The University of Warwick has played a leading role in an international committee of experts from 34 countries to update one of Europe’s most important construction standards, used in everything from multi-storey offices to some of the world’s tallest buildings.
The new Eurocode 4, published on 18 March 2026, sets out how engineers should design composite structures made from steel and concrete. These structures dominate modern construction, accounting for more than 75% of multi-storey office buildings in the UK, widely used in bridges and is used in nearly two-thirds of the world’s 100 tallest buildings.
P rofessor Stephen Hicks, School of Engineering, University of Warwick is the Chair of the European committee responsible for the standard and said: “This new generation of Eurocode 4 builds on more than 50 years of development, including pioneering work led here at Warwick. From the first generation of the standard to the version published today, our researchers have helped shape how composite steel and concrete structures are designed around the world.
“The latest update reflects major advances in research and practice, enabling engineers to design more efficient, lower-carbon structures while maintaining the required levels of safety and performance.”
The updated standard introduces new guidance for modern construction techniques, including beams with web openings, shallow-floor systems, and the use of precast concrete. It also significantly advances the design of shear connections - the critical elements that allow steel and concrete to work together as a single, highly efficient structure.
The update also introduces novel approaches suited to modern construction methods, including advanced steel–concrete systems already used in high-rise buildings and emerging technologies such as modular nuclear reactors.
These improvements will allow engineers to design longer and lighter spans, using less steel - cutting both costs and embodied carbon in major buildings and infrastructure.
Eurocode 4 is part of the wider Eurocodes system; a set of shared European design rules developed to ensure buildings and infrastructure are safe, efficient, and consistent across countries. They are the only standards that fully satisfy national regulations for publicly funded construction across Europe.
The new Eurocode 4 will be implemented across Europe by March 2028, replacing the previous version and ensuring a consistent, modern approach to structural design.
Beyond individual projects, the Eurocodes play a vital role in enabling safer buildings, supporting innovation, and creating a level playing field for construction firms across international markets.
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Notes to Editors
For more information please contact:
Matt Higgs, PhD | Media & Communications Officer (Warwick Press Office)
Email: Matt.Higgs@warwick.ac.uk | Phone: +44(0)7880 175403
About the University of Warwick
Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment and challenge convention to create a better world.
About Eurocode 4
Eurocode 4 is the European design standard for composite steel and concrete structures, widely used in buildings and bridges across Europe and internationally. It forms part of the Eurocodes, a suite of harmonised standards that provide a common approach to structural design, ensuring safety, consistency and fair competition across the construction sector.
Work on the second generation of the Eurocodes began in 2015, bringing together leading researchers and industry experts from across Europe. Professor Stephen Hicks of the University of Warwick played a central role in the development of Eurocode 4, contributing to its technical drafting before being elected Vice-Chair and later Chair of the European committee responsible for the standard.
The University of Warwick has a long-standing legacy in this field. Professor Roger Johnson led the development of the first-generation Eurocode 4, published in 2004, while Professor David Anderson played a key role in its transition into a formal European Standard.
The Eurocodes help deliver consistent levels of building safety across countries, create a shared understanding between designers, contractors and clients, and provide a transparent framework for construction projects. They also support economic growth by enabling firms (particularly SMEs) to access international markets more easily.
To support the transition to the new standard, a new guidance book co-authored by Professors Johnson and Hicks has been published, alongside international workshops and training events that have reached thousands of engineers and designers worldwide.