This is an introduction to the new Eurocodes scheduled for publication early in 2027, which will be in use nationally by early 2028. They are the second generation of the construction design and verification codes to be used in Europe.

This is a brief update for practising and graduate engineers, writes Colin Short. I will not be going into the detail of each code but will deal with the rationale for the publication, its procedure, and timeline. Engineers Ireland plans to run updating courses and seminars to help you assimilate the changes.

Background

You are probably aware that the current Eurocodes version was published gradually part by part and occasionally with updates and amendments dated from the early 2000s.

The current version was based on ENVs that were published in about 1995 as experimental or prototype codes of practice that were proposed to eventually be used throughout the European Union at that time. This was to overcome the plethora of national codes in Europe that were considered to be a barrier to trade.

In Ireland the current version of the Eurocodes with its amendments and corrigenda superseded the previous published codes of practice that were generally based upon the British Standards publications and supplemented where necessary by publications prepared by the National Standards Authority of Ireland to present alternative methods to be used in Ireland.

The Eurocodes as published are the recommended standards for use in Ireland; they are published as a voluntary code of practice, but the adjudication of dispute in a building contract is measured against the requirements of the appropriate Eurocode irrespective of which code was actually used in the design.

The verification will always be through the Eurocodes procedures and requirements. Most engineers in authority will therefore adopt the appropriate Eurocode as a matter of course to avoid double handing the design process.

Second-generation Eurocodes

The second-generation Eurocodes are published to update general practice throughout Europe. They are prepared in an attempt to be simpler in use and include the current approved peer reviewed research in each discipline. To include new materials, combinations of materials, connections, work or execution and test methods.

At first sight the documents appear larger, with more pages than before but this is as a result of including more material and the resolution of critical aspects of design.

The methods are similar to the current version, but the layout has changed to be more rational. The physics and general science have not changed but we now are far more knowledgeable about the structural processes involved.

Also, there are methods of more detailed analysis of the behaviour of the element or global arrangement of the structural members. These methods do not and are not intended to be  used for all projects, but the methods and procedures should be selected to fit the current project at the designer’s discretion.

Such detailed methods have been moved into a large number of annexes that explain the derivation or alternative methods given in the main body of the document.

The Structural Eurocodes comprise the following documents generally consisting of a number of parts:

  • EN 1990, Eurocode – Basis of structural and geotechnical design
  • Part One – Deals with new structures
  • Part Two – For existing and retrofit structures
  • EN 1991, Eurocode 1 – Actions on structures
  • EN 1992, Eurocode 2 – Design of concrete structures
  • EN 1993, Eurocode 3 – Design of steel structures
  • EN 1994, Eurocode 4 – Design of composite steel and concrete structures
  • EN 1995, Eurocode 5 – Design of timber structures
  • EN 1996, Eurocode 6 – Design of masonry structures
  • EN 1997, Eurocode 7 – Geotechnical design
  • EN 1998, Eurocode 8 – Design of structures for earthquake resistance
  • EN 1999, Eurocode 9 – Design of aluminium structures
  • New parts are under development, eg Eurocodes for design of structural glass and tension membrane structures.

Parts have now been included to cover numerical analysis and sustainability in design.

Several technical specifications and technical reports are in preparation to cover aspects that need to be further researched but could not be completed in the time available. The subjects now being considered for code of practice development are:

  • Timber and concrete composites;
  • Steel and timber composites;
  • Fibre reinforced polymers.

Parts have also been developed to cover aspects such as the treatment of existing or historic structures to comply with the Eurocodes requirements for durability, rigidity, and sustainability etc.

Timeline

Figure 1: Procedure for final approval

The procedure adopted by European CEN and approved by Ireland is as follows:

  • FprEN Documents are the final print version for national approval. To get to this stage the draft standards (prEN) go through an extensive consultation process including a period of public consultation where NSAI collects technical comments from the public;
  • The public consultation is handled by NSAI through their web site 'Your Standards Your Say' that is the portal for you to make your comment on the new version;
  • NSAI technical committees will collate the comments, form an opinion on whether to approve the document, and return the national decision to CEN for consideration;
  • A similar approach takes place at FprEN stage with the exception that technical changes are not admissible at this stage. CEN will make any editorial changes required in advance of the final print versions being made available;
  • CEN will prepare the translation from the official English language version to a French and a German language version which have been checked for lack of ambiguity and misinterpretation between the three languages;
  • The publication schedule requires the final European printed version to be ready to send to each national standards body on or before March 30, 2026;
  • That date will start the normal standard review and update regimen of five years; the next version maybe available in 2031;
  • From, March 30, 2026, each nation is required to adopt the new version into the legislative system along with the publication of a local language version, if required, and a National Application Document to confirm the value of the Nationally Determined Parameters for their country;
  • The date of availability will vary from nation to nation. Ireland has decided to make all of them available at the same time to avoid national confusion regarding which version should be used. We understand  that this date  will occur early in 2027;
  • Each nation must consider the items noted in the document as Nationally Determined Parameters (NDPs) and issue a national annex for each part of the Eurocodes to notify the value of the NDPs to be used in that nation. Ireland will prepare such a document for buildings and structures to be constructed in Ireland. Practitioners are reminded that the NDP to use in a design is that published by the country where the structure will finally be executed and put to use;
  • Some of these national application documents exist in draft form;
  • The 12-month transition period is to allow familiarisation and teaching material to be brought up to date in good time, and to allow in house training to be completed;
  • A date will be set in the first quarter of 2028 for the current version of the Eurocodes to be withdrawn and the new second-generation Eurocodes will become the national code of compliant practice.

Author: Colin Short, Chartered Civil Engineer Dip Eng, C Eng, Eur Ing, FIEI, FIStructE, FICE.