Improvement of Through Thickness Properties of SS

INFORMATION PAPER
on
Improvement of Through Thickness Properties of Structural Steelwork
Structural Engineering Branch

Architectural Services Department
Structural Engineering Branch, ArchSD Page 1 of 15 File code : 20140730 Z Properties of Structural
Steelworks (final clear version)
Issue No./Revision No. : 1/- KLT/AS/SCT
First Issue Date : Aug 2014 Current Issue Date : Aug 2014
1. Introduction
1.1. Clause 3.1.5 of the Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel 2011 (hereafter
referred to as the Code) requires that when there are through thickness tensile
stresses greater than 90% of the design strength, through thickness properties
should be specified according to acceptable international standards.
1.2. The purposes of this information paper are as follows, aiming at helping colleagues
in specifying the requirements for through thickness quality steel and in reducing
the risk of lamellar tearing:
(a) To introduce the phenomenon of lamellar tearing effects in structural steel.
(b) To enhance the understanding on the requirements for structural steel welded
connections with improved (guaranteed) through thickness properties.
(c) To highlight the different approaches between Eurocode 3 (BS EN

1993-1-10:2005) and the UK National Annex for determining the need for steel
sections with improved through thickness properties. In addition, European
Standard in Romania and the Chinese code requirement will also be studied.
(d) To provide guidance on the avoidance of lamellar tearing in design of

structural steel welded connections.
2. Lamellar Tearing
2.1. In the manufacturing of structural steel, it is normally produced by rolling in one

direction only and thus leading to the mechanical properties of steel in the cross
grain/transverse direction sometimes inferior to the properties in the direction of
rolling due to work hardening and grain orienting during rolling. This occurs
because of non-metallic manganese sulphides and manganese silica inclusions
during steel milling which become extended into thin planar type elements after
rolling. In this respect, the structure of rolled steel resembles timber-like
properties to some extent in possessing grain direction. Under normal
circumstances, this effect will not pose significant adverse effect on the structural
strength of steel members. However, when large welds are made such that a
fusion boundary runs parallel to the planar inclusion, the phenomenon of lamellar
tearing can result. (see Figure 1 below)
Lamellar Tearing
Figure 1 Lamellar tearing occurs at parent steel plate
2.2. In Clause 3.1.5 of the Code, besides the strength requirement for the through
thickness properties, it also recommends that for thick T butt welds or for heavy
double fillet welded joints, structural steel shall be specified with guaranteed
through thickness tensile properties (Z quality) in order to reduce the risk of
lamellar tearing. This requirement is essential to ensure adequate deformation
capacity of the steel material perpendicular to the surface to provide ductility and
toughness against fracture.
3. Material Properties
3.1. In structural steel, the basic requirements for normal strength steel are strength,
resistance to brittle fracture, ductility and weldability.
In general, the strength, resistance to brittle fracture and ductility can be determined
by tensile testing. For weldability, the chemical composition and maximum
carbon equivalent value are the key factors in controlling the performance of the
weld. In the Code, there are 3 classes of normal strength structural steel. For
Class 1 steel, it shall conform to the respective reference materials standard.
While for class 2 steel and particularly for class 3 steel when welding is involved,
the limiting requirements on the chemical composition of the materials shall be
observed with the maximum carbon equivalent value not to exceed 0.48% on ladle
analysis and the carbon content not to exceed 0.24%. For general applications, the
maximum sulphur content shall not exceed 0.03% and the maximum phosphorus
content shall not exceed 0.03%. When through thickness quality (Z quality) steel
is specified, the sulphur content shall not exceed 0.01%. The chemical
compositions of various grades of steel shall also conform to the requirements
stipulated in the national material standards to which where they are manufactured.
3.2. Z-Plate Properties (improved guaranteed through thickness properties)
3.2.1. In Z-plate, the mechanical properties in the direction perpendicular to the plate
surface are better than those properties of the corresponding grade of general
structural steel. The letter Z refers particularly to the thickness in xyz-
coordinates with plate width (x-direction) x length (y-direction) x thickness
(z-direction) as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 Through thickness properties and Figure 3 Tensile (Z) test

