Implications of the change to Eurocodes for bridge design

Abstract

The use of Eurocodes on real projects in the UK highways sector is nearing reality. National Annexes for all the parts required for bridge design are nearing completion and should be ready by the end of 2007. The Highways Agency and British Standards Institution (BSI) committees are completing production of BSI Published Documents to give non-contradictory complementary information to help with the use of the Eurocodes and a variety of organisations are producing design guides. Despite the cultural and technical changes that the Eurocodes bring, pilot studies have shown that designers adapt remarkably quickly. There are also incentives to embrace the Eurocodes. The less prescriptive approach and more up-to-date rules provide the user with greater scope for innovation and economy. This paper identifies the various areas in steel and concrete design where there are technical differences between the new Eurocodes and BS 5400 and also where the new rules lead to the potential for greater structural economy.