This development, finalized in April 2023 with publication following in late 2023, marks a new chapter in European construction standards and serves as the foundation for National Annexes across EU member states.
This update represents a significant evolution in European construction standards, with three primary objectives:
- Enhanced Ease of Use: Making the codes more accessible and easier to implement.
- Physical Model-Based Design: Establishing design principles grounded in physical models, independent of member type.
- Streamlined Parameters: Reducing the number of Nationally Defined Parameters (NDPs) to promote greater standardization.
Key Changes to Note
The updated Eurocode 2 brings important revisions in several critical areas:
- Material Factors and Properties: Updates to partial material factors and properties for concrete, steel, couplers, and headed bars.
- Structural Design Elements: Significant changes to shear at interfaces, punching, and anchorage and laps.
For engineers and designers working with structural elements, these changes will require careful attention to ensure compliance with the new standards. While some updates will simplify our work, others will necessitate adjustments to our current design practices.
This White Paper summarizes and explains the most relevant technical updates, comparing the new regulations with previous standards. Key parameters are clarified through calculation examples to support and streamline the work of Peikko engineers and our customers.
Preparing for the Transition
As these new standards are implemented, our team is developing comprehensive calculation examples to illustrate the changes and their practical implications. We understand that transitioning to new codes can be challenging, which is why we're committed to supporting our engineers and customers through this evolution.
Thomas Sippel is a technical expert at Peikko Group, specializing in structural engineering standards and their practical applications in construction.