tensile (Z) test specimen specimen
The through thickness deformation properties are determined with the tensile test
using test pieces that are machined in through thickness (Z) direction of the plate as
shown in Figure 3. The resulted Z-value of the test specimen is the perpendicular
reduction of area at fracture. The determination equation of the reduction of area
(Z-value) is defined as the following equation.
100 (Equation 1)
Where
So is the original cross-sectional area of the parallel length;
Su is the minimum cross-sectional area after fracture.
The figure obtained from Equation 1 indicates the reduction of the cross sectional
area of the tensile test piece during tensile test, i.e. perpendicular reduction of area
in percents. This calculated Z value set a basis for the quality classification of Z
plates according to EN 10164 as shown in Table 1 below.
Z quality class (Z values) Minimum average value, Minimum individual

requirement for three tests % value requirement %
Z15 15 15
Z25 25 25
Z35 35 35
Table 1 - Z quality classes and the corresponding reduction of area values for
Z plates according to EN 10164
4. Requirement of Through Thickness Properties
4.1. The Eurocode 3 (hereafter referred to as EC3), the UK National Annex and
Chinese Standard (GB) present different approaches for determining the
requirement for structural steel with improved guaranteed through thickness
(Z-quality) properties. They are elaborated in the following paragraphs.
4.2. EC3 Part 1-10: General – Material Toughness and Through Thickness Assessment
(BS EN 1993-1-10)
In considering the effect of lamellar tearing, EC3 has classified 5 key parameters
which are usually associated with the risk of lamellar tearing. The parameters are
weld depth (Za), shape and position of welds (Zb), effect of material thickness(Zc),
remote restraint of shrinkage after welding (Zd) and welding procedure (Ze). Based
on these parameters, lamellar tearing may be neglected if the available design Z
quality class for the material is greater than the required design Z-value (ZEd) from
the magnitude of strains from restrained metal shrinkage under the weld beads
which is the sum of all the mentioned factors.
ZEd = Za + Zb + Zc + Zd + Ze (Equation 2)
Table 2: Criteria affecting the target value of ZEd (from BS EN 1993-1-10:2005)
Effective weld depth aeff Throat thickness a of fillet welds Zi
aeff ≤ 7mm a = 5 mm za = 0
7 < aeff ≤ 10mm a = 7 mm za = 3

Weld depth
relevant for 10 < aeff ≤20mm a = 14 mm za = 6
a) straining from
metal 20 < aeff ≤ 30mm a = 21 mm za = 9
shrinkage
30 < aeff ≤ 40mm a = 28 mm za = 12
40 < aeff ≤ 50mm a = 35 mm za = 15
50 < aeff a > 35 mm za = 15

(Continue)
Zb = -25
Zb = -10
Shape and Zb = -5
position of
welds in T-
b) and
cruciform- Zb = 0
and corner-
connections
Zb = 3
Zb = 5
Zb = 8
s ≤ 10mm Zc= 2*
10 < s ≤ 20mm Zc = 4*
20 < s ≤ 30mm Zc= 6*

Effect of
material 30 < s ≤ 40mm Zc = 8*
c) thickness s
on restraint 40 < s ≤ 50mm zc = 10*
to shrinkage
50 < s ≤ 60mm Zc= 12*
60 < s ≤ 70mm Zc= 15*
70 < s Zc = 15*
(Continue)
Low restraint: Free shrinkage possible

zd = 0
Remote (e.g. T-joints)
restraint of
Medium restraint: Free shrinkage restricted
shrinkage after z =3
d) (e.g. diaphragms in box girders) d
welding by
other portions High restraint: Free shrinkage not possible
of the structure (e.g. stringers in orthotropic zd = 5
deck plates)
Without preheating Ze= 0

