Bridge Engineering in the UK - Documents/Codes required 3

[DimzK]

Hi All,
I will be moving to the UK shortly to start working as a Bridge Engineer for a consultancy where I am expected to do load ratings and bridge/gantry rehabilitation works. My previous/current experience has been in New Zealand and Australia. Can I check what documents I need to be referring to in the UK?

I am guessing the following:
* Is there a DMRB guide?
* ICE Bridge Manual?
* EC2 - Concrete
* EC3 - Steel

Please let me know of the documents I need to be aware of, So I can read these before I start my work in December.

Thanks and Regards,
Dimz

 

[SWComposites]

Isn't this a question the consultancy company should be able to answer?

 

[EireChch]

SWC-you could say the same about most of the posts here.

Dimz seems to be looking for help from practicing Bridge Engineers, fair post i think

 

[DimzK]

@SWComposites - I have contacted them, but I have not been able to get through to the hiring technical manager via HR thus far...whilst I wait, I thought I will seek other engineer's opinion.

 

[ThomasH]

Okey, first a disclaimer .
I don't work specifically as a bridge engineer, but I do work with bridges to some extent. And I don't work in the UK.

I do however know the Eurocodes so I give it a try.

Eurocode 2, Concrete:
EN 1992-1-1: General rules and rules for buildings
EN 1992-2: Concrete bridges - Design and detailing rules
I think those two will cover a lot of what you need regarding concrete.

Eurocode 2, Steel:
EN 1993-1-1: General rules and rules for buildings
EN 1993-2: Steel Bridges

When it comes to steel there is a bunch of Eurocodes and you probably need at least the following in addition to the first two:
EN 1993-1-5: Plated structural elements
EN 1993-1-8: Design of joints
EN 1993-1-9: Fatigue

Then we have the loads and there is a Eurocode for General actions (EN 1991-1-1) one for snow (EN 1991-1-3) and one for wind (EN 1991-1-4). But since your interest is bridges:
EN 1991-2: Traffic loads on Bridges

And you also need:
EN 1990: Basis for structural Design (primarily the load combinations)

Based on my experience from projects in the UK. There may be manuals or Design Guides that make some of the mentioned standards redundant.

Finally, you need National Annexes (NA) for each standard (All Eurocodes are standards) and all member states have their own NA's. In the National Annexes you will find the parameters that UK has chosen. For example snow loads will vary between UK and Finland. I think you will get them if you buy standards from British Standard.

Finally, the Eurocodes are fairly expensive. I think many companies has some type of subscription to make the price more reasonable. Try to get them from you new employer if possible.

Good luck
Thomas

I noticed a mistake, it is EN 1991-1-1 not 199-1-1.
/Thomas

 

[DimzK]

@thomas - thanks for that explanation, you have put me in the right direction, cheers!

 

[GeorgeTheCivilEngineer]

DMRB is freely available online

https://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/dmrb/

Eurocodes and ICE Bridge Manual (which I've never found to be that helpful) aren't free, but can be found on the 'high seas'.