Steel Design Property Tables
A quick-access table for steel design properties according to Eurocode 3
Eurocode 3, also known as EN 1993-1-1, provides guidelines for the design of steel structures. One of the main topics focused on in Eurocode 3 is the strength and elasticity properties of steel. Steel, with its remarkable properties, plays a pivotal role in the construction industry due to its high strength and ductility.
Eurocode 3 outlines the method for determining the strength of steel components. It emphasizes the use of various parameters such as material properties, geometric characteristics, and loading conditions to calculate the structural resistance of steel elements. These calculations ensure that steel structures can withstand the anticipated loads and provide the necessary safety levels.
The typical design properties advised for these calculations are as follows:
Material Design Properties for Structural Steel S235, S275, S355, S420, S450, S460 according to EN1993-1-1 §3.2.6
| Material Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density ρ | ≈ 7850 kg/m3 |
| Unit weight γ | ≈ 78.5 kN/m3 |
| Modulus of elasticity E (Young's modulus) |
210000 MPa |
| Shear modulus G | G = E / [2 ⋅ (1 + ν) ] ≈ 81000 MPa |
| Yield strength fy | see table below |
| Ultimate strength fu | see table below |
| Poisson's ratio in elastic range ν | 0.30 |
| Coefficient of linear thermal expansion α | 12 ×10-6 °K-1 |
Steel strengths and elasticity varies according to the grade of steel selected
| Steel Grade | Yield Strength (fy) (MPa) | Ultimate Strength (fu) (MPa) | Modulus of Elasticity (E) (GPa) | Shear Modulus (G) (GPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S235 | 235 | 360 | 210 | 80 |
| S275 | 275 | 430 | 205 | 80 |
| S355 | 355 | 510 | 200 | 80 |
| S460 | 460 | 580 | 200 | 80 |
Have you tried our free steel beam and column design calculator? Use it to check the resistance of your steel sections to applied bending, shear and axial forces. Try it out here