Influence of
e)
preheating
Preheating ≥ 100°C Ze = -8
* May be reduced by 50% for material stressed, in the through-thickness direction, by

compression due to predominantly static loads.
4.3. Romania National Annex (SR EN1993-1-1:2006/National Annex:2008)
In Romanian National Annex, the level of through thickness is using the same
approach to the BS EN, However, the requirement on the through thickness has a
minor difference where the required Z properties (ZEd) is 5 of the available ZRd
instead of the provided Z-plate (ZRd) larger than the required (ZEd). The detail table
extracted from the SR EN is listed below:
Values required for ZRd ZEd values according to ZEd values according to
according to EN10164 BS EN 1993-1-10 SR EN 1993-1-1
– - ZEd ≤ 10
Z 15 ZEd ≤ 15 10 < ZEd ≤ 20
Z 25 15 < ZEd ≤ 25 20 < ZEd ≤ 30
Z 35 ZEd 25 ZEd 30
4.4. Chinese Standard (JGJ 81 – 2002)
Clause 3.0.4 of the Chinese Standard (JGJ 81 - 2002) specifies that for T joint,
cruciform and corner joint, when the incoming material (refer to figure 4.2 in the
clause 4.5.3) is greater than or equal to 40mm, Z-quality plate should be adopted in
the design. The selection of Z-quality plate should depend on the types of structure,
stress in the through material, connection detail and plate thickness.
4.5. UK National Annex
In UK National Annex, the through thickness properties design is referenced to PD
6695-1-10 which classifies the lamellar tearing in low, medium and high risk
situations. Control of these risks is subject to a number of measures that can be
taken by the fabricator and the designer.
4.5.1. In the low- and medium-risk situations, the fabricator shall observe the following
control measures to avoid lamellar tearing.
a) Procurement of steel from a mill known to produce clean steel, particularly

with low sulphur levels. Such material is likely to exhibit a reasonable level of
through thickness properties (Z15, Z25 or even Z35) as a matter of course;
b) Checking of the mill certificates on delivery to identify material with higher
sulphur levels, particularly where steel is from an unknown source. Ultrasonic
inspection may help to identify some areas of higher material susceptibility,
but this is not foolproof;
c) Ordering steel with a maximum specified sulphur level;
d) Use of favourable weld preparation geometries;
e) Use of assembly sequences and jigging to minimize long range restraint;
f) Use of welding run sizes and balanced sequence to minimize local shrinkage
stresses;
g) Use of reduced strength buttering runs on the surfaces of the transversely
stressed (or “through”) material, and if necessary increasing the buttering
depths by prior excavation;
h) Control of heat input to avoid high differential thermal strains.
4.5.2. In the high-risk situation, such as tee joints with tz > 35mm, cruciform joints with tz
> 25mm and corner joints where “through” material is not prepared and tz > 20mm,
apart from the appropriate preparations by the fabricator, the designer also needs to
specify the Z quality to BS EN10164. In addition, it is recommended that the
throat size of weld shall not be over-specified such that the weld volume can be
reduced to a minimum.
4.5.3. A summary of the requirement under the UK National Annex was listed below.
(Extract from SCI Publication P362 (2009), “Steel Building Design: Concise
Eurocodes”)
4.5.4. Another reference also mentioned in BS EN1011-2 Annex F that several

