The Background

Eurocodes are Europe’s first set of harmonized rules covering all aspects of the structural design of buildings and other civil engineering works. Many practicing structural engineers who grew up with the British Standards as their defacto guide on matters design will now have to embrace and adopt the Eurocodes.

Eurocodes consist of two parts. The first part is generally the same for all participating countries and is divided into ten segments (EN1990-EN1991). Kenya began by implementing only the first four codes: Structural design, action on structures, code on design of concrete structures and code on design of steel structures. The second part consists of the national annex and will adapt the local needs of the country.

Most of the rules in the Eurocodes are based on the same principles used in the British standards. However, they are updated with recent research on aspects dealing with the structure of a building. They are less stringent than the BS because most of the aspects lie with the designer.

The advantage of the new standards is that they promote greater transparency in design methods and will ease communication between designers, authorities and clients.

Eurocodes are expected to open up the country to international markets as construction professionals are enabled to bid and take up contracts beyond Kenyan borders.

Adoption of the standards requires building local capacity, as well as domesticating the Eurocode with local annexes attached to the European template. For example: wind speeds are different in every geological area so adopting the Eurocode without changing to local specifics may mean that the standards become expensive to implement within the local market as engineers will tend to over-design.

Structural Eurocodes, developed as Europe’s first set of unified Standards for the design of buildings and structures across the European continent, were introduced in the UK in March 2010. Since 2013, they are cited in the UK Building Regulations approved documents. Accordingly, Standards previously applied by the BSI for structural works were withdrawn. The withdrawal presented a problem for countries such as Kenya which predominantly relied on BSI codes for their construction industry.

In February 2012, a high-level meeting was held in Eldoret to discuss the way forward for the construction industry in Kenya. The meeting resolved to adopt Structural Eurocodes with UK Annexes for use in Kenya. Consequently, the Kenya Bureau of Standards gazetted the adoption of the Standards on 14th September 2012 through Gazette Notice No. 13048. This immediately led to the need to raise awareness among all stakeholders and to develop capacity for the use of Structural Eurocodes in structural engineering training and practice. Further, as a requirement, the country must domesticate the Eurocodes by developing the National Annexes containing the Nationally Determined Parameters.

Our Eurocodes 10-day training program covers all the 10 standards and dedicates each standard ample time to cover and understand, guided by our technical team of trainers with experience in diverse area of structural engineering. The course can be taken as a continued program or as one code studied in a day. E.g. structural engineers involved in Road Construction can be trained in Eurocodes that is in line with their line of work or they can take up the full day training.

During the training, each Eurocode trained has its particular course Objective and Outline to meet and emphasis is put to meet the expected outcome.

The Eurocodes Course: Transitioning to Structural Eurocodes, can be broken down to fit broad teams/ audiences in structural engineering. All engineers in the structural build environment – Roads or Building construction engineers will benefit immensely.

This training is designed around the 10 Eurocodes and can be covered in parts or as a continuing program. The program can also be customized for the main audiences – Roads/Highways and Construction Structural Engineers.

We have broken down the training to cover all the Eurocode. The codes covered are;

1. EN 1990 – Eurocode 0: Basis of structural design
2. EN 1991 - Eurocode 1: Actions on structures
3. EN 1992 - Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures
4. EN 1993 - Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures
5. EN 1994 - Eurocode 4: Design of composite steel and concrete structures
6. EN 1995 - Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures
7. EN 1996 - Eurocode 6: Design of masonry structures
8. EN 1997 - Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design
9. EN 1998 - Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance
10. EN 1999 - Eurocode 9: Design of aluminium structures

Our Eurocodes Course: Transitioning to Structural Eurocodes will be covered as UNITS in line with the 10 codes. In Summary, this training is meant to equip engineers across all engineering disciplines with the knowledge for a seamless transition from the British Standard of structures that were in use. Some organizations may not find certain unit useful hence they may prefer to take certain units/codes that are in line with their departments/organizations.

Eurocode 0 - Basis of structural design – The Learning Outcomes

During the training, the participants will understand how the Eurocode 0 is also applicable:

• for the design of structures where other materials or other actions outside the scope of EN 1991 to EN 1999 are involved,
• for the structural appraisal of existing construction, in developing the design of repairs and alterations or in assessing change of use.

Eurocode 0 may be used, when relevant, as a guidance document for the design of structures outside the scope of the EN Eurocodes EN 1991 to EN 1999, for:

• assessing other actions and their combinations;
• modelling material and structural behaviour;

Eurocode 1 - Actions on Structures – The Learning Outcomes

At the end of the Eurocode 1 training delegates will:

• Be familiar with the objectives, development and workings of the Eurocode system
• Be conversant with the parts and clauses relating to actions on structures in Eurocode
• Have a broad understanding of the philosophy and design practice of actions on structures under the Eurocode system

Eurocode 2 - Design of Concrete Structures – The Learning Outcomes

At the end of the Eurocode 2 training delegates should be able to:

• Undertake the design of basic reinforced concrete structures to Eurocode 2
• Recognize the principle differences between Eurocode 2 and BS8110
• Have an appreciation of the Eurocode suite and its impact on Kenya’s design practice
• Be able to undertake the design of basic reinforced concrete structures to Eurocode 2
• Be able to recognize the principle differences between Eurocode 2 and BS8110
• Have an appreciation of the Eurocode suite and their impact on Kenya’s design practice
• Have a clear understanding of practicalities of design using Eurocode 2

Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures – The Learning Outcomes

At the end of the Eurocode 3 training delegates should understand:

• The breadth of the Eurocode suite and the scope of Eurocode 3
• The Eurocode notation systems and design philosophies
• How to design steel structures to Eurocode 3 with confidence
• The breadth of the Eurocode suite and the scope of Eurocode 3
• Eurocode notation systems and design philosophies
• How to design steel structures to Eurocode 3 with confidence
• The practicalities of design using Eurocode 3

Eurocode 4 - Design of Composite Structures – The Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Eurocode 4 training delegates should have:

• The ability to undertake the design of basic steel concrete composite structures to Eurocode 4
• The knowledge to navigate effectively around Eurocode 4 and other Eurocode parts necessary for the design of composite structures
• An understanding the challenges and opportunities that Eurocode 4 brings to composite structural design
• An overview of the Eurocode suite, how the code parts interact, and their impact on Kenyan design practice

Eurocode 5 - Design of Timber Structures – The Learning Outcomes

At the end of the Eurocode 5 training, delegates should have:

• The ability to undertake the design of basic timber structures to Eurocode 5 - Bridges
• Knowledge of the principle differences between Eurocode 5 (part 1-1) and BS5268: part 2
• The ability to navigate effectively around Eurocode 5 and other Eurocode parts necessary for the design of timber structures.
• Knowledge of the challenges and opportunities that Eurocode 5 brings to composite structural design
• Knowledge of the Eurocode suite and how the code parts interact
• Knowledge of the Eurocode suite and their impact on Kenya design practice

Eurocode 6 - Design of Structural Masonry – The Learning Outcomes

At the end of the Eurocode 6 training, participants should:

• Be aware of the development and operation of the Eurocode suite of design codes and the supporting standards
• Understand the structure, operation and interaction of Eurocode 6 within the Eurocode suite
• Understand and be conversant with the key features of Part 1-1 Eurocode 6, the National Annex and the Residual Standard
• Be able to undertake design of vertically loaded walls using Eurocode 6
• Be able to undertake design of laterally loaded panels using Eurocode 6

Eurocode 7 - Geotechnical Design – The Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Eurocode 7 training delegates should understand:

• The development and operation of the Eurocode suite of design codes
• The structure, operation and interaction of Eurocode 7 within the Eurocode suite
• The key features of Eurocode 7 and how to converse with them
• How to undertake the design of spread foundations, pile foundations and retaining structures with Eurocode 7
• The impact the requirements of Eurocode 7 in Kenya’s practice

Eurocode 8 - Seismic Design (Design of structures for earthquake resistance) – The Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Eurocode 8 training delegates should:

• Know how to carry out the design of earthquake resistant bridges and highways to Eurocode 8
• Understand earthquake damages - causes and lessons learned
• Understand ground motions and geotechnical aspects
• Understand performance requirements and compliance criteria of Eurocode 8
• Understand seismic analysis and equivalent static analysis method
• Know the safety verifications in accordance with Eurocode 8
• Have an appreciation of RC design and detail to Eurocode 8

Eurocode 9 - Design of Aluminium Structures – The Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Eurocode 9 training delegates should;

• List the considerations necessary when deciding to use aluminium or steel
• Determine how to select the best aluminium alloys for an application
• Examine the pros and cons of different material forms and jointing methods
• Apply the skills required to perform limit state calculations in accordance with the code
• Prepare rules for execution (fabrication and erection)

Key Learning Outcomes of Design of Bridges to Eurocodes Course

By the end of the Design of Bridges to Eurocodes Course delegates should understand:

• The concepts behind the Eurocodes
• How to navigate between the Eurocodes relevant to bridge design and other associated publications
• The links between the Eurocodes and Product and Execution standards
• Actions and form combinations and how to identify them
• The different approaches available for bridge analysis
• How to undertake member designs according to Eurocodes
• The key geotechnical issues and how structures interact with the ground

All engineers in the structural build environment – Roads or Building construction, will benefit immensely. These include;

• Civil and structural engineers
• Engineering managers
• Anyone with a responsibility for structural design and analysis
• Graduate engineers
• Civil and structural engineers who design or supervise the design of reinforced concrete structures
• Engineers who are already competent with design to British Standards and looking for transition training covering the key changes between BS Codes and Eurocodes.
• Experienced designers
• Experienced civil engineers
• Experienced structural engineers
• Civil and structural engineers who design or supervise the design of timber structures
• Building control and checking engineers
• Civil engineers and designers
• Structural engineers and designers
• Those who wish to design masonry using EN1996 -1 -1
• Geotechnical managers
• Students, researchers and academics with limited seismic design experience
• Graduates undertaking their initial professional development
• Practitioners seeking guidance on the application of all Eurocode