Proceedings of ICE

Civil Engineering 144 November 2001

Pages 2328 Paper 12643

Keywords

EN1992 Eurocode 2:
Design of concrete structures
R. S. Narayanan

codes of practice & standards;

concrete structures;
design methods & aids

Nary Narayanan

is a consultant to Cadogan Tietz

EN1992 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures is of

fundamental importance to civil engineers given the
predominance of concrete in civil engineering construction.The
first part of the code, covering common design rules and design
requirements for fire, is likely to be approved in January 2002
and should be released in EN standard form by 2003.The second
and third parts, covering design of bridges and liquid-retaining
structures respectively, are due for release in 2005.This paper
looks primarily at the two sections that make up the first part.
It explains the principles of ultimate and serviceability limit
state design and the requirements for shear, durability and fire
in particular. It also lists the other European standards to which
concrete designers will need to refer.
The preparation of the first part of
EN1992 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete
structures is well advanced. In January
2002, the drafts for the two sections
should be approved by the Comit
Europen de Normalisation (CEN)the
European standardisation bodyas being
technically competent to go forward for
voting by member states. The voting itself
has been programmed for May 2002 for
EN1991-1-1 and July 2002 for EN19911-2. If a positive vote is received, the EN
(EuroNorm) standards are likely to come
into force in spring 2003. Subject to various CEN rules for coexistence of codes,
conflicting UK code BS 8110 will be
withdrawn soon after that date.
The first section of the first part of
Eurocode 2 (EN1991-1-1) gives the general basis for the design of structures in reinforced and prestressed concrete made with
normal and lightweight concrete together
with specific rules for building structures.
The application rules given are mainly
aimed at building structures.
When published, EN1992-1-1 will
replace not only the pre-standard
ENV1992-1-1 (ENV stands for EuroNorm
Vornorm) but also the pre-standards for
plain concrete (part 1-2), pre-cast concrete
(part 1-3), use of lightweight concrete
(part 1-4) and the use of unbonded and
external prestressing tendons (part 1-5).
The new code will thus be a more comprehensive document than its predecessor.
The scope is similar to many current
national codes in Europe. The main chapters of the first part of the code deal with

basis of design
materials
durability

structural analysis
ultimate limit state
serviceability limit state
detailing of reinforcement
detailing of members
additional rules for precast elements
and structures
lightweight aggregate concrete
plain concrete.

There are separate parts dealing with

the design of bridges (part 2) (Fig. 1) and
liquid retaining structures (part 3). These
are expected to be released in EN form in
2005.
This second section of the first part of
EN1992 (EN1992-1-2) deals with the
design of concrete structures exposed to
fire. It is concerned with the passive resistance of the structureactive methods of
fire protection are not covered by this
part. The general recommendations are
limited to concrete strength classes up to
C50/60 for normal-weight concrete and
class LC55/60 for lightweight concrete.
There is a separate chapter dealing with
high-strength concrete.
The code starts with basic principles,
followed by material properties at elevated temperatures, then various design
methods and ends with a chapter on highstrength concrete.

Related Eurocodes and product

standards
EN1992-1-1 belongs to a family of
Eurocodes for concrete. Other main
codes/standards relevant to practising
concrete design engineers are

EN1990 Eurocode: Basis of structural

design
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23

NARAYANAN

Fig. 1. Specific rules for concrete bridge design will be provided in the second part of Eurocode 2, due out in 2005

ENV13670 Execution of concrete

structures
EN206-1-2000 Concrete: performance, production, placing and compliance criteria
BS 8500 (parts 14, complementary
British Standard to EN206)
prEN10080 Reinforcement steels
prEN10138 Pre-stressing steels.

Of these, EN1990 is fundamental to

designers as it specifies partial factors for
loads and load combinations.1 There will
also be a number of product standards for
particular precast concrete products (Fig.
2). These may provide additional design
rules complementing those in EN1992-11. Product standards currently in preparation include

EN1168-1 Pre-stressed hollow-core

elements
EN1168-2 Reinforced hollow-core elements
EN13743 Precast floor plates (parts
13)
EN13224 Ribbed elements
EN13225 Linear structural elements
WI 002 290 10 Beams and block
floor systems
WI 002 290 04 Stairs.

