Comparison between BKR and Eurocode for the design of a hall building.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine what kind of differences could be found in the design of a hall building in the transition from BKR to Eurocode. The paper responds to how the Eurocodes affects construction, how the prices will change, how the design and control will change and how that will affect the work of a construction engineer. The survey was conducted through literature reviews, interviews and by examining a project conducted by Fastec Sverige AB. The planning of the project was implemented in BKR and selected parts were compared with an equivalent design according to Eurocode. The studied project is a new building ordered by GJS Verktygs AB. Eurocodes are shared design rules for the EU and EFTA member countries. Some national adjustments are allowed in the form of nationally selected parameters, so called NDP. Chosen changes will be set out in the National Annex, NA. The Swedish version of the Eurocodes, NA, refers to Boverket's and Trafikverket's regulations EKS and VVFS. In comparision between Eurocode and BKR the most striking difference is the amplitude of the Eurocodes. Due to a higher level of details, the number of pages are significantly greater in Eurocode than in BKR. Another important difference is that other formulas for calculation are used in the Eurocodes. In dimensioning, no major changes to concrete or steel designs are expected. Thereby no increased costs are expected. In contrast, the glulam stucture dimensions will alter and costs increase. Indirect costs for companies like Fastec Sverige AB will also increase as the Eurocodes cost considerably´more to buy than the BKR. Initially, productivity will also lessen with the initial time it takes to learn how to use the new standards. Since no manuals regards steel and timber structures, designers must make their own interpretations of the Eurocodes.