Steel structures, known for their high strength, fast construction, and environmental benefits, have become the preferred choice in modern architecture. However, there are significant differences in standards and regulations across countries and regions. This article will use simple language to analyse the core features of international and Vietnamese standards and explain how they cater to the needs of regions such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
I. International Standards: Which Specifications Are Most Commonly Used?
Globally, mainstream steel structure standards each have their own focus. The choice of standard should be based on the project type and geographical location.
| Standard Name | Applicable Regions | Core Advantages | Typical Application Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| AISC (USA) | Middle East, Americas | Strong seismic performance, flexible modular design | High-rise buildings in Dubai, oil storage tanks in Saudi Arabia |
| European Standards (EN) | Southeast Asia, Europe | Resistance to humid and tropical corrosion, suitable for coastal environments | Port facilities in Indonesia, industrial buildings in Vietnam |
| Vietnam TCVN Standards | Vietnam and the Mekong River Delta | Complies with local seismic and flood risk requirements | Commercial centers in Hanoi, bridges in Ho Chi Minh City |
Why is it Necessary to Combine Multiple Standards?
For example, when building a multinational factory in Vietnam, it may be necessary to:
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Adopt TCVN 5575 to meet local seismic requirements (Level 7 protection).
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Reference AISC standards for designing large-span roofs to improve space utilisation.
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Use EN 1090-certified anti-corrosion steel to withstand Southeast Asia’s humid climate.
Compatibility of Key Technologies
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Seismic Design: AISC emphasises seismic redundancy in modular structures, while TCVN 5575 focuses on higher-strength steel for critical joints in earthquake-prone regions of Vietnam.
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Corrosion Protection: Middle Eastern projects often use hot-dip galvanising (with a lifespan of over 30 years), while Southeast Asia’s humid climate requires sandblasting and sealed coating techniques to prevent rust.
II. Wind and Snow Loads: The “Invisible Challenge” for Steel Structures
Although snowfall is rare in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and extreme climates can still affect the safety of steel structures. During the design phase, attention should be paid to the following issues:
| Region/City | Climate Type | Basic Wind Pressure (kN/m²) | Basic Snow Pressure (kN/m²) | Design Wind Load | Design Snow/Additional Load | HHY Technical Solution |
| Middle East – Dubai | Desert, High Temperature | 0.75 | 0.2 (Dust Accumulation Load) | 1.2 × Basic Wind Pressure | 0.3 (Dust Accumulation) | Nano windproof coating + Aerodynamic design |
| Southeast Asia – Jakarta | Tropical Rainforest | 0.6 | 0.15 (Rainwater Accumulation) | 1.4 × Typhoon Correction Factor | 0.5 (Rainwater Drainage Design) | 25° sloped roof + Denser purlins (1.2m spacing) |
| South Asia – Mumbai | Monsoon Coast | 0.65 | 0.0 | 1.3 × Coastal Correction Factor | 0.4 (Salt Mist Corrosion Protection) | Hot-dip galvanizing (120μm) + Cathodic protection |
| Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh | Typhoon, Rainy | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1.5 × Typhoon Zone Coefficient | 0.6 (Typhoon Uplift Protection) | Windproof anchoring devices + BRB energy-dissipating braces |
| Indonesia – Bali | Volcanic, Seismic Zone | 0.55 | 0.25 (Volcanic Ash Load) | 1.2 × Seismic Load Combination | 0.3 (Volcanic Ash Cleaning) | Flexible joints + Self-cleaning coatings |
Simplified Understanding of Wind and Snow Load Design
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Wind Load: Think of it like the force that could “topple a tower of blocks.” The taller the building, and the larger the surface area, the greater the wind pressure it will face. For example, the super-high-rise buildings in Dubai are designed to withstand 1.4 kN/m² of wind pressure.
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Rain and Snow Load: Roof accumulation of snow or rain is like an “extra weight.” In Hanoi, Vietnam, a design allowance of 0.8 kN/m² is made for rainwater load accumulation.
International Load Requirements
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AISC Standard: For Middle Eastern sandstorms, an additional 20% safety margin is required at structural joints.
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European Standards: In Southeast Asian typhoon zones, purlin spacing should be reduced from the usual 2 meters to 1.5 meters to enhance wind resistance.
HHY’s Solutions: Combining Standardisation and Customisation
Case 1: UAE Logistics Warehouse
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Challenge: Once-in-50-year strong winds + sandstorm corrosion.
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Solution:
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Design the main frame using AISC standards to ensure seismic resistance and modular installation.
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Apply hot-dip galvanising coating (≥85μm thickness) and ISO 12944 C5-M certified to resist sandstorm corrosion.
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Optimise roof slope (10°) and drainage system to reduce sand accumulation risk.
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Case 2: Indonesia Photovoltaic Power Station
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Challenge: Typhoon zone + high humidity.
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Solution:
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Combine EN standards for purlin design, tightening spacing to 1.2m for increased typhoon resistance.
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Use TCVN 5575 seismic design for the foundation, with flexible joints to absorb seismic energy.
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Apply arc-sprayed aluminium coating with a 50-year anti-corrosion lifespan, suitable for tropical rainforest climates.
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III. How to Balance International Standards and Local Regulations?
Preliminary Research:
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Middle East projects should refer to the Saudi SBC 306 standard for wind load correction factors.
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Vietnam mandates the use of TCVN 5575 flood load calculation charts.
Material Selection:
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Middle East: Prioritise ASTM A572 high-strength steel, suitable for high-temperature environments.
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Southeast Asia: Use EN 10025 steel, resistant to humid, tropical corrosion.
Construction and Acceptance:
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Welding procedures must comply with GB 50661-2011 to ensure weld strength.
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High-strength bolted connections are to be accepted according to AISC standards, with a friction coefficient of ≥0.35.
IV. Future Trends: Digitalisation and Sustainability
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BIM Technology: Through 3D modelling, standards conflicts are detected early, such as identifying compatibility issues between wind loads and anti-corrosion coatings in the Dubai project.
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Green Steel: Promoting the use of recycled steel to reduce carbon footprints, in line with the Middle East’s “2030 Vision” and Vietnam’s sustainable development goals.
Building Steel Structures with HHY Steel Structure
At HHY Steel Structure, we design customised steel buildings tailored to your needs, ensuring high performance and international quality standards.
For a quote, please fill out the form below or contact us via email at info@hhysteelstructure.com. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