precaution measures should be made to reduce the risk in welding joint detail such
as to minimize the shrinkage stresses in the joint; Restraint in the through-thickness
direction should be minimized; Buttering can be used for low strength material and
the attachment area should be enlarged for a joint in a given weld strength.
4.6. Comparison
A worked example according to the standard had been demonstrated in Appendix A.
It is observed that the approach in EC3 and SR EN was found too conservative
which also invoked the specification of Z-quality steel, even for thin plate/sections.
This could have major implication on costing, availability of the steel section and
hence to affect the construction programme. Therefore, UK considers the
requirements given in EC3 is not appropriate and in turn invokes to PD 6695-1-10.
Also, reference was made from the Chinese Standard that a standard detail in the
code is required the designer only need to used the standard detail without Z-quality
steel.
5. Good Practice to Avoid Lamellar Tearing
5.1. Connection details depends on various factor such as the orientation of members
connected, plate thickness and design force etc. It is not possible to provide a
standard detail to avoid lamellar tearing. However, selection of through and
incoming material (as mentioned in 4.5.3) can improve tearing effect for a given
weld joint.
5.2. A simple corner butt weld can lead to tearing if the weld preparation is processed
on the wrong plate.
Poor Detail Better detail

(more susceptible to lamellar
tearing)
Figure 4 Corner weld details (extracted from SCI P185)
When processing a corner connection, it is recommended to prepare the upper plate

(as in the right-hand detail) in which the preparation work cuts across most of any
laminar defects.
5.3. If a cruciform detail is needed, it is recommended to have the thicker plate through
and weld the thinner plate to it, as indicated in figure 5 below. Since the thinner
web is unlikely to require very large welds, such connection would not normally
require consideration of through thickness. Also, try to avoid the use of full
penetration welds. If a full penetration butt weld detail is needed, there is again a
lesser risk of tearing if the thicker plate is passed through and no requirement for
through thickness properties need normally be specified provided that tz is not
greater than 25 mm (in accordance with PD 6695-1-10).
Higher risk of tearing Lower risk of tearing

Figure 5 Improvement of Welding Detail (extracted from Steel Detailer’s
Manual)
6. Other points to note in use of Z-quality material
6.1. After review of the welded detail to minimize the possibility in use of Z-quality
material, if the use of Z-quality material cannot be avoided, designer should also
take note of the following points.
6.2. Z-quality plates or sections are not commonly used in the market, manufacturers
only produce Z-quality plates/sections as per the client’s request. It may require a
procurement time of more than 3 months in comparing with normal sections/plates.
6.3. By comparison with the cost between normal steel plate and Z-quality plate, the
cost of Z-quality plate varies from 10% to 30% more expensive than normal steel
plate depending on the export country (Such as China, Japan and Europe etc.).
6.4. Due to the different contractual arrangements between UK and HK in quality

controls and contractor’s responsibilities, some control measures, such as
requirement of low sulphur materials and clean steel procurement, etc., to be
observed by the fabricator as specified in PD 6695 may not be applicable to the
contractor in HK. Designer should consider to specify the control measures to be
observed by the fabricator in the specifications if necessary.
6.5. According to General Specification for Building 2012 (GS) clause 15.18 regarding
the through thickness properties, all the through thickness material proposed by
designer/contractor shall comply with the requirement of BS EN 10164. The
Contractor is required to submit a report including the material selection, welding
procedure, welding sequence shrinkage control and inspection regime to
designer/SO not less than 3 weeks prior to ordering the steel. In addition, the
sulphur content should meet the requirement as specified in paragraph 3.1 above.
6.6. If a valid test report issued by the manufacturer is not available, ultrasonic test
grade L4 to BS5596 and through thickness tensile test to BS EN10164 are required
as specified in GS clause 15.18.
6.6.1. Requirement of through thickness tensile test to BS EN 10164 is summarized

below:
Clause 8.1.2 of the BS EN 10164 specifies that three tensile test pieces shall meet
the minimum values for the reduction of area as shown in Table 1 in clause 3.2.1.
One individual result may be below the specified minimum average value, provided
that it is not less than the specified minimum individual value.
In case of the results are not satisfied, an additional set of three test pieces shall be
taken from the same sample for further testing. To consider the test unit as
conforming, the following conditions shall be satisfied simultaneously:
1. The average value of six tests shall be equal to or greater than the specified
minimum average value.
2. Not more than two of six individual values may be lower than the specified
minimum average value.
3. Not more than one of six individual values may be lower than the specified
minimum individual value.
6.6.2. Requirement of ultrasonic test to BS 5996 is summarized below:
Clause 14 of the BS5996 specifies the quality grading of laminations under

