(Press Release, Brno, 20 October 2026) From 14 to 16 October, the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Brno University of Technology (FCE BUT) hosted a meeting of the European Subcommittee for Eurocode 3 (CEN/TC 250/SC 3). The meeting brought together 24 experts from ten European countries to discuss the finalisation of the second generation of Eurocode 3, a set of European technical standards that will shape the design of steel structures across Europe. The programme also included a technical visit to the unique steel roof structure of Brno's T-Arena.

The meeting was held under the auspices of Karel Šuhajda, Dean of FCE BUT, following an invitation from Martin Horáček of the Institute of Metal and Timber Structures at FCE BUT, who represents the Czech Republic on the European standardisation committee CEN/TC 250/SC 3.

The committee meets twice a year, usually at the Berlin headquarters of the German Institute for Standardization (DIN). The October meeting in Brno therefore provided an opportunity for the faculty to welcome experts directly involved in developing European technical standards.

Eurocode 3: Safer and More Economical Steel Structures

The main focus of the meeting was the finalisation of the second generation of Eurocode 3, the European technical standards governing the design of steel structures in buildings, bridges and other civil engineering works. Their purpose is to ensure structural safety and economic efficiency while harmonising design rules across European countries.

The new generation of standards incorporates the latest scientific research, technological developments and practical experience. It will provide structural engineers with updated design methods reflecting current requirements in the construction industry. Implementation of the new standards in member countries of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is scheduled for no later than 30 September 2027.

The three-day programme also included meetings of Technical Committee TC8 of the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS), focusing on the stability of steel structures. Working Group CEN/TC 250/SC 3/WG 1 addressed the development of general rules for the design of steel structures in buildings.

European Experts Visited the T-Arena Construction Site

In addition to the committee meetings, participants attended a technical visit to the new multifunctional T-Arena in Brno, whose prestressed steel roof structure represents a particularly demanding structural engineering solution.

The visit was personally guided by Vladimír Janata from EXCON, the structural designer responsible for the roof, together with Zdeněk Sladký from HOCHTIEF, the project's chief site manager.

The experts were also granted access to maintenance walkways within the steel load-bearing roof structure, areas that will not normally be accessible to the public. This enabled them to examine the roof's structural design at close range and discuss its technical details directly with the designer.

International Exchange of Expertise

The international meeting facilitated the exchange of professional knowledge and strengthened cooperation among European specialists in steel structures. It also provided FCE BUT with an opportunity to present its research and technical facilities to international visitors, alongside examples of contemporary Czech structural engineering.

The meeting was held under the auspices of Karel Šuhajda, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering BUT, with financial support from FIRESTA-Fišer, rekonstrukce, stavby a.s., IDEA StatiCa s.r.o. and voestalpine Profilform s.r.o.