12. Section Designations and Steel Grades

12.1. Open Sections

The dimension and member resistance tables given in this publication are dual titled. The tables give the name of the section type, as given in the relevant British Standard (e.g. Universal beams and Universal columns, for I sections to BS4-1 and Equal leg angles and Unequal leg angles for sections to BS EN 10056-1) followed by the Tata Steel designation in their Advance® range of sections. An example of this dual titling is given below:

The Advance® range of sections encompasses all the UB, UC, Tee and PFC sections in BS 4-1 and most of the angle sections in BS EN 10056-1. The dimensions and properties of the Advance® sections are the same as those of the corresponding British Standard sections and the same standards for dimensional tolerance apply. The Advance® range also includes additional beam and column sections not in BS 4-1 and angle sections not in BS EN 10056-1; these are designated by '+' in the tables. These sections are manufactured to the same tolerances as those in the British Standards and the nominal dimensions may be taken as characteristic values and used in design.

The only difference between Advance® sections and BS sections is that the Advance® sections are always CE Marked. The BS sections do not require CE Marking in the UK.

The table below shows the relationship between the BS 4-1 section designation and the section designation for the Advance® sections.

Comparison of section designation systems

* These abbreviations are commonly used but are not a BS designation

Tables are also included for Asymmetric Slimflor Beams. These sections are manufactured by Tata Steel; they are part of the Advance range and they are CE Marked. These beams are manufactured to the same tolerances as those in the British Standards and the nominal dimensions may be taken as characteristic values and used in design.

Tables are included for joist sections to BS 4-1. These are not part of the Advance® range.

Where capacity tables cover Advance® sections, the steel grade is also dual titled. The strength grade designation given in BS EN 10025 2: 2004 is given first, followed by the grade designation for the Advance® sections. An example of this dual titling of the steel grade is given below:

The Advance® designation is a simplified designation that encompasses the specification to BS EN 10025 and the additional quality control procedures to ensure CE Marking. It also enables a shorter form of designating the grade when ordering. The table below shows the designations in the two systems.

Steel grade designations