Eurocode 7 – Second generation. Design of ground improvement works

The purpose of Ground Improvement (GI) works is to create usable grounds whose original properties are too weak to meet the design conditions required by the specific construction project. Well-designed ground improvement schemes are being increasingly applied as an alternative to conventional foundation solutions in order to lower construction costs, shorten construction time and reduce CO₂ emissions. The current Eurocode 7 does not cover ground improvement. This will change significantly with the introduction of the second generation of Eurocode 7, which includes a new clause for the design of such geotechnical works. One of the main difficulties of including ground improvement works in the standard was the wide variety of techniques used for this purpose and considering their specific features. Some of them involve soil densification or drainage, while others require installation of various inclusions or treatment of the soil in place using binders. Therefore, it was necessary to establish a comprehensive design methodology that aligns with the philosophy of partial factors in Eurocode 7 and accommodates this versatility. This article presents the adopted concept and highlights the main challenges encountered.