Briefing: Eurocode 7 (EN 1997-Part 3): Ground Improvement coverage

Structural and geotechnical design in Europe and other countries outside Europe is governed by European Norm (EN) Eurocodes. The current (first generation) ‘Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design – Part 1: General rules (EN 1997-1:2004)’ was first published in December 2004. The code covers a number of geotechnical processes including Pile Foundations and Ground Improvement. While providing good coverage of Pile Foundations (18 pages), Ground Improvement coverage comprised a one-page sub-section within: ‘Fill, dewatering, ground improvement and reinforcement’. Clearly, Ground Improvement has advanced significantly since 2004 and hence it was considered necessary to significantly improve its coverage in the second generation of Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design (anticipated for publication between 2024 and 2025). Representing the first major revision of the code since its original implementation in 2004, it comprises three parts: Part 1: General rules, Part 2: Ground properties and Part 3: Geotechnical structures. This briefing summarises the main changes, including in the context of Ground Improvement coverage in Part 3, from a UK perspective.