ABSTRACT
After 30 years of debate on the Eurocode 7 and the sense and nonsense of the semi-probabilistic design approach, one is actually working in the stage of infiltration of the Eurocodes design philosophy and its application in practice. In December 2004 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design-Part 1: General rules (EC7-1) was unanimously ratified by the European Member States. On the national level, the involved national bodies and specialists are fully working on the elaboration of the National Annexes, required as link between the EC7-1 and the national standards. Around 2009 (?), after a 2-year calibration period and a further 3-year coexistence period, EC7-1 will become valid in all Member States and the relevant National standards will then have to be withdrawn.