Eurocode 2 along with the other design

Eurocodes 39 is generally expected to be
used in conjunction with EN1991
Eurocode 1: Actions on structures.2 Other
loading codes can also be used but the
designer should then be satisfied that
overall reliability of design is adequate.
When published, EN1992-1-1 and 1-2
will contain national annexes, which will
deal with matters such as partial factors

24

C I V I L

E N G I N E E R I N G

for material to be applied in the nation

concerned. The items to be covered in the
national annex are very limitedsix in
1992-1-1 and three in 1992-1-2.
The date of publication of the related
documents cannot be predicted with certainty. The following is anticipated.
EN1990 together with a number of loading codes are likely to precede the publication of EN1992-1-1. EN206 has already
been published and the complementary
British Standard is expected to be published soon. The product standards will
follow closely after the publication of
EN1992-1-1.
In common with other Eurocodes,
Eurocode 2 adopts limit-state design principles and verification by the partial-factor
method. In general, ultimate and serviceability limit states are considered.

Design expressions based on

cylinder strength of concrete
All the expressions in the code use the
cylinder strength of concrete, the characteristic value of which is represented by

Fig. 2. Structural concrete designers will also

need to refer to EN standards for concrete
products, such as EN1168-2 for reinforced
hollow-core elements

the symbol fck (characteristic values of

parameters are denoted by k and design
valueswhich are the characteristic values modified by a partial safety factor
are denoted by d).
The quality control of concrete can still
be carried out using the conventional
cube test and the code tabulates the relationship between the cylinder and cube
strengths. For fck values up to 60 MPa the
cube strengths can be approximately
taken as 125 cylinder strength. The
code recommendations are valid for fck
values in the range 12 MPa90 MPa for
normal concrete.
In Eurocode 2 the sign convention for
compressive stress is negative.
For partial factors for loads and actions,
all Eurocodes are required to refer to
EN1990 Eurocode: Basis for structural
design,1 which provides recommended
values. The actual values to be used in
any country will be indicated in their
respective national annex.
The recommended values of partial factors for permanent dead loads (G) is 135
(14 in BS 8110) and for variable imposed
loads (Q) is 15 (16 in BS 8110). Wind
load is treated as any other imposed load
and Q of 15 applies. The recommended
value for partial factor on pre-stressing
loads (p) is 10 when it is favourable and
13 when it is unfavourable.
Eurocode 2 recommends values for partial factors for materials M and these are
also to be confirmed by national annexes.
The recommended values are shown in
Table 1. Partial factors for materials for
serviceability limit states is 10. Annex A
indicates possible methods of reducing
the values of M on the basis of qualitycontrol measures.

EN1992 EUROCODE 2:
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES

The durability requirements of Eurocode 2 are related to the exposure classes

defined in EN206

Table 1. Partial factors to be used for concrete materials in verifying ultimate limit state
Design situation

Permanent and variable

Partial safety factors

Concrete (c)
15

115

115

Accidental

12

10

10

BS 8110 comparison

15 (but 125 for shear,

14 for bond)

105

105

Steel reinforcement (s)

Prestressing tendons (s)

Table 2. Minimum cover requirements for Eurocode 2 exposure classes and how these compare
with BS8110 (without allowance for tolerances)
Exposure class

XO XC1 XC2 XC3 XC4 XD1 XD2 XD3 XS1 XS2 XS3

Cover requirement (mm) Eurocode 2

10

15

BS 8110
comparison 1520

1530

The code lists many relevant design

parameters in Table 3.1. Values for creep
and shrinkage are given but these need
only be used in the absence of better data
for particular concretes. In addition to
drying shrinkage, it is now required to
consider autogenous shrinkage, which
occurs during the hardening of the concrete. It is proportional to the strength of
concrete and is therefore significant for
high strength concrete.
Stress-strain relationships for structural
analysis and section design are provided.
For the latter there are three choices

parabolic rectangular
bilinear
rectangular.

