Eurocodes News

Eurocode 7 - Today and Tomorrow

Eurocode 7 - Today and Tomorrow was a Symposium organised by the British Geotechnical Association (BGA) to discuss British and European experience in implementing Eurocode 7 and to influence plans for the future development of the code. The symposium and the meeting was an opportunity to showcase the UK’s understanding of and commitment to EC7. Speakers included BGA Chairman, Sarah Stallebrass and Andrew Bond , Chairman of TC250/SC7. Some of the topics covered were:- Implementation of pile design in the UK, Ground structures - slope and retaining wall design in the Netherlands and Site investigation - some aspects of EN 1997-2. There was also a panel discussion at the end of the proceedings. The Symposium was held on Wednesday 23rd March 2011 at the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge. The BGA secured sponsorship for this event from a number of leading organizations. Free downloads of the Symposium proceedings are available at http://www.eurocode7.com/todayandtomorrow/

RC-SPREADSHEETS UPDATED TO EUROCODE 2

The popular RC-spreadsheets have been revised following the amendment to the UK National Annex to Eurocode 2 in December 2009. For the experienced engineer, the new version, Version 4, enables rapid production of design calculations to Eurocode 2 and the UK NA. For post-graduates and new engineers they facilitate an understanding of concrete design by allowing the examination of a range of ‘what if’ scenarios. The user is able to answer their own questions by following through the cells to understand the logic used. Version 4 of the spreadsheets is accompanied by an updated User Guide which formally introduces five new spreadsheets and provides additional commentary on others. The spreadsheet is a very useful tool for the engineer that enables efficient analysis and design of reinforced concrete elements. “First released in 2000, the RC-spreadsheets have proved to enormously popular”, said Charles Goodchild, Principal Engineer at The Concrete Centre. “They are written for engineers by engineers with their usefulness ensured by users’ feedback”. Free downloads of trial modules of RC-spreadsheets V4 and details for individual or corporate license purchase are available on http://www.concretecentre.com

NEW ADDITIONS TO CONCRETE WEBCAST RESOURCE

Two new educational webcasts have been launched by The Concrete Centre. Aimed at structural engineers, the webcasts provide a comprehensive introduction to the new Eurocodes and to the benefits and use of Finite Element Analysis. The webcasts are part of a growing online educational resource provided by The Concrete Centre. ‘Introduction to Eurocodes’, presented by Jenny Burridge, head of structural engineering at The Concrete Centre examines Eurocodes O, 1 and 2. It provides an overview of the basis of structural design under the codes and examines the particular requirements and values for concrete under Eurocode 2. In particular, the webcast examines the differences between BS8110 and Eurocode 2 and explains how to carry out shear design under the new code. ‘Finite Element Analysis, presented by structural engineer Owen Brooker, explains the benefits of using finite element analysis for flat slabs particularly for complex geometry and unusual loads. He goes on to explain the application of finite analysis, use of FE software packages and the establishment of an analysis model. “The webcasts are the latest additions to a growing library that covers concrete design, construction and sustainability as well as project case strudies,” said Vicki Evans, marketing communications manager of The Concrete Centre. “Webcasts have reinvented traditional learning methods by allowing immediate and easy access to expert knowledge and experience. Their immediacy and interactivity makes them a very useful teaching tool the potential of which The Concrete Centre is realising through its comprehensive online resource”. For details of the webcasts available from The Concrete Centre, Access Link here

CONCEPT CONCRETE FRAME DESIGN TOOL UPDATED TO EUROCODE 2

The latest version of Concept, a conceptual design tool for reinforced concrete frames, has been launched by The Concrete Centre. The new version is based on Eurocode 2 and allows fast comparison of different multi-storey concrete frame options at concept/scheme design stages. The new version is available free of charge. Concept V3 is an ExcelTM spreadsheet that provides initial member sizing, concrete quantities, formwork and reinforcement plus outline cost – all critical information when determining the choice of structural frame. Spans of up to 13m (16m for wide beams) are catered for. A cost optimisation based upon number of stories, bays, spans and loads for an idealised rectilinear structure is quickly delivered. Within 5 minutes 13 scheme options can be considered based on cost, time or particular user requirements. These options are then ranked in order of cost. To ensure scheme design flexibility, the user may use default rates for concrete, formwork and reinforcement or use their own. Similarly, the user may apply their own default cycle times and design preferences. Sizing and reinforcement quantities are based on The Concrete Centre’s ‘Economic Concrete Elements to Eurocode 2’. “Previous issues of Concept have proved to be an extremely useful tool saving both the time and cost taken to compare a wide range of structural options. This Eurocode 2 updated version will be welcomed by the designer and engineer as it will help with the transition from British Standards to Eurocodes”, said Charles Goodchild, Principal Structural Engineer with The Concrete Centre. Concept V3 is for UK use only. For free registration and user licence visit: www.concretecentre.com/concept.

SCI develops New Eurocode version of TSLAB V3.0.

SCI has developed a new version of the TSLAB software design too which facilitates the design of composite floor slabs in fire conditions, using the design method described in SCI publication P288 Fire Safety Design: A new approach to multi-storey buildings. The new version of the software has been updated to align with the Eurocodes and also introduces a modified check on the resistance of the fire protected beams on the perimeter of the floor design zone. TSLAB is available free of charge and is being released and distributed through the Corus website The design methodology is based on calculating the load bearing capacity of the composite floor plate at a particular value of maximum displacement. The displacement can be predicted from knowledge of the thermal curvature of the slab and the elongation of the mesh. The loss of mesh strength due to heating is also considered. The resistance calculations are based on yield line analysis and membrane action. Design may be based on the standard temperature time curve or parametric fire curves calculated in accordance with EN1991-1-2 New supporting SCI document P390 ‘TSLAB V3.0 user guidance and engineering update Information on the revised user interface and to describe the new engineering features of TSLAB is given in SCI’s new supporting publication, which includes an illustrated worked example. The publication also details some aspects of the engineering methodology which have changed between TSLAB versions 2.4 and 3.0, including the development of a new design method for edge beams. For further information contact: Melissa Barber Email: m.barber@steel-sci.com Tel:+44(0)1344 636 525

SCI develops new fire testing software for composite floor slabs with CITCM

The Steel Construction Institute has developed new fire testing software with CITCM. Funded by Arecelor Mittal, the software calculates the ultimate load carrying capacity of composite floor slabs taking in to account the enhancing effects of the membrane actions within the slab during a fire. The software also checks perimeter beams and provides a critical temperature for each of them. Along with the software, SCI has also provided a relevant Design Guide as well as a Background Document to provide designers with some useful information about the engineering approach implemented in the software. Following its calibration and quality assurance checks the FRACOF software is now available and can be downloaded from (http://www.arcelormittal.com/sections/index.php?id=122) Download Software Here This software which is based on VB.NET benefits from the following features: •An interface which can offer its information in English or French; •It can accommodate the common steel grades, sections and steel decks as well as providing the ‘User Defined’ option for more flexibility; •It takes into account the degree of shear connection of the beams and construction type in calculations and providing limiting temperatures for each of the perimeter beams; •It has the ability to consider flat slabs as well as composite slabs with steel decking; •It carries out heat transfer analysis to design for ‘Standard’, ‘Parametric’ and ‘User Defined’ fires; •It provides a summary and detailed report for the slab and perimeter beams along with a graphical output for the temperatures and resistances. As part of this project, SCI was also involved in a full-scale destructive furnace test on an 8375mm × 6660mm composite slab. The aim was to calibrate the engineering approach implemented in the software. FRACOF is now being disseminated and successfully used over Europe. For more information, please contact: Melissa Barber Email: m.barber@steel-sci.com Tel: +44 (0)1344 623345

New training courses on EC4 and EC9

Eurocodes are now the UK's national standards for structural design and we can help you with the transition to the new design codes. Thomas Telford now provide the most comprehensive range of Eurocodes training available in the UK, with courses covering eight out of the ten design codes. We have just launched two new Essentials courses that will provide you with a clear understanding of the key changes, design challenges and opportunites that Eurocode 4 (Composite Structures) and Eurocode 9 (Aluminium) bring. Are they for me? If you are an experienced designer, competent with design to current British Standards and looking for transition training covering the key changes between the BS codes and Eurocodes, then our 1 day Essentials courses will meet your requirements. Design of Composite Structures to Eurocode 4 - The Essentials Eurocode 4 is the new standard for design of composite structures. This course concentrates on the design procedures for composite beams and slabs as used in modern building construction. It also covers shear connections, column design and the interaction between Eurocode 4 and other Eurocode parts. London: 8th June 2010 Birmingham: 7th September 2010 Design of Aluminium Structures to Eurocode 9 - The Essentials Eurocode 9 is the new standard for design of aluminium structures. This course concentrates on the design procedures for the common structural members subject to bending, compression, shear and lateral torsional buckling. It also covers fire design, fatigue and shell structures. Birmingham: 7th July 2010 London: 21st September 2010

Workshops address ‘misunderstood’ EC5 connections

TRADA Technology will stage new workshops to address one of the most detailed yet frequently misunderstood aspects of the new structural timber code Eurocode 5 – connections. Senior Structural Engineer Dr Keerthi Ranasinghe said, ‘Connections pose a unique challenge for designers. Unlike the BS 5268 approach, where most calculations were tabulated, EC5 requires the designer to be competent in performing lengthy calculations to get the member sizing, fastener sizing and arrangements right.’ The new Eurocode 5 Connections workshops, to be held on 24th June and 19th October, are aimed at engineers, ideally but not necessarily with design experience of timber structures. The cost is £199 + VAT for TRADA members, or £259 + VAT for non-members, to include two months’ free access to TRADA’s new EC5 connections software, to be launched at the end of this month. Although not essential, delegates might wish to attend one of TRADA Technology’s EC5 introductory workshops beforehand, to understand the performance of timber structures in their end environment. Introductory workshops will be held on 25th May and 28th September. The cost for TRADA members is £199 + VAT and for non-members £259 + VAT, to include a free copy of the Manual for design of timber structures to Eurocode 5 and accompanying CD-ROM, a joint publication by TRADA and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). Printed worked examples will also be distributed free of charged. A saving of up to 30% is offered if introductory and connections workshops are booked at the same time - TRADA members £278 + VAT and non-members £399 + VAT. CPD certificates will be issued to all delegates. To book contact Nicola Cannings on 01494 569642

Full Implementation Eurocodes April 1, 2010

Full implementation of the Eurocodes will take place on April 1, 2010 when the British Standards Institution withdraws 54 British Standards for the design of buildings and civil engineering structures. The Eurocodes will not only lead the way in structural codes , but their flexibility will enable adoption and use in both European and International countries. View Full List of British Standards being replaced by the Eurocodes

UK Engineering Sector underprepared for Eurocodes

Results from a recent survey* have revealed that the UK civil engineering sector is inadequately prepared for the transition to Eurocodes, the new set of European structural design codes for building and civil engineering works. Eurocodes will become the UK’s national standards for structural design on 1st April 2010 with a total of 57 British design codes being withdrawn by BSI to be replaced by 58 parts of the 10 new Eurocodes. The survey of civil engineers, conducted by Thomas Telford Training, revealed that only 29% of organisations were adequately or fully prepared for the introduction of the new codes. Contrast this with the perceived importance of the new codes where 58% rated Eurocodes as important or very important, both in terms of their own work and that of their organisation. In addition, 66% of respondents said that they or their organisation were already using Eurocodes or would be using them in the next 6 to 12 months. This may mean that some UK designers are facing an uphill challenge to prepare for the introduction of the codes. The size of the challenge is illustrated by the fact that 76% believe it will take at least 5 days to get up to speed with 50% believing it will take them more than 10 days, a significant training issue for many organisations. A worrying 14.3% of respondents were unaware that Eurocodes would replace the current British Standards at the end of March 2010 Mike Cookson, General Manager at Thomas Telford Training comments: “The survey results suggest that the UK civil engineering sector still has work to do in developing competence in applying and using the Eurocodes.” “Time is running out for organisations to get to grips with Eurocodes as British Standards will be withdrawn at the end of March 2010. Continuing to use withdrawn standards could put structural designers and their insurers at increasing risk. We recommend that any organisation or individual, who is unclear about the impending changes, seeks advice and appropriate training as soon as possible.“ * Data based on results from February 2010 survey of 205 Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) members.

Withdrawal of Structural Design Standards (British Standards)

The Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) has published a letter for building control bodies regarding the withdrawal of Structural Design Standards (British Standards) and updating of approved document A and C. This letter discusses the introduction of Eurocodes at the begining of April 2010. It outlines how the Building Regulations Approved Documents will be affected. Download letter (link below) View Letter

Eurocode Ignorance is not Bliss

Eurocode Ignorance is not Bliss A new survey of engineers has found that, with less than months to go before the British Standards for structural engineers are withdrawn, two thirds do not feel confident using the new Eurocodes. Engineers need to bite the bullet, invest the time and money and make full use of the education and training resources that have been developed on their behalf. The online survey of 400 engineers, carried out by the New Civil Engineer, discovered that only 34% of them feel comfortable using Eurocodes, while only 29% reported that they had received any formal training. Cost is given as a reason for the lack of training with the Institution of Structural Engineers calculating that cost of retraining an office of 16 engineers to be £255,000, or £16,000 per engineer. “Whilst it will require investment of resources simply doing nothing is not an option,” said Andrew Minson, executive director of The Concrete Centre. “BS8110 has already been withdrawn and is no longer being maintained, and so will soon become outdated and not conform to current best practice.” Recognising that the transition from British Standards to Eurocodes is a major event for engineers, The Concrete Centre has developed a comprehensive range of resources to assist with the familiarisation and use of Eurocodes. These include a dedicated website, www.eurocode2.info a series of ‘How to’ guides, guidance handbooks such as ‘Economic Concrete Frame Elements to Eurocode 2’, the publication of Concise Eurocode 2 and the provision of training courses and seminars through the UK. In addition, The Concrete Centre has developed online e-learning modules of the popular ‘How to Design to Eurocode 2’. “We understand that it is difficult and will require time and money, but the concrete sector is here to help ease the transition to Eurocodes with a full range of resources that is readily available for the engineer to take advantage of,” said Minson. “Engineers should not ignore the new Eurocodes, nor should they be intimidated by them. They are different but not difficult and the concrete sector has developed the resources to enable the engineer to quickly become familiar and adept with their use.” Notes for editors: 1.The Concrete Centre, part of the Mineral Products Association, is the central development organisation specific for the UK cement and concrete industry. Its objective is to assist all those involved in design and construction to realise the full potential of concrete as an adaptable and sustainable construction material. For more information visit: www.concretecentre.com The Mineral Products Association is the trade association for the aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, lime, mortar and silica sand industries. For more information visit: www.mineralproducts.org 2.Issued by Steve Elliott, Constructive Dialogue, tel: 07802 747031, email: condialogue@aol.com

New training courses for basis and actions Eurocodes

ICE’s training division, Thomas Telford Training (TTT), is launching a new training course in 2010 on BS EN 1990 ‘Eurocode: Basis of structural design’ and the key parts of Eurocode 1 on actions. These codes are essential for all building structural design, irrespective of construction material, and need to be fully understood by engineers when Eurocodes become Britain’s new structural design standards on 1 April 2010. The first one-day ‘Designing with Eurocodes – The Essentials (EN 1990 and EN 1991)’ course is being run Birmingham on 14 January 2010, followed by London on 4 March 2010. Further dates at both venues are planned in March and May - see the events and courses database of the Eurocodes Expert website. The tutor is Haig Gulvanessian (pictured), former construction division director of BRE, visiting professor at Imperial College, chairman of the EN 1990 and former chairman of the EN 1991 drafting committees. He is also chairman of the ICE’s Eurocodes expert panel. After a detailed introduction to BS EN 1990 - covering the scope of the Eurocodes suite and design requirements, situations, variables, verification and application - the course reviews the key parts of BS EN 1991 including densities, self-weight, imposed loads, snow loads, wind actions, thermal actions and actions during execution. The aim is to enable practicing engineers to understand, appreciate and apply best practice in Eurocode design. Tutorial examples are used to illustrate key principles and delegate participation is actively encouraged. The cost per delegate is £275 plus VAT. For further details please follow the web link below.

SCI upgrades Eurocode software for stainless steel

The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) has launched an extended version of its Eurocode 3 stainless steel design software, which now covers the design of laser-welded and hot-rolled stainless steel sections. Additionally, an electronic database of Montanstahl hot-rolled and laser-welded section sizes is integrated into the software. SCI materials manager Nancy Baddoo says, ‘Unlike carbon steel, there has never been a standard range of section sizes in stainless steel, making it challenging to design in a material which is favoured for its excellent corrosion resistance and strength. Montanstahl produces stainless sections in the same sizes as European and US standard carbon steel sections, thus making it easier for designers to move from designing in carbon to stainless steel.’ The ‘Structural Steel in Construction’ software was originally developed in 2005 under an EU-sponsored project and calculates section properties and member capacities for cold-formed stainless steel members subject to axial tension, bending or axial compression. Users define the loading, section geometry, member geometry and material grade, after which the section properties and member resistances are calculated. It was subsequently developed to include cold-worked material, align to the Eurocode for structural stainless steel (EN 1993-1-4) and include a fire-resistance design facility. More than 2000 users have registered with the software since 2005, and it continues to attract 50 new registered users each month. The latest revision extends the software’s application to hot-rolled and laser-welded channels, I-sections, T-sections and angles (equal and unequal), as well as cold-formed and hollow sections. The online section database now contains more than 500 section sizes and allows users to select a particular section from the Montanstahl range. The calculation engine consists of four modules: a gross section properties calculator, a section classification and effective section properties calculator, a member capacities calculator and a fire resistance calculator.

UK steel industry launches Eurocode design guidance

The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) along with Corus and the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) launched the first UK steel construction industry Eurocode design guides in London this week. Titles of the new Steel Building Design series of guides include Introduction to Eurocodes, Design Data (the Blue Book), Concise Eurocodes, Worked Examples - Open Sections, Worked Examples - Hollow Sections, Worked Examples for Students and Medium Rise Braced Frames. The publications give practical advice on designing to the Eurocodes and feature realistic design situations and templates. According to Chris Dolling of Corus, ‘The introduction of the Eurocodes will be the biggest change seen in structural steel design practice in living memory. The initial set of six guides covers much that designers need.’ Further steel industry guidance will be published over the coming months covering fire engineering, composite bridges, composite members, combined bending and torsion and simple conections (the Green Book). Dolling said Corus, BCSA and SCI are fully committed to supporting designers during the changeover to Eurocodes, ‘ensuring that their world-renowned ability to produce efficient steel designs extends seamlessly into the new Eurocodes era’. All guides can be purchased from the SCI Steel Biz bookshop (web link below). Prices range from £20 to £80.

Eurocode timber span tables and software launched

The Timber Research and Development Association (Trada) has published Eurocode editions of its span tables and sizing software for solid timber members in UK dwellings. Eurocode 5 Span Tables contains section sizes and spans for domestic floor joists, ceiling joists and binders, rafters and purlins supporting rafters for traditional pitched roofs. Eurocode-based calculations are also given for canted purlins supporting roof sheeting or cladding, and for flat roof joists. The 56 pages of tables cover softwood species and grade combinations which satisfy strength classes C16 and C24. Timbersizer Eurocode 5 is an associated free online software service using the same calculation engine as the span tables, with the advantage of being continually updated to reflect Eurocode revisions. An enhanced subscription-based service called Timbersizer Pro Eurocode 5 enables designers to adjust more parameters, including strength class, breadth or cross-section depth, bearing length, distributed imposed load and concentrated imposed load. It also generates custom reports for records and building control. The tables - which cost £27 - and software services are available on Trada’s website (link below).

Eurocodes: preparing for the final countdown

What civil and structural design engineers need to be doing in the final five months leading up to Britain's changeover to Eurocodes on 31 March 2010 is set out in the latest issue of Eurocodes News, which is published by the Eurocodes Expert initiative of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Institution of Structural Engineers. The issue, which is free online from the Eurocodes Expert website (see link below), includes a detailed update from BSI on what documents designers need to get and start using, news on revisions to the UK’s various building regulations, updates on design guidance and software from each of the main structural materials sectors and summaries of the latest Eurocode training events and publications. It also includes a warning from Eurocodes Expert advisory group chairman Haig Gulvanessian (pictured) on the dangers of continuing to use any of the 57 withdrawn British Standards after 31 March 2009. ‘While withdrawn British standards may still be used to achieve compliance with UK building regulations, they will no longer be maintained or reviewed by BSI. Continuing to use withdrawn standards could put structural designers and their insurers at increasing risk.’ For further information contact editor Simon Fullalove on +44 20 8744 2028 or via email link below.

BSI event to help industry get ready for Eurocodes

BSI British Standards is running a major event in London in October help the UK construction industry get ready for the Eurocodes' March 2010 implementation date. Entitled ‘Preparing for Eurocodes – Managing the Change’, the event at the CBI Conference Centre consists of a one-day conference on 20 October. The conference will explain how to overcome the challenges posed by implementing Eurocodes, with sessions on each of the main Eurocodes followed by implementation case studies by the Highways Agency and Atkins. Professional indemnity aspects and BSI’s strategy for developing the standards will also be covered. The day will chaired by Haig Gulvanessian, chair of the Eurocodes Expert advisory panel. Delegate cost for the conference is £399 with further discounts for small-to-medium-sized and public-sector organisations. BSI members receive a 10% discount on all prices.

UK structural designers ready for Eurocodes

Most of Britain’s structural design engineers are ready to convert to Eurocodes by the March 2010 implementation date, according to a recent survey by BSI British Standards. However, with just over half a year to go to withdrawal of existing UK standards, less than a third are currently using the new codes and a sixth do not expect to meet the deadline. The online questionnaire survey, which was carried out in July 2009, found that 30% or respondents are currently using Eurocodes, only 1% up on a previous survey in November 2008. However, a further 7% expect to make the switch this autumn, followed by 14% this winter and 34% by next spring – meaning 85% will meet the official full implementation date. The remaining 15% expect to be using Eurocodes by autumn 2010 – a significant turnaround from the November 2008 survey when a quarter of respondents said they would not be using the new codes at all. The survey also revealed the keenness of UK designers to take advantage of the international opportunities afforded by Eurocodes, with 60% saying that access to other European national annexes is essential or desirable. There is general support for BSI’s proposed online Eurocodes catalogue, in which all codes, UK annexes and non-contradictory complementary information would be available in pdf format, as well as translations of non-UK annexes. BSI product manager Renate Walsh welcomes any further feedback from Eurocodes users.

New Eurocode guide for concrete bridge design

The Concrete Centre has published a new guide to help Britain’s concrete bridge designers make the transition to Eurocodes by the March 2010 deadline. Entitled Concise Eurocodes 2 for Bridges, the 128-page publication summarises the material commonly used in the design of reinforced and prestressed concrete bridges using Eurocode 2. Written by Owen Brooker, senior structural engineer of The Concrete Centre, and Paul Jackson and Stephen Salim of Gifford, the guidance covers both BS EN 1992-1-1, which sets out general rules for the design of concrete structures, and BS EN 1992-2, which provides additional specific information for bridge structures. Each of these Eurocode parts also has a national annex and a published document of non-contradictory complementary information (PD 6687 and PD 6687-2). According to Alan Bromage, head of civil engineering at The Concrete Centre, ‘The new guide puts the requirements from all these documents for design of UK bridges into one place and into a logical order. It clearly references every clause of the source documents so it is an ideal way for designers to find their way around the new standards. The guide is self sufficient or can be used as a guide to the code itself.’ Concise Eurocodes 2 for Bridges costs £45 and is available from the Concrete Society bookshop (see link below).

