EN1993 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures

EN1993 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures is wider in scope than most of the other design Eurocodes due to the diversity of steel structures, the need to cover both plastic and elastic design, the use of both bolted and welded joints and the possible slenderness of construction. In the UK alone it will replace seven British standards as well as cover previously uncodified items such as semi-rigid joints, sheet piles, shells, silos and stainless-steel structures. It is also unusual in having a partial material safety factor of 1·0 since a recent survey of European steel products shows they are generally around 20% stronger than their nominal value. This paper provides an introduction to Eurocode 3, its basis of design, design procedures for hot-rolled sections and supporting standards. It concludes that the specialist steel designer will be given a greater versatility than ever before.