There is a broad consensus among specialists that a phase of extensive test-applications of EC8 has to be started. It is the intention of EAEE to contribute as much as possible to this task. There has been the Special Theme Session "European Research in Support of Seismic Code Development" at the 11 WCEE in Acapulco in 1996, which consisted of three parts. The last part was devoted to "Evaluation and Improvement of Seismic Codes, especially ENV 1998, via Case Studies" and was initiated by myself. This session was only a first small step to increase and to harmonise the work. There were two informations about the planned activities in EAEE bulletin 1996, vol. 15, no. 1 and 2, but unfortunately the group of active colleagues did not increase in the meantime. Later I prepared a research proposal with the title "Evaluation and Improvement of Seismic Codes via Case Studies", which was submitted to the Austrian Scientific Fund. Unfortunately it was classified to be too less scientific and therefore rejected.

The main goal of our activities should be the elaboration of guidelines for the structural engineer to select the most adequate structural model as well as the analysis method giving a sufficient level of safety.

The following activities are relevant for the above goal:

• Selection of existing structures or projects for detailed study of the earthquake resistance. It is important that all data for structural modelling are available.
• Test application of any paragraph of EC8 to real structures: discussion of results, comparison with results obtained by other national codes, comments, and suggestions for improvement.
• elaboration of structural models with different levels of accuracy,
• for existing structures eventually additional in situ tests should be used in order to optimise the structural models;
• calculation of displacements and internal forces due to earthquake loads;
• comparison and interpretation of results obtained for different models.
• Seismic response analysis using different methods of analysis, comparison of the obtained results.
• Elaboration of simplified models representing in a sufficient way the fundamentals of the dynamic and load-carrying behaviour of the structure, especially elaboration of simplified models that can be used for non-linear time history analysis.

The next step was the organisation of the Eurocode 8 Special Session during the 11 ECEE in Paris. The following parts of the session were devoted to the above ideas:

Again, the activity was a small step forward. Especially the following points were discussed, but the greater part of the questions is still open, at least to a great extent:

• pounding between adjacent buildings;
• Influence of infill walls on the overall earthquake behaviour. In addition measures to decrease the damages of secondary elements;
• replacement of concept "linear calculation + behaviour factors" by simple non-linear procedures;
• sensitivity studies (variants of structural models, comparison of different methods);
• computer support for application of EC8 into design practice;
• design of elements;
• Economic meaning of earthquake resistant design.

It is a challenge for EAEE Task Group Work to initiate further activities in order to approach the above goals.

Reported by R. Flesch