British construction business can pay dearly if they do not have a look at the implications of not
adopting Eurocodes.
Several studies lead by NCE present that two thirds of civil engineers feel unable to confidently use
Eurocodes and 34% of engineers feel comfortable using Eurocodes.
This is the product of a lack of education with only 29% of respondents declared to have had any
practice about Eurocodes.
Moreover, the online questionnaire survey , which was accomplish 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 reach the official full implementation date.
The remaining 15% to be using Eurocodes by autumn 2010 – important change from the November
2008 survey when a quarter of respondents said they would not be using the new codes at all.
The study inform 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.
Next month the British Standards Institutions is going to modify the structural design codes in
relation with the Eurocodes. From the first of April the practice of the Eurocodes will be highly
recommended and specifically for public project in England, Wales and Northern Irland.
There are 10 Eurocodes made up of 58 parts that will be accepted in all EU Member States.
They will change existing British Standards which are due to be withdrawn on 31 March 2010 when
full implementation of the Eurocodes will take place.
Eurocodes structure :
Base Eurocode – Basis of architect