Bemessung von Verbundstützen – Update prEN 1994-1-1

The design of composite columns follows the rules in accordance to EN 1994-1-1 providing simplified design methods and the general method. Whereby the general method requires an advanced comprehensive FE-Analysis. However, the recent Eurocode 4 does not provide sufficient guidance for the application of the general method and there is not a harmony in the literature on how to conduct it. This often leads to uncertainty among users and discussions on the validation and assessment of the analysis results. Actually, the draft of the second generation of Eurocode 4 (prEN 1994-1-1) is available, including more guidance but also introduces additional safety parameters and extends the application scope in regard to the martial strengths. This paper points out the procedure for the design of composite column with focus on the general method and changes provided by the draft of prEN 1994-1-1:2021.