Eurocode2

Benefits of Eurocode 2

The introduction and implementation of the new Eurocodes is a significant event for the UK construction industry and the concrete sector is leading the way with the concrete national annex agreed in December 2005.

So what are the benefits?

According to the EC, the introduction of the Eurocodes will also give the following benefits and opportunities:

  • Provide a common understanding regarding the design of structures between owners, operators and users, designers contractors and manufacturers of construction products.
  • Facilitate the exchange of construction services between member states.
  • Facilitate the marketing and use of structural components in member states.
  • Provide a common basis for research and development.
  • Allow the preparation of common design aids and software.
  • Increase the competitiveness of the European in their world-wide activities.

The Eurocodes are innovative and of high technical quality. They have the most up-to-date information which encompasses expertise from all European countries.

Most of Europe using the same basic design codes means:

  • Increased market for UK consultants.
  • Increased market for UK manufacturers.
  • Reduced costs for companies working in several European markets.
  • Reduced risk of confusion when using proprietary products.
  • Technically advanced codes.
  • Logical, organised to avoid conflicts between codes.
  • Eurocode 2 is less restrictive than current codes.
  • Eurocode 2 is more extensive than current codes.
  • Eurocode 2 can give more economic structures.

These benefits are now beginning to be seen.

For the UK:

  • Eurocode 2 should result in more economic structures for clients.
  • Eurocode 2 is less restrictive than British Standards.
  • Eurocode 2 is extensive and comprehensive.
  • The new Eurocodes are claimed to be the most technically advanced codes in the world.
  • In Europe, all public works must allow the Eurocodes to be used for structural design.
  • Use of the Eurocodes will provide more opportunity for UK designers to work throughout Europe and for Europeans to work in the UK.
  • The Eurocodes are logical and organised to avoid repetition.
The driver in the UK is expected to be the economic benefit in using Eurocode 2. It is expected that in building structures there will be material cost savings of between 0 and 5% compared to using BS8110. In common with all EU countries, public authorities will have to accept Eurocode 2 as a valid method of design on major works. In some countries the adoption of Eurocodes in embodied in their legal system.
 
Ultimately EC2 will become the one design code for all concrete structures in the UK and Europe.  It will ensure reinforced concrete design remains up-to-date with the latest research. The UK construction industry faces a major challenge with the replacement of British Standards by EC2.  The Concrete Centre is making available a range of resources which will assist with the interpretation and use of the new code.

What are the main changes?

Eurocode 2 deals with the phenomenon, rather than elements types
Design is based on characteristic cylinder strength
It allows high strength concrete (C90/105)
Does not contain derived formulae (eg only the details of the stress block is given, not the flexural design formulae)
Unit of stress is MPa
Durability requirements more explicit: cmin +Dcdev
Partial factor for steel is 1.15
Plain or mild steel not covered
Notional horixontal loads considered in addition to lateral loads
Load combinations from EN 1990
Eurospeak (verify, actions, imperfections) and subscripts
 
 
The design process will not change as a result of using EC2.  Whilst Eurocode 2 is laid out to deal with phenomena rather than elements, there are also specific rules dealing with beams, slabs, flat slabs, columns, walls, deep beams, foundations, tying systems and precast concrete.  In the long term, it is anticipated that EC2 will result in more economic structures so conceptual design done to, say, BS8100 may confidently be taken through to detail design using EC2.
 
The UK construction industry faces a major challenge with the replacement of British Standards by EC2.  The Concrete Centre is making available a range of resources which will assist with the interpretation and use of the new code.
 

When can I start using Eurocodes?

Following the publication of the UK's National Annex to Eurocode 2 (NA to BS EN 1992-1-1) in December 2005, the design code for concrete buildings is now available for use in the UK now.
 
With publications of the National Annex to BS EN 1991-1-4 (wind), all European standards relevant to the design of concrete building structures are available. The Concrete Centre is making available a range of resources which will assist with the interpretation and use of the new code. Find out more
 
With regard to bridges, some of the relevant documents are not yet in place. For example:
 
NA~A2 to BS EN 1990 basics of design
NA to BS EN 1991-2:2003, traffic loads on bridges
PD 6688-2 recommendations for the design of structures to BS EN 19992-2
 
Please refer to The Highways Agency website for more information.