ICE launches guide to Eurocode assumptions

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has produced a briefing document to help civil and structural engineers understand the core assumptions that underpin the technical detail of the Eurocodes. Written by Standing Committee on Structural Safety (Scoss) secretary John Carpenter, the report summarises a more detailed briefing paper published by Scoss in January 2009. According to Carpenter, ‘The structural Eurocodes represent the biggest change in structural design regulation that we have ever seen. It is very important that when engineers use the codes, they do not lose track of the fundamental principles the codes are based on, outlined in BS EN 1990. This briefing document aims to highlight these underlying assumptions to civil engineers and other relevant built-environment professionals who are now required to understand and comply with these standards.’ BS EN 1990 outlines the key issues that must be satisfied for a design to comply with the Eurocodes. They include ensuring that the choice of the structural system and design, as well as the execution itself, is carried out by ‘personnel having the appropriate skill and experience’. It also stipulates that the work must be adequately supervised, the materials used in accordance with various technical regulations, and that the end structure will be maintained and used in accordance with the design assumptions. Both the report and Scoss briefing are indexed in the Eurocodes Expert publications database. The report is available for free download from the ICE website (see web link below).

Trada Technology extends Eurocode 5 workshops into 2010

Trada Technology has set further dates for its one-day introductory workshop on designing to Eurocode 5. The code is due to become the UK's official timber design standard on 31 March 2010 when the co-existence period with BS 5268 ends. According to Trada Technology’s senior structural engineer Keerthi Ranasinghe, the most significant change for timber design is the adoption in Eurocode 5 of limit-state design philosophy. ‘This philosophy ensures that the same basis of design is used for all materials. Once designers become familiar with the Eurocodes, this will make it much easier for them to choose and combine materials,’ he says. The workshops will be at Trada’s High Wycombe headquarters from 9.30 am – 4.30 pm on 29 September 2009, 25 November 2009, 9 February 2010 and 9 March 2010. The cost is £259 or £199 for Trada members. The price includes a free copy of Manual for design of timber building structures to Eurocode 5, a joint publication by Trada and the Institution of Structural Engineers, and a series of printed worked examples. All courses are indexed in the Eurocodes Expert events and courses database. For further information or to book telephone Nicola Cannings on 01494 569642, or email using link below.

Geotechnical engineers invited to submit Eurocode 7 designs

Geotechnical engineers worldwide are being invited to submit up to six Eurocode 7 designs in a further initiative by the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) to evaluate the profession’s understanding of the new code. It follows a similar exercise undertaken by ISSMGE’s European technical committee 10 (ETC10) a few years ago, involving ten design examples in which designers started from given characteristic parameter values. Results were reported in the proceedings of the International Workshop on the Evaluation of Eurocode 7 held in Dublin in March-April 2005. A second set of six examples has now been developed, in which designers are asked to (a) select characteristic values from the available site investigation data; (b) design two spread foundations, two pile foundations and an embankment on soft ground according to Eurocode 7 and their national annex; (c) determine the earth and pore water pressures on a basement wall according to Eurocode 7 and their national annex; and (d) complete the corresponding on-line questionnaires. A website has been set up at www.eurocode7.com (see link below) to make the six new design examples accessible to geotechnical engineers throughout Europe and beyond. Engineers are encouraged to attempt at least one of the examples and preferably more, so that the profession’s understanding of the new geotechnical design standard can be properly evaluated. Answers should be provided by 14 September 2009. The results will be presented at ETC10's next workshop at Pavia, Italy in March-April 2010. Further information is available directly from the website or from Trevor Orr (torr@tcd.ie), chairman of ETC10, or Andrew Bond (andrew.bond@geocentrix.co.uk), vice-chairman.

New Eurocode courses in masonry, concrete and timber design

A further series of one-day Eurocode design workshops is planned to start in the UK in September, with any profits being given to the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). Covering masonry, concrete and timber design, the events are being run by the UK’s national technical coordinator for Eurocode 6, John Morton. Morton originally ran a nationwide series of courses for engineers in the 1970s on the then newly published BS 5628 masonry code in conjunction with IStructE branches. He is now offering a similar facility through his organisation British Masonry Design (BMADE), via hands-on workshops with just 16-18 participants. BMADE will use any accruing surplus to either subsidise events where they would otherwise be cancelled or make charitable gifts to the IStructE benevolent fund or branches. The first 10 events were held during the first half of 2009 and a further 16 are planned between September and December. Morton is the tutor for the masonry courses while Nary Narayan, former chairman of the Eurocode 2 drafting committee, presents the concrete course and Julian Marcroft, UK national technical coordinator for Eurocode 5, presents the timber course. Full details of all forthcoming courses are in the Eurocodes Expert events and courses database.

BSI seeks further views on on-line Eurocodes service

BSI British Standards is conducting a further survey of Eurocodes users to help refine its planned online Eurocodes catalogue. Closing date for responses is Friday 10 July 2009 (see link to survey below). In addition to general usage statistics, BSI is particularly keen to find out what design engineers are prepared to pay accessing all Eurocodes in pdf format, given the full price in paper format is £6000. BSI says the advantages of the online service are that it would be fully updated, comprehensive and searchable. Depending on survey feedback, it may also include English translations of national annexes from countries outside the UK. BSI product manager Renata Walsh says, ‘The survey should only take 5 minutes to complete, and responses will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. For every response we receive we will make a contribution to Save The Children.’

New guidance published for Eurocodes 2 and 3

Two new guides have been published to help design concrete and steel structures using Eurocodes. The Concrete Centre has just published Economic concrete frame elements to Eurocode 2. The book, which is an update of the BS 8110 version published by the Reinforced Concrete Council in 1997, acts as pre-scheme design handbook for rapid sizing and selection of reinforced concrete elements in multi-storey buildings. ‘Designers will find the handbook invaluable for carrying out conceptual design of concrete in multi-storey buildings to Eurocode 2,’ says Charles Goodchild, principal structural engineer at The Concrete Centre and one of the book’s authors. ‘It will help them determine the most viable options quickly and realise the economies made possible when designing to Eurocode 2.’ The 190-page book costs £45 and is available from The Concrete Bookshop . In April 2009 The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) and HIS launched an electronic version of the SCI Euro Blue Book, which gives section properties and member capacities in tabular form for designing to the general part of Eurocode 3, BS EN 1993-1-1:2005. According to John Moran, SCI senior manager of information technology, ‘Designers are able to customise the publication, creating and storing bespoke tables for particular element geometries. The tables are contextually linked to guidance notes to help users understand the capacity figures given and any unfamiliar terms. ‘ For more information on the SCI Euro Blue Book contact John Moran on j.moran@steel-sci.com or telephone +44 (0) 1344 636515.

BSI to withdraw 57 British standards in 2010

BSI British Standards has published a list of 57 structural design codes it plans to withdraw in March 2010. The majority have been superseded or made obsolescent by Eurocodes. The list includes all or most parts of well-known standards such as BS 5268 for timber, BS 5400 for bridges, BS 5628 for masonry, BS 5950 for steel, BS 6399 for loading, BS 8004 for foundations and BS 8110 for concrete. BSI is obliged to withdraw all standards that have the same scope and field of application covered by the Eurocodes. Those partly covered by Eurocodes will be amended or revised to delete conflicting requirements and reflect the changed scope. Committee manager Clare Price says withdrawn standards will still be available and remain in the BSI catalogue for historical information purposes, but will no longer be maintained by a BSI committee. ‘That means that there is no five-year review when a committee considers the currency of a standard and decides whether to confirm, revise, or withdraw it,’ she says. According to Haigh Gulvanessian, chairman of the Eurocode Expert advisory group, ‘A withdrawn standard will generally still have an acceptable level of safety, but will increasingly become outdated and therefore not current best practice as it will not be subject to maintenance by a BSI committee.’ The full list of standards being redrawn can be downloaded from BSI’s new Eurocodes website at www.bsigroup.com/eurocodes (see link below).

New practical guides on Eurocodes 5 and 6

Two new practical guides have been published for designing timber and masonry structures using Eurocodes. Institution of Civil Engineers subsidiary Thomas Telford has just published Practical design of structures to Eurocode 5 by Danish experts Hans Jorgen Larsen and Vahik Enjily. The guide considers the strength, stiffness, moisture behaviour, rheology and durability of timber before describing the production and relevant properties of materials used for timber structures. The 280-page book is currently available at a special offer price of £51 – see the Thomas Telford website for more details. In March 2009 the International Masonry Society (IMS) in conjunction with the National House-Building Council published Eurocode for masonry, EN 1996-1-1 and EN 1996-2, Guidance and worked examples. The guide provides advice and worked examples for the rules and execution parts of Eurocode 6, complementing the Institution of Structural Engineers’ Manual for the design of plain masonry in buildings structures to Eurocode 6, which was published with the support of the UK masonry industry in February 2008. The price is £45 or £35 for IMS members – see the IMS website for more details. Further details of both books are also available on the Eurocodes Expert publications database (see link below).

EC delegation explains Eurocodes in Thailand

A delegation from the European commission travelled to Thailand last week to explain the provisions of the Eurocodes and their application outside the European Union. The event in Thailand is part of the Commission’s four-year programme, announced in June 2008, to promote the Eurocodes globally, thereby increasing the likelihood of them becoming a de facto world standard for structural design. In addition to South East Asia, particular regions identified for targeting over the next four years include India, Russia, the southern Mediterranean, the Gulf states and South Africa. The two-day seminar in Thailand, entitled ‘Towards the Eurocodes era: background and applications, took place at the Landmark Bangkok Hotel on 28-29 April 2009. Intended to ‘facilitate exchange of views, networking and co-operation among all stakeholders’, the event was supported by the Thai Department of Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Commerce, the Engineering Institute of Thailand, the Association of Siamese Architect and the Thai Concrete Association. According to BSI British Standards, several countries outside the European Union are already using Eurocodes, with a number of other states planning to implement them.

Eurocodes News issue 8 published

Eurocodes Expert has published issue 8 of Eurocodes News this month (April 2009). It includes updates from BSI British Standards, the European Commission and the UK's leading structural institutions and associations. Copies have been emailed to all members of the Eurocodes Expert Users' Group and can be downloaded from the link below.

Trada highlights changes to Eurocode 5

The UK’s Timber Research and Development Association (Trada) has highlighted what it describes as ‘significant changes’ in the recent amendment to the first part of Eurocode 5. Trada’s senior structural engineer Keerthi Ranasinghe says BSI British Standards published an amended version of Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures - Part 1-1: General - Common rules and rules for buildings in January 2009. ‘The new BS EN 1995-1-1:2004+A1:2008 contains some significant changes to which design engineers need to pay heed - failure to do so will result in incorrect interpretations being made,’ he says. In particular, Trada points out that the superseded BS EN 1995-1-1:2004 (including a corrigendum of June 2006) did not consider the possibility of splitting in shear. ‘A factor reducing the shear strength was therefore much anticipated and has now been introduced through an effective-width reduction factor in clause 6.1.7(2),’ says Ranasinghe. ‘It is understood BSI will publish a value for this factor in a revision to the UK national annex later in 2009.’ Other changes highlighted by Trada include removal of references to round timber cross-sections, simpler calculation of perpendicular compression stresses and capacities and more detail on the design of screwed connections. Further details and comments on all changes have been posted in the news pages on Trada’s website (see link below).

Over 100 attend Eurocode 6 workshop

Over 100 national delegates attended the European Commission’s training workshop on masonry design to Eurocode 6 in Brussels earlier this month, including representatives from almost all European countries plus Russia and Canada. The event on 2-3 April 2009 complemented the successful Eurocode training workshop held by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in February 2008, at which masonry design was not included due to the event coinciding with a major international masonry conference in Australia. According to Artur Pinto and Georgios Tsionis of JRC, ‘The large majority of delegates have provided positive feedback on the technical aspects and overall impact of the workshop, and declared it will be useful for subsequent dissemination, training and education activities in their respective countries.’ All material presented at the workshop – including slide presentations, technical papers and worked examples – is now available for free download from the JRC Eurocodes website (see link below). Speakers included Eurocode 6 drafting committee member Barry Haseltine from the UK (pictured).

EN 1990 altered to avoid UK liability problems

The head Eurocode, EN 1990, has been changed to make sure that civil and structural engineers avoid potentially uninsurable ‘fitness-for-purpose’ liabilities when using Eurocodes in the UK. One of the original basic requirements of EN 1990, as set out in clause 2.1(1)P, was that a structure had to, ‘remain fit for the use for which it is required’. This has now been altered to, ‘meet the specified serviceability requirements for a structure or a structural element’. According to Amrit Ghose, chairman of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) structures expert panel, the original version suggested a fitness-for-purpose obligation that would not be covered by professional indemnity insurance. ‘The trouble arises because “fit for the use for which it is required” has a legal meaning in Britain which it does not have in mainland Europe,’ he said. ICE’s liability expert panel and the UK Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) raised their concerns with BSI British Standards and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) in autumn last year, and CEN published a corrigendum on 3 December 2008. BSI is planning to publish a corrigendum to BS EN 1990 shortly, which will be available for free download from its Eurocodes website. Eurocodes Expert advisory group chairman Haig Gulvanessian, who is also chairman of the EN 1990 drafting committee, said, ‘Following numerous meetings with ACE and discussion within CEN technical committee 250, the agreed alteration should now be acceptable.'

UK NCCI website launched for steel Eurocodes

The Steel Construction Institute (SCI), British Constructional Steelwork Association and Corus have launched a free website providing non-contradictory complementary information (NCCI) for Eurocode steelwork design in the UK. The site at www.steel-ncci.co.uk currently contains 51 NCCI items referred to in the UK national annexes to several parts of Eurocodes 3 (steel) and 4 (composite). According to SCI senior manager of information technology John Moran, ‘As the name suggests, NCCI is information that supports the use of Eurocodes with useful guidance not given in the codes themselves.' The new site is fully searchable by keywords and Eurocode part, and users can also request a new NCCI if they are unable to find the information they need.

Thomas Telford launches new Eurocode 2 and 3 courses

ICE’s training division, Thomas Telford Training (TTT), has launched four new Eurocodes courses on designing concrete and steel structures to Eurocodes 2 and 3 respectively. The four courses have been developed from TTT’s existing one-day events on the codes, which have now evolved into a higher-level one-day ‘essentials’ course and a more-detailed two-day ‘workshop’ event. According to TTT manager Kieran Dineen, ‘If you are an experienced designer, competent with design to current British Standards and looking for transition training covering the key changes between BS codes and Eurocodes, then the one-day essentials course will meet your requirements. ‘However, if you are looking to develop your design capability in a Eurocode environment, the two-day practical workshop offers extended practical guidance, advice and opinion on the application of the Eurocodes for the practising engineer,’ says Dineen. The first ‘Design of Steel Structures to Eurocode 3 - The Essentials’ course will take place in London on 21 April 2009, after which ‘Design of Concrete Structures to Eurocode 2 - The Essentials’ debuts in Ascot on 23 April. Delegate cost is £275 plus VAT. ‘Design of Steel Structures to Eurocode 3 - The Workshop’ is being launched on 9-10 June in Birmingham with ‘Design of Concrete Structures to Eurocode 2 - The Workshop’ following on 23-24 June 2009, again in Birmingham. Delegate cost is £440 plus VAT. Further details of all courses can be found in the Eurocodes Expert events and courses database.

Next generation of Eurocodes set for 2015

With just a year to go before the switch to Eurocodes in March 2010, plans are already being made to publish the next generation of Eurocodes starting in 2015. Jean-Armand Calgaro, chairman of Eurocode drafting committee CEN/TC250, presented his medium-term strategy for Eurocodes at the Eurocode national correspondents meeting in Brussels on 15 January 2009. Entitled ‘The Eurocodes and the construction industry – medium-term strategy 2008-2003’, Calgaro says his report sets the basis for developing and publishing ‘a new generation of structural Eurocodes’ between 2015 and 2020. In addition to revising and evolving the existing set of 10 Eurocodes, work is planned to start next year on developing additional codes and parts covering design of glass, fibre-reinforced-plastic and membrane structures as well as assessment and retrofitting of existing structures. Other potential new Eurocode developments highlighted in the ‘white book’ strategy include very-high-performance concrete, deepening the concept of robustness and incorporation of ISO standards such as atmospheric icing of structures and actions from waves and currents on coastal structures. Feedback from national correspondents is due by 1 March 2009, following which the European Commission needs to provide a mandate to the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) for development work to proceed.

EC plans Eurocode 6 trainers’ workshop in Brussels

The European Commission is planning a free, two-day workshop in Brussels on 2-3 April 2009 for Eurocode 6 masonry-design trainers. The event at the Charlemagne Conference Centre is open to anyone with a professional interest in training on Eurocode 6, though priority will be given to people recommended by their national authorities or national standards bodies. Applications to attend should be submitted by 6 February 2009. Speakers will include drafting committee CEN/TC250/SC6 chairman R. Van der Pljuim and committee member Barry Haseltine. The aim is to help transfer the background knowledge and expertise of the Eurocode 6 writers to potential national trainers. All participants will receive a 'training package' consisting of all the slide presentations and technical papers given by the speakers plus all other relevant material. This will subsequently be made available on the EC’s Eurocodes website. The workshop is being organised by the EC’s Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General and Joint Research Centre, with the support of CEN/TC250, the CEN Management Centre and EC member states.

IStructE makes Eurocode wind annex data free online

The Institution of Structural Engineers has made the UK national annex data for Eurocode wind actions freely available on its website together with a calculator. The seven Excel spreadsheet files contain the public-domain data used to plot the wind map and wind-factor graphs in the national annex for BS EN 1991-1-4, which BSI British Standards published in September 2008. An interpolator application from RWDI Anemos, called ENCalculator2, is also available for free download. This logarithmically interpolates within the data figures and can be used to test interpolation procedures. RWDI also supplies BREve software for automating design wind-speed methods, the latest version 3 of which now implements BS EN 1991-1-4 wind clauses in addition to BS 6399-2. It includes an automated topography analysis based on an Ordnance Survey altitude database.

Eurocode training reaches new record in 2009

The number of Eurocode training courses run by the UK construction industry is set to reach a new record in 2009 as civil and structural engineers start making final preparations for the March 2010 implementation date of the new structural design standards. The events and courses database of the Eurocodes Expert website currently has 74 UK events listed for 2009, significantly more than any previous year. The events cover all aspects of the new standards, ranging from general introductory evenings to three-day workshops on Eurocode design of specific structure types. Nearly three quarters of the courses currently listed (54) are being run by Institution of Civil Engineers' (ICE) subsidiary Thomas Telford, which provides a comprehensive portfolio of events throughout the UK on EN 1990, Eurocodes 1 to 7, fire protection and bridge design. A further nine seminars and workshops on various aspects of Eurocode design are being provided by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), either in the form of evening regional branch meetings or as one or two-day events run by Professional Solutions in London. A further four two-day workshops on Eurocode 5 (timber) are being run in conjunction with Trada.

Steel cladding companies get Eurocode 3 approval

The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) has officially approved the Eurocode 3 load tables produced by four leading suppliers of steel cladding. Tegral Metal Forming, Euroclad, Corus Panel and Profiles and CA Building Products have each had their new cladding profile load tables developed to Eurocode 3, and these have now been awarded an ‘SCI Assessed’ quality mark. SCI launched its assessment scheme in 2006 as a quality mark to testify that manufacturers' technical data has been independently verified by the Institute. The scheme covers the reliability of the range of performance data offered by suppliers such as safe load tables and other similar data used by the product specifiers. According to SCI senior construction technology manager Martin Heywood , ‘SCI Assessed gives manufacturers a cost-effective way to differentiate their product in a highly competitive marketplace; equally it gives those purchasing technical products and services added independent assurance.’ However, Chris Hendy of Atkins highway and transportation department says he is concerned that other UK construction product manufacturers are not as well prepared for the March 2010 Eurocode implementation date. In a letter to New Civil Engineer magazine last month he said though Eurocodes themselves were relatively quick to pick up, ‘the product and execution standards required for construction can be more difficult to adapt as they may require some change in fabrication practice and specification.’

Third of UK designers already using Eurocodes

Nearly a third of UK structural designers are already using the Eurocodes, according to a recent survey by BSI British Standards. However, more than half the remainder felt the transition would be difficult, with a quarter not expecting to use them at all. The questionnaire-based survey carried out in November 2008 found that 29% of respondents are already designing with Eurocodes and 36% were confident about using them. Two thirds (66%) said Eurocodes were important to their practice and 22% had so far received formal training. Of the 70% who were not yet using Eurocodes, 11% felt the transition would be easy while 55% expected it to be difficult. Only 38% expected to be using the codes before the full implementation date in March 2010, and 25% said they did not anticipate using them at all. The vast majority of respondents designed buildings, followed by piling, liquid-retaining structures, tanks, crane-supporting structures, bridges, pipelines, geotechnical works, silos, towers, masts and chimneys. Steel and concrete were the leading materials followed by timber, masonry, composite steel and concrete and aluminium. Nearly three quarters (73%) of respondents had been professionally qualified for at least 10 years, 70% were structural engineers and 54% were working in design consultancies.

BSI seeks views on Eurocode online support service

BSI British Standards is carrying out an online survey of Eurocode users to help develop a comprehensive online support service. Closing date for responses is Wednesday 12 November 2008 (see link to survey below). BSI product manger Renata Walsh says, ‘By participating in the survey, you are helping us to make a better product that will make your job easier. The survey should only take 10 minutes to complete, and contributions will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.’ In addition to the 58 Eurocode parts and their national annexes, it is envisaged BSI's new online Eurocodes service will provide all relevant non-contradictory complementary information, guidance on key topics, worked examples, flowcharts for common design issues and simple calculation tools linked to complex equations. Access options include a single all-inclusive subscription, a modular subscription based on construction material or project type, and access to individual codes and associated support information. As well as feedback on these options, BSI is asking respondents to put a value on them. Other products and services being considered include conferences, training, e-learning, guide books and ‘ask an expert’ telephone and email facilities. To take part in the survey, please click on the link below.

