EN 1998-4:2025
(Main)Eurocode 8 - Design of structures for earthquake resistance - Part 4: Silos, tanks, pipelines, towers, masts and chimneys
General Information
- 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
- Published
- Publication Date
- 30-Sep-2025
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 250 - Structural Eurocodes
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 250/SC 8/WG 7 - Evolution of Eurocode 8
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 01-Oct-2025
- Due Date
- 15-Jan-2025
- Completion Date
- 01-Oct-2025
Overview
EN 1998-4:2025 - Eurocode 8, Part 4 specifies requirements for the seismic design of silos, tanks, pipelines, towers, masts and chimneys. The standard covers on-ground and elevated silos, on-ground, elevated and underground tanks, above‑ground and buried pipeline systems, and ancillary elements in industrial facilities. It defines the basis of design, modelling approaches, seismic actions and combinations, and verification to limit states to ensure earthquake-resistant performance.
Key Topics
- Scope and assumptions - applicability to various storage and industrial structures (silos, tanks, pipelines, towers, masts, chimneys).
- Basis of design - performance requirements, consequence classes and the relationship to Eurocode principles (design situations and limit states).
- Limit states and performance levels - verification for Significant Damage (SD), Damage Limitation (DL) and Fully Operational (OP) states.
- Modelling and methods of analysis - recommended modelling practices and analytical methods for dynamic/seismic analysis.
- Seismic actions and combinations - horizontal and vertical components, superposition rules, and combination of modal responses.
- Force‑based seismic loads - calculation of total base shear, overturning moments, vertical reaction, and seismic pressures (e.g., on silo walls, tank shells, hoppers).
- Behaviour factors and material requirements - guidelines for ductility, energy dissipation and safety verification (anchored vs unanchored tanks, embedded tanks, elevated tanks).
- Special provisions - rules for above‑ground and buried pipelines, seismic restraints, and structural detailing to limit damage.
Applications
Who uses EN 1998-4:2025 and why:
- Structural and seismic engineers - for designing new silos, storage tanks, pipelines, chimneys, towers and masts to meet earthquake resistance requirements.
- Plant and facility designers / operators - to ensure continuity of operations in industrial facilities and to reduce seismic risk of storage systems.
- Infrastructure owners and asset managers - for seismic assessment, retrofit planning and resilience upgrades.
- Regulators and code officials - to reference consistent seismic design rules and national annex decisions. Practical uses include seismic design calculations, selection of anchorage and restraint systems, pressure and overturning checks for tanks and silos, pipeline routing and flexibility design, and verification to DL/SD/OP limit states.
Related Standards
- Eurocode 8 (EN 1998 series) - overarching seismic design framework.
- EN 1998-4 supersedes earlier editions (draft documents indicated replacement of EN 1998-4:2006 and EN 1998-6:2005 in prior drafts).
- Refer also to general Eurocodes (EN 1990, EN 1991) and relevant national annexes for mandatory national parameters.
Keywords: EN 1998-4:2025, Eurocode 8, seismic design, silos, tanks, pipelines, chimneys, towers, masts, earthquake resistance.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 12-Oct-2022
- Effective Date
- 12-Oct-2022
- Effective Date
- 25-Aug-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Aug-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Aug-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Aug-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Aug-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Aug-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Aug-2026
- Effective Date
- 25-Aug-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Refers
ISO 80000-11:2019/Amd 1:2025 - Quantities and units — Part 11: Characteristic numbers — Amendment 1 - Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 1998-4:2025 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 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 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 1998-4:2006, EN 1998-6:2005, ISO 80000-3:2019, ISO 80000-2:2019, ISO 80000-5:2019, ISO 80000-10:2019, ISO 80000-8:2020, ISO 80000-1:2022, ISO 80000-7:2019, ISO 80000-4:2019, ISO 80000-12:2019, ISO 80000-8:2020/Amd 1:2025, ISO 80000-11:2019/Amd 1:2025, ISO 80000-4:2019/Amd 1:2025, ISO 80000-3:2019/Amd 1:2025. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 1998-4:2025 is associated with the following European legislation: Standardization Mandates: M/515. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 1998-4:2025 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.