BS EN 1990: Eurocode – Basis of Structural Design is a standard published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and is part of the Eurocodes suite, a set of European standards for the design of buildings and civil engineering works. Specifically, BS EN 1990 provides the fundamental principles and requirements for the safety, serviceability, and durability of structures. It serves as the foundation for the design of various types of structures and is used in conjunction with other Eurocodes that address specific materials (e.g., steel, concrete, timber) or design situations (e.g., seismic design, geotechnical design).
Key Aspects of BS EN 1990:
- General Principles:
- BS EN 1990 outlines the basic principles that structural design should follow, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety and performance throughout the lifecycle of the structure. It includes guidance on both the design process and the considerations of material properties, loads, and actions on structures.
- Safety Requirements:
- The standard defines the concept of safety in structural design, addressing the probability of failure, risk assessment, and defining the factors of safety.
- It emphasizes the importance of ensuring structures are designed to withstand intended loads and conditions over their lifespan, including load combinations and partial safety factors.
- Limit States:
- Design is based on limit states, which describe conditions beyond which a structure no longer performs as intended. There are two types:
- Ultimate limit state (ULS): Ensures the structure is strong enough to withstand extreme loads (e.g., collapse).
- Serviceability limit state (SLS): Ensures that the structure behaves appropriately under normal service conditions, avoiding excessive deformation or vibrations.
- Design is based on limit states, which describe conditions beyond which a structure no longer performs as intended. There are two types:
- Reliability and Risk:
- BS EN 1990 introduces concepts related to structural reliability, helping engineers assess and account for uncertainties in design (such as variability in materials, construction processes, and load effects).
- It establishes the need for considering risk, specifying how to balance the consequences of failure with the likelihood of it occurring.
- Load Combinations:
- It provides guidelines on how to combine different types of loads (e.g., dead loads, live loads, wind loads) for design purposes. These load combinations are essential for ensuring that the structure can withstand the range of possible conditions it might face during its use.
- Durability:
- The Eurocode highlights the importance of durability, addressing the environmental conditions and the maintenance needs of the structure throughout its lifespan.
- Design for Different Environments:
- BS EN 1990 specifies requirements for designing structures in varying environmental conditions, including exposure to weather, seismic activity, and other external factors that may influence a structure’s performance.
- Verification of Design:
- The standard also emphasizes verification processes, including checks on both the design model and assumptions, ensuring that structures meet the intended performance criteria under normal and extreme conditions.
Application and Use:
- BS EN 1990 is used as the overarching framework for structural design in the UK and other countries following the Eurocode system. It works in conjunction with material-specific Eurocodes (e.g., BS EN 1991 for actions, BS EN 1992 for concrete, etc.).
- It is applicable to a wide range of structures, including buildings, bridges, towers, and other civil engineering works.
Revision and Updates:
- BS EN 1990 is periodically reviewed and updated to incorporate new research, technological advances, and safety practices, ensuring that it remains aligned with current standards for structural engineering.
For professionals, adherence to BS EN 1990 is essential for ensuring that designs meet both the legal and safety requirements within the European framework, promoting safe and sustainable structural designs across various disciplines.ts ensure that buyers and users of metallic products can be confident in their compliance with specifications, safety standards, and quality expectations.
