Book excerpt: This book is unique on the subject because it is not so much a collection of individual work, but basically comprising national reports from most European countries on the present-day design methods, as prescribed in more or less strict national codes or recommendations and so daily used in practice by consulting engineers and contractors. As far as already implemented, the application of these methods within the framework of Eurocode 7 is described as well. In order to improve the understanding of the design methods, the national papers also consider aspects such as the local piling practice, limitations of the design methods, some practical examples and particular national experiences. The proceedings also include the contributions of two invited speakers as well as those of the three session discussion leaders, focusing on some particular aspects with regards to pile design. The book is of particular interest for those who are involved with pile design in practice, consulting engineers, piling contractors, control organisms as well as those dealing with geotechnical normalisation and research work.