ABSTRACT
Since 1981 various groups of experts of european countries are preparing an european norm for geotechnics. A so called pre-norm ENV 1997-1 Geotechnical design — Part 1: General rules was accepted 1994 and recomended to the member countries for a trial application. Among the new principles introduced by this pre-norm the concept of partial factors is the most important one. Even if on this point a general agreement was reached, the way of application of partial factors created several problems. To obtain a decision basis , a large amount of trial calculation was carried out, a coincidence with the results following traditional methods being a criterion for the reliability of the new method. According to the variability of natural conditions and often empirical Charakter of present practice in geotechnics, the future EN 1997-1 will be a “umbrella code”, which may be supplemented by more detailed national regulations.
