Four reasons why you should use

the Eurocodes
Throughout the profession, and across Europe, a great many engineering
companies have contributed to the development of Eurocodes. This input
continues today, as work progresses to develop the second generation of
Eurocodes.
So why use Eurocodes?

Structural Eurocodes are the required standards to design
bridges and buildings across Europe, and are also used
extensively around the world. In the UK, their use on
publically procured projects is mandatory.
The use of the Eurocodes helps productivity, saves time and,
therefore, money. So what are the key features that make
the Eurocodes so valuable?
• Their layout and numbering is consistent across the Eurocode
suite. This means designers can easily find a particular clause,
even if they have not used that particular document before.
• The factors for actions and combinations are consistent across
the Eurocode suite. There is therefore a common approach for
structures, substructures and foundations. Interactions between
structures and their foundations can be designed
in a consistent manner.
• The
 Eurocodes link to Execution Standards. This ensures that
design considerations can be pursued through to execution (the
new name for construction).
• Product
 Standards also use Eurocodes to ensure that
construction products are compatible with the design standards.
• While
 some less common design situations are not covered by
Eurocodes, in the UK, these are often covered by Published
Documents. This means that such situations can be readily
incorporated into Eurocode designs.
• The
 broad range of Eurocodes means that there is a wide choice
of software available to help designers. This includes packages
for structural analysis, design and detailing.
• Eurocodes
 PLUS is available to help designers access the
appropriate clause, together with the associated National
Annexes and Published Documents. Eurocodes PLUS also allows
designers to record interpretation applicable to their designs.
How Eurocodes support flexibility and innovation
The Eurocodes also have a number of other advantages that allow
flexibility and support innovation.
• National Annexes permit national choice by each country, where
permitted. This enables each country to manage the reliability and
safety of its structures and address local variations such as basic
wind speeds, maximum and minimum air temperatures and so
on.
Author
Peter Clapham, Associate, WSP Global Inc.
Peter Clapham is a highly experienced Bridges and Structures
Engineer, with over 40 years’ experience of designing,
maintaining, refurbishing and managing a wide range of
highway structures, including bridges and retaining walls.
Peter is a member of Association of Directors of Environment,
Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) National
• Eurocodes
 give designers greater freedom to innovate.
Measures are given as principles to be adhered to rather than
as prescriptive rules to be followed. Methods that comply with
the principles are given, although designers can use other
methods provided the principles are still upheld.
• Published
 Documents give background information and
guidance on the application of Eurocodes. They also give
recommendations on areas that are not directly covered
by Eurocodes, such as the design of integral bridges.
• The
 broad scope of the standards, combined with the associated
National Annexes, means that there are a lot of documents to refer
to while preparing designs. With the assistance of Eurocodes
PLUS, this can be comfortably managed by designers.
Eurocodes: standards for all
Eurocodes are now the mandatory structural design standards
for public projects, and are the only supported structural design
standards in the UK and across Europe. It is thus in the best
interests of all designers to become familiar with and make full
use of Eurocodes. With an excellent range of Eurocodes-based
software available, the standards make it simple for designers
to work productively and efficiently.
Bridges Group, concerned with Local Authority highway
structures. He represents ADEPT on BSI B/525/10 committee
concerned with standards for bridges, especially Eurocodes.
He is also a member of BSI committee B/525/10 WG1 on
traffic loading on bridges, and is leading the working group
drafting the replacement of BS6779-4 for masonry parapets.
Find out more how BSI’s Eurocodes
PLUS helps your business to
work easier with Eurocodes. Visit:
eurocodesplus.bsigroup.com