Chapter 2 - Classification of Cross-Section

Classification of Cross-Section
Introduction
• To determine strength of the structural steel component, it requires the

designer to consider the cross-sectional behaviour and the overall
member behaviour.
• Purpose of classification : to identify the extent to which the resistance
and rotation capacity of cross sections is limited by its local buckling
resistance.
• Clause 5.5.1 and 6.2 cover the cross-sectional aspects of the design
process
• In EC3, cross-sections are placed into one of four behavioural classes
depending upon the material yield strength, the width to thickness ratios
(b/tf or d/tw) of the individual compression parts (e.g. web and flanges)
within the cross-section and the loading arrangement.
• Local buckling
– Local buckling exhibit local deformation of outstand
• E.g. a flange of I beam
– Local buckling occurs when the flange outstand to thickness ratio (b/tf)
is high
• Called flange buckling
– The web is also subjected to compressive stresses from bending with a
limiting to d/tw ratio beyond which web will buckle even though the
axis of the axis remain straight
• Called web buckling
Definition of classes
• EC3 classified four classes

• In hot rolled design the majority of standard cross-section will be class 1, 2
or 3.
• The four behavioural classes of cross-section defined by EC3
Assessment of Individual parts
• Each compressed (or partially compressed) element is assessed
individually against the limiting width to thickness ratios for Class 1,2 and
3 elements as defined in Table 5.2 of EN 1993-1-1.
• An element that fails to meet the class 3 limits should be taken as Class 4.
• The limiting width to thickness ratios are modified by a factor ε that is
depend upon material yield strength
• Where fy is the nominal yield strength of steel
• *The section classification based upon the weaker element
Definition of compression
width c for common cases a)
outstand flanges b) internal
compression parts
1  h 1 N ED 
   (t f  r )   1.0

c  2 2 tw f y 

Overall Cross-Section Classification
• EC3 allows the overall cross-section classification to be defined in one or

two ways:
– The overall classification is taken as the highest ( least favourable )
class of its component parts, with the exceptions that (Clause 5.5.2)
• Cross-sections with class 3 webs and class 1 or 2 flanges may be
classified as Class 2 cross-sections with an effective web
(accordance to 6.2.2.4 of EC3-1-1)
• In the case where the web is assumed to carry shear force only
(and not to contribute to the bending or axial resistance of the
cross-section, the classification may be based on that of the
flanges ( not allow for class 1)
– The overall classification is defined by quoting both the flange and
web classification.
Class 4 cross-section
• Class 4 sections contain slender elements that are susceptible to local

buckling in the elastic material range
• Allowance for the reduction in resistance of Class 4 cross-section as a
result of local buckling is made by assigning effective width to the class 4
compression element.
• Calculation not include in Part 1-1, instead is directed to Part 1.3 for cold
form sections, to Part 1.5 for hot-rolled and fabricated sections and to Part
1.6 for circular hollow section.
Example 2.1
Cross section classification

Q Determine the classifications and resistance Nc,Rd for a 254 x 254 x 73 UC
in pure compression, assuming grade S355 steel
  235 / f y  235 / 355  0.81

A Outstand flanges (Table 5.2, sheet 2)
cf = (b-tw-2r)/2=110.3mm
cf/tf = 110.3/14.2 = 7.77
Limit for class 2 flange 10ε = 10 x 0.81 = 8.14 > 7.77
Hence flanges are Class 2
Web-internal compression part (Table 5.2 sheet 1)

cw = (h-2tf-2r) =200.3 mm
cw/tw = 200.3/8.6 = 23.29
Limit for Class 1 web, 33ε = 26.85 > 23.29
Hence web are class 1
 Overall cross-section classification is therefore Class 2
Classification under combined bending and axial
force
• Should be classified based on the actual stress distribution of the

combined loadings
– For simplicity , initial check carried out under the severe loading
condition of pure axial compression.
• If the section classified as Class 1 or 2, nothing to be gained by conducting
additional calculations with the actual pattern of stress
• If the classification is Class 3 or 4, it is advisable for economy to conduct a
more precise classification under combined loading
Example 2.2
Cross-section classification under combined bending and compression

Q A member is to be designed to carry combined bending and axial load. In
the presence of a major axis (y-y) bending moment and an axial force of
300kN, determine the cross-section classification of a 406 x 178 x 54 UB in
grade S275 steel
2. Cross-section classification (Clause 5.5.2)
  235 / f y  235 / 275  0.92
Outstand flanges (Table 5.2, Sheet 2)

c  (b  t w  2r ) / 2  74.8mm
c / t f  74.8 / 10.9  6.86
Limit for class 1 flange = 9ε = 8.32

8.32>6.86 flanges are class 1
Web internal compression part (Table 5.2,Sheet 1)

c  h  2t f  2r  360.4mm
c / t w  360.4 / 7.7  46.81
Limit for Class 3 web = 42ε = 38.8

38.8 > 46.81 web is Class 4
Overall cross-section classification is therefore Class 4.
More precise approach (cross section classification under combined
loading)- clause 5.5.2
Flange classification remains as Class 1.
Web- internal part in bending and compression (Table 5.2 sheet 1)
From Table 5.5 (sheet 1), for a class 2 cross-section:
c 456
when   0.5 : 
t 13  1
c 41.5
when   0.5 : 
t 
where α may be determined from equation below, for I and H section
where the neutral axis lies within the web.
1h 1N 
    Ed
 (t f  r )   1

c  2 2 tw f y 
1  402.6 1 300000 
    (10.9  10.2) 
360.4  2 2 7.7  275 
  0.70
limit for a class 2 web = 456ε/13α-1 = 52.33
52.33 > 46.81 web is class 2
Overall cross section classification under the combined loading is

therefore Class 2.
Conclusion:
For this section, a maximum axial force of 411 kN may be sustained in
combination with a major axis bending moment, whilst remaining within
the limits of a Class 2 section
Tutorial 1
Q A welded I section is to be designed in bending. Determine the

classification for a welded section with 200 x 20 mm flanges and a 600 x 6
mm web. Assuming grade S275 steel

Chapter 2 - Classification of Cross-Section

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Classification of Cross-Section

• To determine strength of the structural steel component, it requires the

• EC3 classified four classes

• EC3 allows the overall cross-section classification to be defined in one or

• Class 4 sections contain slender elements that are susceptible to local

Cross section classification

  235 / f y  235 / 355  0.81

Web-internal compression part (Table 5.2 sheet 1)

• Should be classified based on the actual stress distribution of the

Cross-section classification under combined bending and compression

Outstand flanges (Table 5.2, Sheet 2)

Limit for class 1 flange = 9ε = 8.32

Web internal compression part (Table 5.2,Sheet 1)

Limit for Class 3 web = 42ε = 38.8

Overall cross section classification under the combined loading is

Q A welded I section is to be designed in bending. Determine the

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