<p>Structural concrete is more than a continuously developing material. It also represents a remarkable development in design concepts and strategies. Requirements for concrete structures have often been formulated as follows: concrete structures should be safe, serviceable, durable, economic and aesthetic. Today, several further requirements or expectations regarding concrete structures have to be met, for example: they should be robust enough to avoid progressive collapse, should need only minimal maintenance during their specified service life, should allow the use of high performance materials, should<br /> provide protection against accidents, should provide barriers against or following hazards, should be designed with due attention to dismantlement, should support sustainability in all possible ways, and in addition, provide adequate fire and earthquake resistance and be environmentally compatible.</p> <p>The objectives of the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 are (a) to serve as a basis for future codes for concrete structures, and (b) to present new developments with regard to concrete structures, structural materials and new ideas in order to achieve optimum behaviour. The fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 includes the whole life cycle of a concrete structure, from design and construction to conservation (assessment, maintenance, strengthening) and dismantlement, in one code for buildings, bridges and other civil engineering structures. Design is largely based on performance requirements. The chapter on materials is particularly extended with new types of concrete and reinforcement (such as fibres and non-metallic reinforcements).</p> <p>The fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 – like the previous Model Codes − not only specifies requirements but also gives corresponding explanations in a separate column of the document.</p> <p>The fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 is now the most comprehensive code on concrete structures, including their complete life cycle: conceptual design, dimensioning, construction, conservation and dismantlement. It is expected to become an important document for both national and international code committees, practitioners and researchers.</p> <p>The fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 was produced during the last ten years through an exceptional effort by Joost Walraven (Convener; Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands), Agnieszka Bigaj-van Vliet (Technical Secretary; TNO Built Environment and Geosciences, The Netherlands) as well as experts from 44 countries in five continents.</p>