Countdown to Eurocode Implementation

National Annexes

The National Annexes (NA) for the following parts of Eurocode 3 are complete and will be published by BSI later this year.

• Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures Part 1.1: General rules and rules for buildings
• Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures Part 1.2: General rules – Structural fire design
• Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures Part 1.8: Design of joints
• Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures Part 1.10:

These NAs contain the partial safety factors and nationally determined parameters for structures that are built in the UK. The partial safety factors have been determined by extensive calibration of the Eurocodes against national standards such as BS 5950 and have been selected to maintain current safety levels. The main partial safety factors for members and joints are given in the tables to the right.

Eurocode 3 Part 1.1 allows the NA to define the serviceability limits for vertical and horizontal deflections and dynamic effects. It is recognised that deflection limits require experience and judgement on the part of the designer and therefore the limits given in the NA are for guidance only. Situations may arise where higher deflections are acceptable. No limits are given for portal frames. The suggested deflection limits (which are to be checked under unfactored imposed loads) are shown in the table to the right.