COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BS 8110 AND EUROCODE 2 FOR SUSTAINABLE REINFORCED CONCRETE BUILDING ELEMENTS USING PROTASTRUCTURE SOFTWARE
Abstract
Eurocode 2 is a modern standard that harmonizes structural concrete design across Europe and has been shown in several studies to be more cost-effective than BS8110. This study outlines a structured procedure for designing reinforced concrete columns, beams, slabs, and isolated pad footings using BS8110-1997 and Eurocode 2 within Protastructure software for a three-storey twin two-bedroom residential building. The investigation compares load effects, bending moments, reinforcement requirements, and cost implications to promote sustainable structural design. The structural layout was produced from the building plan, and axes were created and dimensioned using the orthogonal axes generator. All structural components, including their end conditions, were accurately modelled using appropriate tools. Storey operations were applied to insert and edit storeys, while load combinations and model checks ensured reliable results. Analysis and design outputs for loads, moments, reinforcement areas, and costs were recorded and evaluated. Column design showed a 3.9% increase in bending moment under Eurocode 2 depending on load intensity. Beam design, however, demonstrated a 15.6%–17.7% reduction in reinforcement and cost under Eurocode 2, while slab design showed an 11.1% reduction. At higher loads, Eurocode 2 produced small increases of 0.4% in load and 0.1% in moment but resulted in a 54.5% rise in reinforcement and cost. Conversely, lower loads produced a 7.0% reduction in moment and a 36.0% decrease in reinforcement and cost. Overall, the study concludes that Eurocode 2 promotes more sustainable and efficient structural design by optimizing material use and reducing costs, demonstrating its advantages for modern engineering practice.
KEYWORDS: Eurocode 2, BS8110, Sustainable Design, Protastructure Software, Cost Efficiency
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