Structural code

The implementation of the new Structural Code has aroused interest and sometimes some doubts, in this article we try to clarify certain aspects that we consider important about its application.

The implementation of the new Structural Code has aroused interest and sometimes some doubts, for this reason, we write these lines to clarify certain aspects that we consider important about its application.

The Structural Code RD 470/2021 was approved on 29 June 2021 and came into force on 10 November of the same year, in its sole transitory provision it states textually:

“The provisions of this Royal Decree shall not apply to projects whose drafting or study order, in the sphere of public administrations, or commissioning, in other cases, has been made prior to its entry into force, nor to the works derived from them, provided that these are started within a period not exceeding one year for building works, or three years for civil engineering works, from said entry into force, unless the corresponding competent body or, where appropriate, the developer agrees to adapt the project to the content of the Structural Code”.

From our point of view, we understand that unless expressly justified, the building works that are started from this moment onwards must be executed based on the new Structural Code, even if the project had been submitted under the previous EHE-08 Instruction.

On the other hand, it is important to note that this new regulation introduces a reference to the consistency of the concrete to be prescribed on site. The Structural Code prescribes fluid consistency for elements such as slabs, beams and columns, but there is no indication regarding foundations.

Our recommendation, based on improving the placement of concrete, is that foundations should also be prescribed in a fluid consistency. Moreover, with greater incidence if the concrete is placed on site by pumping, it should be remembered that the EHE-08 Instruction already recommended fluid consistencies for all pumped concrete.

ANEFHOP has prepared an informative document on the entry into force of the Structural Code in relation to the specification of concrete, information that can be very useful, you can download it by clicking here.

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