Wind-load annex gives green light to Eurocode designs

BSI British Standards has published the much-awaited national annex for part 1-4 of Eurocode 1 covering wind actions, such that Eurocode building designs can now be accepted by UK local authorities as complying with the Building Regulations. NA to BS EN 1991-1-4: 2005 is a significant national annex as it modifies the Eurocode considerably – added to which modern, lightweight building designs are increasingly sensitive to wind loads. As such the annex has had a difficult birth, taking over two years from being issued as a draft for public comment to finally seeing the light of day on 30 September 2008. The main problem has been calibrating the annex against existing wind code BS 6399-2, which will be replaced by 2010. A study commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) concluded in December 2007, ‘The calibration has confirmed that BS EN 1991-1-4 in conjunction with the draft national annex will generally lead to acceptable results comparable to current practice.’ However, the study recommends BS 6399-2 values for external pressure coefficients be used for cladding loads, ‘until better justification for the EN coefficients are available’. Also, for flat roofs with parapets or curved eaves, the BS scaling parameter for defining different zones should be used instead of the EN parameter. A copy of the report can be downloaded from the BSI Eurocodes website (link below). It is understood DCLG will shortly clarify the status of Eurocodes with regard to demonstrating compliance with the Building Regulations in a letter to all building-control authorities. The Institution of Civil Engineers and UK Wind Engineering Society are also planning a series of lectures for design engineers on the background to the new wind code. BSI British Standards has so far published 31 of Britain’s likely total of 55 national annexes – including all those for Eurocode 0 (basis), Eurocode 2 (concrete), Eurocode 4 (composite), Eurocode 5 (timber) and Eurocode 6 (masonry). The remaining national annexes will be published between now and spring 2009. Annexes currently out for comment include that for BS EN 1990 Annex 2 (basis for bridge design) and for BS EN 1993-5 (steel piles). All BSI Eurocodes and national annexes can be bought via the BSI Eurocodes website (link below).

Trada launches Eurocode 5 workshop

The UK Timber Research and Development Association (Trada) has launched a new two-day Eurocode 5 workshop entitled ‘Hands on with timber designs to EC5’. It is aimed at structural engineers and practitioners who have previous design experience with BS 5268 on structural use of timber. Trada Technology’s senior structural engineer Keerthi Ranasinghe says the workshop provides an opportunity for young and practising engineers, ‘to get a feel for preparing designs to Eurocodes by working through examples, at their own pace, in a tutored workshop’. According to Trada, the first two-day event London on 8 October and was fully booked. Delegates said they liked the practical approach and offered constructive feedback on how the course could be further developed. ‘The workshop also prompted a range of questions, which further illustrates the need for more hands-on guidance on Eurocode 5,’ said Dr Ranasinghe. Further courses in partnership with Professional Solutions, which provides the Institution of Structural Engineers’ continuous professional development programme, will take place in London in 2009 in January, February, March and May – see the events & courses database for further details. The cost is £443 and Trada and IStructE members get a 10% discount. The workshop can also be arranged in-house – please contact Marc Leat at Trada Technology on 01494 569674 or email mleat@trada.co.uk.

Russians host Eurocodes workshop

A two-day workshop on Eurocodes was held in Moscow last week to explain the potential safety and reliability benefits of the new codes to the £50 billion Russian construction industry. Presenters included Haig Gulvanessian and Malcolm Greenley of the Eurocodes Expert advisory group and CEN250 chairman Jean Armand Calgaro. According to Gulvanessian, 'The workshop proved extremely useful in exchanging views of the implementation of the Eurocodes in Russia. It is very pleasing that the Eurocodes are held in such high regard in Russia.' The event on 9-10 October 2008 was organised by the Russian Federal Agency on Technical Regulation with the support of European Commission and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Entitled ‘EU-Russia cooperation on standardisation for construction: the Eurocodes, a tool for building safety and reliability enhancement’, the event was intended to provide Russian regulators and construction professionals with an introduction to European construction standards and certification. The basic concepts of the Eurocodes were presented along with an overview of the various implementation resources available – including training courses, designers’ guides, worked examples, handbooks, manuals, design aids and software. Options for reducing the divergence between the Eurocodes and Russian construction standards were explored including setting-up of a network of institutes and experts to provide information exchange and scientific and technical cooperation. Pictured are Gulvanessian (left) and Calgaro (right) with organiser Ekaterina Golubeva.

Designers invited to final consultation workshops

UK designers are being urged to take part in the final two online Eurocode consultation workshops - planned for 17 and 30 October 2008 - to find out what they actually need in making the switch to Eurocodes. BSI British Standards contracted The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) SCI in February 2008 to undertake the research, with a view to creating a new generation of standards-based products and information to ease transition to the new codes. Following a user workshop at BSI in Chiswick, SCI has run a number of online events through which with practicing designers have provided information on how Eurocodes ‘work’ in practice and how BSI should make tools available to help in the transition. According to SCI senior manager of information technology, John Moran: ‘The findings so far indicate that designers appreciate the coverage of the suite of Eurocodes and understand that full implementation calls for a range of documents beyond the standards themselves, such as related standards, national annexes and non-conflicting complementary information.’ However, he said that designers appear to be having difficulties understanding what information is needed and where to find it during practical problem-solving. ‘Problems are particularly evident in cases where non-conflicting complementary information in support of an issue is not available,’ he said. Designers taking part in the workshops will get free copies of the general parts of Eurocodes 2 and 3 for concrete and steel respectively, worth a total of £368. They will also be among the first to receive SCI’s new ‘Blue Book’, with Eurocode-compliant load-span tables for steel sections.

BSI completes Eurocode 4 annexes

Eurocode 4, the new European design code for composite steel and concrete structures, is now ready for use in the UK. BSI British Standards published the final two national annexes for the three-part code on 29 August 2008. The newly published national annexes to BS EN 1994-1-1, covering general rules and rules for buildings, and BS EN 1994-1-2, on structural fire design, cost £64 each. BSI members receive a 50% discount. The national annex to BS EN 1994-2 on composite bridges was published in December 2007, along with ‘published document’ PD 6696-2 containing non-contradictory complementation information and additional guidance. Corrigenda for all three parts of Eurocode 4 were published in April 2008. BSI has also just published four more national annexes for Eurocode 8 on earthquake resistance. The new annexes are for part 1, covering general rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings, and parts 4, 5 and 6, which collectively cover silos, tanks, pipelines, foundations, retaining walls, towers, masts and chimneys. Costs range from £64 to £80. BSI has now published 30 of Britain’s likely total of 55 national annexes, including all those for Eurocode 0 (basis), Eurocode 2 (concrete), Eurocode 5 (timber) and Eurocode 6 (masonry). The much awaited national annex for part 1-4 of Eurocode 1 covering wind actions is now due out in October 2008 and the remainder will be published between now and next spring. BSI has decided no national annex is needed for Eurocode 8 part 3 on seismic retrofit and CEN-recommended values are also likely to be accepted for parts 1-6 and 1-7 of Eurocode 3, covering steel shells and plates in bending respectively. All BSI Eurocodes and national annexes can be bought via the Eurocodes pages of the BSI website (see link below). Corrigenda can be downloaded free of charge from the corrigenda page .

Feedback on Eurocodes Expert website

The UK Standing Committee on the Implementation of Eurocodes is seeking feedback on the Eurocodes Expert website, which is a joint initiative between the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). The website is designed to be the first port of call for information on the Eurocodes. It is primarily aimed at civil and structural design engineers but can also inform clients, manufacturers, building control officers, academics, trainers and students. It includes descriptions of the different Eurocode parts, publication dates, training courses, frequently asked questions, publications, web resources and news. Design and content is overseen by an advisory group consisting of representatives of ICE, IStructE and other construction industry partners. The site is hosted by ICE’s commercial subsidiary Thomas Telford. The pan-industry SCIE was established in November 2005 to oversee, update and modify the UK’s national Eurocode implementation strategy, which IStructE prepared for the government in April 2004. The committee is chaired by Professor David Nethercot. Please email any comments you have on the site regarding the type of information available, ease of use and any other issues to Berenice Chan (email address below).

Eurocode 3 and 4 designs trialled online

Eurocode-compliant designs for a medium-rise steel and composite building in seven different European countries - including the UK - are being trialled on-line this week. The multi-lingual trial, which starts on 28 July 2008, is part of the trans-European Eur.Ing project funded by the EU Leonardo da Vinci programme and led by Sheffield University. Other UK partners include The Steel Construction Institute, the Academy of Steel Construction and systems consultancy Epistemics. ‘For the past two years we have been compiling material to help structural engineers prepare designs to the Eurocodes relating to structural steelwork,’ says project leader Sue Armstrong of Sheffield. ‘We are hoping that as many engineers as possible will look at the material, take part in the forums and provide feedback.’ The material includes complete Eurocode designs for a five-storey steel building with composite floors carried out in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Spain and the UK. In addition it includes national annex comparisons for EN 1993 parts 1-1, 1-2 and 1-8 and EN 1994 parts 1-1 and 1-2, and an explanation of the design and procurement process in each country. ‘We have also developed a process which will lead designers through a complete design, providing links to relevant key information including Access Steel,’ says Armstrong. ‘Depending on the level of expertise of the designer, the process can be entered at different stages.’ The Eur.Ing project has been running since 2000 with the aim of developing e-learning solutions for Eurocode designers working anywhere in Europe. It builds on the work of previous projects SSEDTA and NFATEC. All material will remain freely available online until completion of the project in September 2008.

South African engineers step up Eurocode familiarisation

South African engineers are continuing to familiarise themselves with Eurocodes by attending a further series of one-day courses run by Cape Town University from July to October 2008. The increased focus on Eurocodes follows a Eurocodes summit meeting held by the South African Bureau of Standards in 8 February 2008. ‘Most sectors indicated that adopting the Eurocodes was probably the way to go in the future, and in due course the necessary supportive structures for this transition will need to be put in place,’ says Professor Alphose Zingoni of Cape Town University. The majority of South Africa’s structural design codes are based on British Standards that are being replaced by Eurocodes in 2010. ‘In preparation for this shift in basis, and to remain internationally competitive, South African structural designers require to familiarise themselves with the essential provisions of the Eurocodes,’ says Zingoni. Twelve events are planned in total, with four each in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. The first in each venue, which are taking place in July, provide an introduction and overview of the Eurocode system and are being presented by Professor Nary Naryanan, consultant with Clark Smith Partnership in London. Events in August and September will respectively cover Eurocodes 2 (concrete) and 3 (concrete) and be given by Professors Joost Walraven and Frans Bijlaard from Delft University of Technology. The October events will focus on Eurocode 7 (geotechnical) and be run by Dr Andrew Bond of Geocentrix in the UK. The 2008 courses follow a similar series of events in 2007 attended by nearly 400 engineers.The cost of each event is R3500 (approximately £240).

European Commission plans global Eurocode promotion

The European Commission is planning to promote the Eurocodes globally, increasing the likelihood of them becoming a de facto world standard for structural design. Particular regions identified for targeting over the next four years include South East Asia, India, Russia, the southern Mediterranean, the Gulf states and South Africa. The Commission has earmarked €75,000 for developing a set of Eurocode dissemination and information strategies in the target regions. Closing date for tenders for the work is 18 July 2008, with the objective of having three-year action plans ready for implementation in June 2009. According to the tender invitation published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 7 June 2008, it is ‘imperative that these strategies encompass all relevant aspects and levels for third countries wanting to take the Eurocodes partially or completely on board, including technical aspects, legal aspects and information needed on 'political' decision-maker level.’ Following promotional tours by BSI British Standards, the governments of Malaysia and Vietnam have already announced they will be basing their future national structural design standards on Eurocodes, and significant interest has been shown in China, Hong Kong and South Africa.

BSI to launch free ‘unbiased’ Eurocode guide

BSI British Standards has announced it is to publish a free and ‘unbiased’ companion guide to the structural Eurocodes in autumn 2008. According to the latest issue of BSI’s Construction Eurocodes Update, the new 64-page supplementary guide will be available free to all purchasers of the Eurocodes and associated national annexes. BSI says the publication is being produced in response to market demand and will be ‘authoritative and unbiased’. A team of 'leading industry experts from the world of standards and further afield' has been commissioned to write it. The purpose of the guide will be to deliver practical and timely advice on how the new codes will work and how they might benefit construction professionals, says BSI. In addition to the background, structure and implementation of Eurocodes, topics covered will include the role of national annexes, the position of non-contradictory complementary information and how the codes will work in the international market.

SCI runs new courses on Eurocodes 3 and 4

The Steel Construction Institute has launched three new courses of varying duration on Eurocode 3 (steel) and a one-day course on Eurocode 4 (composite). A total of 12 dates in the UK and Ireland have been planned over the next nine months. ‘EC3 – the major changes’ is a half-day event run by SCI deputy director David Brown and sets out the main differences between BS5950 part 1 (rolled and welded sections) to Eurocode 3 part 1-1 (general rules and rules for buildings). The course is running in London on 8 July, in Swindon on 17 July, in Croydon on 30 September and in Nottingham on 19 November. The cost is £140 plus VAT. ‘Preparation of Eurocode 3’ is a more comprehensive one-day seminar, also run by Brown, which is designed to introduce experienced steel designers to the Eurocode provisions for steel design. It is taking place in Leeds on 15 July, in Dublin on 16 September and in Manchester on 25 November, and the cost is £280 plus VAT. ‘EC3 – understanding the essential principles’ is an in-depth two-day event comprising a set of lectures supported by workshop sessions. It will explain in detail the methods employed by Eurocode 3 part 1-1 for designing members in bending, compression and tension. The first event is running in London on 7 October followed by a second in Dublin on 4 February 2009. The cost is £450 plus VAT. Finally, ‘EC4 composite design’ is a new one-day course covering the design of steel and concrete composite beams and slabs using Eurocode 4 part 1-1. Andy Smith, Graham Couchman and Ian Simms are presenting the course in Birmingham on 29 January 2009, in Dublin on 11 February and in Leeds on 10 March. Details of all courses can be found in the ‘events and courses’ database on the Eurocodes Expert website.

Final two Eurocode parts published

BSI British Standards has finally published UK versions of the last two of the 58 Eurocode parts, paving the way for withdrawal of existing national design standards in March 2010. BS EN 1993-3-1: 2006, covering design of steel towers and masts, costs £170 and BS EN 1993-3-2: 2006, on steel chimneys, costs £130. BSI members get a 50% discount. Both Eurocode 3 parts were originally due for UK release in October 2007 but were delayed while BSI sought clarification from the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) on final changes made to the core EN documents. BSI has also just published national annexes for parts 1-6 and 2 of Eurocode 1 (actions), covering actions during execution and traffic loads on bridges, and national annexes for four parts of Eurocode 3 (steel): 1-5 on planar plates, 1-9 on fatigue, 1-12 on high-strength steels and 2 on bridges. This brings the total to 24 of Britain’s likely total of 55 national annexes. The much awaited national annex for part 1-4 Eurocode 1 covering wind actions is due out next month and the remainder will be published between now and next spring. BSI has decided no national annex is needed for Eurocode 8 part 3 on seismic retrofit and CEN-recommended values are also likely to be accepted for parts 1-6 and 1-7 of Eurocode 3, covering steel shells and plates in bending respectively. All BSI Eurocodes and national annexes can be bought via the Eurocodes pages of the BSI website (see link below). Also on the site are new corrigenda for the three parts of Eurocode 4 (composite steel and concrete), which can be downloaded free of charge from the corrigenda page .

Hong Kong takes a closer look at Eurocodes

The Hong Kong government has commissioned Maunsell Consultants Asia Ltd to provide training and advice to various government departments on Eurocodes and carry out a series of trial designs. According to Robin Sham of Maunsell in Hong Kong, ‘The assignment is fairly comprehensive, including a study of the application of Eurocodes in Hong Kong conditions, four specimen designs, a review of existing standards and training of government engineers through workshops, mentoring and training.’ Keith Wilson, a recently retired bridges technical director who previously worked with Faber Maunsell in the UK, will be providing some of the training. BSI British Standards held promotional seminars on Eurocodes in Hong Kong as well as in Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore in 2005 and reported feedback was ‘encouraging’. The governments of Malaysia and Vietnam have already announced they will be basing their future national structural design standards on Eurocodes. Further details of the Hong Kong study will be report by Eurocodes Expert in due course.

Concrete sector ready to work with new Eurocodes

The concrete sector has welcomed BSI British Standards' recent confirmation that BS8110 - the existing UK design code for structural concrete - is to be made obsolete. From 1 June 2008, BSI technical committee B/525/2 will no longer support BS8110 as all Eurocode parts and national annexes for design of concrete buildings have now been published. Andrew Minson, head of structural engineering at The Concrete Centre, believes the annoucement will act as a further prompt to those design firms which are yet to adopt Eurocode 2. 'The transition to Eurocode 2 will certainly be challenging but there are ease-of-use benefits and potential commercial opportunities,' he says. According to Minson, the new codes are more technically advanced and have a logical order that will avoid conflicts between codes. They are also are more extensive than BS8110. 'In addition, there are distinct commercial opportunities for consultants who have projects abroad as most of Europe will be using the same basic design codes. Using Eurocode 2 will provide consultants with increased opportunities in Europe,' he says. To ease the transition from British Standard to Eurocode, The Concrete Centre has developed and made available a wide range of resources including a companion guide entitled Concise Eurocode 2 and a series of guides under the banner How to Design Concrete Structures using Eurocode 2. In addition, a dedicated website (see link below) with worked examples has been set up and there is a full programme of training presentations and courses. 'The imminent implementation of Eurocode 2 has seen a marked increase in the demand for information and training resources,' concludes Minson. 'We are on course to provide Eurocode training to over 1,000 structural engineers this year. The concrete sector is fully ready to work with the new codes. They are now and the transition has begun.'

Eurocodes lead to cheaper bridges

Pilot studies carried for the UK Highways Agency confirm that the new structural Eurocodes produce more economic designs for bridges. The findings were published in the latest issue (161 BE1) of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Bridge Engineering journal. According to Chris Hendy, head of bridge design and technology at Atkins, ‘Trial calculations conducted on existing concrete and steel-concrete composite bridges, carried out for the Highways Agency and other clients, have indicated that the Eurocodes give a small increase in economy in the design, on average, when the basic application rules are used.’ He said that for steel designs, there was more economy to be obtained from using Eurocodes for stiffened structures, reflecting a greater confidence in the behaviour of such structures as a result of recent testing and non-linear parametric studies. For concrete designs, Hendy reported there was a systematic saving in flexural reinforcement and shear reinforcement for reinforced concrete structures, though there was generally little difference for prestressed structures. ‘Economy can, however, be improved further when the more complex methods of analysis permitted are employed,’ he said. ‘This is all part of the general conclusion that the Eurocodes give greater scope for innovation and often reward more complex analysis.’ Hendy said that another significant conclusion from the pilot studies was that the engineers best able to cope with the change to Eurocodes were those who were taught with an emphasis on structural theory, rather than on the use of specific design codes. This may well influence where the emphasis lies in teaching in the future. He concluded that there are cultural and technical differences in the Eurocodes that designers will have to get used to and extensive training and guidance documents will be needed in the transition. ‘However, the pilot studies also reveal that designers adapt quickly and there are many similarities to current UK practice, he said. ‘Further motivation for the change should be that the less prescriptive approach and more up-to-date rules provide the designer with greater scope for innovation and economy.’

Trada publishes engineering guidance for Eurocode 5

Trada Technology, which provides research and information services for the UK Timber Research and Development Association (Trada), has published a new engineering guidance document entitled GD 3 Timber materials – properties and associated design procedures with Eurocodes . According to technical manager Hugh Mansfield-Williams, ‘Engineers will find the new document invaluable as it explains the differences in approach between existing British Standards, principally BS 5268, and the limit-state design embodied in Eurocode 5. The concise format of the guidance document draws together information from a range of European standards to present the processes and considerations that provide a consistent basis for designing with timber and wood-based products, despite their complexity.’ The new 34-page pdf guide starts with the principles of limit-state design, common to all Eurocodes for structural materials, and places these in the context of wood and wood-based materials by examining the derivation of design values for material properties. Strength-graded timber is then considered in detail, including modifications for finger-jointed material. Design values for glulam and laminated veneer lumber are also discussed, and there is a brief presentation of values for structural wood-based panels. The approach to combining properties from different materials is also explained. The guidance document considers the effects of geometry, load duration and service class, and how to choose the right stiffness properties. Finally there is a consideration of the two principal methods of joining timber members – adhesives and metal connectors. The guide concludes with an extensive bibliography. The guide costs £25 or £15 for Trada members.

Over 300 attend Eurocodes training workshop in Brussels

More than 300 people, including many from the UK, attended the first pan-European Eurocodes training event at the Charlemagne Conference Centre in Brussels on 18–20 February. Entitled ‘Eurocodes: background and applications’, the workshop – which was aimed primarily at Eurocodes trainers – was jointly organised by the Directorate-General Enterprise and Industry (DG ENTR) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, supported by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Almost all European Union (EU) member states and candidate countries were represented, as well as delegates from Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland and South Africa. Two members of the Eurocode Expert advisory panel presented lectures at the opening session on 18 February. Professor Steve Denton discussed ‘Eurocodes – opportunities for the construction industry’ and Professor Haig Gulvanessian, who also chaired part of the first session, spoke on ‘National implementation – issues and challenges in the UK’. The common session on the first afternoon concentrated on EN 1990 and was again chaired by Gulvanessian. Important background information presented during the session included a paper published in one of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Proceedings journals. On 19 and 20 February, parallel sessions were held at the Palace of the Royal Academy of Science, Humanities and Fine Arts of Belgium – each dedicated to one Eurocode and to structural fire design. UK presenters included representatives from Arup, BRE, SCI and Trinity College Dublin. All workshop material can be downloaded from the European Commission’s Eurocodes website (see link below).

Concrete industry warns consultation may lead to delay

The UK concrete industry says BSI British Standards’ recent decision to consult designers on the transition to Eurocodes may lead to unnecessary delay. According to Andrew Minson, head of structural engineering at The Concrete Centre, ‘Consultation is useful but, at this late stage, it will not help the industry get on with the transition - but may only delay it.’ BSI announced in February 2008 it had contracted The Steel Construction Institute to find out what designers actually need in making the switch to Eurocodes and in particular how they expected BSI and other organisations to help. Minson believes the work is unnecessary. ‘Consultation with designers has already been carried out by the Institution of Structural Engineers and both the concrete and timber sectors are ready to implement the Eurocodes,’ he says. ‘Given that the Eurocodes - following a very long lead time - are now being used, it is strange that BSI only now feel the need to carry out a consultation.’ Arup consultant Robin Whittle, who was part of the Eurocode 2 drafting team and regularly provides Eurocode training, agrees. ‘A very large effort has been put in by UK engineers to ensure a smooth transition to Eurocodes. Any unnecessary delay to this process and programme can only be seen as unhelpful.’ BSI and SCI are planning to hold a number of workshops to look at how the Eurocodes work in practice and assess what UK designers think should be done to help. The consultation aims to create a new generation of standards-based products and information to ease transition to the new codes.

