What are the Voorschriften Beton (VB)?
The Voorschriften Beton (Concrete Regulations), abbreviated VB, were the Dutch standards setting requirements for the design, production and execution of concrete structures in plain, reinforced and prestressed concrete. The regulations consisted of three parts: structural design and calculation, concrete technology, and execution. They have since been replaced by European standards.
From VB to Eurocode 2
- Earlier: structural engineers calculated according to successive Dutch concrete regulations, such as the Gewapend Beton Voorschriften (GBV, Reinforced Concrete Regulations) and later the VB.
- Then: the VB series was incorporated into NEN standards, including NEN 6720 for structural requirements and calculation methods.
- Now: for the design and calculation of concrete structures, Eurocode 2 applies (NEN-EN 1992-1-1 for buildings and NEN-EN 1992-1-2 for fire), together with the Dutch national annex. For bridges, NEN-EN 1992-2 applies. Separate standards apply to the concrete itself and to execution, such as NEN-EN 206 and NEN-EN 13670, with Dutch supplements.
| Buildings (design and calculation) | Eurocode 2: NEN-EN 1992-1-1, with the Dutch national annex |
|---|---|
| Fire | Eurocode 2: NEN-EN 1992-1-2, with the Dutch national annex |
| Bridges | NEN-EN 1992-2 |
| Concrete itself and execution | Separate standards, such as NEN-EN 206 and NEN-EN 13670, with Dutch supplements |
The Dutch building regulations (now the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving) refer to these standards as the way to demonstrate that a building is structurally safe.
In practice
- Old drawings and calculations: when renovating an existing building, you often come across calculations in archives that refer to the VB or GBV. The design values and concrete grades used may differ from current standards. Have a structural engineer translate them to the current requirements.
- Concrete grade: old documents use different designations for the strength class than today’s C classes (such as C20/25). Do not assume yourself that they correspond one to one.
- Building yourself: a load-bearing floor, foundation or lintel requires a calculation in accordance with the applicable standards. A structural engineer makes it; in the Netherlands, the municipality asks for it for works that require a permit.
Related terms
- Eurocode
- NEN
- Bouwbesluit (former Dutch Building Decree)
- Reinforced concrete
- Prestressed concrete
- Reinforcing steel
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