Practical use of Eurocodes for design engineers

Abstract: In January 2011, Boverket’s Design Regulations (BKR) expired in Sweden. New so-called Eurocodes will be implemented instead. Eurocodes are design rules that will be the same for the whole Europe and the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). In order to be efficient in all countries, despite different conditions regarding climate and geography, each country can select Nationally Determined Parameters (NDP). These parameters will be published by Boverket and Trafikverket in Sweden. This in the form of regulations called EKS (European construction standards) and VVFS (Vägverket’s traffic regulations). The purpose of this report is to make the transition from BKR to Eurocodes easier. The report responds to how the elements of the new Eurocodes are structured, what differences there are between BKR and Eurocodes and how the Eurocodes are used in practice. This is shown through a literature study that has been performed on parts from the material on which the Eurocodes are based and a number of example calculations there the Eurocodes has been used. These example calculations form the base for an annex in form of a collection of examples. By having this annex at hand the designer will be helped in his work when the transition occurs. From the collection of examples a "calculation of cumulative loads template" has been created. This is an Excel sheet that will help the designer in his work.