The Eurocodes: the European language of structural design
Summary
TAV. 00The family of ten European standards (EN 1990–EN 1999) for structural design: a common limit-states method covering actions, materials, geotechnics and seismic design. In Italy they apply through the NTC 2018, with which they are aligned, and with the National Annex. Protected technical standards: their framework is described, not reproduced.
Scope of application
TAV. 01They concern the design of structures and geotechnical works. In Italy the binding reference is the NTC 2018, aligned with the Eurocodes; these apply with the National Annex that sets the nationally determined parameters.
How this standard works
TAV. CThe Eurocodes are the family of ten European standards (EN 1990–EN 1999) for structural design: they set a common method based on limit states and partial safety factors, and cover actions, the structural materials (concrete, steel, timber, masonry, aluminium, composite structures), geotechnics and seismic design. Each country applies them with a National Annex setting the nationally determined parameters.
A family of ten standards
The Eurocodes are the European technical basis of structural design: ten standards, from EN 1990 to EN 1999, sharing a single method and dividing the tasks — the framework, the actions, the materials, the ground, the earthquake. You do not design 'with one Eurocode', but with the set: the framework (EN 1990) and the actions (EN 1991) combine with the standard for the material used.
Who does what
The ten Eurocodes share the work along a clear division of labour, from the umbrella standard to the single materials and themes.
| Standard | Subject |
|---|---|
| EN 1990 (EC0) | basis of design: limit states, combinations |
| EN 1991 (EC1) | actions: weights, imposed loads, snow, wind, thermal, fire |
| EN 1992 (EC2) | concrete structures |
| EN 1993 (EC3) | steel structures |
| EN 1994 (EC4) | composite steel-concrete structures |
| EN 1995 (EC5) | timber structures |
| EN 1996 (EC6) | masonry structures |
| EN 1997 (EC7) | geotechnical design |
| EN 1998 (EC8) | earthquake-resistant design |
| EN 1999 (EC9) | aluminium structures |
The common method: limit states and partial factors
All Eurocodes share the semi-probabilistic limit-states approach: the effects of actions are compared with the structure's capacity, applying partial safety factors to loads and materials and using characteristic values. It is the same framework as NTC 2018: they speak the same language.
The hard case: the National Annex
A Eurocode does not give the same numbers across Europe. Many parameters are left to each State's choice (the nationally determined parameters), set in the National Annex. Taking a value from a foreign example is a mistake: in Italy the Italian parameters apply.
Why it matters
The Eurocodes are why a bridge designed in Milan and one in Lisbon answer to the same safety logic. For structural architecture they are the common language that makes skills comparable and mobile across Europe — and the technical basis underpinning national rules, the NTC included.
Key points
TAV. K- Family of 10 European standards for structural design, from EN 1990 to EN 1999 (protected standards).
- Common method: limit states and partial safety factors, the same framework as NTC 2018.
- They divide the tasks: framework (EC0), actions (EC1), materials (EC2–6, EC9), geotechnics (EC7), seismic (EC8).
- Each country applies them with a National Annex: the parameters change from State to State.
- In Italy you design to the NTC 2018, aligned with the Eurocodes and integrated with the National Annex.
Materials concerned
TAV. MProcesses involved
TAV. PFrequently asked questions
TAV. QWhat are the Eurocodes?
Ten European standards (EN 1990–1999) that set a common method for designing structures, covering actions, materials, geotechnics and seismic design.
In Italy do you design to the Eurocodes or the NTC?
To the NTC 2018, which are binding and aligned with the Eurocodes; the Eurocodes are the harmonised European reference, used with the Italian National Annex.
What is the National Annex?
The document by which each State sets the parameters left to national choice: the same Eurocodes give different values in different countries.
Which Eurocode covers earthquakes?
EN 1998 (Eurocode 8), dedicated to earthquake-resistant design; in Italy the operational reference remains the NTC 2018.
Why ten standards and not one?
Because they divide the tasks: one for the framework, one for actions, one for each material or theme; they are used together.
Glossary
TAV. G- Eurocodici
- Family of European standards (EN 1990–1999) for structural design.
- Stato limite
- Condition beyond which the structure no longer meets a requirement (of strength or serviceability).
- Coefficiente parziale di sicurezza
- Factor applied to loads and materials to ensure a margin of safety.
- Appendice Nazionale
- National document setting the parameters left to each State's choice.
- Valore caratteristico
- Reference value of an action or material property, defined on a statistical basis.