ultrasonic test as shown in Table 3 below.
Maximum total
Maximum area area of
Maximum Minimum of any discontinuity
Quality Grade
scan interval intercept individual in any area
discontinuity measuring 1m
x 1m
mm mm mm2 mm2
L1 150 25 9700 35000
L2 100 25 6500 23000
L3 75 13 3200 12000
L4 50 13 1000 3000
Table 3: Quality grading of laminations
7. Conclusions
7.1. Nowadays, building structures get more complex than past, which may require the
use of through thickness quality steel in structural design. Clauses 3.1.5 and 9.2.1
of the Code specify design requirement for through thickness properties which
should be such as to minimize the risk of lamellar tearing.
7.2. EC3 is considered rather conservative in the design requirement for through
thickness quality steel. This paper recommends to follow the approach given in the
UK National Annex when considering lamellar tearing effect and specifying
through thickness quality steel. However, due to different contractual arrangements
between UK and HK in contractor’s responsibilities, designer should understand
the requirement of control measures as mentioned in clause 4.5.1 in this paper and
specify the requirement in the design if necessary.
7.3. In terms of design and specification, there are provisions in the UK National Annex
to BS EN 1993-1-10 Eurocode 3 which in turn invokes PD 6695-1-10. The
advice in the PD 6695-1-10 is congruent with that given in Annex F of BS EN
1011-2 in avoiding the causes of lamellar tearing
7.4. Designer shall be aware of the cause of lamellar tearing problems in connection
design to avoid connection details with high risk of lamellar tearing. Assuming
suitable Z-quality material has been specified for “through” material in “high” risk
joints, there are steps in the PD 6695-1-10 and BS EN 1011-2 Annex F that can be
taken to mitigate or avoid risk in other joint configurations that might be of “low”
or “medium” risk.
8. References
British Standard Institution (2005), “BS EN 1993-1-10 – Eurocode 3: Design of

steel structures – Part 1-10: Material Toughness and through-thickness
properties”
Standard Roman (2008), “SR EN 1993-1-1/NA – Eurocode 3 : Design of steel

structures – Part 1-1 : General rules and rules for buildings. National Annex”
Chinese Standard (2002), “JGJ 81 – 2002 – Technical specification for Welding

of steel structural of building”
British Standard Institution (2005), “NA to BS EN 1993-1-10 – National Annex

(informative) to Eurocode 3 : Design of steel structures – Part 1-10: Material
Toughness and through-thickness properties”
British Standard Institution (2009), “PD 6695-1-10 – Published Document –

Recommendations for the design of structures to BS EN 1993-1-10”
British Standard Institution (2001), “EN 1011-2 – Welding – Recommendations

for welding of metallic materials – Arc welding of ferritic steels informative
Annex F Avoidance of lamellar tearing”
SCI Publication P362 (2009), “Steel building design: concise Eurocodes: in

accordance with Eurocodes and the UK National Annexes”
SCI P185, “Guidance notes on best practice in steel bridge construction”
Building Department (2011), “Code of Practice for Structural Use of Steel 2011”
Steel Detailers' Manual, Third Edition by Alan Hayward and Frank Weare
Appendix A: Comparison between Eurocode 3 and UK National Annex on the
Requirement of Through Thickness Properties
Corner Joint with Full Penetration Butt Weld
s = 16
Noted: According to Section 5.1, this is considered as a poor corner weld detail
leading to lamellar tearing.
ZEd = Za + Zb + Zc + Zd + Ze
Without Preheating Treatment

18 = 6 + 8 + 4 + 0 + 0
With Preheating Treatment
10 = 6 + 8 + 4 + 0 – 8
Eurocode 3 UK National Annex
Z25 or Z15 with preheat treatment Fabrication control measures as

requirement shall be specified on described in paragraph 5.2 shall be
drawing. observed.
SR EN 1993-1 Chinese Code (JGJ 81 – 2002)

Z15 or Preheat treatment requirement
shall be specified on drawing. Thickness less than 40mm, Z-plate is
not necessary. Welding detail should be
welded according to the standard detail.

