Dimensions of sections

2.1 Mass

The mass per metre has been calculated assuming that the density of steel is 7850 kg/m³.

2.2 Thickness

When specifying the thickness of the steel it is common practice to include the thickness of the coating in the specified value. However, EN 1993‑1‑3 (§3.2.4) requires that all section properties are based on the core thickness of the steel, excluding the coating. The standard zinc coating for construction products is 275 g/m² (referred to as Z275), which corresponds to a coating thickness of 0.02 mm on each surface. Hence, the nominal (specified) steel thickness should be reduced by 0.04 mm for design purposes.

The tolerances to which the steel is manufactured and specified should be considered when determining the thickness to use in design calculations in accordance with EN 1993‑1‑3 (§3.2.4(3)).