Eurokoder

Eurokoder is the term used in several European languages to denote the European standards for structural design, collectively known as the Eurocodes. They were developed to harmonize building and civil engineering design rules across Europe and to facilitate cross-border trade and collaboration. The Eurocodes are published and maintained by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) in cooperation with national standard bodies.

The Eurocodes provide a unified framework for the design of buildings and civil engineering works. They cover a wide range of topics, including basis of design, loads and actions, and design rules for materials and construction. The core series comprises EN 1990 to EN 1999, which together address concrete, steel, timber, masonry, aluminium, and composite structures, as well as geotechnical aspects and earthquake resistance. The codes emphasize safety, serviceability, durability, and reliability in structural design.

National annexes play a crucial role in the Eurocode system. Each member country adopts a National Annex that specifies country-specific choices for certain parameters, such as partial safety factors and material properties. These nationally determined parameters (NDPs) allow harmonization across Europe while accommodating local codes, practices, climate, and management requirements.

Adoption and use vary by country, but since the 1990s and early 2000s the Eurocodes have been progressively adopted by EU and EEA states, and they are widely used as the reference standards in construction projects. Non-EU countries also reference or adapt Eurocodes. The system is periodically updated through amendments and corrigenda, and ongoing education and software tools support practitioners in applying the codes consistently.

See also: Eurocodes, CEN, EN standards, National Annexes.