EN 1998-4:2025/prA1
(Amendment)Eurocode 8 - Design of structures for earthquake resistance - Part 4: Silos, tanks, pipelines, towers, masts and chimneys
- Abstract
EN 1998-4 is applicable to the seismic design of on-ground and elevated silos, on-ground, elevated and underground tanks, above-ground and buried pipeline systems, towers, masts and chimneys and ancillary elements attached to the aforementioned structures or in industrial facilities.
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 12-Mar-2028
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 250 - Structural Eurocodes
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 250/SC 8/WG 7 - Evolution of Eurocode 8
- Current Stage
- 4060 - Closure of enquiry - Enquiry
- Start Date
- 03-Sep-2026
- Due Date
- 22-Feb-2027
- Completion Date
- 03-Sep-2026
EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 is a CEN draft amendment to Eurocode 8, Part 4. It updates the seismic design rules for silos, tanks, pipelines, towers, masts and chimneys, including ancillary elements attached to those structures or used in industrial facilities. In practice, it refines terminology, equations, annex methods and cross-references so designers can apply earthquake actions more consistently across these structure types.
What does EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 specify?
EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 specifies amendments to EN 1998-4:2025 rather than a standalone design code. It keeps the same field of application and updates the text, symbols, formulas and annex material used for seismic design.
The document is organized as a foreword, general modifications, changes to Clauses 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8, and revisions to Annexes A, B, D, E and G, plus the bibliography.
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Annex A | Pressure functions and tables for the seismic design of tanks |
| Annex B | Soil-structure interaction effects for tanks |
| Annex D | Modelling of soil-structure interaction for buried pipelines |
| Annex E | Design differential surface displacement at pipeline - fault crossing |
| Annex G | Masonry chimneys |
What are the key requirements of EN 1998-4:2025/prA1?
EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 mainly tightens the seismic design rules for silos, tanks and pipelines, and it clarifies how the annex formulae are to be used. The practical effect is that designers need to re-check modelling assumptions, pressure functions and combination rules where these structures are sensitive to impulsive, convective and soil-structure interaction effects.
Silos and tanks
- Clause 5.3.1 keeps silos in the linear elastic design framework for steel, reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete, with modelling rules for steel silo shells taken from EN 1993-1-6. This matters because the engineer must choose the right material model and not mix shell modelling rules from another context.
- Clause 5.4.1 adds a note on the reduction factor λ for silo content participation. In practice, this affects how much of the stored material mass is counted in the first mode, especially for squat silos.
- Clause 6 updates the tank vibration definitions, including impulsive rigid, impulsive flexible and convective periods and participation factors. This matters because the design actions and combinations depend on separating those modes correctly.
- New Clauses 6.11.3 and 6.11.4 add rules for superposing vertical reaction forces and combining them with support reactions in horizontal and vertical directions. In practice, this affects support checks, anchors and foundation reactions.
Pipelines
- Clause 7.2.1 states that above-ground pipelines are to be designed for seismic-induced stresses or strains and for the dynamic structural response under the three components of seismic action. The designer must therefore consider pipeline wall response and the effect of different supports and substructures along the line.
- Clause 7.5.2.1 and Clause 8.3.3.1.2 link seismic action effects to site conditions, including shear-wave-velocity variation, geological discontinuities and topographic or basin effects. This means the pipeline design may need site-specific amplification checks.
- Clause 8.3.3.1.3 allows spatial variability along buried pipelines to be neglected only for relatively uniform conditions, and otherwise requires increased seismic effects. This matters because buried pipelines are treated as flexible systems, but not as uniform systems in all ground conditions.
- Clause 8.5.1 ties fault-crossing checks to identified seismically active faults as defined in EN 1998-5:2024. This directs the engineer to treat fault displacement as a specific hazard case, not as a generic ground motion effect.
Annex methods
- Annex A revises the pressure functions for tank design, including convective and impulsive pressure terms and their sloshing-mode participation. This supports calculation of wall and bottom pressures for design.
- Annex B and Annex D update soil-structure interaction variables and modelling formulae. These annexes matter where tank or pipeline response depends on the surrounding soil.
- Annex E updates the figures for interpolation and extrapolation of fault-crossing displacement relationships. This helps when converting fault movement into design displacement demand.
- Annex G tightens constructive rules for masonry chimneys by adding minimum quantities for reinforcement and bolts. That affects detailing and verification of chimney construction.
What terms does EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 define?
- Reduction factor λ - a factor that reflects a lower effective modal mass in the first fundamental mode than the total silo mass and contents, due to friction at the silo bottom.
- Radius of circular silo or silo compartment (R) - the geometric radius used in silo-related seismic calculations.
- Radius of circular tank (R) - the geometric radius used in tank-related seismic calculations.
- Participation factor of the impulsive rigid mode in horizontal direction (Γir,h) - a factor used to scale the horizontal rigid impulsive response of a tank.
- Participation factor of sloshing mode n for the convective component (Γc,n) - a factor used to calculate the contribution of each sloshing mode to convective tank pressure.
- Fault movement along the fault plane in case of normal-slip fault (Δn) - the displacement parameter used for pipeline fault-crossing design.
- Fault movement along the fault plane in case of strike-slip fault (Δs) - the displacement parameter used for strike-slip fault-crossing design.
Who uses EN 1998-4:2025/prA1?
EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 is used by structural engineers, seismic design engineers, geotechnical engineers and checking authorities working on industrial and infrastructure structures. It is relevant for silo, tank and pipeline designers, and for teams specifying supports, anchors, chimney detailing and soil-structure interaction checks. Buyers and project managers use it to confirm that earthquake design work is being done to the correct Eurocode 8 part for the structure type.
What changed in EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 from the previous edition?
EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 amends EN 1998-4:2025. The stated main changes are:
- clarification of terms, symbols and definitions for consistency within the document and with other Eurocode 8 parts;
- clarification of silo design and correction of a formula;
- improvements and clarifications for tank design, including support reactions, hydrodynamic and mass inertia pressures, and superposition rules;
- clarification of above-ground and buried pipeline design with regard to soil conditions in seismic action effects;
- corrections and clarifications in Annex A, Annex B and Annex D;
- clarification of constructive rules in Annex E.
Which standards are used with EN 1998-4:2025/prA1?
- EN 1990-1:2023+A1:2026 - the updated basis of structural and geotechnical design used as the primary reference framework.
- EN 1991-4:2026 - the referenced Eurocode part for silo-related actions used in the amended text.
- EN 1992-1-1 - used where the document points to reinforced and prestressed concrete design for silos and tanks.
- EN 1993-1-6:2025 - provides linear elastic behaviour and shell modelling rules for steel silo design.
- EN 1993-3:2026 - a referenced Eurocode part for towers, masts and chimneys.
- EN 1993-4-1:2026 - a referenced Eurocode part for silo/tank-related steel design.
- EN 1993-4-2:2026 - a referenced Eurocode part for silo/tank-related steel design.
- EN 1998-1-1:2024 - provides the treatment of three-component seismic action and site variability at supports.
- EN 1998-1-2:2026 - a referenced seismic design part updated throughout the document.
- EN 1998-5:2024 - provides the definition of seismically active faults used in buried pipeline fault-crossing checks.
What does the EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 document contain?
The document contains updated formulae, definitions and cross-references for seismic design calculations, especially for tank pressures, modal participation factors, base shear, overturning moments and support reactions. It also contains revised tables and figures in Annex A, Annex B and Annex E that support pressure calculation, soil-structure interaction and fault-crossing displacement interpolation. For pipelines, it sets out how to adjust seismic effects for different soil conditions and site variability. For chimneys, it updates constructive detailing rules that affect reinforcement and bolting checks.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 07-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Eurocode 8 - Design of structures for earthquake resistance - Part 4: Silos, tanks, pipelines, towers, masts and chimneys". This standard covers: EN 1998-4 is applicable to the seismic design of on-ground and elevated silos, on-ground, elevated and underground tanks, above-ground and buried pipeline systems, towers, masts and chimneys and ancillary elements attached to the aforementioned structures or in industrial facilities.
EN 1998-4 is applicable to the seismic design of on-ground and elevated silos, on-ground, elevated and underground tanks, above-ground and buried pipeline systems, towers, masts and chimneys and ancillary elements attached to the aforementioned structures or in industrial facilities.
EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 91.010.30 - Technical aspects; 91.060.40 - Chimneys, shafts, ducts; 91.120.25 - Seismic and vibration protection. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 1998-4:2025. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 1998-4:2025/prA1 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2026
Evrokod 8 - Projektiranje potresnoodpornih konstrukcij - 4. del: Silosi, rezervoarji,
cevovodi, stolpi, jambori in dimniki
Eurocode 8 - Design of structures for earthquake resistance - Part 4: Silos, tanks,
pipelines, towers, masts and chimneys
Eurocode 8 - Auslegung von Bauwerken gegen Erdbeben - Teil 4: Silos, Tankbauwerke
und Rohrleitungen, Türme, Maste und Schornsteine
Eurocode 8 - Calcul des structures pour leur résistance au séisme - Partie 4 : Silos,
réservoirs, tuyauteries, tours, mâts et cheminées
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 1998-4:2025/prA1
ICS:
91.010.30 Tehnični vidiki Technical aspects
91.060.40 Dimniki, jaški, kanali Chimneys, shafts, ducts
91.120.25 Zaščita pred potresi in Seismic and vibration
vibracijami protection
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 1998-4:2025
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
prA1
June 2026
ICS 91.060.40; 91.010.30; 91.120.25
English Version
Eurocode 8 - Design of structures for earthquake
resistance - Part 4: Silos, tanks, pipelines, towers, masts
and chimneys
Eurocode 8 - Calcul des structures pour leur résistance Eurocode 8 - Auslegung von Bauwerken gegen
au séisme - Partie 4 : Silos, réservoirs, tuyauteries, Erdbeben - Teil 4: Silos, Tankbauwerke und
tours, mâts et cheminées Rohrleitungen, Türme, Maste und Schornsteine
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 250.
This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 1998-4:2025. If this draft becomes an amendment,
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of
this amendment into the relevant national standard without any alteration.
This draft amendment was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 1998-4:2025/prA1:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Modifications throughout the whole document . 4
2 Modification to the Introduction . 4
3 Modifications to Clause 2, “Normative references” . 4
4 Modifications to Clause 3, “Terms, definitions and symbols” . 4
5 Modifications to Clause 5, “Rules for silos” . 6
6 Modifications to Clause 6, “Rules for tanks” . 6
7 Modifications to Clause 7, “Rules for above-ground pipelines” . 9
8 Modifications to Clause 8, “Rules for buried pipelines” . 10
9 Modifications to Annex A, “Pressure functions and tables for the seismic design of tanks”10
10 Modifications to Annex B, “Soil-structure interaction effects for tanks” . 12
11 Modification to Annex D, “Modelling of soil-structure interaction for buried pipelines” . 12
12 Modification to Annex E, “Design differential surface displacement at pipeline – fault
crossing” . 12
13 Modifications to Annex G, “Masonry chimneys” . 13
14 Modifications to the Bibliography . 13
European foreword
This document (EN 1998-4:2025/prA1:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 250
“Structural Eurocodes”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI. CEN/TC 250 is responsible for all
Structural Eurocodes and has been assigned responsibility for structural and geotechnical design matters
by CEN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will amend EN 1998-4:2025.
The following main changes to EN 1998-4:2025 are included in the amendment:
— clarification of terms, symbols and definitions for consistency in this document and with other
Eurocode 8 parts;
— clarification for the design of silos and correction of a formula;
— improvements and clarifications to the design of tanks with respect to support reactions and
pressures resulting from hydrodynamic and mass inertia effects, including completion of the
superposition rules;
— clarification of above-ground and buried pipeline design regarding the consideration of soil
conditions in the evaluation of seismic action effects;
— amendment of Annex A for the correction and clarification of pressure functions and tables for the
seismic design of tanks;
— amendment of Annex B and Annex D for the correction of variables;
— amendment of Annex E for the clarification of constructive rules.
The first generation of EN Eurocodes was published between 2002 and 2007. This document forms part
of the second generation of the Eurocodes, which have been prepared under Mandate M/515 issued to
CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association.
The Eurocodes have been drafted to be used in conjunction with relevant execution, material, product
and test standards, and to identify requirements for execution, materials, products and testing that are
relied upon by the Eurocodes.
The Eurocodes recognize the responsibility of each Member State and have safeguarded their right to
determine values related to regulatory safety matters at national level through the use of National
Annexes.
1 Modifications throughout the whole document
Replace “EN 1990:2023” with “EN 1990-1:2023+A1:2026”
Replace “EN 1990” with “EN 1990-1”, except for 0.2 Introduction to replace “as defined in EN 1990” with
“as defined in EN 1990 (all parts)”
Replace “prEN 1991-4:2024” with “EN 1991-4:2026”
Replace “prEN 1998-1-2:2023” with “EN 1998-1-2:2026”
Replace “prEN 1993-3:2024” with “EN 1993-3:2026”
Replace “prEN 1993-4-1:2024” with “EN 1993-4-1:2026”
Replace “prEN 1993-4-2:2024” with “EN 1993-4-2:2026”
Replace “unit weight” with “weight density”
Replace “liquid weight” with “liquid weight density”
Replace “prestressed reinforced” with “prestressed”
Replace “Formulas” with “Formulae”
2 Modification to the Introduction
0.2 Replace “as defined in EN 1990” with “as defined in EN 1990 (all parts)”
3 Modifications to Clause 2, “Normative references”
Replace “EN 1990:2023, Eurocode — Basis of structural and geotechnical design” with
“EN 1990-1:2023+A1:2026, Eurocode — Basis of structural and geotechnical design — Part 1: New
structures”
Delete footnote “ As impacted by EN 1990:2023/prA1:2024.”
