Eurocodes Applied to The Øresund Link Between Denmark and Sweden

Abstract

The first application of the Eurocode system to a major bridge and tunnel project was the 16 km coast–coast section of the road and rail connection between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden, completed in July 2000. The draft structural Eurocodes were implemented by means of a project application document (PAD), filling in lacunae and specifying supporting standards. The partial safety coefficients were calibrated to a specified reliability index, and scenarios with recurrence intervals corresponding to the characteristic values of applied loads were identified for the major risk hazards (ship collision, fire). These design events were to be resisted by the structures, whereas more severe—and less frequent—events were included in the operational risk budget. The loads, load factors and load combination factors were given in a technical design basis (TDB), which also compiled all functional, environmental and aesthetical requirements specified by the owner and the Authorities. Excerpts from the TDB were issued to the contractors as design requirements related to the individual construction contracts, supplementing the PAD and the Eurocodes. The experience is being used in the ongoing design of the 18 km Femern Bælt link between Denmark and Germany, scheduled to be opened for traffic in 2020.

Keywords::

• bridges
• Eurocodes
• railways
• risk
• roads
• safety
• tunnels