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Introduction to the Design of

Structural Steelwork in Accordance
with the new Eurocodes
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Background

9 Structural Eurocodes developed for CEN

3 are directly relevant to steelwork
–EC1 - Actions (loads)
–EC3 - Steelwork
–EC4 - Composite Construction
Intendedto harmonise design requirements
Scheduled for completion around 2001
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Structure of ECs

ECs are published in parts, divided into:

Chapters and Appendices
–Sections {N.n}
–Clauses {N.n.n} and subclauses {N.n.n.n}
–Paragraphs {N.n.n.n.(p)}
Distinction is made between
Principles which must be obeyed
Application rules which follow the principles but
alternative methods are allowed
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Scope of this course

Forbuildings only some parts are relevant:

EC1 Actions on structures
–Part 1.1 Basis of design
–Part 2.1 Densities, self-weight and imposed loads
–Part 2.2 Actions on structures exposed to fire
–Part 2.3 Snow loads
–Part 2.4 Wind loads

EC3 Design of steel structures

–Part 1.1 - General Rules and rules for buildings
–Part 1.2 - Fire resistance
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Design approach of ECs

Based on limit state design
Principal limit states
Ultimate limit state, concerned with ‘collapse’
–yielding
–buckling
–overturning
Serviceability limit state, concerned with
‘function’:
–deflection
–vibration
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Limit state design principles

Define relevant limit states

Determine appropriate actions
Analyse using appropriate methods and
accounting for variability to determine:
Design effects {E}, and
Design resistance {R}
Ensure no limit state is exceeded {R > E}
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Characteristic and design values

Characteristic values for data are ‘typical’

rather than ‘safe’.
Design values should be used to check limit
state condition {E < R}
Partial safety factors are applied to
characteristic values to obtain design values
Suffices k and d are used to signify
characteristic and design values respectively
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Partial safety factors

Partialsafety factors  are applied to

characteristic values for both actions and
material to account for variability
The value of  depends on:
the limit state under consideration
the variable to which it is applied
the context - eg. is an action beneficial in relation
to the considered effect
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Variability of actions

Precision of modelling actions varies:

dead loads related to material density and
thickness
imposed loads based on type of occupancy
wind and snow loads based on meteorological
data
Probabilityof load combinations varies
Values of partial safety factors reflect these
differences
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Variability of material and section
properties

Resistance is related principally to material

and section geometry
Yield strength of steel is guaranteed
Other properties, notably Youngs modulus,
are much less variable
Variations in section geometry are accounted
for by partial safety factors used elsewhere
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Ultimate Limit State

The following conditions should be

considered:
Stability:overturning (equilibrium)
Strength: including local and overall buckling
effects where appropriate
It may also be necessary to consider:
Second order effects
Rupture (due to fatigue)
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Serviceability Limit State

The following conditions may need to be

considered:
excessive deflections
excessive vibrations
Both conditions are associated with stiffness
rather than strength
For most buildings, controlling deflections
will also limit vibrations