Second-generation Eurocodes: when should I start using them?

Author: Patrick Hayes

Date published

18 January 2024

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Free
The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers
Second-generation Eurocodes: when should I start using them?
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Second-generation Eurocodes: when should I start using them?

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Author
Date published
Price
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Author

Patrick Hayes

Date published

18 January 2024

Author

Patrick Hayes

Price

Free

The second-generation Eurocodes are coming. Understand their status and how they should be used.

Following the publication of Steve Denton and Mariapia Angelino’s Eurocodes evolution: preparing for the second-generation, plans to update the National Annexes and switch over to withdraw the first-generation Eurocodes in March 2028 are underway.

In parallel, these plans include updating the IStructE manuals and CPD programmes.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) now classifies the status of first-generation Eurocodes as “current, superseded” (as opposed to “withdrawn, superseded”), while second-generation Eurocodes will be referred to as “current” until 2028.
 
Indeed, the second generation of EC2 has already been published and The Concrete Centre has issued a bulletin about this.
 
However, as an update to Eurocodes evolution: preparing for the second generation the IStructE reminds designers of the detailed position of the BSI:

“UK adoptions of the first generation of EN Eurocodes will be withdrawn by BSI on 30 March 2028. Until that date, the first-generation documents should be considered as the applicable standards for buildings and civil engineering works constructed in the UK unless otherwise specified by the relevant authority or in the specification for a particular project.

While the use of provisions in this standard in conjunction with first-generation Eurocodes is not precluded, it should be undertaken with care and should only be done when users are satisfied that it will not result in a lower level of reliability than the minimum level set in the first-generation Eurocodes and associated UK National Annexes.”

So, while IStructE encourages all designers to familiarise themselves with the second-generation as soon as possible in preparation for 2028, it does not encourage their use beyond the suggested parameters given above - mixing first and second-generation Eurocodes is to be avoided. 
 
Meanwhile, we will continue to provide timely and relevant updates as the second-generation codes and plans for ancillary guidance develop.