2.

11 Basis of structural design

Assuming two variable actions accompany the accidental action Ad, the
combination of actions Ed becomes:
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E d = G k " + " A d " + " }1 Q k, 1 " + " }2 Q k, 2  (2.4)

where:
Gk is the self-weight
Ad is the accidental action
Qk,1 is the leading variable action, and
Qk,2 is the accompanying variable action

c factors are 1.0 for self-weight, accidental actions and variable actions.
}1 and } 2 can be obtained from Table 2.6 for the leading and accompanying
variable actions.

Note that Ad never has } factors applied.

Table 2.5 summarises partial factors and combinations for the accidental
design situation.

2.10.4 Partial factors for actions and combinations of actions

Values of the c factors to be used at the ultimate limit state are given in the
tables referred to in Table 2.1. Table 2.1 also shows the relevant combination
expressions in this Manual and in EC0.

The } factors are given in Table 2.6.

2.11 Serviceability limit states

2.11.1 General

Serviceability limit states in buildings should take into account criteria

related, for example, to floor stiffness, differential floor levels, storey sway
and/or building sway and roof stiffness. Stiffness criteria may, for example,
be expressed in terms of limits for vertical deflections and sway criteria may
be expressed in terms of limits for horizontal displacements.

Serviceability criteria should be specified for each project and agreed with
the client.

In essence, EC0 identifies three different serviceability combinations. Each

addresses a different aspect of serviceability behaviour and each is assigned
its own load combination expression in the Eurocode. The text below and

40 The Institution of Structural Engineers Manual for the design of building structures to Eurocode 1
 Basis of structural design 2.11

Appendix D of this Manual contain more information on the difference

between these three combinations.
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In the absence of specific requirements in the Manuals for EC2 to EC6 it is

recommended that the following combinations of actions be used to verify
particular serviceability requirements:
The characteristic combination should be used to verify function and
damage to structural and non-structural elements (e.g. partition walls).
If the functioning of the structure or damage to finishes or non-structural
members (e.g. partition walls, claddings) is being considered, account
should be taken of those effects of permanent and variable actions that
occur after the execution of the member or finish concerned.
The frequent combination should be used to verify comfort criteria
for users, criteria associated with the use of machinery, criteria for the
avoidance of water ponding, etc.
The quasi-permanent combination should be used for criteria associated
with the appearance of the structure. Long term deformations due to
shrinkage, relaxation or creep should be considered where relevant,
and calculated by using the effects of the permanent actions and quasi-
permanent values of the variable actions.

2.11.2 Verification

When considering the serviceability limit states of the structure, the

verification will need to ensure that:

Ed G Cd

where:
Ed is the design value of the effect of actions specified in the
serviceability criterion, determined on the basis of the relevant
combination in Section 2.11.3.
Cd is the limiting design value for the relevant serviceability criterion. See
Appendix D for a list of typical limiting values for certain serviceability
criteria.

2.11.3 Combination of actions

The combinations of actions to be taken into account in the relevant design

situations should be appropriate for the serviceability requirements and
performance criteria being verified.

This section presents the relevant load combination expressions from EC0.
It also presents simplified versions of the EC0 expressions. It is believed that
these simplified expressions will prove sufficient for the majority of structures
designed in accordance with this Manual. Users of this document are,
however, reminded of the need to combine all relevant actions.

The Institution of Structural Engineers Manual for the design of building structures to Eurocode 1 41
 Appendix B: Supplementary advice on the
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characteristic value of a permanent action

(Gk) and values of variable actions (Qk)
B.1 Supplementary advice on Section 2.8.2
(Characteristic value of a permanent action Gk)

Assuming a reasonable level of quality control it may be assumed that

Gk = Gk,sup = Gk,inf.

It is recognised in this Manual that, whilst the Eurocode provisions are written
around quantified variability, it will generally be very difficult to quantify this
variability. First, the design is done in advance of execution and site works and
therefore the designer will have to make assumptions about the level of control
that will be achieved on site and the variability of as-constructed works. Second,
even if a retrospective check of a design is to be done, the quantification of
variability from site measurements is likely to be time-consuming and difficult.