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INFORMATION PAPER

Improvement of Through Thickness Properties of Structural Steelwork

Structural Engineering Branch

(a) To introduce the phenomenon of lamellar tearing effects in structural steel.

(c) To highlight the different approaches between Eurocode 3 (BS EN

(d) To provide guidance on the avoidance of lamellar tearing in design of

2.1. In the manufacturing of structural steel, it is normally produced by rolling in one

Figure 1 Lamellar tearing occurs at parent steel plate

3.2. Z-Plate Properties (improved guaranteed through thickness properties)

Figure 2 Through thickness properties and Figure 3 Tensile (Z) test

Z quality class (Z values) Minimum average value, Minimum individual

4. Requirement of Through Thickness Properties

Table 2: Criteria affecting the target value of ZEd (from BS EN 1993-1-10:2005)

Effective weld depth aeff Throat thickness a of fillet welds Zi

7 < aeff ≤ 10mm a = 7 mm za = 3

40 < aeff ≤ 50mm a = 35 mm za = 15

50 < aeff a > 35 mm za = 15

Table 2: Criteria affecting the target value of ZEd (from BS EN 1993-1-10:2005)

20 < s ≤ 30mm Zc= 6*

60 < s ≤ 70mm Zc= 15*

Table 2: Criteria affecting the target value of ZEd (from BS EN 1993-1-10:2005)

Low restraint: Free shrinkage possible

Without preheating Ze= 0

* May be reduced by 50% for material stressed, in the through-thickness direction, by

4.3. Romania National Annex (SR EN1993-1-1:2006/National Annex:2008)

4.4. Chinese Standard (JGJ 81 – 2002)

4.5. UK National Annex

a) Procurement of steel from a mill known to produce clean steel, particularly

4.5.4. Another reference also mentioned in BS EN1011-2 Annex F that several

5. Good Practice to Avoid Lamellar Tearing

Poor Detail Better detail

Figure 4 Corner weld details (extracted from SCI P185)

When processing a corner connection, it is recommended to prepare the upper plate

Higher risk of tearing Lower risk of tearing

6. Other points to note in use of Z-quality material

6.4. Due to the different contractual arrangements between UK and HK in quality

6.6.1. Requirement of through thickness tensile test to BS EN 10164 is summarized

6.6.2. Requirement of ultrasonic test to BS 5996 is summarized below:

Clause 14 of the BS5996 specifies the quality grading of laminations under

Table 3: Quality grading of laminations

British Standard Institution (2005), “BS EN 1993-1-10 – Eurocode 3: Design of

Standard Roman (2008), “SR EN 1993-1-1/NA – Eurocode 3 : Design of steel

Chinese Standard (2002), “JGJ 81 – 2002 – Technical specification for Welding

British Standard Institution (2005), “NA to BS EN 1993-1-10 – National Annex

British Standard Institution (2009), “PD 6695-1-10 – Published Document –

British Standard Institution (2001), “EN 1011-2 – Welding – Recommendations

SCI Publication P362 (2009), “Steel building design: concise Eurocodes: in

SCI P185, “Guidance notes on best practice in steel bridge construction”

Corner Joint with Full Penetration Butt Weld

Without Preheating Treatment

Eurocode 3 UK National Annex

Z25 or Z15 with preheat treatment Fabrication control measures as

SR EN 1993-1 Chinese Code (JGJ 81 – 2002)

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