About Eurocode 2

Eurocode 2 and EC2 are both abbreviations for BS EN 1992, Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures. There are four parts to BS EN 1992 but by Eurocode 2 most people mean BS EN 1992-1-1 General rules and rules for buildings.

Although there continues to be a transition period, eventually Eurocode 2 will replace all national codes dealing with the design of structural concrete (such as BS 8110, BS 8007, BS 5400 in the UK). All the parts of Eurocodes rleevant to the design of concrete have been published. The final relevant UK National Annex (for wind loads) was due to be published in late May 2008. For information on the programme of releases and details of the transition visit British Standards Institute (BSI).

Eurocode 2 has four parts, for example EN 1992-1-1 deals with general structures and buildings and other parts cover fire, bridges and liquid retaining structures. Each part deals with design alone, so the basis of design, loads (or actions as they are now known), materials and workmanship are covered in their own Eurocodes. Materials and workmanship are covered by their own European Standards or complementary British Standards as indicated below:

Table 1 - Concrete related Eurocodes and their equivalent current standards