Keynote Lecture: Innovation and Sustainability in Standardisation-PPT Presentation

PPT Presentation

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The presentation examines how standardisation can support innovation and sustainability in construction, particularly in geotechnical engineering. Standards are continually updated in response to field experience, advances in professional practice and research. Examples include future revisions to guidance on foundations and geotechnical testing.<br /><br />The speaker argues that standards need not hinder innovation: Eurocode 7 has long allowed unlisted deep-foundation methods and materials when supported by project-specific specifications and experimental evidence, including trial load tests. The second generation of Eurocodes and revised execution standards are expected to broaden the use of new methods and materials, while national annexes and nationally determined parameters allow rules to reflect local practice. Although some new requirements may complicate calculations or increase material quantities, the goal should be cost-effective design—not automatically using more resources.<br /><br />Sustainability is becoming more explicit in the standards. Future Eurocode provisions will address structures’ environmental, social and economic impacts over their life cycles. For geotechnical works, strategies include reducing material use, reusing structural elements and excavated soil, using renewable materials and geothermal systems, and considering carbon emissions and pollution. Proposed changes may also enable more efficient temporary structures and reduce pile dimensions.<br /><br />The presentation highlights CEN/TC 288’s work to consider new construction techniques and systematically include sustainability in revised standards, in coordination with other technical committees. Priorities include expanding acceptable in-situ materials and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, water consumption and fossil-energy use.<br /><br />Overall, standards are portrayed as instruments that can guide progress rather than obstruct it. Continued vigilance by European and national committees and industry groups is essential to ensure that innovation and sustainability remain central, with growth in value—not simply construction volume—as the objective.

Keywords

standardisation

innovation

sustainability

construction

geotechnical engineering

Eurocode 7

foundations

geotechnical testing

life cycle impacts

carbon emissions