What is BS EN 1998-4 - Earthquake resistance of silos, tanks and pipelines about?
BS EN 1998-4 is the fourth part of the BS EN 1998 multi-series that discusses the design of structures for earthquake resistance.
BS EN 1998-4 specifies principles and application rules for the seismic design of the structural aspects of facilities composed of above-ground and buried pipeline systems and of storage tanks of different types and uses, as well as for independent items, such as for example single water towers serving a specific purpose or groups of silos enclosing granular materials, etc.
Who is BS EN 1998-4 - Earthquake resistance of silos, tanks and pipelines for?
BS EN 1998-4 on the design of silos, tanks and pipelines for earthquake resistance is useful for:
- Civil engineers
- Regulatory authorities
- Manufacturers or suppliers of concrete structures
Why should you use BS EN 1998-4 - Earthquake resistance of silos, tanks and pipelines?
Earthquakes can cause structural damage to important public and industrial properties like silos, tanks and pipelines that are used to store and distribute liquids and gases across locations. Any structural damages can affect their intended functions, moreover, they can pose a threat to their surrounding areas.
BS EN 1998-4 includes the additional criteria and rules required for the seismic design of these structures without restrictions on their size, structural types and other functional characteristics. For some types of tanks and silos, BS EN 1998-4 also provides detailed methods of assessment and verification rules.
Overall, the guidelines of BS EN 1998-4 help you to design silos, tanks and pipelines that have a higher earthquake resistance.
Second Generation of EN Eurocode Standards
The second generation of EN Eurocode standards is expected to be published between 2023 and 2026. These documents are being published as soon as they are available, to enable users to prepare for the transition from the first generation to second generation of Eurocodes. As set out in the National foreword of the BS EN second generation Eurocodes, UK adoptions of the first generation of Eurocodes will be withdrawn by BSI on 30 March 2028. That means there is a period of coexistence between 2023 and 2028 during which both first and second generation Eurocodes are available.
Until 30 March 2028, the first generation documents should be considered as the applicable standards for buildings and civil engineering works constructed in the UK unless otherwise specified by the relevant authority or in the specification for a particular project. While the use of provisions in second generation Eurocodes in conjunction with first generation Eurocodes is not precluded, it should be undertaken with care and should only be done when users are satisfied that it will not result in a lower level of reliability than the minimum level set in the first generation Eurocodes and associated UK National Annexes.