The standard concerns the load bearing capacity and usability of earthworks and foundations. It deals with the production and use and includes the changes of existing building structures. It defines limit status determined by soil and/or rocks and contains basis and rules for related verification.
The standard applies primarily to the following structures and substructures:
a) foundations, e.g. shallow foundations, pile foundations;
b) retaining structures, e.g. gravity walls;
c) slope stabilisations, e.g. by means of soil and rock nails;
d) structures embedded in the ground, e.g. open-cut tunnels;
e) temporary geotechnical structures, e.g. retaining walls for excavations;
f) earthworks, e.g. embankments, cuts.
It also applies to natural slopes.
The structures mentioned in b) to f) are known as geotechnical structures, in contrast to foundations. This
contrast emphasizes the following points:
-- for foundations, the actions imposed by the superstructure are generally provided by the designer of the
structure;
-- for geotechnical structures, the actions are principally dictated during the geotechnical design process.
Open-cast coal mines are not covered by this standard. Different safety requirements apply to this field and
are covered by other geological and geotechnical investigations, preliminary reconnaissance and monitoring.
NOTE 1 In certain cases, a geotechnical structure can also be the foundation of a structure.
NOTE 2 Further information on the scope is given at the beginning of clauses 7 to 12.