What is Eu Steel Charpy Values used for in structural engineering?

Eu Steel Charpy Values provides values required for steel design calculations including capacity checks, connection design, and detailing. It is referenced in structural design codes and used by practicing engineers during the design of buildings, bridges, and industrial structures.

Can I use these reference values directly in my design?

Yes, provided the values match your governing code edition and project specifications. Always cross-reference against the primary source (code document, manufacturer data, or published standard). The information on this page is for educational use — final verification by a licensed engineer is required.

How often are these reference values updated?

Reference content is maintained to align with current code editions. When a new edition of AISC 360, AS 4100, EN 1993, or CSA S16 is published, values are reviewed and updated. Check the last-modified date at the bottom of the page and verify against the current edition for your jurisdiction.

Eu Steel Charpy Values | Steel Calculator

Charpy Quality Designation System

EN 10025-2 uses suffix letters to indicate Charpy impact testing requirements:

Suffix	Test Temperature	Min CVN Energy (Longitudinal)	Typical Specification
JR	20ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	Interior members, warm environments
J0	0ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	Exterior temperate climate, most European use
J2	-20ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	Cold climate, fracture-critical members
K2	-20ÃÂÃÂ°C	40 J	High toughness, offshore, seismic, wind towers

The JR suffix is the most basic quality designation. J2 is the most commonly specified for primary structural members in Northern and Central Europe. K2 is required for fatigue-loaded structures and low-temperature applications per EN 1993-1-10.

Min CVN Energy by Grade and Quality

S235 Series

Quality	Test Temp	Min Energy (J) Longitudinal	Min Energy (J) Transverse	Typical Use
S235JR	20ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	—	Secondary framing, interior
S235J0	0ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	—	Exterior light framing
S235J2	-20ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	—	Primary members, cold climate

Note: For S235 grades, transverse Charpy testing is not typically required. The JR quality is adequate for most non-structural applications.

S275 Series

Quality	Test Temp	Min Energy (J) Longitudinal	Min Energy (J) Transverse	Typical Use
S275JR	20ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	—	General structural, warm interior
S275J0	0ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	—	Exterior building frames
S275J2	-20ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	—	Primary structural, cold climate

S355 Series

Quality	Test Temp	Min Energy (J) Longitudinal	Min Energy (J) Transverse	Typical Use
S355JR	20ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	—	Warm interior, low-risk
S355J0	0ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	—	Exterior frames, temperate
S355J2	-20ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	27 J	Standard for primary members
S355K2	-20ÃÂÃÂ°C	40 J	27 J	High toughness, fatigue, offshore

Important: S355J2 and S355K2 require transverse Charpy testing. The transverse requirement is often the governing criterion for plates over 25 mm thickness.

S420 and S460 Series

Quality	Test Temp	Min Energy (J) Longitudinal	Min Energy (J) Transverse	Typical Use
S420J2	-20ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	27 J	High-strength, cold climate
S460J2	-20ÃÂÃÂ°C	27 J	27 J	High-strength primary members
S460K2	-20ÃÂÃÂ°C	40 J	27 J	High-strength, offshore, wind

S420 and S460 to EN 10025-3 (normalized) or EN 10025-4 (thermomechanical rolled) are fine-grain structural steels offering improved Charpy properties.

Charpy Selection per EN 1993-1-10

EN 1993-1-10 provides thickness-dependent material toughness selection based on:

Minimum service temperature (T_ed)
Stress level (general stress vs. welded detail stress)
Element thickness
Steel grade and quality

The standard provides a table relating steel grade, quality, thickness, and minimum service temperature. For example:

Grade/Quality	Max Thickness at -20ÃÂÃÂ°C (General)	Max Thickness at -30ÃÂÃÂ°C (General)
S235J2	120 mm	80 mm
S275J2	100 mm	60 mm
S355J2	70 mm	40 mm
S355K2	100 mm	70 mm
S460J2	60 mm	30 mm

For welded details, the allowable thickness reduces by approximately 30-50% depending on the detail category per EN 1993-1-10 Annex C.

