Eurocode 8. evolution or revolution?

Abstract

The development of the 2nd generation of Eurocodes is under way, under a mandate of the European Commission to CEN. The history of the development of the Eurocodes since 1975 until their release in 2005 as European standards EN (1st generation) is put into perspective. It is pointed out that the evolution of the texts during successive updates of Eurocode 8 leaves open discussions on certain topics for the development of the 2nd generation. After having explained how the work in progress is organised, the most important topics for the current or future work are discussed, with the solutions that are proposed.