Most practical designs will be carried out

using the simplified rectangular stress block
as shown in Fig. 3. The value of is 08 for
fck up to and including 50 MPa and 09
(fck/500) for fck over 50 MPa. The value of
the compressive stress is fcd = fck/c. The
resulting stresses will be considerably higher than currently used in the UK, so the UK
national annex is likely to reduce them.
cu3
Ac

Fc

Fig. 3. The simplified rectangular stress block is

likely to be the most frequently used of the three
stress-strain methods provided in Eurocode 2

45

2545

45

The durability requirements of Eurocode

2 are related to the exposure classes defined
in EN206. Six classes are designated

Fc
s

45

Durability to meet one of six

categories of exposure

As

30

Many designers will find EN10080, the

standard for reinforcement steel, very
unusual as it only specifies general requirements and definitions for the essential
properties. It also only specifies the tests
to be carried out to verify the properties
declared by the manufacturer and does
not specify any properties itself. Eurocode
2 has thus been compelled to provide the
data necessary for designers. These are
listed in Table 3.4 of the code and they
include yield strength, ductility parameters
(three classes), bendability requirements
and bond characteristics. Three ductility
classes are included, namely classes
A(least ductile), B and C (most ductile).
The code is valid for steels, covered by
EN10080, with yield strength up to 600
MPa. By implication plain bars are not
recognised by Eurocode 2 as they are not
covered by EN10080.

fcd
x

25

no risk of corrosion (XO)

corrosion induced by carbonation
(XC1 to XC4)
corrosion induced by chlorides (XD1
to XD3)
corrosion induced by chlorides from
sea water (XS1 to XS3)
freeze-thaw attack (XF1 toXF4)
chemical attack (XA1 to XA3).

The idea of this elaborate classification

is to clarify the risks to concrete and rein-

forcement. It will also allow the selection

of the best concrete for each situation.
EN206 specifies in appendix F the minimum cement content, maximum
watercement ratio, minimum air content
and other requirements. Indicative
strength classes which are likely to satisfy
the requirements of minimum cement content and maximum water-cement ratios
are given in annex C of EN1992-1-1.
Table 4.3 of Eurocode 2 gives the minimum cover requirements for various exposure classes. The cover shown in
construction drawings should include an
additional allowance for tolerance. A value
of 10 mm has been recommended in
EN13670 Execution of concrete structures.
There are only approximate comparisons of the exposure classes in Eurocode
2 and in BS 8110 (Table 2). Unlike the
British Standard, Eurocode 2 provides no
explicit guidance on the trade-off between
cover and concrete strength.

All proven methods of structural

analysis acceptable
Any proven method of structural analysis appropriate to the problem being considered is acceptable. Thus linear elastic
methods, with and without redistribution,
and plastic methods (static methods such
as strip and strut-and-tie and kinematic
methods such as yield-line) can be used.
The redistribution formula currently in
the draft is
04 + [06 + (00014/cu)] (/d)
07 for class B and C reinforcement
08 for class A reinforcement
In this expression is the ratio of the
redistributed moment to the elastic bending moment, is the depth of the neutral
axis after redistribution, d is the effective
depth and cu is the ultimate strain. This
formula is the subject of further discussion and may change.
Unlike the pre-standard ENV version,
the EN version of Eurocode 2 now deals
with the second-order effects (such as
slender columns) under analysis, which is
logical. For individual members, three
methods are given

general
nominal stiffness
curvature.
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E N G I N E E R I N G

25

NARAYANAN

Compression chord

Strut

1 z
2

Shear to be checked by variable

strut inclination method

V cot

Fcd

z = 0.9d

1 z
2

The shear checks are now to be carried

out using only the variable strut inclination method. The basic model is shown in
Fig. 4. The resistance of members without
shear reinforcement is given by

