Ready to transition to the 2nd generation of Eurocodes?

For many engineering teams, long-standing Excel spreadsheets have become the invisible backbone of structural design workflows. Over time, these tools accumulate assumptions, simplifications, and legacy practices that once worked well, but with the arrival of new design standards, they can suddenly become obsolete. What was once reliable may no longer reflect the current requirements of modern codes and verification methods.

This creates a real risk in established workflows. When design knowledge is embedded in fragmented spreadsheets, it becomes difficult to maintain consistency, ensure traceability, and adapt quickly to evolving standards such as the new generation of Eurocodes. As a result, you may end up using tools that no longer fully meet the needs for strength and clarity in modern structural design.

Key dates

The second generation of Eurocodes (including EN 1992 Eurocode 2 for concrete structures) represents the most significant update of European structural design standards in recent years. The final versions of the new standards were delivered to national standardization bodies by March 2026, with mandatory national implementation (Date of Publication, DoP) set for September 2027. A transitional period will follow, during which both the first and second generations may be used in parallel, while the withdrawal of the existing standards is expected by March 2028.

It might be tempting to wait and see, but that approach can easily backfire. While approved designs are usually safe, ongoing projects can run into trouble if requirements shift mid-process and authorities start expecting the new Eurocodes. At the same time, the second generation will gradually become the default for assessments. Putting off updates to workflows only increases the risk of inefficiencies and compliance issues, often leading to a stressful, last-minute transition instead of a smooth and well-managed one.

IDEA StatiCa responds

IDEA StatiCa has been addressing this design standards compliance challenge for some time by focusing on the development of dedicated applications that incorporate all the necessary requirements. Instead of relying on disconnected calculation sheets, the goal is to provide a connected, transparent, and fully code-compliant digital workflow that reflects modern engineering practice.

A key step in this direction is the introduction of a new application, IDEA StatiCA Section Beta, for the verification of reinforced concrete cross-sections, which already implements the new generation of Eurocodes. This solution provides a clear and consistent design workflow, ensuring that calculations are aligned with updated standards while maintaining full transparency of the verification process.

Significant changes in new Eurocodes

Key changes include:

• Revised Design Rules: EN 1992-1-1:2023 introduces updated rules for shear, torsion, etc., leading to more accurate and reliable design procedures.
• Broader Application Range: The revised Eurocode 2 now also covers bridges, liquid retaining structures, containment structures, CFRP strengthening, and steel-fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) directly within EN 1992-1-1, reducing the need for separate parts such as EN 1992-2 and EN 1992-3.
• Assessment of Existing Structures: The standard includes new annexes addressing the evaluation and strengthening of existing concrete structures.

In addition, the new Eurocodes introduce clearer formats, better digital compatibility, and harmonized rules across disciplines, aiming to make the standards more user-friendly and adaptable to modern engineering practice.

A game changer

IDEA StatiCa Section BETA is an early-access application for the ultimate limit state (ULS) design of reinforced concrete sections according to EN 1992-1-1:2023. It enables users to define custom section shapes and reinforcement layouts, perform finite element–based calculations, and review results in graphical, tabular, and equation form. It currently supports RC cross-sections, ULS verification, updated Eurocode-compliant materials, and core section checks with multiple result representations.

The most significant improvement is a fully transparent calculation process, where all formulas, including substituted values, are clearly shown in both the “Check” and “Report” sections. This allows users to verify the correctness of the calculations, and if needed, directly compare results with older projects to identify any differences.

BETA Version

The Beta release serves as a preview of future development and is intended mainly for user feedback and validation. For this reason, the Beta version is available free of charge until the final release, even for users whose license does not include concrete products from our portfolio. Try it out and share your feedback with us.