Manual for Eurocode 6 now available

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has published the Manual for the design of plain masonry in building structures to Eurocode 6, a guide to the new European standard for the use of masonry in structural design. Written specifically for construction in the UK, the manual provides practical guidance on the design of structures using load bearing masonry and masonry infill to structural frames, consistent with the new standard, Eurocode 6 (EC6). The manual supports the design of structures to BS EN 1996-1-1: 2005, BS EN 1996-1-2: 2005 and BS EN 1996-2: 2006 and Nationally Determined Parameters from the UK National Annex have been taken into account in the design formulae. EC6 is the new European standard for the use of masonry in the structural design of buildings, using the limit-state concept which is common to Eurocodes. BS 5628 is currently the British Standard for masonry in building. However this is set to become obsolete in 2010 after which the Eurocode will be the industry benchmark. As with other Eurocodes, EC6 will provide further opportunities for local engineers to work on projects in other countries within the EU and will create a more seamless marketplace across Europe. The information included in the manual is limited to building structures that do not rely on bending in masonry for their overall stability (e.g. sway frame buildings). However, the design of individual masonry elements subject to lateral loading and involving bending for their resistance is included. The structural design of reinforced and pre-stressed masonry is specifically excluded from the Manual, as are retaining walls and arched structures. The manual includes detailed information on conceptual design and construction, choice of materials, fire safety, limit-state design, load bearing and laterally loaded masonry. Keith Eaton, Chief Executive of IStructE, said: ‘This manual provides concise, practical and straightforward guidance for engineers using masonry in the design process and will facilitate a more comfortable transition to EC6 within the UK’. The publication of Manual for the design of plain masonry in building structures to Eurocode 6 was partly funded by The Aircrete Products Association, The Brick Development Association and The Concrete Block Association. The cost of the publication is £45 for IStructE members and £70 for non-members. To order copies visit the http://www.istructe.org/publications or call +44 (0)20 7235 4535.

BSI asks SCI to consult industry on Eurocode transition

BSI British Standards has contracted The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) to find out what designers actually need in making the switch to Eurocodes. The project aims to create a new generation of standards-based products and information to ease transition to the new codes. The initiative has been endorsed by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), which has been calling for efforts to reduce the burden on its members in what it describes as ‘undoubtably the biggest change to our structural design standards for a generation’. According to SCI’s senior manager of information technology, John Moran: ‘We need to talk to practical designers about how they use standards documents, what issues are likely to arise during the transition to Eurocode design and, most importantly, what they expect BSI and others to do to help. If you’re engaged in practical design and you have an appreciation of electronic design tools, then we would like to hear from you.’ SCI and BSI are planning a number of user workshops, one at BSI in Chiswick, west London, and others remotely using online collaboration tools. The sessions will look at how the Eurocodes ‘work’ and assess what designers think should be done to help. Prototype materials will then be produced and validated using electronic meetings. Designers taking part in the workshops will be issued with free copies of the general parts of Eurocodes 2 and 3 for concrete and steel respectively, worth a total of £368. They will also be among the first to receive SCI’s new Burgundy Book, with Eurocode-compliant load-span tables for steel sections.

UK government unblocks Eurocode 2 designs for buildings

Communities and Local Government (CLG), the UK government department responsible for planning and building regulations, is telling local authorities they can accept concrete buildings designed in accordance with Eurocode 2. In a message to specifiers this month (February 2008), The Concrete Centre says CLG has already advised one local authority there is no reason not to accept designs to Eurocodes provided they use some engineering judgement applied to the application of wind loads. All necessary supporting documents for using Eurocode 2 to design concrete buildings are now in place apart from the national annex to Eurocode 1 part 1-4 on wind loading. Furthermore, the BSI committees responsible for BS8110 have stated that they will no longer support updates of BS8110 from the end of next month (31 March 2008). ‘In BSI language this constitutes withdrawal of BS8110,’ says The Concrete Centre on its Eurocode2.info website. CLG apparently intends writing a letter to all building control authorities clarifying the status of the Eurocodes in respect of demonstrating compliance with the UK Building Regulations once the wind loading national annex is published in March 2008. However, due to a legal technicality, the approved document part A of the regulations is unlikely to explicitly include Eurocodes until 2010.

New course to boost industry knowledge of retaining structure design

Thomas Telford Training (TTT) announced a new training course, Design of Retaining Walls, which will run for the first time on 18 March 2008 in London. This one day programme covers the design of mass and embedded retaining walls in accordance with Eurocode 7 and is intended for civil and structural engineers, geotechnical managers, and anyone with a responsibility for, or exposure to the design of retaining structures. Mike Cookson, TTT General Manager, said, ‘”Thomas Telford Training is committed to providing relevant training services with a range of flexible delivery options. Eurocode 7 represents a marked change in UK practice and there will be significant demands on those undertaking geotechnical designs to appreciate, understand and apply the new approach.” To book on the course contact TTT on freefone 0800 183 0133 or visit http://www.tttrain.co.uk

BSI completes Eurocode 2 for concrete structures

BSI British Standards has published the final national annex for Eurocode 2. The UK national annex for part 2 covering concrete bridges was published on 31 December 2007, finally completing the new four-part European design standard comprising concrete buildings, bridges and liquid retaining and containment strutures. Therefore once publication of the appropriate parts for Eurocodes EN 1990, 1 and 7 have been published, which will be in the near future, concrete structures within the scope of EC2 can be designed in Britain. Completed UK Eurocodes for timber (Eurocode 5) and masonry (Eurocode 6) are also now available, to be followed within the next six months by those for composite steel and concrete structures, steel structures and aluminium structures. In response The Concrete Centre has launched a further one-day course in concrete building design to Eurocode 2 at Salford University on 21 February 2008, which costs £195 plus VAT. This is in addition to series of one-day courses the Centre it is running with the Institution of Structural Engineers in London on 19 February, 29 May and 18 November 2008 as well as two-day workshops on 5-6 February and 15-16 October. The Institution of Civil Engineers' subsidiary Thomas Telford Training is also running one-day events on Eurocode 2 in Cambridge on 4 March, Bristol on 8 April and Birmingham on 24 June. All published Eurocodes and national annexes can be purchased from BSI. Details of all Eurocode 2 training sessions can be found in the Eurocodes Expert events and courses database.

New Eurocode 5 design manual published

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA) have just published Manual for the design of timber building structures to Eurocode 5, a new book and CD based on the new European design standard for structural timber. The manual supports the design of structures to part 1-1 of Eurocode 5 covering common rules and rules for buildings. Guidance is provided on the design of single-storey and medium-rise multi-storey buildings using common forms of structural timberwork. The accompanying CD features connection design software and material properties tables. IStructE chief executive Keith Eaton commented: 'There are already a number of buildings in the UK that have been designed to Eurocode 5, such as the award-winning Sheffield Winter Garden, demonstrating what can be achieved through using this code'. TRADA chief executive Andrew Abbott added, 'There are significant differences between Eurocode 5 and BS 5268. It is essential therefore, that designers have sound guidance to support them in making the transition, and this new publication will meet that need'. BSI has updated parts 2 and 6.1 of BS 5268 in the past two months to align it more closely with Eurocode 5, such as increasing the safety factor from 1.2 to 1.4 and a more rigorous approach to horizontal loading and disproportionate collapse. It will nevertheless be withdrawn by March 2010. The cost of the new manual is £70 for IStructE and TRADA members and £100 for non-members.

Final two code parts expected in March 2008

BSI British Standards now expects to publish UK versions of the final two Eurocode parts in March 2008, a full two years from the planned withdrawal of existing national design standards in March 2010. Parts 3-1 and 3-2 of Eurocode 3, covering steel towers and masts and steel chimneys respectively, were originally due for UK release in October 2007. However, BSI is currently seeking clarification from the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) on final changes made to the core EN documents. By the end of 2007, BSI had published 56 of the 58 Eurocode parts and 17 of Britain’s likely total of 55 national annexes - the latest being for Eurocode 4 part 2 on composite bridges, which was published on 31 December. BSI has decided no national annex is needed for Eurocode 8 part 3 on seismic retrofit and CEN-recommended values are also likely to be accepted for parts 1-6 and 1-7 of Eurocode 3, covering steel shells and plates in bending respectively. A further 17 national annexes are due for publication in the first six months of 2008, with the remainder expected by the end of the year. All BSI Eurocodes and national annexes can be bought via the Eurocodes pages of the BSI website.

Eurocode training courses set for new record in 2008

The number of Eurocode training courses run by the UK construction industry is set to reach a new record in 2008 as civil and structural engineers start gearing up for the March 2010 implementation date of the new structural design standards. The events and courses database of the Eurocodes Expert website currently has 34 UK events listed for 2008, more than any previous year. The events cover all aspects of the new standards, ranging from general introductory evenings to two-day workshops on Eurocode design of specific structure types. More than half of the courses currently listed (20) are being run by Institution of Civil Engineers' (ICE) subsidiary Thomas Telford, which provides a comprehensive portfolio of one-day events at locations throughout the UK on Eurocodes 0 to 7. A further 14 seminars and workshops on various aspects of Eurocode design are being provided by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), either in the form of evening regional branch meetings or as one or two-day events run by Professional Solutions in London. Eurocodes Expert - a joint ICE and IStructE initiative - will also be running a further series of half-day roadshow events in 2008 following successful events in London, Manchester and Glasgow during November 2007. Dates and venues will be announced in due course.

New online Eurocode advisory service for steel

The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) and its French counterpart the Centre Technique Industriel de la Construction Métallique (CTICM) have launched a new online Eurocode advisory service for steel designers. The Steel Alliance e-Advisory Service it is at www.steel-alliance.org. The service operates in English and French and is open to subscribers on a pay-as-you-go basis. For €240 subscribers can ask up to six questions on any specific technical matter related to steel structures. For a limited introductory period, the Anglo-French joint venture is offering two questions for free. According to SCI project manager Christine Roszykiewicz, ‘This formula offers flexibility for users, who only pay for what they need. Engineers can directly, and in complete confidentiality, address their questions to a team of experts at SCI and CTICM who include engineers, architects and building physicists with international authority in their field.’ The target response time is one working day and advisory topics come under the following broad headings • detailed design to the Eurocodes • initial design concepts • fire engineering • best practice for construction. The service is directly linked to other web tools dedicated to Eurocode 3 such as the EU steel industry Eurocodes website Access-Steel at www.access-steel.com and the Eurocode discussion forum at sefie.steelbiz.org.

Free Eurocode 6 guidance published

The Concrete Centre and the Modern Masonry Alliance are jointly publishing a series of three free guides entitled How to design masonry structures using Eurocode 6. The fist guide, Introduction to Eurocode 6, outlines the scope of the new code, introduces design and assessment of actions using Eurocode 6 and covers masonry specification and workmanship. It is available for free download from www.concretecentre.com and will be published in The Structural Engineer in December 2007. The second guide, Vertical resistance, explains how to design for vertical actions and highlights how the compressive strength of masonry units is expressed in Eurocode 6 and how masonry units are grouped and treated. The third guide, Lateral resistance, examines the two Eurocode 6 approaches for laterally loaded panels. One relies on the flexural strength of the masonry and makes use of yield-line analysis to provide bending moment coefficients; the other is based on arching and the assumption of a three-pinned arch within the wall. Both resistance guides will be freely available online in early 2008 and will be published in the January and February 2008 issues of The Structural Engineer respectively. According to The Concrete Centre's head of structures Andrew Minson, 'The guides draw together in one place the key information and commentary required for the design of typical masonry elements to Eurocode 6.'

UK masonry industry launches Eurocode 6 website

The British Masonry Society and the UK Brick Development Association have launched a new website to help structural engineers implement Eurocode 6 for the design of masonry structures at www.eurocode6.org. The new site provides information and design guidance on the use of Eurocode 6 as well as background information on the four parts of the code, their associated national annexes, non-contradictory complementary information and all supporting UK technical standards. Of particular practical use are a series of worked design examples. These include seven examples on vertical loading, an example on lateral wind loading and four examples on fire resistance. They were prepared by Charlwood Partnership, a director of which - Peter Watt - was UK delegate to the Eurocode 6 drafting committee. The site also includes a series of frequently asked questions and lists of all recent UK publications and forthcoming UK events relating to Eurocode 6. In due course it will include reviews of design software. Sponsors include Aircrete Products Association, Brick Development Association and the British Masonry Society. The site is hosted by Professor John Roberts of the Technical Innovation Consultancy. Contact Dr Ken Fisher, British Masonry Society, telephone 020 8660 3633 (email below) or Ali Arasteh, Brick Development Association, 01344 885 651, email brick@brick.org.uk.

Eurocode 8 draft national annexes published

BSI drafts for public comment of UK National Annexes of Eurocode 8 (Design of structures for earthquake resistance) are now published, and the libraries of the Institutions of Civil and Structural Engineers currently have copies available for reference purposes. The drafts covered parts 1, 4, 5 and 6 of the code. A ‘PD' guidance document’ on the drafts was also made available at the same time. The PD sets out some of the background to the proposed national annexes and gives guidance on seismic design in the UK, including where such design might be needed in the first place.

South Africa on course for Eurocode shift

South African engineers are gearing for a shift to Eurocodes by attending a series of one-day courses run by Cape Town University, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering and the Institution of Structural Engineers. ‘Many of South Africa’s structural design codes are based on British Standards, which will soon be replaced by Eurocodes,’ says organiser Professor Alphose Zingoni of Cape Town. ‘In preparation for this shift in basis, and to remain internationally competitive, South African structural engineers require to familiarise themselves with the essential provisions of the Eurocodes.’ Six events are planned during November 2007, with two each in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. The first in each venue will cover Eurocode 2, design of concrete structures, and will be presented by Professor Joost Walraven from Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands, former convenor of the Eurocode 2 project team. The follow-up events will be on Eurocode 3, design of steel structures, and will be presented by Professor Frans Bijlaard, also of Delft and former chairman of the Eurocodes 3 drafting committee. The November courses follow three introduction and overview sessions in July, which were presented by Professor Nary Naryanan, consultant with Clark Smith Partnership in London and former chairman of the Eurocode 2 drafting committee. The cost of each event is R3500 (approximately £260).

UK government launches free Eurocode guides

The UK Department for Communities and Local Government has launched a new series of free online guides to various parts of the new structural Eurocodes. They range from short introductory guides of 20 or so pages on design basis and actions, to more detailed guidance on designing buildings in specific materials and a 139-page guide on geotechnical design. The longer guides include worked examples. The titles and extents of the guides are as follows.

Guide to the use of EN 1990 Basis of structural design (21 pages)
Guide to the use of EN 1991-1-4 – Wind actions (21 pages)
Guide to the use of EN 1991-1-7 – Accidental actions (22 pages)
Companion document – EN 1992-1-1: Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures – Part 1: General rules and rules for buildings (52 pages)
Steel and steel and concrete composite buildings: Companion document to EN 1993 and EN 1994 (256 pages)
Design guide handbook for EN 1996 Design of masonry structures (46 pages)
A designers' simple guide to BS EN 1997 (139 pages)

All guides can be accessed individually via the publications database on the Eurocodes Expert website (search by source = Department for Communities and Local Government). Alternatively they can be accessed via the link below to the DCLG's building division research documents web page.

UK seismic engineering community debate Eurocode 8

Britain’s leading seismic engineers are meeting in London next month to debate how Eurocode 8 – the new European code for designing structures to resist earthquakes – should be implemented in the UK. The magnitude 4.3 earthquake in Folkestone earlier this year rekindled the debate on the extent to which earthquake-resistant design is needed in the UK. It was particularly timely, given BSI is about to make important decisions on Eurocode 8’s application in Britain. Chaired by Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) vice president Scott Steedman, the 10 October event at Imperial College will discuss draft national annexes for four of the six Eurocode 8 parts and a ‘PD’ guidance document, all of which BSI is about to publish. Two ICE-funded research reports have recently been completed to help BSI. One is a major reappraisal of UK seismic hazard by the British Geological Survey (BGS), which includes new seismic hazard maps for 475 year and 2500 year return periods. The other addresses the circumstances in which an explicit seismic design may be required in the UK. Speakers at the meeting, which is jointly organised ICE and the Institution of Structural Engineers, include Bryan Skipp, chair of the BSI Eurocode 8 sub-committee, Edmund Booth, UK technical contact for Eurocode 8, and Roger Musson of BGS.

BSI publishes final two aluminium codes

BSI has published the final two parts of Eurocode 9 for the design of aluminium structures. All but two of the 58 Eurocode parts are now available as UK versions. The new aluminium codes are BS EN 1999-1-1, common rules, and BS EN 1999-1-3, additional rules for structures susceptible to fatigue. They cost £200 and £154 respectively, less 50% fpr BSI members. The enabling UK national annexes for all five parts of Eurocode 9 should be available by May 2008. BSI is also aiming to publish the remaining two parts of Eurocode 3 – covering steel towers, masts and chimneys – in October 2007 to complete Britain's new set of European structural design standards. A total of 15 UK annexes are now available, including all those for Eurocode 5 (timber) and Eurocode 6 (masonry). Remaining annexes should be completed by the second half of 2008, well in time for the planned withdrawal of existing national standards in March 2010.

Eurocodes for glass and FRP composites?

Two additional Eurocodes could be produced to cover the increasing use of structural glass and fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in the construction industry. Following extensive industry consultation, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Italy recently submitted formal justification for new structural design standards for structural glass and FRP composites to the Directorate General Enterprise and Industry (DG ENTR). If approved, the new codes could sit alongside the six material-specific sets of Eurocodes that currently cover concrete, steel, composite steel and concrete, timber, masonry and aluminium. JRC's proposal for a new European design code for glass structures, parts or kits resulted from consultation with manufacturers of glass products, the construction industry, design and consulting engineers, standardisation and certification bodies and academia. A similar proposal for FRP composites was prepared by JRC in consultation with the European Composites Industry Association, the UK Highways Agency and an ad-hoc JRC working group.

Calgaro takes over Eurocodes committee

Jean-Armand Calgaro, member of the Conseil Général des Ponts et Chaussées of the French Ministry of Transportation, has become the new chairman of the main Eurocodes committee. He takes over from Horst Bossenmeyer, who has held the post for the past seven years. As chair of technical committee 250 of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN/TC250), Calgaro will be responsible for the crucial transition phase of the 58 Eurocodes, all of which have now been released for publication and are due to replace national codes by March 2010. ‘The Eurocodes are now living documents: they are born, they are young and they need care to grow harmoniously,’ he says. ‘The first applications of Eurocodes in designing new civil engineering works are very encouraging. We are going the right way, and our enthusiasm remains undiminished. Eurocodes will prevail and become the best technical reference in the world.’ Calgaro says the main roles of CEN/TC250 are now maintenance, harmonisation - both of national annexes and the codes themselves, promotion and further development. ‘CEN/TC250 will always be in charge of managing the Eurocodes’ destiny, but this very motivating mission is enormous,’ he says. ‘Regular incorporation in Eurocodes, or their future extensions, of advanced research needs close cooperation with international scientific associations and European technology platforms.’ Calgaro has been involved with Eurocode development since 1987 and for the past three years has served as France’s representative on the Eurocode National Correspondents Group. He is also professor of structural mechanics and bridge design at Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées and co-author of the Eurocodes Expert Designers’ Guide to EN 1990.

BSI publishes corrigenda for concrete Eurocode

BSI has published a set of corrigenda for EN 1992-1-1, the general rules part of Eurocode 2 for concrete structures. Drafting committee CEN TC 250 has just published a list of agreed corrections, which BSI has made available on its website. According to Eurocodes Expert chairman Haig Gulvanessian, 'the corrigenda concern minor editorial matters and do not concern safety'. Once BSI receives the full corrected text from CEN it will republish the code, which is likely to be in September 2007. It will be provided free of charge to all BSI customers who bought the code since it was published in December 2004.

Eurocodes roadshows planned for autumn

Eurocodes Expert is planning a further series of its popular half-day ‘roadshow’ seminars at various locations around the UK this autumn. Aimed at practising engineers in the building and civil engineering sectors, the seven short but intensive events in October and November 2007 will focus on practical aspects of Eurocode transition implementation. Areas to be covered at each of seminar include

the Eurocodes experience so far
benefits and threats unveiled
when to implement and considerations for implementation
setting the scene – the UK post Eurocodes
Eurocodes exposed – myths, legends, reality
practitioner’s perspective
Eurocodes for buildings and bridges.

Presented by a team of acknowledged Eurocodes experts, the seminars are taking place at the following venues on the following dates

Belfast – 2 October
Birmingham – 8 October
Cardiff – 9 October
London – 8 November
Manchester – 19 November
Leeds – 20 November
Glasgow – 29 November.

Delegate fees for each event are £99 + VAT. Bookings made before 31 July receive a 10% discount (please quote ECN0707 when booking). The roadshows are supported by British Standards Institution and the UK Highways Authority.

UK construction urged to embrace Eurocodes now

Eurocodes Expert chairman Haig Gulvannessian has urged the UK construction industry to embrace Eurocodes now. With UK versions of all 58 parts due to be published by July 2007 and less than three years to go before they replace most existing European structural design codes, he says there can be no more excuses for not starting the switch-over now. In his introduction to the latest issue of Eurocodes News he says, ‘Due to the initiatives of government, research bodies, the professional institutions and industry, a wealth of implementation support resources is now available in the UK. ‘UK construction professionals are thus better placed than most of their international competitors to benefit from the opportunities offered by having a single structural design system throughout Europe – and one which looks set to be adopted worldwide. ‘And make no mistake, moving over to design by Eurocodes will not be easy as the they represent the most wide-ranging change to codification of civil and structural design ever experienced. It is thus vital for the UK construction industry to utilise the unrivalled resources being made available to them – and now. ‘The Eurocodes are widely recognised as the most technically advanced suite of civil and structural design codes in the world and they present a significant opportunity for the export of British design expertise and products. But they also represent a significant threat for any construction business which chooses not to embrace them now.’

IStructE plans more Eurocodes manuals

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) is planning to publish four more of its definitive Eurocodes design manuals, bringing the total to seven. Manuals for Eurocode 1 (actions) and Eurocode 8 (earthquake) are due to appear in 2008 with one for Eurocode 3 (steel) following in 2009. The series will be completed by a manual for Eurocode 7 (geotechnical), but a publication date has yet to be fixed. The first manual, entitled Manual for the Design of Concrete Building Structures to Eurocode 2, was published in September last year and manuals on Eurocode 5 (timber) and Eurocode 6 (masonry) are due to be published later this year. The Eurocode 1 manual will cover the design loading on common building structures. It is being written by The Building Research Establishment under a contract with the Department for Communities and Local Government and under the direction of an IStructE task group chaired by John Tubman. The Eurocode 8 manual will provide seismic design application rules for the majority of standard low-to-medium-rise steel and concrete buildings. It is being jointly produced with Association Françoise de Para Seismic and will be published in both English and French. The Society for Earthquake and Civil Engineering Dynamics is providing financial support together with members of the IStructE task group chaired by Colin Jackson. The Eurocode 2 manual costs £70 (£45 for IStructE members) and can be ordered online at the Institution’s website (click link below).

BSI publishes final part of geotechnical Eurocode

BSI has just published the second and final part of Eurocode 7, covering the ground investigation and testing requirements for geotechnical design. It partially replaces BS 5930, Code of practice for site investigations, and BS 1377-9 on in-situ soil tests.
Publication of the UK national annex for BS EN 1997-2 in March 2008 will complete the British launch of the world’s first geotechnical code to share a common philosophy with the design methodology for structures. The UK was represented on the CEN drafting committed for Part 2 by John Powell, chair of committee B526/3 and associate director of BRE’s centre for structural and geotechnical engineering.
Eurocode 7 Part 2 gives guidance for the planning and interpretation of geotechnical laboratory and field tests that are used for the support of geotechnical design of buildings and civil engineering works.
It is intended to be used in conjunction with Eurocode 7 Part 1 on general rules and covers planning of ground investigations, soil and rock sampling and groundwater measurements, field tests in soil and rock, and laboratory tests on soil and rock.
Supporting documents required by the code are

parts 1 and 2 of BS EN ISO 14688 on identification and classification of soil
part 1 of BS EN ISO 14689 on identification and classification of rock
part 1 of BS EN ISO 22475 on sampling methods and groundwater measurements
parts 1-6, 8, 9, 12 and 13 of BS EN ISO 22476 on field testing
parts 1-8 of BS 1377 on methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes.

