Steel Construction 1/2015: Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures – Present status and further developments

Together with standards for fabrication and erection and harmonized product standards, the structural Eurocodes form the basis for the design of structures and structural products. From April 2010 onwards, the Eurocodes are obligatory for the design of structures and the national design codes have to be withdrawn.

Eurocode 3 covers design of steel structures. This paper gives an overview of the context in which Eurocode 3 exists and of the accompanying codes. The various individual parts of Eurocode3 are mentioned. Attention will be paid to the safety elements such as the partial safety factors for strength and stability. The National Annexes are discussed. Furthermore, corrections and amendments are mentioned and finally an opinion is presented on the possibilities and difficulties the practitioners will experience when using Eurocode 3 and on the future developments that are needed.