N
V

Ftd
Tensile chord

Shear reinforcement

VRd,ct = [(018/c) (100l fck)0333 015cp]bwd

where is a size factor with values
between 10 and 20, l is the area of longitudinal reinforcement expressed as a
fraction of (bwd) and cp is the axial stress
if any. Fig. 5 shows the values of VRd, ct
for different values of l and three values
of member depth for fck = 20 MPa.
If shear reinforcement is required it is
obtained from the following for vertical
links

bw
bw = (b1 + b2)/2

b1

bw

b2

Fig. 4. Basic model for checking shear resistance of reinforced concrete sections

Criteria for neglecting the second-order

effects are the same as before
25(2- (M01/M02))
where the slenderness ratio = effective length/radius of gyration and M01
and M02 are the first-order moments in
non-sway frames.
Limited calibration suggests that the
proposals for the curvature method give
similar results to the ENV version and
BS 8110. The nominal stiffness method
appears to be more conservative.
At the request of the UK, a section on
flat slabs is now included. The provisions

are similar to those in BS 8110.

The ultimate limit-state requirements
for the design of members in bending
with or without axial forces have not
changed. However, the value of the concrete stress in the ENV pre-standard was
fcd, with a general value of = 085.
Now = 10. This means that the
moment of resistance of sections (based
on concrete strength) will be higher than
in the pre-standard. Similarly, there will
be some enhancement in the axial load
capacity of columns when controlled by
compressionthat is for combinations of
axial load and bending moment above the
balance point in the interaction diagram.

VRd,ct 09
bc*d 08

d=200mm

[ ]

N 07
mm2
06

d=500mm

05

d=1000mm

VED
0.9 fcd
] max =
bw.d
(cot + tan )

where = 06[1fck/250]. There are

requirements for minimum and maximum

VEd 08
bc*d 07
[ mm2 ] 06

fck = 50 N 2
mm

00
00

02

04

06

08

10

12

16

18
20
1001

Fig. 5. How shear resistance (VRd,ct) of concrete elements without shear

reinforcement varies with longitudinal reinforcement (rl) and depth (d)

E N G I N E E R I N G

1 = 100%
fywd = 460 = 400 N 2
mm
115

01

Act
bc*d
14

d = 500mm

02

00
00
cot
cot

012

pe =

01

fd = 20 N 2
mm

008

02

04
03

fck = 20 N 2
mm

03

C I V I L

where VED is the applied shear force,

fywd is the design yield strength of shear
reinforcement, bw is the web width and s
is the spacing of links. The value of cot
should lie between 25 and 10.
Maximum value of the applied shear
stress is limited to

05

04

26

V
As,w
1
= b ED
bss
w.d 0.9fywdcot

02
25
25

04

06

08

10
10

12

14

16
18
Asw[%]
w = *
s bw

20

10

Fig. 6. Determining relationship between shear reinforcement (rw) and

applied shear force (VED) for two different concrete strengths (fck) using
the variable strut inclination metho

EN1992 EUROCODE 2:
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Generally the results of Eurocode 2 and BS8110 will be comparable

reinforcement. Fig. 6 shows a typical relationship between the various parameters

discussed above for concrete strengths
fck = 20 MPa and 50 MPa, for a beam
with d = 500 mm and l = 1%.
Torsion is treated exactly in the same
way as it was in the ENV pre-standard,
that is all cross sections are transformed
into hollow sections and the shear flow in
the hollow section is then considered.
Expressions are given for shear and longitudinal reinforcement.
The capacity of a member subject to
shear and torsion simultaneously, is governed by the following interaction relationships
2

( )( )
( )( )
TED

TRd,max
TED
TRd,max

+
+

VED

VRd,max
VED
VRd,max

for solid

1 cross

sections
for hollow

1 cross

sections

TEd and VEd are the applied torsion and

shear respectively and TRd,max and VRd,max
are the maximum capacities controlled by
the failure of struts in the model.
Punching shear is checked at the basic
control perimeter 2d from the face of the
load. For rectangular loaded areas, the
perimeter is rounded at the corners.
Expressions are given for shear reinforcement when the resistance at the basic
control perimeter exceeds that of concrete. This formula is still under debate.
EN1992-1-1 gives better guidance for
design using strut-and-tie models. These
models are powerful design tools in discontinuity regions where plane sections
cannot be assumed to be plane. Members
with holes and notches can also be
designed using these models.
Generally the results of Eurocode 2 and
BS 8110 will be comparable. If the UK
national annex allows higher values for
compression stress blocks, some members
now reinforced for compression will not
need to be. However, the status quo is likely to prevail. The shear design in Eurocode
2 will be more economic, particularly for
high strengths of concrete. There will be
very little difference in column design.