BS EN 1997-2 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design – Part 2: Ground investigation and testing is available from British Standards Online for £214 or £107 for BSI members.

Eurocode 2 design resources updated

The Concrete Centre has updated two of its key concrete design tools as part of its ongoing programme to ease the transition from British Standards to Eurocode 2.
The tools, RC design spreadsheets and CALcrete, have been developed to free the designer and engineer from laborious tasks and so allow them to focus on choosing the best structural solution.
First released in 2000, the RC spreadsheets have proved popular at all levels. The nature of the spreadsheets allows individual cells to be examined and values traced. It also allows reference to the relevant clauses. Version 3 just released not only covers BS EN 1992-1-1 and its UK national annex but it also covers amendment 3 to BS 8110 Part 1:1997.
CALcrete is a comprehensive suite of 16 computer aided e-learning modules on concrete materials, design and construction. Although principally designed for students CALcrete also contains useful CPD material. It now includes two modules on Eurocode 2.
‘The updated RC spreadsheets are just part of a programme initiatives from The Concrete Centre to assist with Eurocode 2,’ says Charles Goodchild, principal structural engineer at The Concrete Centre. ‘Moving over to Eurocode design is going to be a huge commitment but when designers want to make the transition, we are here to help.’
For further information on courses, RC Spreadsheets V3, CALcrete, and other industry initiatives visit www.concretecentre.com.

ICE and IStructE launch new Eurocodes Expert website

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) officially launched the enhanced Eurocodes Expert website at eurocodes.co.uk on 2 April 2007. It aims to be the UK’s authoritative source of information on structural Eurocodes and is supported by an extensive range of content partners drawn from professional bodies, trade associations and government. In addition to ICE and IStructE, initial content partners include The Concrete Centre, Steel Construction Institute (SCI), Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), the Brick Development Association (BDA) and the British Masonry Society (BMS). The site replaces the initial Eurocodes Expert website ICE launched four years ago. It uses an innovative ‘traffic lights’ system to indicate the current UK status of each of the 58 Eurocodes parts and associated national annexes. The site provides easy access to comprehensive support resources provides by the content partners - including news, FAQs, publications, websites, events and courses. Design and content of the new website was overseen by a steering group drawn from the IStructE Standing Committee on the Implementation of the Structural Eurocodes, chaired by Professor David Nethercot OBE, and the ICE’s Eurocodes Expert Advisory Group, chaired by Professor Haig Gulvanessian CBE. According to Professor Nethercot, ‘The revised site should now be viewed as the first place to consult for all those seeking guidance on issues associated with the introduction of the structural Eurocodes.’ Professor Gulvanessian commented, ‘Eurocodes have been many years in their development and there is an urgent need for authoritative information for professionals to implement the codes in practice. The Eurocodes Expert website provides definitive timely and relevant information available from the desktop.’ Eurocodes Expert is aimed primarily at civil and structural design engineers but also intended to be useful for clients, manufacturers, building control officers, academics, trainers and students, both in the UK and wherever English versions of the codes are likely to be used or adopted. For further information please contact the Eurocodes Expert manager Oriana Marcolongo on +44 (0)20 7665 2427 or via the email link below.

European Commission launches Eurocodes website

The European Commission launched its Eurocodes information website in March 2007 at http://eurocodes.jrc.ec.europa.eu. The new site is managed by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy through an advisory committee including Eurocodes Expert advisory panel chairman, Haig Gulvanessian. The website’s objectives are to collect and disseminate information on the Eurocodes to facilitate their adoption, implementation and usage; increase awareness of the codes in EU countries and internationally; and foster further harmonization and development of the EN Eurocodes. In addition to basic descriptions of the parts and packages, the site includes comprehensive details of EU legislation and standardisation relating to Eurocodes; associated execution, product, test and ISO standards; and sections on further harmonisation, research and development. It also has databases of publications of selected publications in English, Dutch, French, German and Italian – including all Eurocodes Expert guides – plus details of selected Eurocodes Events in Europe and South Africa. Brief details are provided of some major structures designed with Eurocodes including the 343 m tall Millau Viaduct in France, the 624 m long Roccaprebalza Viaduct in Italy, the 25-storey S. Gabriel and S. Rafael Towers in Lisbon, Portugal; and the 231 m span Apollo Bridge over the Danube in Bratislava, Slovakia.

CEN publishes nine more Eurocode parts – only five more to go

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has made nine more Eurocode parts available, meaning 53 of the planned 58 parts have now been published. The remaining five parts should be completed by the end of April 2007.

On 28 February 2007 CEN published six more parts of Eurocode 3 for steel structures: part 1-6 for shells, part 1-12 for high-strength steels, part 4-1 for silos, part 4-2 for tanks, part 4-3 for pipelines and part 5 for piling.

At the same time CEN also published three parts of Eurocode 9 for aluminium structures: part 1-2 for fire design, part 1-4 for trapezoidal sheeting and part 1-5 for shells.

British Standard versions of the nine new parts should be published shortly, followed by national annexes later this year – though UK annexes are unlikely to be needed for silos, tanks and pipelines.

Of the five outstanding parts, Eurocode 3 part 1-7 for steel plates with out-of-plane loading and part 6 for crane-supporting structures should be available by the end of March 2007.

The second part of geotechnical code Eurocode 7, covering ground investigation and testing, is due to come out on 14 March and the final two parts of Eurocode 9 – part 1-1 general rules and part 1-3 fatigue – should be completed in April.

CIRIA publishes crack-control guide to complement Eurocode 2

CIRIA has just published a new guide on early-age thermal crack control in concrete that is expected to become standard non-contradictory complementary information for Eurocode 2.

Entitled ‘Early-age thermal crack control in concrete (C660)’, the guide was drafted by consultant Phil Bamforth for a CIRIA steering group which included Steve Denton, director of bridge and structural engineering at Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Denton is reported as saying in NCE, ‘The need to provide additional guidance on early-age thermal cracking to accompany Eurocodes has been know for some time. I expect [the guide] will become the industry standard, recognised as non-contradictory complementary information (NCCI) to accompany Eurocodes.’

One of the factors which prompted CIRIA to publish the guide was a perceived risk that Eurocode 2 could lead to designers specifying half the steel required to control cracks properly. ‘Observations of early-age cracking indicate that these reductions may lead to insufficiently robust designs,’ says Bamforth in NCE.

The guide is reported to provide a design process based on the combined requirements of parts 1-1 and 3 of Eurocode 2. It gives alternative values for some Eurocode design coefficients for early-age thermal cracking and explains the background to their development.

C660 is available directly from CIRIA, priced £80.

Trada launches Eurocode design competition for students

The UK’s Timber Research and Development Association (Trada) has launched its 2007 Eurocode design competition for engineering and architecture undergraduates. The winner will receive a £1,000 prize and the runner-up gets £500.

Entries must be designed in accordance with Eurocodes 0, 1 and 5 and show, ‘innovative and inspiring applications of timber within any type of structure.’ This can include restoration and conservation of existing buildings and structures, including bridges.

For students new to Eurocodes, Trada recommends them to its free online ‘Timber Design Knowledge’ software at http://research.ttlchiltern.co.uk/pif294, which has detailed Eurocode design information, guidance and case studies.

All entries – which can include final-year theses or design projects undertaken as part of coursework – should be accompanied by supporting design calculations, drawings and photographs. Deadline for submissions is 25 May 2007and the winners will be announced on 27 July 2007.

Winners of the 2006 competition were a team of architectural and engineering students from Bath University, who designed a new timber stand for Bath Rugby Club.

The awards are supported by wood.for good.

BSI makes buying Eurocodes easier

British Standards Institute has completed a major revamp of its Eurocodes web pages, making it much simpler to locate and buy BS versions of the codes and their national annexes.

The revamp is part of a major redesign of the whole BSI Global website. Users can go directly to the Eurocodes pages using the address www.bsi-global.com/eurocodes.

A new section entitled ‘Description of Eurocodes’ provides brief explanations of what each code and part contains as well as giving the ISBN, price and BSI member price for each part and national annex.

Previously users needed to log in to the BSI Online site to get ISBN and price information. Links are now being set up between the part pages of the Eurocodes Expert website and the new BSI description pages.

BSI has so far published UK versions of 42 of the 58 Eurocode parts. The remaining 16 parts are due to be published in February and March 2007 and all UK national annexes should be completed by September 2007.

EC to launch Eurocodes site in March 2007

The European Commission is planning to launch its new pan-European Eurocodes information site in early March 2007.

According to Artur Pinto of the EC Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Italy: ‘The site is now finalised but we are still waiting for the green light from the advisory committee and commission services in Brussels’.

Dr Pinto added, ‘I am convinced it will be made available to the public before 6 March, when the Eurocodes national correspondents will meet in Brussels’.

The JRC site is expected to carry a significant amount of useful information on the implementation and application of Eurocodes, both in the UK and elsewhere. All relevant support resources will be fully indexed on the Eurocodes Expert site.

BSI publishes steel bridges Eurocode

BSI has published a UK version of the much-anticipated bridge-design part of the new steel Eurocode along with UK versions of four further parts. Bridges can now be designed in accordance with Eurocodes in all the major construction materials – steel, concrete, steel and concrete composite, and timber.

BS EN 1993-1-11 Eurocode 3: ‘Design of steel structures – Part 2: Bridges’ was published on 30 November 2006 and the UK national annex is due in July 2007. Also published were Parts 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 and 1-11 of Eurocode 3, which cover cold-formed members and sheeting; stainless steels; plated structural elements and design of structures with tension components respectively.

BS versions of the remaining 10 parts of Eurocode 3 are due very shortly, along with the Part 2 of Eurocode 7: ‘Geotechnical design’ and all five parts of Eurocode 9 ‘Design of aluminium structures’.

National annexes for Parts 1-1, 1-2 and 2 of Eurocode 5 ‘Design of timber structures’ were published at the end of October.

UK honours Eurocodes Expert chairman

The Queen has rewarded Eurocodes Expert advisory group chairman Haig Gulvanessian with one of Britain’s highest honours for services to construction - in particular for his lead role in developing and implementing the Eurocodes.

The British government announced on 30 December 2006 that Professor Gulvanessian will been appointed an Ordinary Commander of the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2007. The only higher honour is a knighthood.

Professor Gulvanessian is former construction division director and now visiting consultant at BRE. He is also visiting professor at Imperial College in London and was chairman of the EN 1990 and EN 1991 drafting committees. He was appointed chairman of the UK government-backed Eurocodes Expert advisory group in April 2003.

In August 2004 Czech Technical University also awarded Professor Gulvanessian its gold medal for outstanding service in the field of structural engineering.

Free guide on connection design to Eurocodes 3 and 9

A free FAQ-style guide on designing connections in steel and aluminium structures to Eurocodes 3 and 9 has been posted on the internet.

The multilingual guide, which is availabe as pdf chapters or in an interactive Windows help format, is entitled 'Design of Structural Connections to Eurocode 3 Frequently Asked Questions' - though a chapter is included on designing aluminium connectins to Eurocode 9. In both cases the advice relates to 2003 draft versions of the codes.

The guides are available in English, Czech, Dutch, Greek, Portuguese, Romanian, Swedish, French and German.

They are the result of the three year Continuing Education in Structural Connections project funded by the EU Leonardo da Vinci programme, and was prepared by the European Convention of Constructional Steelwork (ECCS) Technical Committee TC10 Structural Connections.

Project participants included BRE from the UK.

IStructE sets up Eurocode teaching group

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has recently set up a new study group called ‘Teaching of Eurocodes in universities’ convened by Professor Ian Burgess, head of civil and structural engineering at Sheffield University. The group is open to all those teaching Eurocodes in universities and colleges, including non-members of IStructE.

Its main purposes will be to follow-up, and keep under review, the survey of progress and schedules for design teaching to Eurocodes in universities that was conducted last year by the IStructE Standing Committee on Implementation of Eurocodes.

The group also aims to share experiences, discuss issues, pass on successful practice, compile a list of available teaching resources, promote development and sharing of teaching resources, and assist BSI with revision of its ‘Student Guide to the Eurocodes’.

Anyone wishing to join the study group should email their contact details to Professor Burgess at ian.burgess@sheffield.ac.uk. The first meeting of the study group will be held on 14 December 2006 in Birmingham - contact Professor Burgess on 0114 2225060 / 2225758 for further details.

All 58 Eurocode parts now approved

The final two parts of the structural Eurocodes have now been approved and should be made available to EU national standards bodies within the next few weeks. The positive votes mean all 58 parts of the 10 codes are now completed, with no further obstacles in their way.

Within the past two weeks the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has received positive votes from EU member states on Parts 1-3 and 1-5 of Eurocode 9: ‘Design of aluminium structures’, relating to fatigue-susceptible structures such as bridges (pictured) and shell design respectively.

CEN will make definitive texts available within the next month or so, and BSI expects to publish BS EN versions in January 2007 and national annexes by the summer.

At the end of September 2006 BSI published the remaining two parts of Eurocode 1: ‘Actions on structures’ and the remaining part of Eurocode 8: ‘Design of structures for earthquake resistance’. Only Eurocode 3: ‘Design of steel structures’, Eurocode 7: ‘Geotechnical design’ and Eurocode 9 remain to be completed in BS form, with the 21 remaining parts now imminent.

The UK national annex for Eurocode 5: ‘Design of timber structures – Part 2: Bridges’ was published at the end of October 2006.

Eurocode 4 ideal for concrete-filled steel tube columns

Eurocode 4 is a very good and safe predictor of strength for all types of concrete-filled steel tube columns, according to research undertaken by the Association for International Cooperation and Research in Steel-Concrete Composite Structures. It is also reliable for concrete cylinder strengths above the code limit of 50 MPa, particularly in the design of circular section columns.

The research carried out by consultant Douglas Goode in Yorkshire involved comparing tests of 1,303 composite columns carried out by 50 researchers from around the world with the ultimate strengths predicted by Eurocode 4, using material and partial safety factors of unity (see website for results).

The average test / Eurocode 4 ratio for the 903 circular-section columns was 1.14 with a standard deviation of 0.174. Goode considers that Eurocode 4 could safely be used for circular columns containing concrete with a cylinder strength up to 100 MPa, double the code limit.

For the 400 rectangular section columns, the average test / Eurocode 4 ratio was even better at 1.07 with a standard deviation of 0.173.

However, Goode says Eurocode 4 should be used with caution when the concrete cylinder strength is greater than 75 MPa. The failure load in the majority of the 30 tests on short columns with concrete of this strength was less than that predicted by Eurocode 4, with a test / code ratio of 0.91.

Goode recommends using a 0.85 safety factor applied to the concrete cyclinder strength for rectangular columns with concrete stronger than 75 MPa.

IStructE launches Eurocode 2 concrete building design manual

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has published the first of its planned series of Eurocode structural design manuals. Entitled ‘Manual for the design of concrete building structures to Eurocode 2’, it has been produced in conjunction with the Concrete Centre and British Cement Association.

The 141 page, A5 manual supports the design of structures to BS EN 1992-1-1: 2004 and BS EN 1992-1-2: 2004 – the general and fire design parts of Eurocode 2 respectively – for construction in the UK. Nationally determined parameters from the UK national annexes for these parts have been incorporated in the published design formulae.

The range of structures and structural elements covered by the publication is limited to building structures that do not rely on bending in columns for their resistance to horizontal forces and are also non-sway. However, the Institution expects this to cover the majority of all reinforced concrete building structures in Britain.

Similar in layout to IStructE's earlier manuals on British Standards, the new manual covers the general principles that govern the design of the layout of the structure, initial sizing of members, estimating quantities of reinforcement and prestressing tendons, and final design of members (except for prestressed concrete members).

The manual costs £70 (£45 for IStructE members) and can be ordered online at the Institution’s website (click link below). Other manuals currently in preparation are on Eurocode 5 (timber) and Eurocode 6 (masonry).

ICE publishes Eurocode 4 design guide for composite bridges

The Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) publishing division Thomas Telford has launched a new guide on the structural design of steel-and-concrete-composite bridges to Eurocode 4. It is the seventh in the ICE’s series of definitive design guides written by leading engineers involved in drafting the codes.

‘Designers’ guide to EN 1994-2 Eurocode 4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures Part 2, General rules and rules for bridges’ was written by Chris Hendy, head of bridge design and technology at Atkins and a member of the BSI working group producing the BS EN 1994-2 national annex, and Roger Johnson, professor of civil engineering at Warwick University and a leading member of the EN 1994-2 drafting team.

The book provides guidance on the interpretation and use of EN 1994-2 in typical steel-and-concrete-composite bridge designs. With the help of worked examples and flowcharts it also explains the relationships with the other Eurocodes, in particular EN 1994-1-1 for composite buildings(on which a design guide has already been published), EN 1992 for concrete structures and EN 1993 for steel structures.

The 216-page A4 hardback publication costs £65 and can be ordered online via the Thomas Telford website (click on link below). A further seven titles are currently in preparation, including guides on traffic loading and design of steel bridges and concrete bridges.

UK seminar on using Eurocodes for highway structures

ICE and IStructE have teamed up with the UK’s Highways Agency (HA) to offer a free afternoon seminar on 13 November 2006 in London on using Eurocodes to design highway structures.

Chaired by HA board director Ginny Clarke, the seminar’s lead speaker is Sibdas Chakrabarti, who is currently managing revision of HA’s Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) to bring it into line with the new Eurocodes. The revised bridge-design directives in the manual will fulfil the role of ‘non-conflicting complementary information’ to the codes.

HA awarded framework contracts to Parsons Brinckerhoff and Atkins in 2003 to help with Eurocode implementation including updating the DMRB. Framework consultants have designed schemes both to UK and Eurocode requirements as part of a calibration exercise.

Steve Denton of Parsons Brinckerhoff and Chris Hendy of Atkins also speak at the seminar, discussing specific application of Eurocodes 0–4 and 7 to highway structures.

This will be followed by a case study of Copenhagen Metro by Keith Wilson of Faber Maunsell and an update on UK bridge-design software by Barry Skinner of Bestech Systems.

BSI launches virtual Eurocodes conference

British Standards Institution (BSI) has created a free interactive e-learning course to introduce the construction industry to the global benefits of using the structural Eurocodes. The course, which takes the form of an interactive international conference, can be found at www.bsi-global.com/eurocodes.

It encourages users to role-play a Eurocodes conference attended by delegates from all over the world. After a lecture from an expert on Eurocodes, there is a question-and-answer session where international delegates get to ask questions about how the Eurocodes will affect them in their countries. The idea is to enable users to find out what the international implications of the codes will be.

The whole programme takes approximately 60 minutes to complete and aims to provide users with key information about the Eurocodes and create an interest to look at them in greater detail.

The online learning package is a first for the BSI and was chosen as a creative way of informing people and encouraging them to get a better understanding of what the Eurocodes are and how they will be implemented.

According to BSI international development manager Mark Wasmuth, ‘We have used the e-learning package to make the benefits of using Eurocodes available to all interested parties, as education is vital for the successful implementation of these standards.’

Concrete Centre publishes new Eurocode 2 building manual

The UK’s Concrete Centre has published a new concise manual to help structural engineers make the transition from BS 8110 to Eurocode 2 for designing concrete buildings.

According to the Centre, ‘Concise Eurocode 2’ cuts through all the relevant parts of the Eurocodes and associated UK national annexes to give simple guidance on how to design building structures to Eurocode 2.

Written by Nary Narayanan and Charles Goodchild, the main thrust of the 107 page £45 guide is to put the requirements of parts 1-1 and 1-2 of Eurocode 2 into plain English and a logical order. Relevant parts of Eurocode 0 (basis), Eurocode 1 (actions) and Eurocode (7) are also explained and referenced.

The guide starts by explaining the basis of design, materials and analysis before dealing with the phenomena of bending and axial force, shear, punching shear, torsion and serviceability – as per the code. Detailing, tying and plain concrete are covered before giving an extensive section of design aids, including tables and charts for shear, deflection and column design. There is also an appendix explaining the design of simple foundations.

BS 8110 will be withdrawn in March 2008, two years earlier than the European Commission’s March 2010 deadline.

Trada supports Eurocode 5 with brief guide

UK timber research organisation Trada Technology has published a new low-cost guide to using the new European structural design code for timber structures.

Entitled ‘Eurocode 5 – an introduction’ the six-page £6 guide provides Sheet is a general introduction to BS EN 1995-1-1 Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures – Part 1-1: General – Common rules and rules for buildings. It also outlines the major differences between the new code and the existing British Standard BS 5268-2.

According to Trada, Eurocode 5 offers the potential for wider structural use of timber. By aligning the principles of structural timber design with those already used for concrete and steel, structural engineers not used to working with wood can now use familiar tools and methods including ultimate and serviceability limit states.

BSI published all three parts of Eurocode 5 at the end of 2004 and is expected to ratify national annexes shortly, enabling the code to be officially used as an alternative to BS 5268 until it withdrawal in 2010.

However, Trada suggests that economic factors and anticipated early adoption by public sector clients means structural designers will need to use Eurocode 5 sooner rather than later.

Eurocode 2 taking over from BS 8110 two years early

Eurocode 2 will become the British standard for designing concrete structures two years earlier than expected. BSI has just announced that it will no longer support BS 8110 ‘Structural use of concrete’ Parts 1, 2 and 3 from March 2008, a full 24 months before the European Commission’s March 2010 deadline for switching to Eurocodes.

The BSI committee dealing with implementation of Eurocode 2 in Britain – which includes representatives from ICE, IStructE and the UK’s £5 billion concrete industry – believes structural designers will be fully prepared to switch over to the new system by 2008.

The first three parts of BS EN 1992 have already been published by BSI and the remaining part is due to be made available by CEN this month. BSI has also published two of the UK national annexes and expects to publish the other two by December 2006.

Reacting to the announcement, Andrew Minson of The Concrete Centre said, ‘For many engineers this will be the signal to begin considering Eurocodes and how to introduce them. There will be distinct economic benefits to be derived from using the new codes. In concrete design it is expected that material costs savings of 5% compared to using BS 8110 will be possible.’

The Concrete Centre has set up a website at www.eurocode2.info providing comprehensive advice and assistance on the introduction, interpretation and implementation of Eurocode 2.

International steel Eurocode design website launched

The European steel industry launched its new multi-lingual Eurocode implementation website at www.access-steel.com in Brussels on 13 June 2006. 'Access Steel' aims give architects, engineers and clients a free, fast and easy route to using Eurocodes 3 and 4 for steel and steel-concrete composite buildings.

According to project manager Christine Roszykiewicz of the UK’s Steel Construction Institute (SCI), ‘Three clicks on Access Steel is the equivalent of soaking up ten practical seminars and demonstrates how simple it is to design to the Eurocodes using steel. No previous experience of steel design is required.’

The site provides harmonised, quality assured, Eurocode-compliant design guidance for residential, single-storey and multi-storey buildings. It includes 50 interlinked modules on detailed design of elements, free element-design software, fire-safety engineering guidance, full supporting information and interactive worked examples.

