Understanding Key Concepts of EN 1990

BS EN 1990:2002 establishes principles and requirements for the safety, serviceability and durability of structures, and describes the basis for their design and verification. It is a key document and one that all bridge designers using the Eurocodes will need to be familiar with. In particular, it explains how actions should be combined and contains partial factors on these actions and _ factors to be used in evaluating their design effects. Perhaps most importantly, however, it establishes the overall framework of principles used by the other Eurocode parts. The paper provides an overview of BS EN 1990:2002 drawing out important issues with particular emphasis on those that represent a change from past UK bridge design practice. In doing so, six key new concepts are identified that bridge designers should understand. A summary of each of these concepts is provided