Reinforced Concrete Design to Eurocode 2
The purpose of this book is to provide a straightforward introduction to the principles and methods of design for concrete structures. It is directed primarily at students and young engineers who require an understanding of the basic theory and a concise guide to design procedures. Although the detailed design methods are generally according to European Standards (Eurocodes), much of the theory and practice is of a fundamental nature and should, therefore, be useful to engineers in countries outside Europe. The search for harmonisation of Technical Standards across the European Community (EC) has led to the development of a series of these Structural Eurocodes which are the technical documents intended for adoption throughout all the member states. The use of these common standards is intended to lower trade barriers and enable companies to compete on a more equitable basis throughout the EC. Eurocode 2 (EC2) deals with the design of concrete structures and, in the UK, has replaced BS8110. Eurocode 2 consist of 4 parts and adopts the limit state principles established in British Standards. This book refers primarily to part 1, dealing with general rules for buildings. Eurocode 2 must be used in conjunction with other European Standards including Eurocode 0 (Basis of Design) that deals with analysis and Eurocode 1 (Actions) that covers loadings on structures. Other relevant Standards are Eurocode 7 (Geotechnical Design) and Eurocode 8 (Seismic Design). Several UK bodies have also produced a range of supporting documents giving commentary and background explanation. Further supporting documentation includes, for each separate country, the National Annex which includes information speci .
fi c to the individual member states and is supported in the UK by the British Standards publication PD 6687:2006 which provides background information. Additionally, the Concrete Centre has produced The Concise Eurocode for the Design of Concrete Buildings which contains material that has been distilled from EC2 but is presented in a way that makes it more user-friendly than the main Eurocode and contains only that information which is essential for the design of more everyday concrete structures. The Institution of Structural Engineers has also produced a new edition of their Design Manual. These latter two documents also contain information not included in EC2 such as design charts and design methods drawn from previous British Standards. The presentation of EC2 is oriented towards computer solution of equations, encompasses higher concrete strengths and is quite different from that of BS8110.
However the essential feature of EC2 is that the principles of design embodied in the document are almost identical to the principles inherent in BS8110. Hence, although there are some differences in details, engineers who are used to designing to the previous British Standard should have no diffi culty in grasping the essential features of EC2
. New grades of reinforcing steel are used and design is now based on concrete cylinder strength, with both of these features incorporated in this edition. Changes in terminology, arising partly from language differences, have resulted in the introduction of a few terms that may be unfamiliar to UK engineers. The most obvious of these is the use of actions to describe the loading on structures and the use of the terms permanent and variable actions to describe dead and imposed loads. Throughout this text, terminology has been kept as consistently as possible in line with accepted UK practice and hence, for example, loads have commonly, but not exclusively, been used instead of actions.
Other ‘new’ terminology is identified at
appropriate points in the text. The subject matter in this book has been arranged so that chapters 1 to 5 deal mostly with theory and analysis while the subsequent chapters cover the design and detailing of various types of member and structure. In order to include topics that are usually in an undergraduate course, there are sections on seismic design, earth-retaining structures as well as chapters on prestressed concrete and composite construction. A new chapter on water retaining structures has been added together with other new sections including the design of deep beams. Additions and modifications have alsobeen made to re
fl ect UK interpretation and practice in the use of EC2 since its introduction.
Additional
fi gures and examples have been added to assist understanding and a new section has been added to Chapter 1 to provide an introduction to design processes. This includes consideration of conceptual design, Sustainability and Health & Safety as well as the role of computer software in design. Important equations that have been derived within the text are highlighted by an asterisk adjacent to the equation number and in the Appendix a summary of key equations is given. Where it has been necessary to include material that is not directly provided by the Eurocodes, this has been based on currently accepted UK good practice. In preparing this new edition one aim has been to retain the structure and features of the earlier 5th edition of the well-established book Reinforced Concrete Design by Mosley, Bungey and Hulse (Palgrave) which is based on British Standards. By comparing both books it is possible to compare the essential differences between Eurocode 2 and previous British Standards and to contrast the different outcomes when structures are designed to either codes. It should be emphasised that Codes of Practice are always liable to be revised, and readers should ensure that they are using the latest edition of any relevant standard. Finally, the authors would like to thank Mr Charles Goodchild (The Concrete Centre) and Dr Steve Jones (Liverpool University) for their helpful comments and suggestions during the writing of this edition