STEEL EC3 imports the cross-sections defined in RSTAB automatically. All thin-walled cross-sections can be designed. The program decides which design method, conforming to standards, is the most efficient. 

Furthermore, STEEL EC3 can take into account several actions for the ultimate limit state design. You can choose between the interaction formulae mentioned in the standard. 

In accordance with Eurocode 3, the program divides the cross-sections that you want to design into the classes 1 to 4. In this way, the module can determine the limitation of the design capacity and of the rotational capacity due to local buckling for cross-section parts. Furthermore, STEEL EC3 determines the (c/t) ratio of the cross-section elements subjected to compression. It also classifies the cross-sections completely automatically. 

For stability analyses you can decide for each member or set of member whether flexural buckling occurs in direction y and/or z. Furthermore, you can define additional lateral supports. STEEL EC3 determines the slenderness and the elastic critical buckling load automatically by considering the boundary conditions. For the lateral torsional buckling design the program defines also the required ideal elastic critical moment automatically, but it is also possible to define it manually. Even the load application point of transverse loads which is affecting the torsional resistance can be taken into account by detailed settings. 

In modern construction using cross-sections that become more and more slender, the serviceability limit state represents an important factor in structural calculations. Take advantage of STEEL EC3 to assign load cases, groups and combinations individually to different design situations. The corresponding limit values are predefined in the national annex but can always be modified. The module allows you to define reference lengths and precambers and to consider them for the design.

When you design loadings due to tension, compression, bending and shear, STEEL EC3 compares the design values of the maximum load capacity with the design values of the actions. In case structural components are subjected to both bending and compression, the program performs an interaction. Concerning the interaction formula, you can decide whether you want to determine the factors according to the first method (annex A) or the second (annex B). 

For the flexural buckling design, however, neither the slenderness nor the elastic critical buckling load of the governing buckling case must be entered. The module calculates all required factors for the design value of the bending load automatically. The ideal elastic critical moment is determined by the program itself, for each member on every x-location of the cross-section. You only need to specify lateral intermediate supports, if required, for the individual members/sets of members that can be defined in one of the input tables.

If members are selected for the fire protection design, an extra input table is presented in which you can define additional parameters such as types of coating or covers. As global settings, the required time of fire resistance, the temperature curve and further coefficients can be chosen. The printout report lists all intermediate results and the final proof of the fire protection design.

The results are displayed in clearly arranged output tables, sorted by load cases, cross-sections, members, sets of members or x-locations. To get detailed information about the performed design, select the corresponding table row. 

All material and cross-section properties, design internal forces and design factors are clearly represented in the results tables. Furthermore, it is possible to display the distribution of internal forces for each x-location in a separate graphic window. 

To complete the output, STEEL EC3 shows the parts lists by member/by set of members for the individual cross-section types. Finally, you can print the input and results data into the global RSTAB printout report. 

To use the results in further processing programs, it is possible to export all tables to MS Excel or OpenOffice.org Calc.