The technical content has been jointly produced in English, French, German and Spanish by SCI and CTICM in France, Labein in Spain, RWTH in Germany, Arcelor Profil in Luxembourg and SBI in Sweden.

Direct links are provided to relevant Eurocode clauses in English courtesy of BSI. However, other standards organisations are expected to follow suit shortly starting with AENOR in Spain. All European countries can add their own national annex and complementary information.

The site has been developed over the past two years with funding from the EU eContent Programme and seven leading European steel producers – Arcelor, Corus, Peiner Träger, Ruukki, Voest Alpine, SSAB and Dillinger Hütte GTS.

Eurocode training courses reach another new UK record

The number of forthcoming Eurocode training courses and events listed on the Eurocodes Expert website reached a record 26 this month. It is also set to be a record year, with 30 events having already taken place in 2006.

More than half the forthcoming events – 14 in total – are being run by ICE subsidiary Thomas Telford Training. Other major training providers this year include IStructE, the Concrete Centre and the Steel Construction Institute (SCI). Most are one-day events, with prices ranging from £220 to £280 – less discounts for members of the organising bodies.

By far the greatest proportion of future events relate to Eurocode 3 (steel). These consist of eight one-day courses on preparing for the code presented by Charles King of SCI and three one-day events by ICE on using the code to design steel structures.

In addition there are four events on Eurocode 2 (concrete), three each on Eurocodes 1 and 7 (actions and geotechnical), two each on Eurocodes 0 and 5 (basis and timber), and one on Eurocode 8 (seismic). As yet there are no events listed on Eurocodes 4, 6 and 9 (composite, masonry and aluminium).

All planned events are in the UK, with ten being held in and around London. Other venues are Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Darlington, Dublin, Manchester and Portsmouth.

Details of all events can be found in the events and courses database on the Eurocodes Expert website (click link below).

Eurocode training handbooks now available on-line

A series of five new Eurocode handbooks and associated software are now available for free download following completion of a three-year project funded by the European Commission to develop Eurocode training materials for engineers and students.

The five handbooks are entitled:

· Basis of structural design (Handbook 1)
· Reliability backgrounds (Handbook 2)
· Action effects for buildings (Handbook 3)
· Design of bridges (Handbook 4)
· Design of buildings for the fire situation (Handbook 5).

The first four handbooks are supplemented by two free software packages in Mathcad, Matlab, Mathematica and Excel formats. The illustrated handbooks range in length from 155 to 257 pages and include many practical examples.

Entitled ‘Development of skills facilitating implementation of structural Eurocodes’, the project was funded through the Commission’s Leonardo da Vinci vocational training programme. Project partners were drawn from seven European countries including BRE from the UK.

For further information please go to the Eurocodes Expert publications database, or use the web and email links below.

Two new Eurocode 5 timber design manuals are also now available for download from TRADA technology:

· How to calculate the design values of loads using Eurocodes (GD 2)
· How to calculate deformations in timber structures using Eurocodes (GD 5).

Both guides are £20 each and details are also in the Eurocodes Expert publications databse.

First Eurocode designs set to be in concrete

The UK concrete industry is encouraging structural designers to cut their Eurocode teeth on concrete structures rather than steel ones. Not only are the key Eurocode 2 parts, national annexes and comprehensive design guidance already available, the codes are said to be easier to use.

Andrew Minson, head of framed buildings at The Concrete Centre, says: ‘The concrete sector is leading the way now that the UK national annexes have been published. This means that, with the exception of bridges and water-retaining structures, you can now design structures using Eurocode 2.’

He says Eurocode 2 is relatively simple to digest and use as it consist of only four parts and associated national annexes, compared with 20 different parts for steel. BSI has now published three quarters of Eurocode 2 and half its national annexes, whereas only a quarter of Eurocode 3 and no national annexes have so far appeared.

To help designers make the transition from British Standards to Eurocodes with minimum loss of productivity, The Concrete Centre has set up a website at www.eurocode2.info providing comprehensive advice and assistance on the introduction, interpretation and implementation of Eurocode 2. It is also producing a series of free design guides and running a series of seminars and courses throughout the UK.

‘There is already a comprehensive range of resources to help designers and engineers familiarise themselves with the new concrete codes, says Minson. ‘Their availability plus that of the concrete national annexes begs the question, ‘why not design to the Eurocodes in concrete first?’

National annexes for steel codes get underway

Drafting UK national annexes for the steel Eurocodes is finally underway following resolution of a disagreement between BSI and the steel industry over content. A working group lead by the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BSCA) has now completed first drafts of three annexes for Eurocode 3 (steel) and two for Eurocode 4 (composite).

In addition to nationally determined parameters such as safety factors, it has been agreed the annexes will also include essential non-conflicting complimentary information. According to David Moore, BCSA director of engineering, ‘In certain cases the Eurocodes don’t give you all the information you need. We want to give engineers that information, so the national annexes will give references of where to get it.’

The annexes so far drafted by BSCA’s working group – which includes representatives from the Steel Construction Institute, Corus, fabricators and consultants – are for parts 1-1 (general) and 1-2 (fire) of Eurocodes 3 and 4 and part 1-8 (joints) of Eurocode 3. They will be sent to BSI for comment by September 2006 and are likely to be published in early 2007.

In addition, the Highways Agency has drafted UK national annexes for parts 1-9 (fatigue) and 1-10 (toughness) of Eurocode 3, copies of which are already with BSI for comment.

BSI has now published five of the 20 parts of Eurocode 3 and all three parts of Eurocode 4. The remaining 15 parts of Eurocode 3 are scheduled for publication between May and October 2006, with all national annexes due to appear by May 2007.

Global steel Eurocode design site set for June 2006 launch

The European steel industry previewed its new multi-lingual Eurocode implementation website to a major pan-European workshop in Prague on 3 March 2006. Called Access Steel, the new harmonised on-line design tool will be launched for free use on 13 June 2006.

The site has been developed over the past two years with funding from the EU eContent Programme and seven leading European steel producers - Arcelor, Corus, Peiner Träger, Ruukki, Voest Alpine, SSAB and Dillinger Hütte GTS. Formerly called the STEEL project, work continues to be managed by Christine Roszykiewicz at the UK’s Steel Construction Institute.

Access Steel will provide harmonised, quality assured, Eurocode-compliant design guidance for steel structures - including complete designs for residential, single-storey and multi-storey buildings.

There will be versions in English, French, German and Spanish as well as direct links to specific Eurocode clauses – initially in English via BSI but later in Spanish courtesy of AENOR.

More than 250 separate technical resources will be available, including 50 interlinked modules on detailed design of elements, step-by-step guidance, full supporting information and interactive worked examples. Individual countries will also be able to add their own complementary localised information.

Gerhard Sedlaceck, chairman of the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork’s technical management board, announced at the workshop that the special Eurocode task force set up by the EU Enterprise Directorate were keen to use Access Steel to facilitate adoption of Eurocodes – not only in Europe but also in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and possibly China.

BSI completes Eurocode 6 for masonry

BSI has just published UK versions of the remaining two parts for Eurocode 6, the new European structural design code for masonry. Only 26 of the 58 Eurocode parts now remain to be published as UK standards.

The final two parts of the four-part masonry code are:

* BS EN 1996-2: 2006 Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures – Part 2: Design considerations, selection of materials and execution of masonry

* BS EN 1996-3: 2006 Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures – Part 3: Simplified calculation methods for unreinforced masonry structures.

Both were published on 15 February 2006.

Parts 1-1 and 1-2 on general rules and fire design were published last year. The new 41-page part 2 costs £106 and the 94-page part 3 costs £140. BSI members receive a 50% discount.

Other Eurocodes for which UK versions of all parts are now available are:

* BS EN 1990 ‘Eurocode 0’: Basis of design for structural Eurocodes

* BS EN 1994 Eurocode 4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures

* BS EN 1995 Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures.

National annexes are imminent for Eurocode 5 and those for Eurocode 4 should be available by October 2006. The annex for Eurocode 0 was published in 2004 but an amended version (including annex A2 for bridges) is due out in June 2006.

‘No turning back’ on Eurocodes, says ICE

ICE deputy director general Hugh Feguson says there is ‘no turning back’ on Eurocodes, despite concerns expressed by some UK civil engineers about the costs and benefits of making the conversion from BS codes.

Writing in New Civil Engineer magazine he said, ‘ICE and IStructE are aware of the significant cost and time that members will need to incur in preparing for Eurocodes. But there is no turning back. By 2010 all the UK’s £40 bn public sector construction work will have to be Eurocode-designed – in some cases on work starting next year.’

Ferguson said Eurocodes will provide unprecedented opportunities to UK design engineers in both the European and world markets. ‘They are the most advanced structural design codes in the world and likely to become the de facto international standard, particularly the BS English language versions.’

David Nethercot, chair of the IStructE’s standing committee on Eurocodes implementation, said in the same issue of NCE, 'The structural engineering community has long been aware that the transition to Eurocodes represents a much bigger challenge than either metrication or the move to limit states.'

He said one of the ways to ensure a smooth transition was the creation of a single online focus for all Eurocodes information, and he confirmed IStructE was working with ICE and others to upgrade the Eurocodes Expert website to meet this need.

However, he also said it was noticeable that the provision of sufficient government resources was still outstanding.

Denmark plans to implement Eurocodes by 2008

Denmark plans to introduce Eurocodes up to two years ahead of most other European member states in order to give its design engineers an international competitive edge. Furthermore, most Danish Eurocodes are only published in English - the version likely to be used most widely.

According to the county’s new Eurocodes website, Eurocode.info, the National Agency for Enterprise and Construction has decided Denmark will implement the Eurocodes as early as 2008. Most other countries, including the UK, are working to a target deadline of March 2010 for the withdrawal of existing national standards.

Erling Trudso, project manager at the Danish Standards Association, is reported as saying: ‘The Danish building industry will have a competitive advantage when we transfer to the Eurocode platform before other countries.’

He also believes Danish design engineers will find the transfer to Eurocodes easier than their competitors. This is because existing Danish design codes have recently been revised to reflect the principles of the Eurocodes, he says.

UK national annexes to Eurocodes 1 and 2 published

BSI has just published the UK national annexes to four parts of Eurocodes 1 (actions) and 2 (concrete), meaning these codes are now fully ready for use in Britain.

Available now, the published national annexes and their corresponding Eurocode parts and prices are as follows.

* NA to BS EN 1991-1-1 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 1-1: General actions - Densities, self-weight, imposed loads for buildings. Price £32 (code price £120, combined price £136).

* NA to BS EN 1991-1-3 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 1-3: General actions - Snow loads.
Price £32 (code price £128, combined price £144).

* NA to BS EN 1992-1-1 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures - Part 1-1: General - Common rules for buildings and civil enigneering structures. Price £64 (code price £194, combined price £232).

* NA to BS EN 1992-1-2 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures - Part 1-2: General - Structural fire design. Price £32 (code price £140, combined price £154).

BSI subscribing members get a 50% discount on the above prices. The national annex for the 'head' Eurocode BS EN 1990 was published in December 2004, price £60.

Eurocodes: the case for ‘Eurospeak’

An eminent engineering professor has reminded UK construction professionals that much of the new and unfamiliar terminology in the Eurocodes should not be dismissed as ‘Eurospeak’ and converted to colloquial English.

In a letter to Eurocodes Expert advisory group chairman Haig Gulvanessian, Roger Johnson of Warwick University says: ‘While I support the need to avoid jargon, there are a few usages in the Eurocodes that should supersede current practice in the UK. They are more clearly defined, and are likely to be adopted in the many other countries that will eventually use the Eurocodes, or codes based on them.’

Johnson points out the following examples

* 'actions' - means more than just 'loads'
* 'action effects' or 'effects of actions' - more general than 'stress resultants'
* 'strength' - is a property of a material, and sometimes of a connector
* ‘resistance’ - is a property of a structural element or cross-section or joint in units that include the quasi-dimension 'force', relevant to equilibrium
* ‘capacity’ - does not include a dimension of force and is relevant to compatibility (such as rotation capacity and slip capacity).

‘In the early years of work on Eurocodes, we fought hard to achieve these clear usages,’ he says. 'I trust that Eurocodes Expert will support this trend, rather than convert to colloquial current practice.'

Stuart Alexander of WSP published a detailed guide on Eurocode 'Eurospeak’ in ‘The Structural Engineer’ in November 2005 – click on the web link below.

Eleven more Eurocodes move ahead

The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) has just published two more Eurocodes – the general code for masonry and the bridges seismic code – and is about to publish nine more that have been positively voted.

The newly published Eurocodes are

* EN 1996-1-1 ‘Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures – Part 1-1: General – Rules for reinforced and unreinforced masonry, including lateral loading’
* EN 1998-2 ‘Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance – Part 2: Bridges’

Only two further parts of Eurocode 6 and one further part of Eurocode 8 now remain to be published.

On 8 December significant progress was also made with the actions and steel codes (Eurocodes 1 and 3 respectively) with the following parts receiving positive votes

* Eurocode 1 – parts 1-7 (accidental actions) and 3 (cranes and machinery actions)
* Eurocode 3 – parts 1-3 (light gauge and sheeting), 1-4 (stainless steel), 1-5 (plates), 1-11 (tension structures), 2 (bridges), 3-1 (towers and masts) and 3-2 (chimneys).

All these parts will now go forward to publication. Only two more parts of Eurocode 1 and eight more parts of Eurocode 3 now remain to be positively voted and published.

UK road design manual updated for Eurocodes

The UK Highways Agency is currently updating its Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) to bring it into line with the new Eurocodes.

The revised bridge-design directives in the manual will then fulfil the role of ‘non-conflicting complementary information’ to supplement the Eurocodes.

The Agency’s strategy in revising the manual is as follows.

* Of the 58 Eurocode parts, concentrate on the 25 that relate to highway bridges.
* Examine the suite of approximately 50 DMRB parts for modification and withdrawal, where appropriate.
* Provide supplementary information in the DMRB supporting the content of the Eurocodes and national annexes.
* Provide guidance in the DMRB based on easily available information. The guidance contained in the DMRB will be non-conflicting complementary information.
* Take the opportunity to rationalise the DMRB, consolidating and withdrawing documents.
* Change the titles and format of the DMRB to meet the requirements of its new role complementing the Eurocodes.

Highways Agency awarded framework contracts to Parsons Brinckerhoff and Atkins in 2003 to help with Eurocode implementation including updating the DMRB. Framework consultants have also been asked to design schemes both to UK and Eurocode requirements as part of a calibration exercise.

Project manager is Sibdas Chakrabarti and progress is recorded on the Agency’s website (click link below.

Half of Eurocodes now published

The massive publishing programme for the 58 new European structural design codes – the most advanced structural codes in the world – has now reached the half-way mark.

The total number of Eurocodes made available by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) Technical Committee 250 reached 29 in November 2005.

A further five parts have passed formal vote and are under finalisation, nine more parts complete formal voting in December 2005 and the remaining 15 parts are very close to being technically finalised.

BSI has so far published 23 BS EN versions of the codes and by the end of 2005 these too will reach the half-way figure of 29.

However, the key to implementation of Eurocodes in the UK as elsewhere is publication of the national annexes.

BSI has already published the national annex for the ‘head code‘ BS EN 1990 and is due to publish eight more by the end of February 2006, including all those for the three-part timber code BS EN 1995. It hopes to publish virtually all national annexes by the end of 2006, well inside the statutory two-year time limit.

As such most UK building and civil engineering design work can - or must - use Eurocodes from 2007 onwards and the target deadline for withdrawing all existing UK national standards by March 2010 will be comfortably met.

IStructE sets up UK implementation committee

The UK Institution of Structural Engineers has set up a pan-industry standing committee on implementing Eurocodes in Britain. It is chaired by former IStructE president and head of civil engineering at Imperial College London, David Nethercot.

Creation of the committee was one of the key recommendations in the IStructE’s April 2004 report to Government entitled 'National Strategy for Implementation of the Structural Eurocodes: Design Guidance'.

The new committee’s terms of reference are to oversee, update and modify the implementation of the Eurocodes strategy proposed in the report.

The April 2004 report called on the Government to support the UK structural engineering design community during transition to the new codes in order to protect its current competitive advantage, both in the UK and overseas.

Nethercot also chaired the pan-industry committee that prepared the strategy report and Eurocodes Expert was represented on the committee by manager Rekha Thawrani. The training and information resources of Eurocodes Expert are referred to in the report along with a suggestion that this website could become the official on-line source for the Eurocode implementation programme.

The report was prepared at the request of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister between February and April 2004. It can be downloaded from the web link below.

Adopting Eurocodes in the larger Europe

A major workshop is taking place in Ispra in northern Italy on 7–9 November 2005 to assist the European Union's 14 new, accession and candidate countries progress their adoption of the new European structural design codes..

Eurocodes Expert chairman Haig Gulvanessian is one of main speakers on the first day of the workshop along with Horst Bossenmeyer, chairman of the main Eurocodes drafting committee CEN/TC250 and most of the other key players in the Eurocodes implementation programme.

The second and third days will involve 40-minute presentations from representatives of each of the 10 new member countries (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia), the two accession countries (Bulgaria and Romania) and the two candidate countries (Croatia and Turkey).

Issues being discussed include adoption of national standards implementing Eurocodes, associated problems and research and legislation needs, strategies for training and training materials, problems with developing nationally determined parameters, identification of research institutions with Eurocodes experience, and ways to achieve approved design guidelines.

The event has been jointly organised by the Joint Research Centre’s (JRC) European Laboratory for Structural Assessment and the EU Enterprise Directorate and is linked to JRC’s ‘Safeconstruction’ research project in support of standardisation in construction and construction products.

Austrian Eurocodes website launched

The Austrian Standards Institute ON has launched a website dedicated to implementation of German versions of the new European structural design codes in Austria at www.eurocode.at.

Eurocodes Expert chairman Haig Gulvanessian recently visited Vienna and said: ‘I am extremely impressed with everything that the Austrians are doing with implementation of the Eurocodes.’

The new Austrian Eurocodes site, which is in both German and English, mirrors the Eurocodes Expert website but focuses on news and information concerning implementation of German-language versions of the Eurocodes in Austria.

It also provides an overview of each individual Eurocode part and includes details of forthcoming German-language training events.

Eurocodes Expert roadshow seminars planned for November

Eurocodes Expert is planning a series of five half-day seminars in November 2005 on adopting the new European structural design codes in Britain.

Aimed at practising engineers in the building and civil engineering sectors, the low-cost, roadshow-style seminars in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester will concentrate on the day-to-day aspects of Eurocode design common to both disciplines.

Presented by a team of acknowledged Eurocodes experts, the events will include an overview of Eurocodes followed by more detailed reviews of the concrete, steel and geotechnical codes and the consequences for UK design practice.

Delegate fees for each event are £75 + VAT and members of ICE, BCSA, BGA and BSI are entitled to a 10% discount. The events are also supported by The Concrete Centre, Highways Agency and British Standards Institute.

For further details please see the events and courses pages (website link below).

Five Eurocode 2 training events planned for October

A total of five training events on Eurocode 2, the new European design code for concrete structures, are planned in the UK next month. Details of all courses are listed on the Eurocodes Expert events and courses pages.

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) is running three one-day introductory courses to Eurocode 2. They are in Manchester on 4 October, in Birmingham on 13 October and in Bristol on 19 October.

Professor R S Narayanan and R T Whittle, both of whom were involved with drafting the code, will present the courses. Each event costs £220 + VAT to attend.

There are also two free evening events being run jointly by IStructE, the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Concrete Society. A 1.5 hour introduction to Eurocode 2 is being held at Reading on 13 October and an meeting entitled: ‘Eurocodes 2 – almost everything you want to know’ is being held in Cardiff on 18 October.

UK earthquake Eurocode for towers imminent

BSI is about to publish a third UK part of the new European earthquake design code. It will cover the seismic design of towers, masts and chimneys.

BS EN 1998-6 will join the British versions of the general and foundations parts – 1 and 5 respectively – of ‘Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance’, which BSI released in April 2005.

UK versions of the bridges and retrofitting parts – 2 and 3 – are scheduled to appear in December 2005 and the remaining part 4 on silos, tanks and pipelines is due to come out in July 2006.

A national annexe should be avaiable shortly afterwards, completing the UK version of what looks set to become the world's de-facto earthquake code. Part 1 costs £194 and parts 5 and 6 cost £120 each.

Authoritative guides on concrete and seismic Eurocodes

Eurocodes Expert is about to publish two authoritative designers’ guides on the new European concrete and earthquake structural design codes. Both are written by the chairmen of the relevant CEN drafting committees.

‘Designers' guide to EN 1992-1-1 Eurocode 2 Design for concrete structures’ is written by Nary Narayanan, chairman of the Eurocode 2 subcommittee and consultant with Clark Smith Partnership. His co-author is Andrew Beeby, professor of structural design at Leeds University.

‘Designers' guide to EN 1998-1 & 1998-5 Eurocode 8 Design provisions for earthquake resistant structures’ is written by Michael Fardis, chairman of the Eurocode 8 subcommittee and professor of concrete structures at Patras University in Greece. His co-authors are Dr Eduardo Carvalho, Professor Amr Alnashai, Professor Ezio Faccioli, Professor Paolo Pinto and Professor Andre Plumier.

The 256-page concrete design guide will cost £65 and the 336-page seismic guide will cost £75. Both guides should be available in September 2005. Further details are in the publications database on this website (click link below).

Eurocode training courses reach new UK record

With nearly half the European structural design codes now published the number of Eurocode training courses in the UK has increased significantly.

Forthcoming institutional training events and courses listed on the Eurocodes Expert website reached a record 21 this month.

Over half the courses – eleven in total – relate to the concrete structures code Eurocode 2. These include two free evening seminars run jointly by ICE, IStructE and the Concrete Society in Bristol on 22 September and in Reading on 13 October.

ICE, IStructE are the Concrete Centre are currently the leading institutional providers of Eurocode training courses in the UK. The CIOB and Concrete Society are also running events.

ICE’s one and two-day courses are run by its subsidiary Thomas Telford Training. They are on EN 1990, EN 1991 and EN 1997 – the codes on basis of structural design, actions on structures and geotechnical design respectively, the key parts of which are now published by BSI.

Other codes covered by forthcoming courses are Eurocode 2 on steel (one event), Eurocode 5 on timber (two events) and Eurocode 6 on masonry (one event).

Details of all events can be found under the ‘Events and Courses’ page on this website (click link below).

BSI publishes first masonry Eurocode

CEN and BSI have just published the first masonry part of the new European structural design codes. Twenty-two of the planned 56 Eurocode parts are now available as British Standards.

The latest part is BS EN 1996-1-2 'Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures – General rules – Structural fire design'. The price is £140.

BSI has scheduled part 1-1, 'Common rules for reinforced and unreinforced masonry structures', for publication next month (August 2005).

Part 2, 'Design considerations, selection of materials and execution of masonry', and part 3, 'Simplified calculation methods for unreinforced masonry structures', are due to be published in January 2006.

As soon as the UK national annex is published, likely to be by the end of 2006, Eurocode 6 will be complete and ready to replace 5628-3:2001. The European Commission has set the latest date for withdrawal of existing national standards as March 2010.

