Evolving structures: Composites, Eurocodes and the future of construction

From its inception, the construction industry has been a canvas of evolution, driven by innovation. With over 30 years of dedicated service in the composites industry, Professor Eric Moussiaux, our vice president of technology, explores the impact of the new Eurocode for composites on the changing landscape of construction and engineering.??

What are Eurocodes??

The Eurocodes represent a comprehensive set of standards for the design and construction of buildings and civil engineering works. Conceived in 1975 by the Commission of the European Community, it aimed to unify design and construction practices across Europe while eliminating technical trade articles.? ? The Eurocodes evolved through meticulous development, officially endorsed in 1989 by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), comprising ten parts tailored for traditional materials like steel, concrete and masonry.? ? However, the industry’s evolution in material science and technology highlights the need for a dedicated Eurocode specifically tailored to fiber-polymer composites, signifying a growing acceptance of novel materials in the market.??

The Eurocodes underwent revisions from 2010, resulting in the second generation published in 2023, notably including the CEN/TS 19101: Design of Fiber-Polymer Composite Structures. This technical specification, evolving into a Eurocode after a two to three-year trial period, focusses on designing various civil engineering structures using composites, ensuring safety, serviceability, and durability.?

It encompasses a wide array of composite structures, including profile and sandwich panels, joints like bolted, bonded, and hybrid connections, and extends its applicability to diverse structural systems across 34 CEN countries. Despite being in a testing phase, it is already available for purchase and evaluation across the EU, undergoing thorough validation before achieving official Eurocode status.?

Why is this significant??

The establishment of a dedicated composite Eurocode introduces a standardized framework for designing composite structures, equipping engineers with streamlined guidelines, and elevating composite materials as credible options.?

Such recognition inspires designers to explore composite possibilities across applications. Anticipated outcomes include increased market penetration. Despite composites representing only one per cent of the €192 bn market in hardware and building materials, amounting to €2.16 bn, the Eurocode’s implementation is set to stimulate growth by instilling confidence among professionals.?

To meet the demands of the technical specification, the establishment of robust quality assurance processes is needed. The EC has authorized TC250 WG4, the workgroup authoring the TS 19101, to develop an execution standard for fiber-reinforced polymer structures. This ensures that products meet the required standards of safety, serviceability, and durability. Consequently, the formalization of these design standards is set to enhance the credibility of composites as a viable option for structural applications.?

Changes to the Eurocodes foster international collaboration, harmonizing standards, simplifying trade, and catalyzing expertise exchange in the composites sector. This collaboration enhances competitiveness in the global market, ensuring products and services meet universally accepted criteria.??

In essence, adherence to internationally recognized standards enhances competitiveness in the global market, endowing manufacturers and professionals with the confidence that their products and services meet universally accepted criteria.?

The introduction of the Eurocode for composites marks a significant stride in construction and engineering, solidifying the credibility of composite materials.?

It invites engineers, designers, and manufacturers to explore the limitless possibilities in composite materials, envisioning structures that prioritize safety, sustainability, and resilience.?

The introduction of the Eurocode for composites marks a significant stride in construction and engineering, solidifying the credibility of composite materials.?

This initiative includes the development of two crucial resources: a detailed 1000-page commentary providing extensive justification for the technical specification’s content, and a book featuring 14 detailed worked examples — a valuable resource for educators and engineers. These materials offer a comprehensive framework to explore composite materials’ potential, enabling the creation of secure structures. The digital publication of these documents is expected in 2024.??

Now, more than ever, the time has come to champion this transformative journey across the construction industry. It is a resounding call to action, an impassioned plea to all stakeholders to embrace? the Eurocode for composites, a key that will unlock doors to a brighter, more innovative tomorrow.??

We can build a future where innovative materials are at the heart of groundbreaking designs, where the ideals of safety and sustainability are seamlessly interwoven, and where our structures proudly stand as testaments to human ingenuity. The Eurocode for composites is not merely a collection of standards; it is an extraordinary opportunity to shape the world we inhabit.?

About the Author?

Eric Moussiaux is a distinguished figure in industrial composites, with a career spanning over three decades. As our the Vice President of Technology, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Moussiaux has held leadership positions in esteemed organizations, including chair of the European Pultrusion Technology Association and the founding of the European Composites Industry Association. Beyond his corporate roles, he contributes to the field of education as a visiting professor at the University of Brussels (VUB), where he imparts his knowledge of the Mechanics of Composite Materials, inspiring future generations in the field.?

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