2008).

Funding: CTICM

Objectives: In response to enquiries from a number of bridge fabricators, CTICM carried out an initial study on the behaviour of double-beam composite bridges under construction and, specifically, at launch. This study focuses on stability of the steel structure and the need to allow for temporary horizontal bracing, since dismantling operations can be very costly for a company.

Results: In order to establish a complete and thorough verification method, this subject warrants a detailed analysis in the framework of a wider research project. Nevertheless, this preliminary study has enabled us to identify different avenues of investigation, some of which are captured in a technical note in the journal “Construction Métallique”.

CTICM in Lebanon

2010-03-15T06:59:03Z

CTICM has been present in the Middle East since February 2009, with an office based in Jal el Dib, in the north-east of Beirut. CTICM Middle East is governed by Lebanese law and is a private limited liability company. The majority of shares are owned by CTICM and Efectis Holding.

Interview with Patrick Yacoub, Manager of CTICM Office, Middle East

The following interview was published in the journal Construction Métallique (CMI 3-2009).

CMI: What is the role of CTICM Middle East?
Patrick Yacoub: CTICM Middle East is a design consultancy. Our remit is to deliver technical design expertise for construction projects, using the knowledge and skills of our local team, together with support from our parent company CTICM in Paris.

CMI: How did this project come about?
Patrick Yacoub: The seeds of this project go back several years when CTICM first planned to develop activities in the Middle and Near East and eventually also in Africa. The location in Beirut means we can offer our services direct to steel fabricators and construction firms working in this part of the world. We will mainly be working with engineering offices, many of whom are based in Lebanon and with others who have projects further field in Angola and Nigeria. We act as a sub-contractor to these companies.

CMI: What benefits can CTICM Middle East bring to the region?
Patrick Yacoub: The services of our technical team include:

structural design for both new projects and building refurbishment; in steel and reinforced concrete
execution studies : design notes, site plans, execution and detailing
steel fabrication solutions
technical expertise in all applications (buildings, bridges, reservoirs, towers, silos, bridges, etc.)
fire safety engineering
full project management or support with project management
client assistance and advice.

CMI: What are the specific needs of customers in the Middle East?
Patrick Yacoub: Customers are looking for multi-skilled teams who have experience in the application of different design standards (including the Eurocodes, French codes and other national codes) as well as different construction methods (steel construction and reinforced concrete).

CMI: What resources do you have?
Patrick Yacoub: On the personnel level, we have a team of engineers who are almost all graduates of CHEM and CHEBAP in France. As far as computing tools are concerned, we have finite element analysis software (Robot - Effel - SCIA Engineer - Ansys) and tools for computer aided design (Autocad - Google sketch up).

CTICM Middle East contact details:

CTICM - Middle East sarl
Patrick YACOUB
Manager
George Kanaan Center
Main Street - Jal El Dib
LEBANON
Tel: + 961 (0) 4 71 30 56
Mobile: + 961 70 28 45 17
Fax: + 961 (0) 4 71 30 56

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