The values to be used in the design for Gk,inf and Gk,sup should be chosen
using engineering judgement and experience, and as explained below.

The following relationships54 can be used to determine the lower value Gk,inf
and the upper value Gk,sup.

Gk,inf = nG 1.64vG = nG (1 1.64VG )

Gk,sup = nG + 1.64vG = nG (1 + 1.64VG )

where:
VG is the coefficient of variation of G
nG is the mean value of G
vG is the standard deviation of G.

Generally when VG H 0.10, it is considered that the variability of G should be

considered. For structures susceptible to overturning, the variability of G
should be considered when VG H 0.05.

From the above

for a coefficient of variation VG = 0.10, Gk,inf and Gk,sup will be 16.4% less
than and greater than the mean value for G respectively
for a coefficient of variation VG = 0.05, Gk,inf and Gk,sup will be 8.2% less
than and greater than the mean value for G respectively.

Note Further guidance may be obtained from reference 54 (in particular from
Clauses 4.1.2 and 7.3.2).

200 The Institution of Structural Engineers Manual for the design of building structures to Eurocode 1
 Appendix B B.2

B.2 Supplementary advice on Section 2.8.3

(Values of variable actions Qk)
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A variable action has four representative values. These are used for the
appropriate design situations in ultimate and serviceability limit state
verifications. They are:
the characteristic value Qk
the combination value } 0 Qk
the frequent value }1Qk
the quasi-permanent value } 2Qk.

The combination value } 0 Qk, the frequent value }1Qk, and the quasi-
permanent value }2Qk are shown in diagrammatic form in Figure B.1.

(a) The characteristic value Qk

For variable actions, the characteristic value (Qk) (its main representative
value) corresponds to either:
an upper value with an intended probability of not being exceeded during
some specific reference period; or
a lower value with an intended probability of being achieved during some
specific reference period; or
a nominal value, which may be specified in cases where a statistical
distribution is not known.
Instantaneous value of Q

Characteristic value Qk

Dt 1 Dt 2 Dt 3

Combination value }0 Qk

Frequent value }1 Qk

Quasi-
permanent
value }2 Qk

Time
Fig B.1 Diagrammatic representation of representative values for actions

The Institution of Structural Engineers Manual for the design of building structures to Eurocode 1 201
 B.2 Appendix B

(b) The combination value }0 Qk

The combination value, represented as the product } 0 Qk, is used for the:
verification of ultimate limit states as described in Section 2.10.3.3
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verification of irreversible serviceability limit states (e.g. functionality of

fittings with brittle behaviour) in order to take account of the reduced
probability of simultaneous occurrence of the most unfavourable values of
several independent actions.

} 0 is applied to the characteristic value of all accompanying actions for the

EQU, STR and GEO ultimate limit state verifications in Section 2.10.3.3.

(c) The frequent value } 1Qk

The frequent value, represented as the product }1Qk, is used for the:
frequent combination in the serviceability limit states as described in
Section 2.11.3; and
verification of the accidental design situation of the ultimate limit state as
described in Section 2.10.3.5.

In both cases, the reduction factor }1 is applied as a multiplier of the leading

variable action. An example of its use is normal office activity.

(d) The quasi-permanent value }2Qk

The quasi-permanent value, represented as the product } 2Qk, is used for
the:
verification of ultimate limit states involving accidental actions as described
in Section 2.10.3.5; and
for the verification of frequent and quasi-permanent combinations in the
serviceability limit state as described in Section 2.11.3.

Quasi-permanent values are also used for the calculation of long-term

effects (e.g. cracking in slabs).

202 The Institution of Structural Engineers Manual for the design of building structures to Eurocode 1
 Appendix D: Serviceability limit state
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verifications: Vertical and horizontal

deformations
D.1 General

Vertical and horizontal deformations should be calculated in accordance with

EC2 to EC6, and by using the appropriate combinations of actions according
to Table 2.7.

