The implementation of the new Structural Code has aroused interest and sometimes some doubts, for this reason, we are writing these lines to clarify certain aspects that we consider important about its application.

The Structural Code RD 470/2021 was approved on June 29, 2021 and entered into force on November 10 of the same year, in its sole transitory provision it textually indicates:

"The provisions of this royal decree shall not apply to projects whose drafting or study order, in the field of public administrations, or commission, in other cases, had been carried out prior to its entry into force, nor to the works derived from them, provided that they begin within a period not exceeding one year for building works, nor three years for civil engineering works, from said entry into force, unless by the corresponding competent body, or, where appropriate, by the promoter, it is agreed to accommodate the project to the content of the Structural Code”.

From our point of view, we understand that unless expressly justified, the building works that begin from this moment must be carried out based on the new Structural Code, even if the project had been presented in force under the previous Instruction EHE-08.

On the other hand, it is important to highlight that this new regulation introduces a reference to the consistency of the concrete to be prescribed on site. The Structural Code prescribes fluid consistency for elements such as floors, beams and pillars, but we note that there is no indication whatsoever regarding foundations.

Our recommendation, based on improving the implementation of the concrete, is that the foundations should also be prescribed in a fluid consistency. In addition, with greater incidence if the concrete is placed on site by pumping, it should be remembered that Instruction EHE-08 already recommended fluid consistencies for all pumped concrete.

ANEFHOP has prepared an information document on the entry into force of the Structural Code in relation to the specification of concrete, information that can be very useful, you can download it by clicking here.

Our commercial team is prepared to answer any questions that may arise.