ABSTRACT
Abstract The seismic design of steel building structures relies upon the capability of structural members to dissipate part of the input seismic energy through inelastic action. To that end member cross sections are classified into classes with different energy absorption capacity. The present work reviews the Eurocode 8 provisions on Classification, makes proposals for the formulation of material independent criteria complying with the requirements of the seismic design and derives application rules for symmetrical Isections. The rules refer to slenderness limitations of the web and the flanges of the cross section that are mutually dependent. The influence of a normal force on the section is studied. For the various cross sectional classes the energy dissipation capacity is finally given. Keywords: Steel Members, Classification, Criteria, Codes, Cyclic Behaviour.
