National foreword

This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 1993‑1‑14:2025.

The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee CB/203, Design & execution of steel structures.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its committee manager.

National choice is allowed in this standard where explicitly stated within notes. The National Annex to this standard contains the national choices to be used for buildings and civil engineering works constructed in the UK.

The first generation of EN Eurocodes was published between 2002 and 2007, with conflicting British Standards withdrawn in 2010. This document forms part of the second generation of EN Eurocodes.

The second generation of EN Eurocodes is expected to be published between 2023 and 2026. These documents are being published as soon as they are available. This is being done to enable users to prepare for the transition from the first generation to second generation of EN Eurocodes.

UK adoptions of the first generation of EN Eurocodes will be withdrawn by BSI on 30 March 2028. Until that date, the first generation documents should be considered as the applicable standards for buildings and civil engineering works constructed in the UK unless otherwise specified by the relevant authority or in the specification for a particular project.

This standard is intended to be used with its National Annex and other referenced documents, including other second generation Eurocodes, as an interdependent suite of documents.

While the use of provisions in this standard in conjunction with first generation Eurocodes is not precluded, it should be undertaken with care and should only be done when users are satisfied that it will not result in a lower level of reliability than the minimum level set in the first generation Eurocodes and associated UK National Annexes.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication has been prepared in good faith, however no representation, warranty, assurance or undertaking (express or implied) is or will be made, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by BSI in relation to the adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of this publication. All and any such responsibility and liability is expressly disclaimed to the full extent permitted by the law.

This publication is provided as is, and is to be used at the recipient’s own risk.

The recipient is advised to consider seeking professional guidance with respect to its use of this publication.

This publication is not intended to constitute a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 October 2025.

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 July 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and United Kingdom.

European foreword

This document (EN 1993‑1‑14:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 250 “Structural Eurocodes”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI. CEN/TC 250 is responsible for all Structural Eurocodes and has been assigned responsibility for structural and geotechnical matters by CEN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2027, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by March 2028.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

The first generation of EN Eurocodes was published between 2002 and 2007. This document forms part of the second generation of the Eurocodes, which have been prepared under Mandate M/515 issued to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association.

The Eurocodes have been drafted to be used in conjunction with relevant execution, material, product and test standards, and to identify requirements for execution, materials, products and testing that are relied upon by the Eurocodes.

The Eurocodes recognize the responsibility of each Member State and have safeguarded their right to determine values related to regulatory safety matters at national level through the use of National Annexes.

Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

0 Introduction

0.1 Introduction to the Eurocodes

The Structural Eurocodes comprise the following standards generally consisting of a number of parts:

EN 1990 Eurocode — Basis of structural and geotechnical design
EN 1991 Eurocode 1 — Actions on structures
EN 1992 Eurocode 2 — Design of concrete structures
EN 1993 Eurocode 3 — Design of steel structures
EN 1994 Eurocode 4 — Design of composite steel and concrete structures
EN 1995 Eurocode 5 — Design of timber structures
EN 1996 Eurocode 6 — Design of masonry structures
EN 1997 Eurocode 7 — Geotechnical design
EN 1998 Eurocode 8 — Design of structures for earthquake resistance
EN 1999 Eurocode 9 — Design of aluminium structures
EN 19100 Eurocode 10 — Design of glass structures
New parts are under development, e.g. Eurocode for design of fibre-polymer composite structures and design of tensioned membrane structures

The Eurocodes are intended for use by designers, clients, manufacturers, constructors, relevant authorities (in exercising their duties in accordance with national or international regulations), educators, software developers, and committees drafting standards for related product, testing and execution standards.

NOTE Some aspects of design are most appropriately specified by relevant authorities or, where not specified, can be agreed on a project-specific basis between relevant parties such as designers and clients. The Eurocodes identify such aspects making explicit reference to relevant authorities and relevant parties.

0.2 Introduction to EN 1993 (all parts)

EN 1993 (all parts) applies to the design of buildings and civil engineering works in steel. It complies with the principles and requirements for the safety and serviceability of structures, the basis of their design and verification that are given in EN 1990‑1 – Basis of structural and geotechnical design – Part 1: New structures.

EN 1993 (all parts) is concerned only with requirements for resistance, serviceability, durability and fire resistance of steel structures. Other requirements, e.g. concerning thermal or sound insulation, are not covered.

EN 1993 is subdivided in various parts:

EN 1993-1-1, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings;

EN 1993-1-2, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-2: Structural fire design;

EN 1993-1-3, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-3: Cold-formed members and sheeting;

NOTE Cold-formed hollow sections supplied according to EN 10219 (all parts) are covered in EN 1993-1-1.

EN 1993-1-4, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-4: Stainless steel structures;

EN 1993-1-5, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-5: Plated structural elements;

EN 1993-1-6, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-6: Strength and stability of shell structures;

EN 1993-1-7, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-7: Plate assemblies with elements under transverse loads;

EN 1993-1-8, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-8: Joints;

EN 1993-1-9, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-9: Fatigue;

EN 1993-1-10, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-10: Material toughness and through-thickness properties;

EN 1993-1-11, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-11: Tension components;

EN 1993-1-12, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-12: Additional rules for steel grades up to S960;

EN 1993-1-13, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-13: Beams with large web openings;

EN 1993-1-14, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 1-14: Design assisted by finite element analysis;

EN 1993-2, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 2: Bridges;

EN 1993-3, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 3: Towers, masts and chimneys;

EN 1993-4-1, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 4-1: Silos;

EN 1993-4-2, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 4-2: Tanks;

EN 1993-5, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 5: Piling;

EN 1993-6, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 6: Crane supporting structures;

EN 1993-7, Eurocode 3 — Design of Steel Structures — Part 7: Sandwich panels (under preparation).