Malaysia and Vietnam to adopt Eurocodes

The Governments of Malaysia and Vietnam have announced they will base their future national structural design standards on the new Eurocodes, in consultation with British Standards Institution (BSI).

The announcements follow recent high-level Eurocode seminars in the two countries run by BSI in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and UK Trade and Investment.

Other promotional seminars have been held recently in Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai and feedback has been ‘encouraging’, according to BSI. Further opportunities in India and the Middle East are now being explored.

BSI director Mike Low says: ‘In emerging markets, countries are often implementing standards from a variety of international sources and having difficulty interpreting them. Education and training are vital for the successful implementation of standards and that’s where BSI is taking a lead role.’

Stimulating adoption of Eurocodes in non-European markets should benefit British manufacturers and suppliers of construction-related products, systems and services, according to BSI.

‘We are providing a channel for UK businesses to reach new markets and a platform on which to build their international relationships,’ says Low.

Eurocode 2 online design guides launched

The UK Concrete Industry Eurocode 2 Group (CIEG) has published a series of free online guides to designing concrete structures with Eurocode 2. They are available from CIEG’s new Eurocode website hosted by The Concrete Centre at www.eurocode2.info.

The eight guides cover an introduction to Eurocode 2, getting started, beams, slabs, columns and walls, foundations, flat slabs and deflections. However, some guides are still in draft form being based on provisional information.

They were produced as part of the ‘Eurocode 2: transition from UK to European concrete design standards’ project, which was part-funded by the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the Partners in Innovation scheme.

Lead partner was the British Cement Association and the work was carried out under the guidance of CIEG, which also includes Building Research Establishment, The Concrete Centre, Construct, The Concrete Society, Arup, Clark Smith Partnership, Alan Baxter and Associates, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Quarry Products Association, British Precast, DTI and Concrete Innovation and Design.

In addition to the new design guides, the new website also includes a guide on practical use of Eurocode 2 by Webster, a comparison with BS8110 by Moss and Webster and a series of design flowcharts.

All titles are included in the Eurocodes Expert publications database.

BSI publishes first steel Eurocodes

In the past two months CEN and BSI have published eight more parts of the new European structural design codes, including the first five parts of Eurocode 3 for steelwork. Twenty-one of the planned 56 Eurocode parts are now available as British Standards.

The latest BS versions include parts 1-1, 1-2, 1-8, 1-9 and 1-10 of steelwork code EN 1993. Respectively these cover general rules and rules for buildings, structural fire design, design of joints, fatigue strength of steel structures and fracture toughness and through-thickness properties.

Also published in BS form are part 1-4 of Eurocode 1 covering wind actions and parts 1 and 5 of earthquake resistance code EN1998. UK prices range from £64 to £194.

According to Eurocodes Expert chairman Haig Gulvanessian: ‘The principal parts on basis of design and loading are now published as are the main parts relating to buildings. Bridges are lagging behind. However, I estimate most Eurocodes will be published by the end of this year and the national annexes by the end of 2006.’

The European Commission has set the latest date for withdrawal of existing national standards as March 2010 but Gulvanessian expects this will be ‘earlier in many cases’.

UK national annexes for Eurocodes at risk

Britain could end up losing its ability to adapt the new European structural design codes to suit national conditions due to lack of Government funding, according to the Institution of Civil Engineers’ structures and buildings board.

The board claims in 'New Civil Engineer' magazine this week that UK standards organisation BSI has insufficient funds to carry out proper development of national annexes for the 56 parts of the Eurocodes, over a third of which are now published as British Standards.

A number of BSI committees have become dormant and knowledgeable people who have retired are not being replaced, says the board.

Board member John Lane fears that if BSI’s input into structural design development is reduced even more, there could be pressure to abandon nationally determined parameters altogether.

The board has joined forces with BSI to conduct a survey of staff and committee members to rate the service they believe they can provide and to assess how easy it is for them to attend meetings to discuss development of standards. The results will be published at the end of June.

Record number of Eurocode courses in May 2005

A total of eight training events on the new structural Eurocodes are planned in the UK in May 2005. Details of all events are available on the Events & Courses page of the Eurocodes Expert website.

The courses cover EN1990, EN1991, EN1992, EN1993, EN1995 and EN1997. All are being run by professional institutions and trade associations including IStructE, ICE, Trada and the Steel Construction Institute.

They include two introductory events to the general codes EN1990: Basis of structural design and EN1991 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures by ICE subsidiary Thomas Telford. The one-day events, which are on the 17 and 18 May respectively, are both in Altrincham and cost £235 each.

Most steel Eurocodes expected to be ready in 2005

UK steelwork contractors’ organisation, the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BSCA), has just published a detailed timetable for the anticipated introduction of the loading and steelwork Eurocodes EN1990, EN1991 and EN1992.

Apart from parts 1-7 and 1-12 of Eurocode 3, which relate to transversely loaded plated structures and high-grade steel structures respectively, BSCA anticipates all other 27 parts of the three codes required for steelwork design will be published by the end of 2005.

UK annexes will follow and BSCA expects all conflicting existing national codes to be withdrawn by March 2010, which is in less than five years’ time. BSCA has also published a full list of conflicting national codes for each part of EN1990, EN1991 and EN1992.

SCI to train academics in Eurocodes

The UK Steel Construction Institute (SCI) is to provide free training to university lecturers and tutors on how to teach the new Eurocodes to civil and structural engineering undergraduates. A student handbook of worked examples will also be prepared.

The initiative, entitled ‘Training the Trainers’, will involve a series of two-day, in-depth technical sessions for university staff at which they will also be provided with teaching resources they can use in their lectures. Training sessions are due to start towards the end of 2005.

In return, academics will be asked to specify and produce a series of simple worked examples of designing with Eurocodes. The SCI will then combine and publish these as a single student resource during 2006, reminiscent of the old Higgins and Hollington book 'Designed and detailed'

According to SCI deputy director David Brown: ‘For those entering the profession as graduates, design to the Eurocodes will be the norm and employers will want their new recruits to understand the latest approaches. Universities are therefore starting to change the content of their courses - this SCI initiative will help to facilitate the change.’

Eurocodes Expert advisory group holds third meeting

The Eurocodes Expert advisory group held its third meeting in London on 9 February 2005. Chaired by Haig Gulvanessian, director of BRE's construction division and chairman of the first two Eurocode committees, the 16-strong group consists of representatives from all parts of the construction industry.

The group discussed progress with publication of the Eurocodes, confirming that 24 of the 58 parts had now been approved by CEN members. It was expected that all codes would be approved and published by mid 2005 apart from perhaps one or two parts of the aluminium code, EN1999.

The chairman said the UK was the only member state carrying out extensive calibrations of codes before publishing national annexes. France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland are all likely to use recommended values for their nationally determined parameters.

He also reported that BRE was producing a series of high-level guides for the UK Government on the principal differences between BSI codes and Eurocodes. These would be available for free download on the Government's ODPM website. The suite of 15 designers’ guides being published by Thomas Telford would also be completed by the end of 2005.

Other areas discussed included the next issue of Eurocodes News, dates and topics for forthcoming roadshows and conferences, the cost and availability of Eurocodes, funding for a help-desk and the need for an authoritative timeline.

The advisory group's next meeting is scheduled for May 2005.

Eurocode training courses reach record numbers

The increasingly imminent arrival of the European structural design codes has led to a surge in Eurocode training. Forthcoming institutional training events and courses listed on the Eurocodes Expert website reached a record 14 this month.

ICE and IStructE are the leading institutional providers in the UK, with six events each between March and November 2005. Trada and the Concrete Society are also running events.

Most are one-day seminars costing around £250, though various discounts are available to members of the organising institutions. Two of the IStructE branch events are free.

ICE events, which are run by its subsidiary Thomas Telford Training, are on EN 1990 and EN 1991 - the codes on basis of structural design and actions on structures - most parts of which are now published by BSI.

The IStructE and other events variously cover the concrete, timber, geotechnical and seismic codes – respectively EN1992, EN1995, EN1997 and EN1998. Details of all events can be found under the ‘Events and Courses’ page on this website (click link below).

Steel industry victory on UK annex for Eurocode 3

The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) is claiming victory in a dispute over the UK’s national annex for Eurocode 3, the new European design code for steel structures - soon to be issued in the UK as BS EN 1993.

According to an article in last month’s issue of 'New Steel Construction' magazine, civil servants and the BSI wanted to ‘neutralise’ the potential 6–8% cost savings offered by Eurocode 3 over the current BS5950 code. They would have done this by increasing the recommended material safety factor from 1.00 to 1.05 or 1.10 in the UK’s national annex for the code, currently being drafted by BSCA.

The move would have eliminated the economy offered by the fact that Eurocode 3 factors for dead and live loads are lower, at 1.35 and 1.5 respectively, than the values in BS5950 of 1.4 and 1.6.

SCI director Dr Graham Owens (pictured) is reported as saying, ‘after all the efforts the industry had put in to developing the new codes, there would have been no benefit'. It was only when he raised the matter directly with construction minister Nigel Griffiths that progress towards keeping the parameter at unity started.

Guidelines for developing UK national annexes now say that recommended Eurocode values for nationally determined parameters should be adopted where the difference with UK codes is less than 10%. If over 10%, they should also be adopted if supported by research data or evidence of successful overseas practice.

BSI publishes concrete and timber Eurocodes

BSI has published British versions of the first part of the new European design code for concrete structures and a complete set of new codes for timber structures. Eleven of the planned 56 Eurocode parts are now available in the UK.

The latest publications include BS EN 1992-1-1:2004 ‘Eurocode 2. Design of concrete structures. General rules and rules for buildings’, which costs £182. When the national annex for this part is published next year, it can be used with BS EN 1990:2002 'Eurocode. Basis of structural design' and various UK parts of 'Eurocode 1. Actions on structures' to undertake Eurocode-compliant designs of a wide range of concrete structures.

Also now published are all three UK parts of 'Eurocode 5. Design of timber structures'. These are part 1-1 'Common rules and rules for buildings' (£152), part 1-2 'Structural fire design' (£134) and part 2 'Bridges' (£86). Again, following publication of national annexes, these can be used for designing any timber structure.

All codes can be ordered from BSI via the web address below and BSI members are entitled to a 50% discount.

Trada develops rapid design software for Eurocodes

The technology division of the UK Timber Research and Development Association (Trada) is developing free design pre-processor software for use with all the structural Eurocodes.

According to Trada, Eurocode formulae for calculating design values of loads can be very time-consuming as every possible combination of imposed loads has to be considered in turn and the effects of all combinations must be examined separately for each strength and stiffness property. For timber this must be repeated for each load duration.

Trada claims its research proves that the number of necessary checks can be reduced. The new software, a trial alpha version of which can be downloaded from the web page below, offers designers in all materials a rapid but generally conservative solution for initial estimating or a slightly less rapid but precise solution to optimise the design. A rapid design can also be upgraded into a precise one.

The pre-processor software is designed to incorporate inputs from existing wind and snow loading and structural analysis software and outputs can be fed into standard calculation engines to determine appropriate member sizes.

The Department of Trade and Industry and Trada are providing financial support for the project. For further information, please contact Arnold Page, Rémi Thépaut or Christopher Mettem at Trada Technology on 01494 569600 or via the email link below.

Free web-based self-learning courses on Eurocodes 3 and 4

A series of free self-learning courses on different parts of Eurocodes 3 and 4, the new European design codes for steel and steel-concrete composite structures, have been made available on the internet.

The online courses, which have been developed by a European research group led by Sheffield University through a project called NFATEC (‘a new, flexible approach to training for engineers in construction), cover nine topics:

* tension members
* background to structural fire engineering
* fire engineering design of composite structures
* EC3 design of steel structures for fire
* restrained beams
* unrestrained beams
* columns
* general aspects of structural joints
* simple joints.

Each course includes a series of self-tests for engineers to check their understanding.

The courses were developed with part funding from the EU’s Leonardo Da Vinci programme and have been successfully trialled in several European countries over the past three years.

According to Sue Armstrong at Sheffield: 'Feedback from the largest trial in July and August 2004 was very positive on style and quality, with many volunteers wanting to see more topics developed in the same format.'

A sister project called SSEDTA (‘structural steelwork Eurocodes – development of a trans-national approach') has developed an associated series of lectures and Powerpoint presentations aimed mainly at teachers and trainers. These area available at www.ssedta.com.

The researchers are now seeking further funding to develop worked examples.

Steel and geotechnical Eurocode designers’ guides published

Eurocodes Expert has published designers’ guides to the general parts of the new European structural steel and geotechnical engineering design codes. The move follows publication of two earlier guides on EN1990 and EN1994-1-1.

‘Designers’ Guide to EN 1993-1-1’ by L Gardner and D Nethercot is the most comprehensive and up-to-date guidance currently available on ‘Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures’.

Much of the content is devoted to Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings, supplemented by material on loading, joints and cold-formed design. Background to structural behaviour, explanation of codified treatment – including departure from BS5950 – and numerous worked examples are provided for each aspect.

‘Designers Guide to EN 1997-1’ introduces the general rules of ‘Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design’, the world’s first geotechnical code to share a common philosophy with the design methodology for structures.

Written by R Frank, C Bauduin, R Driscoll, M Kavvadas, N Krebs Ovesen, T Orr and B Schuppener, the new guide describes and explains the unique features of ground engineering that require special attention to ensure safety and adequate performance.

Both books cost £50 and can be ordered via the email and web links below.

British undergraduates get free Eurocode 3 learning software

The UK’s Steel Construction Institute (SCI) has supplied over 3000 free copies of a computer-aided learning package to civil and structural engineering undergraduates at British universities this term to help them prepare for introduction of the new European structural steel design code.

The SteelCAL DVD consists of nine interactive, self-learning modules up to one hour long. Each module introduces the principles and nomenclature of EN1993: ‘Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures’ for various aspects of steel design and all worked examples are in accordance with EN1990, EN1991 and EN1993.

The package was developed over five years under the guidance of academics from eight European countries, including staff from Sheffield, City, Portsmouth, Cardiff and Nottingham universities. Development costs of around €1.5 million were shared by the European Commission, SCI, Corus and Arcelor.

One of the initial objectives of the project was to explore the use of DVD formats for media-rich computer-aided learning in structural engineering. However, with increasingly high bandwidth of internet connections, SCI is now developing a web-based versions of each module with support from Corus, UK steel fabricators and design software houses.

Eurocodes Expert chairman leads major Eurocodes seminar

Haig Gulvanessian, chairman of the Eurocodes Expert advisory panel, is giving the keynote presentation at a major Eurocodes seminar planned at the RIBA in London on 27 January entitled ‘Preparing for and implementing the structural Eurocodes’

Professor Gulvanessian, who is also construction division director of BRE, visiting professor at Imperial College in London and chairman of the EN1990 and EN1991 drafting committees, will start the one-day event by introducing the first two Eurocodes and discussing implementation issues.

David MacKenzie of Flint & Neill will then talk about how businesses should devise and cost their individual Eurocode implementation strategies.

The material-specific codes and their application on bridge and tunnelling projects will be reviewed by Charles Goodchild of The Concrete Centre, Charles King of the Steel Construction Institute, Ron Ko of the Highways Agency, Julian Marcroft of Timbersolve, Barry Haseltine of Jenkins & Potter, Mikael Braestrup of Ramboll and Brian Simpson of Arup Geotechnics.

Organised by ‘New Civil Engineer’ magazine, the event costs £405.38 or £346.63 for ICE members. Further details are on the seminar website.

Over 200 attend Eurocode debate at Imperial College

Over 200 people attended a meeting at Imperial College, London on 14 September 2004 to debate the IStructE’s report to the UK Government on a national strategy for implementing the new structural Eurocodes.

It was the first opportunity to debate the report since it was completed in April 2004 as the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) had imposed an embargo on publication until July 2004.

Geoff Harding of ODPM nevertheless praised the IStructE for the quality of the report and for its delivery to a very tight budget and a timetable restricted to only three months.

The views among delegates ranged from those who felt there were advantages in using the Eurocodes as a means of obtaining work within the EU and globally to those, particularly in small- to medium-sized practices, who view them as costly and to be avoided for as long as possible.

The IStructE report suggested it could cost as much as £250,000 for smaller firms of up to 16 staff to prepare for the Eurocodes, much of this resulting from training needs.

A full report of the meeting is published in today's 'Structural Engineer' magazine and is available on the web link below.

Completion in sight for building and bridge Eurocodes

Completion of the European structural design codes for buildings and bridges moved closer this month with unanimous approval of the bridge design safety factors annex and technical completion of the accidental actions code.

EN1990: Eurocode – Basis of Structural Design – Annex 2: bridges received a positive vote from all 27 European states on 13 September. The annex, which will become an integral part of EN1990, provides the all-important safety factors for bridge design and is fundamental to using the bridge parts of the other Eurocodes. It is similar to Annex 1 on buildings, which is already included in EN1990.

At its meeting in Brussels this month, the CEN/TC250/SC1 committee also agreed that EN 1991-1-7 Eurocode 1 – Actions on structures – General actions – Accidental actions could proceed for voting, a process which should be completed within six months.

Part 1-7 completes technical drafting of all the Eurocode general buildings and bridges design packages. It is of particular interest to governments and regulatory authorities as it covers accidental actions such as impacts from road vehicles, trains, ships and helicopters as well internal explosions to gas and dust.

UK input on Part 1:7 has been significant with Eurocodes Expert advisory group chairman Haig Gulvanessian chairing the drafting committee, Geoff Harding of ODMP convening the project team and Ro Ko of the Highways Agency and rail safety experts Peter Wigley and John Lane making major contributions.

Plans to harmonise national parameters announced

Horst Bossenmayer, president of the Deutches Institut für Bautechnik and chairman of CEN/TC250 – the drafting committee for the new European structural design codes – revealed plans yesterday to limit the ability of European countries to tailor the codes to their individual needs.

In a report on progress of the Eurocodes to the 60th Standing Committee on Construction on 1 September 2004 (see web link), Bossenmayer said however that efforts to harmonise the so-called nationally determined parameters contained in each country’s national annexes to the new standards would not start until ‘after some years of experience on design of construction works with Eurocodes.’

CEN/TC250, in conjunction with the Eurocode national correspondents group and possibly the European Laboratory for Structural Assessment, would begin by collecting all national annexes for each Eurocode part and prepare a database of nationally determined parameters. Sets of parameters would then be used to calculate the mechanical resistance and stability of given construction works and products to see what effect the differences between parameters have in practice.

When the impact of certain parameters is not significant, the European Commission and the national correspondents group will encourage pan-European use of the same values. However, if the impact of others is significant, countries will need to justify the need for continuing differences.

‘The aim will be to reduce the number of nationally determined parameters in order to increase the level of harmonisation of the calculation rules,’ said Bossenmayer.

BSI publishes students’ guide to Eurocodes

British Standards (BSI) has published a guide to introduce all students of civil engineering, structural engineering and structural design to the new structural Eurocodes.

The 584-page book, which has been overseen by Professors Norman Bright and John Roberts of Kingston University, devotes a chapter to each of the 10 Eurocodes. Each chapter contains key extracts from the relevant code (except fire design) and is interspersed with explanatory comments and illustrations.

The guide is primarily aimed at lecturers and undergraduates at English-speaking universities in the UK and worldwide. It is designed to be a stand-alone publication, though users are expected to have access to the full text of each published Eurocode part via their university libraries.

Contributors include Eurocodes Expert advisory group chairman Haig Gulvanessian along with Anthony Threlfall, Mike Gardner, Buick Davidson, Chris Mettem, Andrew Bond, Andrew Harris, Costas Georgopoulos and Anton Fried.

Entitled 'Structural Eurcodes: Guide to the Structural Eurocodes for students of structural design', the book costs £60 and is available directly from BSI (email and weblink below). The ISBN is 0 580 43575 X.

Czechs give gold medal to Eurocodes Expert chairman

Czech Technical University has awarded Eurocodes Expert advisory group chairman Haig Gulvanessian with its prestigious gold medal award for his services in the field of structural engineering, particularly his contribution to the Eurocodes.

Professor Gulvanessian is construction division director of BRE, visiting professor at Imperial College in London and chairman of the EN1990 and EN1991 drafting committees. He was appointed chairman of the UK government-backed Eurocodes Expert advisory group in April 2003.

Previous recipients of the gold award include former US president George Bush senior. Professor Gulvanessian was presented with his award at a degree ceremony in Prague at the end of July.

Timber bridge and masonry codes get positive votes

European states have given positive votes to a new international timber bridge design code and the first part of a new code for designing masonry structures. The votes mean that 22 of the 56 parts of the new structural Eurocodes are either published or approved for publication.

The 100% approval of EN 1995-2: Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures - Part 2: Bridges effectively gives Britain its first ever timber bridge design code. The vote also completes the approval process for all of Eurocode 5 following approval in April of general parts 1-1 and 1-2.

EN 1996-1-1: Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures - Part 1-1: Common rules for reinforced and unreinforced masonry structures had a weighted-percentage approval of 86.31% due to negative votes from Germany and Sweden -but comfortably over the minimum ratification level of 71%. The remaining three parts of Eurocode 6 should be approved by February 2005.

Click on the web link below for the latest official status of the Eurocodes.

IStructE publishes Eurocode implementation report

The Institution of Structural Engineers has published its recent report to the UK Government on recommendations for a national strategy for implementing Eurocodes in the UK.

The report calls on the Government to support the UK structural engineering design community during transition to the new codes in order to protect its current competitive advantage, both in the UK and overseas. Britain currently exports £1.5 billion of structural design services each year.

Specific recommendations include

· 100% state funding for guidance material on EN1990 and EN1991
· 50% state funding for guidance material on all other Eurocodes
· a clear and up-to-date transition timetable to be made available on-line
· establishment of a national technical help desk.

IStructE president David Nethercot chaired the pan-industry committee that prepared the report and Eurocodes Expert was represented on the committee by manager Rekha Thawrani.

The training and information resources of Eurocodes Expert were referred to extensively in the report along with a specific recommendation that this website could become the official on-line source for the Eurocode implementation programme.

The report was prepared at the request of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister between 1 February and 30 April 2004 and was published on 19 July 2004. A full copy is available in pdf format at the web link below.

Free steel Eurocodes workshop in Belgium on 5 July

A major free workshop on using the new structural steel Eurocodes is taking place in Brussels on 5 and 6 July. It is part of a British-led, €4 million EU-funded project to develop pan-European internet guidance for Eurocodes 3 and 4.

The first day includes presentations in both English and French by leading European engineers on steel and steel-concrete composite structures designed using Eurocodes. They include the new high-speed rail station in Florence, the Red Bull headquarters in Salzburg and the British Museum and Tower Place in London.

During day 2, delegates will break up into small groups to discuss likely needs of Eurocode users throughout Europe and to test various ideas for developing on-line guidance. There are currently 91 delegates signed up to attend from 21 countries.

Organiser Christine Roszykiewicz of lead project partner Steel Construction Institute (SCI) says she is both surprised and pleased at the industry’s response. ‘We were aiming for around 50 delegates so getting over 90 is excellent. Any further delegates will also be very welcome.’

