Fracture assessment of a high strength structural steel on the basis of Eurocode 3

This work examines the design method of Eurocode 3 against brittle failure with regard to its application to a high strength structural steel S460N EN 10113 type. The fracture behaviour of the steel is experimentally determin ed by means of fracture tests, considering also the effects of temperature and plate thickness. A direct verification of the method of Eurocode 3 is m ade by contrasting the assumptions on which it is based with the actual beh aviour of the steel. The failure criterion and the mechanical properties ch aracterizing the resistance to brittle and ductile fracture are the basis o f the comparison.