D.2 Vertical deflections

Vertical deflections are represented schematically in Figure D.1.

wc
w1
w2 w tot

w max w3

Fig D.1 Definitions of vertical deflections

Key
wc Precamber in the unloaded structural member
w1 Initial part of the deflection under permanent loads of the relevant
combination of actions according to expressions 2.5 to 2.7
(expressions 6.14b to 6.16b in EC0)
w2 Long-term part of the deflection under permanent loads
w3 Additional part of the deflection due to the variable actions of the
relevant combination of actions according to expressions 2.5 to 2.7
(expressions 6.14b to 6.16b in EC0)
wtot Total deflection as sum of w1, w2, w3
wmax Total deflection other than that due to precamber (i.e. wtot - wc).

If the functioning of the structure or damage to finishes or to non-structural

members (e.g. partition walls, claddings) is being considered, the verification

208 The Institution of Structural Engineers Manual for the design of building structures to Eurocode 1
 Appendix D D.2

for deflection should take account of those effects of permanent and variable
actions that occur after the execution of the member or finish concerned.
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In the absence of specific requirements in the Manuals for EC2 to EC6, it is

recommended that the indicative values for limiting deflection in Table D.1
are used together with the appropriate combination of action expressions.

Table D.1 Indicative limiting values for vertical deflections

Serviceability Limit States

Vertical deflections See Figure D.1
Irreversible effects of Reversible effects of Actions
Actions
Serviceability Requirement Characteristic Frequent Quasi-
Combination Combination permanent
(Expression 6.14b in (Expression Combination
EC0) 6.15b in EC0) (Expression
wtot a or wmax wmax 6.16b in EC0)
wmax
Function and damage to
non-structural elements
(e.g. partition walls claddings
etc)b
Brittle G L/500 to L/360
Non-brittle G L/300 to L/200
Function and damage to G L/300 to L/200
structural elements
To avoid ponding of water G L/250 c
Comfort of user or functioning G L/300
of machinery
Crane gantry girders d, G L/600
deflection due to static wheel
loads
Appearance G L/250
Notes
a The benefits of any pre-camber may be considered if appropriate.
b These figures assume that partitions, cladding and finishes have not been specifically
detailed to allow for anticipated deflections.
c The deflection limit of L/250 is appropriate for flat roofs of 2.5% slope or greater. A more
restrictive limit would apply for roofs of less than this slope.
d Advice should be sought from the crane manufacturer.

The Institution of Structural Engineers Manual for the design of building structures to Eurocode 1 209
 D.3 Appendix D

D.3 Horizontal deflections

Horizontal displacements are represented schematically in Figure D.2.
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u ui

Hi

u overall horizontal displacement over the building height H

ui horizontal displacement over a storey height H i

Fig D.2 Definition of horizontal displacements

In the absence of specific requirements in the Manuals for EC2 to EC6 it

is recommended that the indicative values for limiting deflection given in
Table D.2 are used together with the appropriate combination of action
expressions.

210 The Institution of Structural Engineers Manual for the design of building structures to Eurocode 1
 Appendix D D.3

Table D.2 Indicative limiting values for horizontal deflections due to variable actions

Serviceability Limit States

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Horizontal deflections See Figure D.2

Irreversible effects Reversible effects
of Actions of Actions
Serviceability Requirement Characteristic Frequent Quasi-permanent
Combination Combination Combination
(Expression 6.14b (Expression 6.15b (Expression 6.16b
in EC0) in EC0) in EC0)
Function and damage to
structural and non-structural
elements
Single storey buildings u G H/300
top of column
Each storey in a multi- ui G Hi/500
storey building to Hi/300
The structure as a whole for
a multi-storey building u G H/500
For crane gantry girders G L/500
horizontal deflections due to
crane surgea
Appearance ui G Hi/250
Note
a Advice should be sought from the crane manufacturer.

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