FIB 5: Protective systems against hazards

The enormous growth in scale and complexity of modern industrial facilities, and the associated increase in consumption of energy and raw materials, has put the environment under pressure in terms of depletion of basic resources and safety. Large-scale industrial accidents and severe pollution of the biosphere, as well as detailed analyses of hazard scenarios, have revealed the need for reconsidering currently used safety concepts. Among the many aspects involved in such a process of reconsideration, the protection of the environment is one of the important issues.
This report is the first of an intended series of three reports on structural protective systems against hazards. This first report deals with the nature and extent of the problem. Currently used safety concepts are briefly mentioned and evaluated. A survey of hazards and hazard scenarios further illustrates the weak points in traditional solutions. This evaluation reveals that the adoption of concrete structures can substantially enhance the safety of people and of the environment. Some examples of concrete protective structures are presented, showing the potentialities of concrete structures for reliable protection.
The material for this report has been brought together by a small group of experts from the chemical and the building industry, consultants, authorities and the academic world. The input of individual members consisted of active participation in meetings of the working group and corresponding membership. The working group was part of the former FIP Commission 8 Concrete Storage Vessel Systems. After the merger of FIP and CEB in May 1998, the work has been and will continue in the framework of fib Commission 3 Environmental Aspects of Design and Construction.