Delete two instances of “”
4 Modifications to Clause 3, “Terms, definitions and symbols”
3.2.1.1 Replace the definition of R with “radius of circular silo or silo compartment”
3.2.1.2 Delete “D diameter of circular tanks”
3.2.1.2 Replace the definition of R with “radius of circular tank”
' ' '
3.2.1.2 Replace “without” with “with” in the definitions of h , h and h
ir if c
3.2.1.2 Delete “pressure” in the definition of 𝛤𝛤c
3.2.1.2 Replace the definition of 𝛤𝛤 with “participation factor of the impulsive rigid mode in horizontal
ir,h
direction”
3.2.1.2 Replace the definition of 𝛤𝛤 with “participation factor of the impulsive rigid mode in vertical
ir,v
direction”
3.2.1.2 Replace the symbol and definition of ω with “ω circular frequency of the impulsive rigid
ir ir,h
mode for spherical tanks in horizontal direction”
3.2.1.4 Replace the definition of Δn with “Δn fault movement along the fault plane in case of normal-slip
fault”
3.2.1.4 Replace the definition of Δs with “Δs fault movement along the fault plane in case of strike-slip
fault”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ C dimensionless impulsive flexible pressure
b,if,h
b,,if h
function on the tank bottom for horizontal seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ C dimensionless impulsive flexible pressure
b,if,v
b,,if v
function on the tank bottom for vertical seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ dimensionless impulsive rigid pressure function
b,ir,h C
b,,ir h
on the tank bottom for horizontal seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “C dimensionless impulsive rigid base shear
F,ir,h F,ir,h
coefficient for horizontal seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “C dimensionless impulsive flexible base shear
F,if,h F,if,h
coefficient for horizontal seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “C dimensionless impulsive flexible base shear
F,if,v F,if,v
coefficient for vertical seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ C dimensionless impulsive flexible pressure function on the
if,h
if,h
tank wall for horizontal seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ C dimensionless impulsive flexible pressure function on the
if,v
if,v
tank wall for vertical seismic actions”
with “ dimensionless impulsive rigid pressure function on the
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of Cir,h C
ir,h
tank wall for horizontal seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ C convective overturning moment coefficient at the base
M,c
Mc,
plate”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ C impulsive flexible overturning moment coefficient
M,if,h
M,,if h
at the base plate for horizontal seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ C impulsive rigid overturning moment coefficient at
M,ir,h
M,,ir h
the base plate for horizontal seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ C convective overturning moment coefficient above
MW,c
MW,c
the base plate”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ C impulsive flexible overturning moment coefficient
MW,if,h
MW,,if h
above the base plate for horizontal seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Replace the definition of C with “ C impulsive rigid overturning moment coefficient
MW,ir,h
MW,,ir h
above the base plate for horizontal seismic actions”
3.2.1.7 Delete “pressure” in the definition of 𝛤𝛤
c,n
5 Modifications to Clause 5, “Rules for silos”
5.3.1(4) Replace the clause to read as follows:
“Steel, reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete silos, with or without substructures, may be
analysed assuming linear elastic behaviour according to EN 1993-1-6:2025, 2.2, or to EN 1992-1-1,
respectively. If the steel silo shell is modelled, the modelling rules according to EN 1993-1-6:2025, 5.2,
should be applied.”
5.4.1(2) Add the following note after the definitions:
“NOTE The reduction factor λ accounts for an effective modal mass reduction lower than 20% in the 1st
fundamental mode compared to the mass of the silo and its contents. This factor considers the reduced activation
of the silo content due to friction at the silo bottom. This effect is more significant in squat silos. A value of 1,0 is a
conservative estimate.”
Formula (5.7) Replace the formula to read as follows:
“ (5.7)”
∆ =αγz min hd; / 2;3x / cosβ
( ) ( )
ph,so u b c
5.5.2.6(3) Replace “Installed anchors” with “Anchors”
6 Modifications to Clause 6, “Rules for tanks”
6.3.1(17) Replace the definition of T , T , T with “are the first natural periods of the impulsive rigid
ir,h if,h con
and impulsive flexible modes, in the horizontal direction, and of the convective vibration mode, as defined
in 6.4.1.4 for vertical cylindrical tanks and in 6.5.1.3 for vertical rectangular tanks”
6.3.1(17) Replace “6.4.1.5” with “6.4.1.4” in the definition of T , T
ir,v if,v
6.4.1.1.1(2) Replace “impulsive
...



