Eurocode terminology

In order to have commonality of engineering terms across Europe, some of the words
ACEG434 FOUNDATION ENGINEERING used in the Eurocodes may be new to our engineering terminology.
The Structural Eurocodes For example, resistance means the strength of a structure/ the ground or its ability to
resist failure (e.g. bending strength of a beam or the bearing capacity of a soil).
Objective
An action is a load applied to a structure or the ground. An imposed displacement
In this lecture we will learn a little about the structural Eurocodes programme. We will could also be an action.
also learn about the new ways in which forces and geotechnical parameters are dealt
with in the Eurocodes. Parameters and partial factors in the Eurocodes
Introduction Actions (loads) and parameters in the Eurocodes are divided into characteristic and
design values.
The structural Eurocodes are a series of new common design standards for civil
engineering in Europe. All members of the EU (plus some other countries, such as The characteristic value of an action (Fk) and the characteristic value of a parameter
Norway, Switzerland, South Africa, Malaysia) are adopting the new Eurocodes. (Xk) are values that we would expect to find in the structure or in the ground during
normal everyday use of the structure.
There are 10 main Eurocodes although most of the Eurocodes also have several
parts (20 parts to Eurocode 3 alone!): The design value of an action (Fd) and the design value of a parameter (Xd) have a
worse effect on the structure, i.e. actions are usually higher and parameters are
EN 1990 Eurocode 0: Basis of Structural Design
usually weaker. We would not expect to see these values during normal use of the
EN 1991 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures structure ever, but they are used in design to ensure that it is safe.
EN 1992 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures
The design values Fd, Xd are derived from the characteristic values Fk, Xk using
EN 1993 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures partial factors γ (γ ≥ 1.0):
EN 1994 Eurocode 4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures
actions: Fd = γF x Frep (where Frep = representative combination of characteristic actions)
EN 1995 Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures
EN 1996 Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures parameter: Xd = Xk / γM
EN 1997 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design
The values of the partial factors γ for many different design situations are given in the
EN 1998 Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance National Annexes to the various Eurocodes. For ULS design (e.g. bearing capacity of
EN 1999 Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures a foundation) usually γ ≥ 1.0, for SLS design (e.g. settlement of a foundation) usually
γ = 1.0.
Each country must write its own National Annex to each part of the Eurocodes before
Characteristic values of geotechnical parameters
they can be used in that country. The National Annex contains some data and design
methods for use only in that particular country (e.g. for weather conditions) but the
How do we find the characteristic value of a geotechnical parameter (such as
variation in Eurocodes between different countries will be very small.
undrained shear strength cu or friction angle φ′) from the site investigation results?
In Cyprus, the National Annexes for all the Eurocode parts are being written and in
The characteristic value is a mean value. However, since we only test a small
2008 they will be published. For a period of at least 3 years either the new Eurocodes
percentage of the soil, a mean of our test results will not necessarily be a mean of all
or existing standards can be used. After this period (i.e. from about 2010), only the
the soil at a site. Therefore, we must be cautious with our selection of a mean
new Eurocodes should be used for civil engineering design in Cyprus.
(characteristic) value.
The Eurocodes will be sold in “packages”. For example, if you are a civil engineer
Eurocode 7 defines a characteristic value of a geotechnical parameter as “a cautious
who designs concrete buildings, you will buy Package 2/1 which includes parts from
estimate of the mean value for the volume of the ground which affects the behaviour
Eurocodes 0, 1, 2, 7 and 8. Or if you design steel bridges, you will buy Package 3/2
of a geotechnical structure”. We must take account of the geological information and
which includes parts from Eurocodes 0, 1, 3, 7 and 8.
existing data (desk study), variability of values, extent of site investigation and
number and type of samples/in-situ tests.

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