Eurocode 2 is the key document for future structural design in concrete throughout Europe. To use the code effectively, structural engineers need a range of aids in the form of flow charts, design charts and simplified procedures. This book provides all these, and is written with the authority of collaborative work by members of the Concrete Societies of the UK, the Netherlands and Germany. The preparation of the book has been funded under the SPRINT European Community programme for innovation and technology transfer.
In the first phase, the societies questioned a wide range of practitioners about their needs and preferences for design tools. It
was found that, although there is considerable interest in developing information systems through computer processes, the
immediate need and preference was for a traditional “hard copy” Technical Document containing information, guidance and
examples of the use of the Code.
In response, the societies concentrated efforts in the second phase into the production of such a document, which this now
is. During the development of the material, an important meeting was held in Amsterdam in October 1994 when the societies
were able to present draft material for examination and comment and to seek views on the direction of their work. Discussion
at this meeting confirmed the earlier analysis of the industry’s immediate needs and interest in the development of other
information systems for the future. Comments made on the draft at and after the meeting were subsequently considered by the
societies and, where appropriate, material was modified or added.
The publication of this document marks the completion of the second phase and forms part of the final phase which will
concentrate on the dissemination of the information in this document. This last phase will also involve a further examination
of other methods to highlight the material that has been prepared and to consider how other tools and systems may be developed
to aid industry.
Finally, it must be stressed that this document is not an alternative to the European Structural Concrete Code. It is an aid to
use in conjunction with the Code to help designers in their work.
