Structural Design Codes Overhauled - New EU Legislation

Arguably, one of the most important changes in recent history to construction standards comes into effect on 31 March 2010. The introduction "Eurocodes" will see The British Standards Institution (BSI) withdraw 54 British Standards for the design of buildings and civil engineering structures. Detailed overviews of the codes can be found in the sources section at the bottom of this article.

The Eurocodes will form a suite of unilateral European standards which cover the fundamentals of structural design. Included within the codes, are specific guidelines for the design of aluminum and masonry structures, concrete, composite steel and concrete, steel, timber, actions on structures, the design of structures to withstand earthquakes and geotechnical design. Consequently, these codes will have an immediate and far reaching effects on the UK construction industry.

Many leading engineers view them as the most technologically advanced standards in the world, which will provide a set of principles which offer far more versatility than previous standards. Their implementation across the European Union, will deliver a unified approach to design, whilst at the same time, will also accommodate the application of country specific construction requirements such as earthquake resistance, and climatic variations such as wind loads. Furthermore, many hope that Eurocodes will also catalyse easier access to the construction market.

In the UK, Eurocodes will be incorporated into Public Contracts Regulations, which currently determine the necessary standards for public buildings and structural projects. Many analysts have voiced concern over the delay in amending the Building Regulations Approved Document A, which will not include reference to the Eurocodes until 2013. However, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has addressed the matter in a circular letter issued to Building Control Offices, in which it stated that "we would not expect this rescheduling [of the Building Regulations Approved Document A] to affect or deter the take up of the new national standards" (i.e. the Eurocodes).

Mike Low, Director, BSI Standards commented on the impending change: "The Eurocodes have evolved over 20 years, and because British engineers and BSI have played a key role in their development, I am confident that they will both strengthen the professions in the industry as well as our delivery of quality construction. Eurocodes will also provide an excellent foundation for developing international leadership here in the UK in creating the Smart & Sustainable Built Environment."

The BSI, along with affilliate key professional and trade associations, is organising a range of activities and events to smooth out the transition from the old British Standards to the new Eurocodes. Further details, including FAQs on the transition, are available from www.eurocodes.co.u, www.bsigroup.com/eurocodes and www.eurocodes.jrc.ec.europa.eu/.

Sources:

Highways Agency's involvement in the implementation of Eurocodes: Link | eurocode-resources.com: Link | Decoding the Eurocodes: Link | Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) - Implementation of Structural Eurocodes in the UK: PDF