Assessing the Validity of the Verification Method as a Design Tool

Abstract

The Verification Method (VM) as a design tool is becoming more widespread, result-ing in a need for a critique of the concepts behind the method. This project provides the critique by extracting examples from the design processes and solutions of a building being designed using three different approaches: Performance-Based Design, Prescriptive Methods and the VM.

The main perceived advantages of the VM is its time efficiency, accessibility and flexibility, while the observed weaknesses include substitution of the designer, the level of under- and over-design and its lack of robustness of the performance criteria and guidance in areas such as fire modeling. It is uncovered how the VM is a design method rather than a tool to demonstrate compliance with the performance require-ments of building codes, which was the original objective of the VM. The Verifica-tion Method must return to its original intentions in order to ensure its validity as a design tool.