The Steel project, which stands for a ‘supra-national tool for enhancement of the Eurocodes on-line’, aims to improve existing technical guidance for Eurocodes 3 and 4 and present this on the web in a way which will be user-friendly across the entire European steel construction community. SCI estimates the enlarged EU now includes 150 000 structural engineers speaking 20 languages.

New guide to Eurocode design of composite structures

Eurocodes Expert has just published a new guide for designing composite steel and concrete structures in accordance with EN1994-1-1 Eurocode 4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures – Part 1-1: General – common rules.

Written by Roger Johnson and David Anderson, the 248-page £50 book aims to provide users with guidance on interpretation and use of Part 1-1 of the code together with flow charts and worked examples.

It also explains the relationship with other Eurocode parts and relevant British codes and provides background information and references to enable users to understand the origin and objectives of Eurocode 4.

The guide is intended to be used in conjunction with ‘Designers Guide to EN1990 Eurocode: Basis of Structural Design’ by Haig Gulvanessian, Jean-Armand Calgaro and Milan Holický, which was published by Eurocodes Expert in 2002.

Volunteers sought for web-based Eurocode training

A European research group led by Sheffield University is looking for design engineers to try out a series of new web-based, self-learning courses on the two main structural steel Eurocodes. The free trial period is from 21 June to 31 July 2004.

SSEDTA (Structural Steelwork Eurocodes - Development of a Trans-National Approach) is a research project part-funded by the EU’s Leonardo Da Vinci programme to foster a common interpretation of Eurocodes 3 and 4 through development and distribution of electronic and text-based training material.

The content of the courses is principally directed at practicing engineers and is available in several languages. A main aim is to provide a flexible training method which minimises the time spent on training out of the workplace.

Volunteers taking part in this summer’s trial will be supported by a tutor via a series of discussion boards. These will also give engineers from all over Europe a unique opportunity to share their views on the new codes.

For further information please contact Sue Armstrong at the email link below or visit www.ssedta.com/course on are after 21 June 2004.

Wind and composite codes get positive vote

European states have given a positive vote to the new structural wind-loading code and the first part of the new composite structures code. The votes mean that 19 of the 56 parts of the new structural Eurocodes are either published or approved for publication.

A total of 23 nations voted in favour of the wind-loading code, which is Part 1-4 of Eurocode 1: Actions on Structures. Three abstained, two because of a poor German translation which is now being rectified.

European standards body CEN will publish the new wind code with 2-3 months, shortly after which BSI with publish the code in Britain as BS EN 1991-1-4 Eurocode 1: Actions on Structures – General Actions – Wind Actions.

There was also a unanimous vote of 27 nations in favour of the first, general part of the new composite steel and concrete structures code. This too will be published within a few months by BSI as BS EN 1994-1-1 Eurocode 4: Design of Composite Steel and Concrete Structures – General – Common Rules and Rules for Buildings.

Structural Eurocodes seminar at Civils 2004

The ICE group is hosting a free Eurocodes seminar at the Civils 2004 exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham on 28 April 2004.

Entitled 'Structural Eurocodes - major implications for the UK construction industry', the seminar is being presented by Professor Haig Gulvanessian, chairman of the Eurocodes Expert advisory panel.

The seminar will cover the following topics

* benefits of using Eurocodes
* steps to adoption
* periods of transition from BSI codes
* national annexes.

The seminar is from 1.45pm to 2.35pm in seminar theatre B.

EC funds training materials

The European Commission is funding a three-year project to develop Eurocode training materials.

Due for completion in 2005, the project aims to develop five training handbooks and associated software programmes that will help engineers and students alike to understand and use the Eurocodes.

The proposed topic areas of the handbooks will be as follows.

· Handbook 1: Basis of structural design.
· Handbook 2: Basis of structural reliability and risk engineering.
· Handbook 3: Design of buildings.
· Handbook 4: Design of bridges.
· Handbook 5: Design of buildings under fire situation.

Entitled ’Development of skills facilitating implementation of structural Eurocodes’, the project is being funding through the Commission’s Leonardo da Vinci vocational training programme. Project partners are drawn from seven European countries including BRE in the UK.

For further information please contact Milan Holický at the Klokner Institute of the Czech Technical University on +420 224 353 529. Email and web links below.

Eurocode timber design seminars planned in April

The Centre for Timber Engineering at Napier University together with TRADA and BRE are planning a programme of seminars and master classes from 26 to 30 April 2004 in Scotland on designing timber structures with the new structural Eurocodes.

Led by some the UK’s foremost experts in timber design, the events at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre are aimed at providing practicing engineers and academics with a detailed introduction to EN1990 ‘Eurocode – Basis of structural design’, EN1991 ‘Eurocode 1: Actions on structures’ and EN1995 ‘Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures’.

The two main parts of EN1995 were positively voted by the UK in January 2004, are due for ratification this summer and expected to replace BS5268 in the UK within three years. EN1990 and five parts of EN1991 have already been published.

Presenters include Luke Whale, chairman of the UK Timber Engineering Group and a member of the Eurocode 5 drafting committee; Peter Ross and Christopher Mettem, president and chief research engineer respectively of TRADA; and Vahik Enjily, director of BRE’s Centre for Timber Technology.

The first two half-day seminars on 26 April are on EN1990 and EN1991 respectively and are followed by four sessions on EN1995 over the next day and a half. The programme is completed with four half-day master classes on various topics.

The cost of attending the Eurocodes seminars ranges from £100 per half-day session to £300 for the full two-and-a-half-day programme. The full five-day programme costs £450.

Construction firms need to take decisions on Eurocodes now

Construction-related businesses need to plan now when they are going to implement the new structural Eurocodes. The advice comes from Haig Gulvanessian, chairman of the Eurocodes Expert advisory group, in this month’s issue of 'Eurocodes News'.

'The single, most important decision that an organisation has to make is when to implement the Eurocodes. There are basically two choices – either do it as soon as national annexes become available or wait until national codes are withdrawn,' he says.

Gulvanessian, who also chaired the drafting committees of the first two Eurocodes, EN1990 and EN1991, says the decision will be 'purely commercial' and will require consideration of various factors.

· Timing - Eurocodes are being published at different dates over the next two years, which in turn affects the dates for withdrawal of national codes and when Government will require their use. Product manufacturers and public sector suppliers will be the first to use the Eurocodes under the Construction Products and Procurement Directives.

· Office procedures – there are technical differences between Eurocodes and national codes so designers’ guides, staff training and revised quality assurance procedures will be needed.

· IT implications - good design quality software will be essential before implementation can be considered.

· Competition – although Eurocodes will provide additional opportunities in Europe and overseas, they will also lead to more competition at home.

Gulvanessian says decisions on implementation will be different for the larger international organisations where market forces will be a key factor, compared to smaller companies only working nationally.

Government tasks IStructE to develop Eurocodes strategy

The UK Government has commissioned the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) to lead a team from across the engineering and construction sectors to develop a strategy for implementing the 56 Eurocodes in the UK.

By the end of April 2004, the IStructE-led strategy committee – which includes a representative of the Eurocodes Expert advisory panel – has been asked to deliver to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister a co-ordinated scheme outlining the range of guidance documents, software and training required; the documents and software already in production; preferred authors; estimated costs; funding arrangements and timescales.

IStructE president David Nethercot will chair the strategy committee. Commenting on the appointment he said: 'It is extremely timely that the Government has begun to address the issue of Eurocodes, and IStructE is pleased they have recognised the importance of developing a coherent and wide ranging strategy for their implementation.

'BSI has begun to publish the Eurocodes, and there will only be a coexistence period, when both current codes and Eurocodes are available, of 3 to 5 years. It is clearly imperative to begin work now to ensure engineers across the UK are fully prepared for their introduction and adoption.'

The IStructE contact is Dr Sue Doran, telephone 020 7201 9110.

Eurocodes Expert plans UK roadshows in March 2004

Eurocodes Expert is planning a series of low-cost half-day presentations throughout the UK in March 2004 on the implications of the new structural Eurocodes for the British construction industry.

Supported by BSI and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the roadshow-style events will explain the potential benefits of using the Eurocodes, the steps to their adoption and the role of national annexes and nationally determined parameters.

The events will also include an introduction to the head Eurocode, BS EN 1990:2002 Eurocode: Basis of Structural Design, and information will be provided on products and services being offered to support implementation of the new codes.

The 10 two-and-a-half-hour presentations are planned in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester between 17 and 31 March 2004. The cost is £65 + VAT, less 10% discount for additional delegates from the same company. Delegates can also get a £25 discount on BS EN 1990.

Click here to download the Registration Form [pdf file,167KB].

Thirteen more Eurocode parts circulated for voting

Thirteen more parts of the European structural design codes have been circulated for formal vote in the past few weeks, bringing publication and adoption of all Eurocodes a significant step closer.

The newly completed parts include the key ‘general rules’ sections of the Eurocodes for concrete, steel, steel-concrete composites and timber structures as well as for geotechnical and seismic design.

The parts circulated just before Christmas 2003 were:

EN1992 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures
– Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings
– Part 1-2: Structural fire design

EN1993 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures
– Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings
– Part 1-2: Structural fire design
– Part 1-8: Design of joints
– Part 1-9: Fatigue
– Part 1-10: Material toughness and through-thickness properties

EN1995 Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures
– Part 1-1: General – Common rules and rules for buildings
– Part 1-2: General – Structural fire design

EN1998 Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance
– Part 1: General rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings
– Part 5: Foundations, retaining structures and geotechnical aspects.

The parts circulated on 4 January 2004 were:

EN1994 Eurocode 4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures
– Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings

EN1997 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design
– Part 1: General rules.

In the UK each part is the responsibility of a national technical contact. These can be contacted via Malcom Greeenley at BSI on 020 8996 9000.

European Commission formally recommends Eurocodes

The European Commission has formally recommended the Eurocodes as ‘a suitable tool’ for designing construction works, checking the mechanical resistance of components and checking the stability of structures.

Recommendation 4639 of 11 December 2003 says member states should recognise that construction works designed using Eurocodes conform with the essential requirements of mechanical resistance and stability, safety in use and safety in case of fire.

According to chairman of the Eurocodes Expert advisory group Haig Gulvanessian: ‘This is the most significant document ever published on adopting Eurocodes. It’s the first time that the EC has given a strong recommendation to member states on adoption – all we had before were objectives. This recommendation tells the construction industry that the Eurocodes are here and we need to get ready.’

The Commission has also warned member states that they should only diverge from recommended values in Eurocodes when ‘geographical, geological or climatic conditions, or specific levels of protection make that necessary’. States diverging too far from recommended values will be told to change their nationally determined parameters.

States should refer to Eurocodes in their national provisions on structural construction products. They should also pool research funding on earthquake and fire resistance and promote understanding of Eurocodes among both student and practicing engineers.

The website link below has the full text of the recommendation.

Eurocode for traffic loads on bridges published

Eurocode-designed bridges are a major step closer to reality following publication of part 2 of EN 1991 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures on 10 September 2003. EN 1991-2 defines the imposed loading on any bridge from road, rail and pedestrian traffic.

However, combinations of traffic loads with non-traffic loads will be given in annex A2 (application for bridges) of EN 1990 Eurocode – Basis of Structural Design, for which a formal vote is currently being launched.

EN 1991-2 provides model and representative imposed-load values for road traffic, pedestrian actions and rail traffic – including dynamic effects and actions for accidental design situations – for new road bridges, footbridges and railway bridges including their piers, abutments and foundations.

The code features several innovations – such as for high-speed railway bridges, where the design is based on the combined response of the structure and track.

EN1991-2 allows public authorities to adjust the various load models while still giving all the guidance needed to establish the design of any type of bridge. It can thus be used in conjunction with national standards or even draft Eurocodes without waiting for the bridge parts of material-specific Eurocodes to be published.

Eurocode on thermal actions available in early 2004

The thermal actions part of EN1991 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures (EN1991-1-5) has received a unanimous positive vote and should be available in early 2004.

It provides principles and rules for calculating thermal actions on buildings, bridges and other structures – including structural elements and cladding – arising from climatic conditions.

The significance for UK designers is the need to consider temperature changes when appropriate in buildings, something not currently covered in UK practice. Only indicative temperatures are given in the Eurocode and these will need to be reviewed in the UK national annex.

For bridges, the Eurocode uses very similar criteria to that currently used in UK design codes – specifically BS5400 Part 2 and the Highways Agency Design document BD/37. The relationship between maximum and minimum shade air temperature and maximum and minimum effective bridge temperatures (defined as ‘uniform temperature component’ in the Eurocode) also follows UK practice, extended for the larger ranges of temperatures experienced in Europe.

The Eurocode provides two alternative procedures for considering the effects of differential temperature, the choice being left to the national annex. The first procedure adopts a simplistic approach, which is used more frequently in continental Europe but does not provide a realistic representation of thermal gradient through a section. This is overcome in the second procedure, which follows current UK practice but extended to cover steel truss and plate girder sections explicitly.

Eurocodes could cost UK steel industry £10 million a year

David Nethercot, president of the Institution of Structural Engineers, said last week that the UK steel industry could lose at least £10 million a year unless it became better prepared for the introduction of the new European structural design codes.

He told a steel industry conference that: ‘Even a 10 per cent loss in efficiency due to inadequate preparation in the use of Eurocode 3 would equate to £10 million per annum. If we were to have a structural failure directly attributed to its misapplication, such an estimate would be a fraction of the eventual total cost.’

His comments were reported in Construction News along with a comment from a Doncaster-based steelwork designer, who said: ‘How can we be expected to be fully prepared for a design code when we still do not know when it will be introduced.’

The IStructE has thus given its full support to the government-backed Eurocodes Expert initiative, which is designed to help disseminate information about Eurocodes to all potential users. Technical director Sue Doran has recently been appointed to represent IStructE’s interests on a pan-industry advisory group chaired by Haig Gulvanessian of BRE.

Eurocodes Expert advisory group formed

The newly formed Eurocodes Expert advisory group meets for the first time on 4 December 2003 in London. Chaired by Haig Gulvanessian, director of BRE's construction division and chairman of the first two Eurocode committees, the 16-strong group consists of representatives from all parts of the construction industry.

The purpose of the group is to advise Eurocodes Expert, the UK government-backed campaign to promote the 10 new European structural design codes. The campaign was launched at the Institution of Civil Engineers in April 2003 with a view to becoming the primary reference for all Eurocode users, advising them on the latest developments, training events and support resources.

At its first meeting the group plans to identify Eurocode implementation issues facing different sectors of the construction industry, including international consultancies, national consultancies, other construction professionals, building control departments, contractors and product manufacturers. Systems will also be set up to ensure all information and resources relating to Eurocodes are identified and disseminated through the Eurocodes Expert website and Users' Group.

The members of the advisory group are as follows.

· John Bennett, Institution of Civil Engineers
· John Carpenter, SCOSS
· Susan Doran, Institution of Structural Engineers
· Amrit Ghose, Faber Maunsell
· Malcolm Greenley, BSI
· Robert Hunter-Jones, London Borough of Ealing
· Richard Lawson, Arup Consulting Engineers
· Ian MacPherson, Consultant
· John Mills, Babtie Group
· John Moran, Steel Construction Institute
· Alastair Piper, Cooper & Withycome
· John Redmond, Hurst Pierce & Malcolm
· Howard Taylor, Tarmac
· John Tebbit, Construction Products Association
· Robert Vollum, Imperial College

Eurocode foundation design course on 19 November

The Institution of Structural Engineers and Kingston University are running a one-day course in London on 19 November 2003 on how to design foundations to EN1997: Eurocode 7 - Geotechnical Design.

The workshop-style event is aimed principally at civil and structural engineers currently involved in foundation design, enabling them to include limit-state design philosophy to geotechnical design of foundation elements.

Presented by Andy Harris of Kingston University and Andrew Bond of Geocentrix, the course will also benefit those not directly involved in foundation design but who have responsibility for interfacing with geotechnical engineers and in the specifying of site investigations.

Total cost is £220 + VAT (£180 + VAT for IStructE members).

Next EN1990 course date is 27 January 2004

Eurocodes Expert is holding a further one-day course in Ascot on 27 January 2004 on the head European structural design code, EN1990 Eurocode: Basis of Structural Design.

The course provides an introduction to the code and its UK annex. It explains the principles and requirements for design as well as actions, material and product properties, geometric data and verification by the partial factor method.

Aplication in building and civil engineering works are also discussed along with the management of structural reliabilitiy.

There are a maximum of 16 places on the course, which is aimed at designers, product manufacturers and academics. The cost is £225 + VAT - click on the website link below for more information.

British annex to head Eurocode drafted

BSI has published a draft of the proposed national annex to the UK’s first European structural design code – BS EN 1990: 2002 Eurocode: Basis of Structural Design. Comments are needed by 31 August 2003.

EN 1990 is the head Eurocode providing the basic rules for designing with any of the main construction materials (click on the web link below for a description of EN 1990). The draft national annex gives the Britain’s proposed values for the code’s nationally determined parameters, which include

· design working life
· load-combination expressions for ultimate-limit-state verifications
· partial factors for actions
· combination coefficients for accompanying variable actions.

It also provides guidance on the use of the serviceability-limit-state verification rules, together with recommendations for deflections.

Both the draft annex – the full title of which is DPC: 03/700353 DC: Draft BS EN 1990 National Annex to BS EN 1990: Eurocode: Basis of Structural Design – and BS EN 1990 are available from BSI Customer Services at 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4A, telephone 020 8996 9001, email orders@bsi-global.com (click on email link below).

All comments received by BSI by the closing date will be considered by committee B/525/1 Actions and Basis of Design prior to publication.

Update on geotechnical codes

The geotechnical Eurocode and associated documents may have been long time coming, but coming they are.

A briefing article in the July 2003 issue of the ICE Geotechnical Engineering journal provides geotechnical practitioners with the latest information and gives them notice of what is to come over the next couple of years.

Click on the web link below to download a pdf.

Training course on head Eurocode

ICE training subsidiary Thomas Telford is holding a one-day course in Ascot on 20 October 2003 on the head European structural design code.

EN1990 Eurocode: Basis of Structural Design is the head document in the Eurocode suite and describes the principles and requirements for safety, serviceability and durability.

It also provides the basis and general principles for the structural design and verification of buildings and civil engineering works (including geotechnical aspects). It is the first operational 'material-independent' design code.

Click on the web link below for more information.

Eurocodes Expert newsletter published

The first issue of the Eurocodes Expert newsletter has been published (click on web link below for pdf).

The newsletter, which includes updates on individual codes and details of the latest publications and training resources, is free to all members of the Eurocodes Expert Users' Group.

The first issue has also been circulated to all members of the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Institution of Civil Engineers via their respective professional journals.

Nearly 40 Eurocode publications identified

The Eurocodes Expert website has identified nearly 40 authoritative guides and case-studies published in the last four years relating to the forthcoming suite of European structural design codes.

Several of the publications are free to download, including the recently published 'Implementation of Structural Eurocodes in the UK' from the British Government’s Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (pictured)and all papers published in a special issue of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ journal 'Civil Engineering' in November 2001.

The publications database also includes the first Eurocode document to go on sale in the UK - 'BS EN 1990 Eurocode: Basis of Structural Design' - which is now available from BSI for £116.

Other publishers listed include the Building Research Establishment, the Construction Industry Research & Information Association, the Highways Agency, the Steel Construction Institute and the Timber Research and Development Association.

Eurocodes Expert gets off to a positive start

Eurocodes Expert, the campaign to promote the 10 new European structural design codes, was officially launched at a well-attended construction industry reception at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London today (11 April 2003).

Over 100 guests, including representatives of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, British Standards, the government's Eurocode consultant BRE and leading construction industry bodies attended the event.

Tom Foulkes, director general of the ICE – the initial sponsor of the campaign – said: 'The Eurocodes will require engineering designers throughout the UK to think in a different way and to use more supporting guidance and software than they do at present. Eurocodes Expert aims to be the primary reference for all users, advising them on the latest developments, training events and support resources.’

Professor Haig Gulvanessian of BRE, chairman of the new Eurocodes Expert focus group, introduced the various features of the new information website at www.eurocodes.co.uk and encouraged all those present to join the new Eurocodes User’s Group – membership of which is free until December 2003.

He added that though the focus will be primarily on implementation in the UK, ‘Eurocodes Expert will also cover developments throughout Europe and elsewhere.’

New forum for Eurocode users launched

A new construction industry forum has been created to help clients, designers, contractors and suppliers understand and use the 10 new European structural design codes. Called ‘Eurocodes Expert’, the forum is initially being funded by the Institution of Civil Engineers, via its commercial subsidiary Thomas Telford, and being run in conjunction with the BRE, the government’s Eurocode consultant.

Activities will be coordinated by a focus group chaired by Professor Haig Gulvannession, director of BRE and chairman of the drafting committees for Eurocodes: Basis of Structural design and Eurocode 1: Actions on Structures. The main activity will be an information website at www.eurocodes.co.uk, which will provide updates on the latest developments, training events and support software.

Though the site will primarily focus on implementation of the Eurocodes in the UK, it is intended to review Eurocode developments throughout the UK and elsewhere.

There will also be a free users’ group to help foster the sharing of experience and information on usage of the codes. Members will receive a free newsletter Eurocode News as well as an email help service, email updates and discounted Eurocode publications and courses from Thomas Telford.

For more information contact Rekha Thawrani at Thomas Telford, 020 7665 2303.

Eurocode design guide series completed by 2004

A comprehensive series of authoritative design guides on the 10 new structural Eurocodes will be completed by October 2004. According to Institution of Civil Engineers publishing subsidiary Thomas Telford, which has already published a guide to Eurocode 0, the remaining guides will be published from December this year.

The first guide, entitled Designers’ Guide to EN 1990 Eurocode: Basis of Structural Design, was written by Haig Gulvanessian, former chairman of the Eurocode 0 drafting committee, Jean-Armand Calgaro and Milan Holický and published last year.

The next guide will be on Eurocode 1, actions on structures, and is due for publication in December 2003. Other titles are being written on each of the other Eurocodes or on specific sections of them – for example, there will be two guides on Eurocode 4, one for composite buildings and one for composite bridges. In February 2004 there will also be a guide on fire engineering design of steel and composite structures in accordance with Eurocodes 1, 3 and 4.

For further information contact Jeremy Brinton at Thomas Telford on 020 7665 2477.

Web training for Eurocodes 3 and 4 gets Greek trial

The first trial for a European Commission funded, web-based teaching programme on the new structural steel Eurocodes is scheduled to start in May 2003 at the Technical Chamber of Greece in Athens. The final versions of Eurocodes 3 and 4, relating to steel and steel-and-concrete composite structures respectively, are due to be published later this year.

The European-funded SSEDTA programme was set up in 1996 to encourage a trans-European interpretation of the two structural steel codes. UK partners for the programme are the Steel Construction Institute and Sheffield University.

A free CD-Rom, including lecture notes referenced to the codes, worked examples, tutor notes and Power-point presentations has been available since 2001. In addition to English, the programmes are also available in Spanish, French, Greek and Hungarian.

The project team is now half way through a further three-year programme to develop the material for web use. The trial in Athens will be followed by a pilot on a Sheffield University masters module.

For further information contact Sue Armstrong, University of Sheffield on 0114 222 5110.