Serviceability stresses need to be

checked
In verifying serviceability limit states,

the three aspects covered are

stress checks
crack control
deflection control.

The clauses dealing with stress checks

are now reduced to two principles leaving
the limiting values for stresses to national
annexes. Historically, the UK has not
checked stresses at serviceability in reinforced concrete.
There are differences to the clauses
dealing with cracking compared to the
ENV pre-standard. These relate to the
strain in the reinforcement to be used and
the formula for maximum crack spacing.
The final shape of these are yet to be
agreed. The provisions for control of
cracking without direct calculations are
given by way of tables for maximum bar
diameters and some spacing for various
levels of steel stress.
The most significant difference in the
section dealing with deflection is the inclusion of a formula for span/depth ratios.
The UK always felt that the table in the
ENV pre-standard was too simplistic and
unduly conservative. The use of the formulae is likely to result in span-depth
ratios comparable to current UK practice.
Requirements for spacing of bars,
bends, laps and anchorages are similar to
those in the ENV pre-standard. Minimum
and maximum amounts of reinforcement
for various member types are also given.
For flexural members, minimum steel is
013% and the maximum is 4%.
Minimum shear reinforcement is related
to the steel and concrete strengths. For
commonly used grades of concrete, it is
around 010% for high-tensile links and
018% for mild steel links. For columns
the minimum and maximum steel percentages are 02% and 4% respectively
Additional requirements are given for
lightweight concrete, which the code
defines as concrete having a closed structure and air oven-dry density not exceeding 2200 kg/m3. The strength range is
from fck = 12 MPa to 80 MPa. The
strength class designations for lightweight
concrete are prefixed with LC. The value
of for the stress block for lightweight
concrete is 085.
The design provisions for plain concrete
do not differ significantly from the ENV

pre-standard. The partial factor for concrete

is 18 instead of 15 for reinforced concrete

Designing for accidental fire

This second section of the first part of
Eurocode 2 (EN1992-1-2) deals with the
design of concrete structures exposed to
fire. It is supplementary to the first section for normal-temperature design. The
recommendations apply to design situations in which fire is an accidental
actionthat is, it does not apply to structures permanently exposed to elevated
temperatures. The methods given are
applicable to concrete grades up to 50
MPa for normal concrete and 55 MPa for
lightweight concrete. For higher-strength
concretes, guidance is given in chapter 5
but with some limitations.
The aim of fire design is to provide the
structure with

adequate load-bearing capacity for the

duration
adequate insulation to limit the temperature rise on the far side of the
structure not exposed to fire
adequate integrity to prevent the formation of cracks that will allow the
passage of fire and gases.

The time-temperature relationship to be

used is the curve defined in EN13501-1
for fully developed fire in a compartment.
Three types of structural analysis are permitted

member
part of the structure
global.

Design using tabulated data comes

under member analysis although this
approach does not involve any structural
analysis.
When calculations are undertaken,
EN1990 recommends the following load
combination
Gk + 1Qk + Ad
where Gk is the characteristic dead load,
Qk is the characteristic imposed load, 1
is the combination factor (with value less
than 10) and Ad is the accidental action.
There is a debate at present whether a
lower factor than 1 should be used.
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27

NARAYANAN

The code permits simplifications for the

various analyses. It is also stated that
member analysis is sufficient to establish
the resistance with respect to standard
fire. Partial factors for materials are to be
confirmed in national annexes but the recommended value is 10 for both concrete
and reinforcement.

