Eurocodeontwerprichtlijnen

Eurocode design refers to the use of the Eurocodes, a comprehensive set of European standards for the structural design and construction of buildings and civil engineering works. Published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), the Eurocodes provide harmonized rules intended to improve safety, durability, and interoperability across Europe. They cover methods for calculating loads, material properties, and the design requirements needed to verify that structures meet performance criteria under service and extreme conditions.

The Eurocode suite comprises ten main codes, each focusing on a particular material or structural domain. Key codes include EN 1990 Basis of structural design, EN 1991 Actions on structures, EN 1992 Concrete structures, EN 1993 Steel structures, EN 1994 Composite steel and concrete structures, EN 1995 Timber structures, EN 1996 Masonry structures, EN 1997 Geotechnical design, EN 1998 Design of structures for earthquake resistance, and EN 1999 Aluminum structures. Each code is typically issued with parts that address general principles, fundamental design rules, and material-specific provisions, often supplemented by subparts and guidance applicable to different structural contexts.

Implementation in Europe involves national annexes that allow member states to adopt national choices while preserving overall compatibility. Although not all members have fully replaced national standards, the Eurocodes are widely used as the primary reference for design in Europe and are increasingly adopted in other regions and international projects.

The practical use of Eurocodes emphasizes a unified approach to safety, serviceability, and durability, enabling cross-border collaboration, standardized documentation, and the use of common software tools. Critics note the complexity and the need for training to interpret the interfaces and national annex variations.