All parts numbered EN 1993‑1‑2 to EN 1993‑1‑14 treat general topics that are independent from the structural type such as structural fire design, cold-formed members and sheeting, stainless steels, plated structural elements, etc.

All parts numbered EN 1993‑2 to EN 1993‑7 treat topics relevant for a specific structural type such as steel bridges, towers, masts and chimneys, silos and tanks, piling, crane supporting structures, etc. EN 1993‑2 to EN 1993‑7 refer to the generic rules in EN 1993‑1 and supplement, modify or supersede them.

0.3 Introduction to EN 1993‑1‑14

EN 1993‑1‑14 gives requirements for use of numerical methods in the design of steel structures, more specifically for the ultimate limit state (including fatigue) and serviceability limit state verifications. It also gives requirements for the application of advanced finite element and similar modelling techniques, which may also be used in design.

Background information and explanations to the design rules given in this code can be found in the Technical Report - CEN/TR 1993‑1‑141 [3]. A series of validation and design examples are also included in this document. The validation examples give background and support to the numerical model validation process, while the design examples support the correct application of the EN 1993‑1‑14 design provisions.

0.4 Verbal forms used in the Eurocodes

The verb “shall” expresses a requirement strictly to be followed and from which no deviation is permitted in order to comply with the Eurocodes.

The verb “should” expresses a highly recommended choice or course of action. Subject to national regulation and/or any relevant contractual provisions, alternative approaches could be used/adopted where technically justified.

The verb “may” expresses a course of action permissible within the limits of the Eurocodes.

The verb “can” expresses possibility and capability; it is used for statements of fact and clarification of concepts.

0.5 National Annex for EN 1993‑1‑14

National choice is allowed in this standard where explicitly stated within notes. National choice includes the selection of values for Nationally Determined Parameters (NDPs).

The national standard implementing EN 1993‑1‑14 can have a National Annex containing all national choices to be used for the design of buildings and civil engineering works to be constructed in the relevant country.

When no national choice is given, the default choice given in this standard is to be used.

When no national choice is made and no default is given in this standard, the choice can be specified by a relevant authority or, where not specified, agreed for a specific project by appropriate parties.

National choice is allowed in EN 1993‑1‑14 through notes to the following clauses:

National choice is allowed in EN 1993‑1‑14 on the application of the following informative annexes:

The National Annex can contain, directly or by reference, non-contradictory complementary information for ease of implementation, provided it does not alter any provisions of the Eurocodes.

1 Scope

1.1 Scope of EN 1993‑1‑14

(1) This document gives requirements for the use of numerical methods in the design of steel structures, more specifically for the ultimate limit state (including fatigue) and serviceability limit state verifications. It also gives requirements for the application of advanced finite element (FE) and similar modelling techniques.

(2) This document covers general methodologies such as the finite element method (FEM), finite strip method (FSM) or generalized beam theory (GBT) for modelling, analysis and design of steel structures made of the following members and joint configurations:

hot-rolled profiles,
cold-formed members and sheeting,
welded plated profiles,
stainless steel profiles,
plate assemblies,
shell structures,
welded and bolted joints.

In addition to the general design rules, specific additional rules can also be found in the relevant parts of EN 1993.

(3) This document contains harmonized design rules in terms of the application of the numerical modelling methods, development of the numerical models, application of analysis types, result evaluation methods, and determination of the resistance of steel structures for different limit states.

(4) This document provides rules for numerical modelling and design of steel structures using all steel grades from S235 up to and including S700, unless otherwise stated in individual clauses.

1.2 Assumptions

(1) This document gives rules intended for engineers who are experienced in the use of FE.

(2) It is recognized that structural analysis, based upon the laws of physics, has been successfully researched, developed, historically or currently used for the design and verification of elements or whole structural frames. This remains appropriate for many structural solutions. However, as an alternative, the methods described in this document can be also applied for design.

(3) Unless specifically stated, EN 1990, EN 1991 (all parts) and the other relevant parts of EN 1993‑1 apply.

(4) The design methods given in this document are applicable if

the execution quality is as specified in EN 1090‑2 and/or EN 1090‑4, and
the construction materials and products used are as specified in the relevant parts of EN 1993, or in the relevant material and product specifications.

2 Normative references

3 Terms, definitions and symbols

3.1 Terms and definitions

3.2 Symbols and abbreviations

4 Basis of design

5 Modelling

5.1 Geometrical models

5.2 Support and load models

5.3 Material models

5.4 Imperfections

5.5 Imperfection combinations

6 Analysis

6.1 Structural analysis

6.2 Thermal analysis

7 Verification and validation

7.1 General

7.2 Verification

7.3 Validation

8 Design methodology

8.1 Ultimate limit state (excluding fatigue)

8.2 Fatigue

8.3 Serviceability limit state

9 Documentation

Bibliography

BS EN 1993-1-14:2025

Eurocode 3. Design of steel structures - Design assisted by finite element analysis

Current

Published:

31 Oct 2025