Using tabular data for fire design

In practice the majority of structures are
designed using tabular data. The information given is similar to that found in
BS 8110 but considerably greater emphasis is given to detailing requirements.
Good detailing is essential for structures
to survive fire conditions. The data have
been assembled on the basis of tests conducted in various countries in Europe.
Minimum dimensions and axis distance
(the distance from the face of a member
to the centre of the reinforcement) are
given for slabs, beams, columns and walls
for fire periods from 30 minutes to 240
minutes. Where the reinforcement is in
several layers, the concept of weighted
average is accepted to determine the axis
distance. The critical temperature
assumed is 500C for reinforcement,
400C for pre-stressing bars 300C for
strands and wires. The values of axis-distance are given on the basis of the critical
temperature being just reached to support
the loading under fire conditions.
The table for columns now introduces
the combinations of mechanical reinforcement ratio and load levels on the column
(indicative of the reserve strength) in the
normal temperature designed to arrive at
minimum dimensions. The current
requirements could result in larger
columns for the higher fire resistance periods. This matter is still under discussion.
The tabular data apply to normal weight
concrete made with siliceous aggregates.
Where calcareous aggregates are used in
beams and slabs the axis distance in the
tables should be reduced by 10%.
Reductions are also allowed for lightweight concrete depending on the density.
Some advice on the risk of explosive
spalling is given. The risk is a function of
moisture content, aggregate type, permeability of concrete and the heating rate.
When the moisture content of the concrete is less than 3% by weight spalling is
unlikely to occur. The code states that

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allowance for the risk of spalling is built

into the tabulated data, where the moisture content is less than 3%. In the interior of most buildings with low humidity
this is likely to be the case. Where necessary the local loss of cover concrete could
be taken into account and a reduced load
bearing capacity arrived at. In general surface reinforcement should be provided
when the cover is 50 mm or more.
Chapter 5 gives guidance for highstrength concrete. A number of antispalling measures are recommended and
at least one of these is required to be
incorporated in the design. These include

surface reinforcement
protective layers
addition of propylene fibres
testing to demonstrate that the risk is
acceptable.

The general verification procedure for

normal-strength concrete can also be used
for high-strength concrete. The tabular
method for columns will be valid if the
axis distance is increased by 35%. For
beams and slabs the tabulated axis distance values are required to be increased
by 10%.
Other information is provided in annexes

annex A provides temperature profiles

for beams, slabs and columns
annex B is concerned with simplified
calculation methods. Two alternatives
are given500C isotherm and zone
methods
annex C gives the details of procedures for assessing the buckling
strength of columnsit includes a
number of tables for minimum dimensions related to slenderness ratio and
load levels
annex D provides a simplified practical procedure for designing beams
and slabs.

Conclusions
Designers who had familiarised themselves with the ENV version of Eurocode
2 will find that there are some significant
changes in a number of areas. However,
the general process remains the same.
Those familiar with the methods in
BS 8110 will find the Eurocode procedures not too dissimilar to current prac-

tice but inevitably they will need to go

through a learning curve. On the whole
the designs resulting from the two codes
are likely to be reasonably comparable.
A number of initiatives are already
afoot to produce design aids, manuals and
books on Eurocode 2 and these should
assist the practitioner. It is hoped that the
above summary is also helpful.

References
1. GULVANESSIAN H. EN1990 Eurocode:
Basis for structural design (this issue).
2. ENV13670 Execution of concrete structures, CEN, Brussels.
3. EN206-1-2000 Concrete: performance,
production, placing and compliance criteria, CEN, Brussels.
4. BS 8500 (parts 14, complementary
British Standard to EN206), BSI, 2000.
5. prEN10080 Reinforcement steels, CEN,
Brussels.
6. prEN10138 Pre-stressing steels, CEN,
Brussels.
7. EN1168-1 Pre-stressed hollow-core elements, CEN, Brussels.
8. EN1168-2 Reinforced hollow-core elements, CEN, Brussels.
9. EN13743 Pre-cast floor plates (parts
13), CEN, Brussels.
10. EN13224 Ribbed elements, CEN,
Brussels.
12. EN13225 Linear structural elements,
CEN, Brussels.
13. WI002 290 10 Beams and block floor
systems.
14. WI002 290 04 Stairs.
15. GULVANESSIAN H. EN1991 Eurocode 1:
Actions on structures (this issue).

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