Normative Context
Assessment of existing bridges and road traffic loads

The first documents addressing the design and structural analysis of structures were developed beginning in 1976 and were called Eurocodes. The goal at the time was to establish a common framework for evaluating proposals during construction bids within the context of the free movement of goods and products. Following an international consultation process and the subsequent publication of the Construction Products Directive, these texts were transferred to CEN with a view to converting them into European standards. The Eurocodes became provisional European standards (ENV), and their conversion into EN standards began in 1998. This program was completed in 2007, and these Eurocodes—known as first-generation Eurocodes—were gradually adopted in the various countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) after the drafting of their national annexes, established...