The Second Generation of Eurocode 7 – A Modern Basis for the Design of Piled Foundations and Ground Improvement-Paper

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The second generation of Eurocode 7 provides an updated framework for geotechnical design, intended to improve usability and harmonization while addressing engineering needs over the coming decades. Its content is reorganized into three parts: Part 1 covers general rules, Part 2 focuses on deriving ground parameters, and Part 3 sets out requirements for specific geotechnical structures. Part 3 also introduces provisions for ground improvement, reinforced fills, soil nailing, rock support and groundwater control.<br /><br />For piled foundations, the revised standard covers single piles, pile groups and piled rafts on an equivalent basis. It harmonizes design approaches for axial and lateral loading and provides guidance on ground investigations, testing, calculation methods, limit-state verification and resistance factors. It also addresses pile interaction, settlement, downdrag, buckling, and the effects of cyclic and dynamic loads. Design is intended to account for interactions between piles, the ground and the supported structure.<br /><br />Ground improvement is classified according to whether treatment is diffuse or uses discrete inclusions, and whether the improved material has measurable compressive strength. The design must assess interactions among the structure, improved ground, inclusions and surrounding soil. For rigid inclusions, this includes checking load distribution, structural resistance, settlement, buckling where relevant, and the performance of any load-transfer platform. Testing and quality control are also addressed.<br /><br />Overall, the new Eurocode establishes a consistent verification framework across conventional foundations, ground improvement and piled systems. Nationally determined parameters allow adaptation to local practice, while the expanded guidance supports the design of more complex geotechnical works.

Keywords

Eurocode 7

geotechnical design

piled foundations

ground improvement

pile groups

piled rafts

soil nailing

groundwater control

limit-state verification

rigid inclusions