Advisory Desk Note 545 Limitations of method for calculating slenderness using PD 6695-2:2008

Publication Year

2025

Document Status

Current

Abstract

This SCI Advisory Note clarifies the limitations of using PD 6695-2:2008 Clause 5.2 for calculating the non-dimensional slenderness of steel beams, particularly in cases involving continuity over supports or end restraint. It explains that the method is intended for simply supported beams and may underestimate slenderness for more complex configurations, leading to overestimated buckling resistance. The note recommends using SCI P360 for improved accuracy, as it includes the influence of the bending moment diagram (C2 factor) and refined values for stability parameters. Alternatively, slenderness may be determined using finite element analysis to obtain the elastic critical moment (Mcr).

Document History

2025 edition.

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