Nordic 1990-2: A Common Nordic Framework for the Assessment of Existing Structures
The greenest building is the one that already exists. The Nordic 1990-2 project develops the common scientific basis the Nordic countries need to put EN 1990-2, the new European standard for the assessment of existing structures, into national practice.
Objectives
- Establish a common scientific framework for the assessment of existing structures and the calibration of associated reliability requirements, usable for national implementation regardless of the national starting point in EN 1990-1.
- Particular focus on buildings: system performance, the role of information and uncertainty in assessment, and structural changes and interventions over long service lives.
- Deliver guidance and open publications that support the national annex committees of all five Nordic countries.
Background
Our building and infrastructure stock is ageing, and replacing structures is one of the largest drivers of cost and CO2 in the construction sector. The second generation of the structural Eurocodes introduces EN 1990-2, a dedicated standard for the assessment of existing structures. EN 1990-2 sets out the principles; the operational content – reliability levels, partial factors, methods – is delivered through the National Annexes.
Rather than five parallel national efforts, Nordic 1990-2 establishes this basis once, on a common Nordic foundation. This is more efficient, produces more consistent national implementations, and gives the Nordic countries a stronger common voice in CEN/TC 250.
Impact
Bridges and buildings that would otherwise be strengthened or demolished can be documented as safe and kept in service – saving costs and emissions across the Nordic countries. The results are published openly through the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Collaboration
The project is carried out by a consortium of Nordic universities and institutes led by NTNU, in dialogue with a reference group of the Nordic authorities responsible for national annex drafting. Project owner is Nordic Sustainable Construction, a programme under the Nordic Council of Ministers.
