GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN ASSIGNMENT

Geotechnical Design Assignment



Geotechnical design Assignment

Section A- Understanding of Eurocode 7

1. Analyse the impacts of the geotechnical Eurocode system on the UK site investigation practice as well as the geotechnical construction practice.

In most countries the design of civil and structural engineering works is usually based on the recommendations of Codes of Practice, or similar. In the UK, there is a comprehensive set of Codes covering many aspects of design for all of the main structural materials. The Codes are published by the British Standards Institution, are well respected, and find use in many countries outside the UK. (Frank, 2010: 79-81)

The Eurocode programme started many years ago under the direct auspices of the Commission. Although draft Codes for some aspects of design were published for comment at that time the responsibility for drafting these technically demanding documents was subsequently passed to CEN, whose members are the National Standards Bodies (NSBs) eg. BSI, in the UK. (Fardis, 2010: 105-108)

Inevitably, the Eurocodes and their implementation have been and will continue to be the subject of debate and discussion, which is healthy and necessary. However, the sceptics need to recognise that implementation is inevitable and should start channelling their efforts into improving Eurocode design aids and support resources rather than challenging implementation.

As of now, UK design businesses and individuals should be deciding on their individual strategies for Eurocode implementation as a matter of urgency. In particular, they need to plan how to maximise the opportunities and minimise the threats posed by the wide-open international market Eurocodes will create - not just in Europe but throughout the world. (Frank, 2010: 79-81)

The strategy should depend very much on work portfolios, such as proportion of design work relating to projects outside the UK, percentage of UK and European public works design, and amount of design relating to construction products and components manufactured off-site.

From 1 April 2010, the national codes of practice for the design of buildings and civil engineering works in the UK will be the 58 parts of the ten new BS EN Eurocodes. While they may not suit everyone, the whole construction industry needs to embrace them and move forward.

The requirement to use Eurocodes is governed by EU directives on public procurementand construction products, which are enacted in the UK as the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (HMG, 2006) and the Construction Products Regulations 1991 (HMG, 1991) respectively. As such, most UK public sector organisations, utilities and product manufacturers will be using Eurocodes for all new designs after April 2010.

Significant guidance on the implementation of Eurocodes - far greater than in any other European country - has been made available to the construction professionals in the UK by the government, major institutions, research organisations and trade organisations

Once implemented in the UK, the Eurocode documents will have the status of current BS codes and standards. It is expected that all references to BS documents in the Building Regulations and other regulatory documents such as those of the Highways Agency and Network ...