The most recent version of BS 8004 is BS 8004:2015+A1:2020, which provides the code of practice for foundations. While some educational or archival snippets of older versions (like the 1986 edition) may be found on document-sharing sites, the full, official current text is a copyrighted document that generally requires purchase or institutional access. Official Access and Document Details
Official Full Text: You can purchase and download the complete standard through the BSI Knowledge Store.
Key Changes in the "New" Version: The 2015 revision (with 2020 amendments) is fully compatible with Eurocode 7 (BS EN 1997) and introduces guidance on limit state principles, partial factors, and modern foundation technology.
Scope: It covers the design of shallow, deep, and helical steel pile foundations, as well as underpinning and archaeological considerations. Partial Previews and References bs 8004 pdf new
If you need specific sections for reference rather than the entire 100+ page standard, the following resources may provide technical context:
Summary Samples: Brief previews of the standard's structure and annexes are sometimes available through technical providers like NormSplash.
Archival Versions: Older, withdrawn versions (such as BS 8004:1986) are often hosted on platforms like Scribd, though these are not suitable for current design compliance. The most recent version of BS 8004 is
Technical Summaries: Sites like CivilWeb Spreadsheets offer simplified explanations of the bearing capacity methods used within the code. BS8004 2015 PDF - Scribd
Most free PDFs online are the 1986 version, which is withdrawn and does not satisfy building regulation requirements in the UK. Using it for a new design could lead to professional negligence claims.
The 2015 standard has amendments (e.g., Corrigendum 2016). Illegal PDFs rarely include updates. Relationship to Eurocodes and modern practice
BS 8004, titled "Code of practice for foundations," is the British Standard that provides recommendations for the design and construction of foundations for all types of structures, including:
The standard has been the backbone of UK foundation engineering since its first full publication in 1986 (although its predecessor, CP 2004, dates back to the 1970s).
BSI holds the copyright for all British Standards. Sharing or downloading a PDF from an unofficial source is an infringement of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. BSI actively scans the web for illegal uploads and issues takedown notices—and in some cases, pursues legal action against commercial users. If you use a pirated copy on a corporate network, your employer could face fines.
Institutions like the ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) or IStructE sometimes offer members discounted access or temporary viewing via their virtual libraries.
If you are still using a scanned PDF of the 1986 version, you are missing critical updates. The 2015 edition aligned British practice with Eurocode 7 (BS EN 1997) . Here are the biggest changes: