DIN EN 1993-1-8:2025-04

Safe design and construction of steel joints

DIN EN 1993-1-8 is part of Eurocode 3 and sets out rules for the design and construction of joints in steel structures. It covers the resistance, stiffness and deformation capacity of joints and supports engineers and designers in the safe design of bolted, welded, pinned and hollow-section joints. At the same time, the standard takes into account the requirements of modern steel structures up to and including steel grade S700.

What is DIN EN 1993-1-8 about?

The standard defines rules for the design of steel construction joints and describes methods for determining resistance, rotational stiffness and rotation capacity. It focuses on the design of bolted connections, welded connections, pinned connections, beam-to-column joints, column bases and hollow-section joints. In addition, the standard includes calculation methods for resistance, deformation and stability verifications as well as rules for the classification of joints.

Topics covered

• Design and construction of joints in steel structures
• Bolted, riveted, pinned and welded connections
• Beam-to-column joints and beam splices
• Nominally pinned, rigid and deformable connections
• Hollow-section joints and truss nodes
• Column bases with anchor bolts and fasteners
• Resistance, stiffness and fatigue verifications
• Rotational stiffness and rotation capacity of joints
• Joint design according to Eurocode 3

Practical relevance

Joints are among the safety-critical areas of steel structures. DIN EN 1993-1-8 provides a uniform basis for the design of steel construction joints and supports the safe transfer of forces and moments within load-bearing structures. It helps verify the load-bearing capacity and serviceability of steel structures and implement the requirements of the Eurocode system.

The rules on bolted connections, welds, beam-to-column joints, hollow-section joints and column bases are particularly relevant, as these play a key role in industrial buildings, halls, bridges and civil engineering structures.

Changes compared with DIN EN 1993-1-8:2010-12

The 2025 edition has been extensively revised. The main changes include:

• Extension of the scope to steel grades up to and including S700
• Extension to the design and construction of nominally pinned connections
• New rules for bolted connections in tapped holes
• New provisions for butt welds in steels above S460
• New rules for column bases with connecting elements between steel and concrete
• Introduction of a nonlinear model for bearing and bolt-hole deformations
• Revision of requirements for pins, bearing connections and hollow-section joints
• Four new normative annexes on basic components, beam-to-column joints, nominally pinned connections and column bases

Target audience

• Structural engineers
• Civil engineers in steel construction
• Designers of steel structures
• Checking engineers and experts
• Steel construction companies
• Manufacturers of fasteners and connection elements
• Specialists in structural analysis and design
• Universities and research institutions in the field of steel construction

Conclusion

DIN EN 1993-1-8 provides the central basis for the design and construction of joints in steel structures according to Eurocode 3. With expanded rules for modern steel grades, new types of joints and revised calculation methods, it supports the safe, economical and standards-compliant design of steel structures.

This document replaces DIN EN 1993-1-8:2010-12 .