Buried flexible steel structures. Key problems of design code study

Currently in Europe there is no uniform design code for buried flexible steel structures. In different EU countries there are different regulations concerning design methods, construction and control of such structures. This paper is an attempt at presenting the problems that need to be solved in order to prepare an uniform European Code. The thematic range of the proposed code is also outlined. The idea is based on the author’s own studies on buried flexible steel structures and design methods and codes from other countries, such as: AASTO, CHBDC, ZTV and TRVK Bro 11. Concluding remarks contain a proposal of a committee consisting of several sub-committees that needs to be appointed in order to solve particular issues. This paper should be considered as a starting point for further discussion – it is not intended to be a “closed” proposal.