Knowledge base

Yield strength reduction for high-strength steel hollow sections

Steel

Connection

EN (Eurocode)

Tubes

v23.1

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The design of connections with high-strength steel hollow cross-sections is safer thanks to the implementation of a reducing factor.

High-strength steel is more brittle than mild steel. The resistance of failure modes of hollow section joints is supposed to be reduced for high-strength steel by a corresponding factor according to EN 1993-1-8, Cl. 7.1.1 (4). Moreover, the same is mentioned in prEN 1993-1-8:2023 – Table 9.1, which is the next generation of design code.

In IDEA StatiCa, the resistance of hollow section joints is determined by the 5% plastic strain of plates. Reliable reduction may be achieved by decreasing the yield strength of steel accordingly.

The yield strength of hollow section joints made of CHS or RHS with high-strength steel is automatically reduced by the reducing factor from the code. This ensures unintentional neglect of the reduction, which might lead to unsafe design.

The value of the reduction factor is displayed in the Design data table in the Check section, and in the plates check description.