Practical Design Guidance

When to Specify Each Quality

JR — Members entirely inside heated buildings where minimum temperature is above 15ÃÂÃÂ°C. Secondary bracing, purlins, girts, handrails.
J0 — Exterior members in Southern Europe (Mediterranean climate). Canopies, mezzanine frames, platform structures.
J2 — Standard for all primary structural members in Central and Northern Europe. Building frames, bridges in temperate regions, crane runway beams.
K2 — Offshore platforms, wind turbine towers, bridge tension members in cold regions, seismic energy dissipation elements, LNG facilities.

Plate Direction Considerations

For plates over 25 mm in thickness subject to through-thickness tension (restrained welds, T-joints), consider specifying Z-quality per EN 10164 for lamellar tearing resistance. Z-quality is independent of Charpy quality and is denoted as Z15, Z25, or Z35.

Worked Example — Charpy Selection for Bridge Tension Member

Problem: A steel tied-arch bridge in Stockholm, Sweden (minimum service temperature of -25ÃÂÃÂ°C) uses S355 tension hangers. The hangers are welded to cast steel nodes with high restraint. Plate thickness is 45 mm. Determine the required Charpy quality and verify against EN 1993-1-10.

Step 1 — Determine T_ed per EN 1993-1-10: For Stockholm, the characteristic minimum shade air temperature is approximately -25ÃÂÃÂ°C. Per EN 1993-1-10 Clause 2, T_ed = T_md + ÃÂÃÂTr where T_md is the minimum service temperature. For outdoor structures, T_ed = -25ÃÂÃÂ°C - 5ÃÂÃÂ°C (ÃÂÃÂTr for radiation loss) = -30ÃÂÃÂ°C.

Step 2 — Stress Level per EN 1993-1-10 Table 2.1: The hanger is a tension member with welded attachments at both ends. This is a "welded detail in tension" — the most demanding stress category. Per EN 1993-1-10, for S355 with welded details: ÃÂÃÂ_Ed = 0.75 ÃÂÃÂ fy(t) (high stress level, weld detail category).

Step 3 — Thickness Check per EN 1993-1-10 Table 2.1: Required toughness per S355 quality at T_ed = -30ÃÂÃÂ°C with welded detail stress:

S355JR: Not applicable (limited to 0ÃÂÃÂ°C, no welded detail capacity at low temperature)
S355J0: Maximum thickness ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ 15 mm at -30ÃÂÃÂ°C for welded details (not adequate for 45 mm)
S355J2: Maximum thickness ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ 35 mm at -30ÃÂÃÂ°C for welded details per EN 1993-1-10 Annex C (not adequate for 45 mm)
S355K2: Maximum thickness ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ 55 mm at -30ÃÂÃÂ°C for welded details (adequate)

Step 4 — Transverse Charpy per EN 10025-2: For plate 45 mm thick subject to through-thickness tension at welded nodes, specify Z-quality per EN 10164 for lamellar tearing resistance. Minimum Z25 (25% reduction of area in through-thickness tensile test). Combined specification: S355K2+Z25 per EN 10025-3 (normalized fine-grain structural steel).

Step 5 — CVN Verification per EN 10025-2: S355K2 requires:

Longitudinal: Minimum 40 J at -20ÃÂÃÂ°C (average of 3 specimens)
Transverse: Minimum 27 J at -20ÃÂÃÂ°C (average of 3 specimens)
No single value may fall below 70% of the specified minimum

Per EN 1993-1-10 Clause 2.3.2, for T_ed = -30ÃÂÃÂ°C and 45 mm thickness:

K2 quality with T_CVN = -20ÃÂÃÂ°C provides T_ed - T_CVN = -10ÃÂÃÂ°C margin. Per EN 1993-1-10 Table 2.2: T_ed allowable = T_CVN - 10ÃÂÃÂ°C = -30ÃÂÃÂ°C. Acceptable.

Result: Specify S355K2+Z25 to EN 10025-3. Charpy: 40 J longitudinal, 27 J transverse at -20ÃÂÃÂ°C. Verified against EN 1993-1-10 for T_ed = -30ÃÂÃÂ°C at 45 mm thickness with welded details. Z25 provides lamellar tearing resistance for restrained welded nodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between J2 and K2 Charpy requirements?

J2 requires a minimum of 27 J at -20ÃÂÃÂ°C in both longitudinal and transverse directions. K2 requires a minimum of 40 J (longitudinal) and 27 J (transverse) at -20ÃÂÃÂ°C. K2 provides approximately 50% higher impact energy absorption and is specified for offshore, wind turbine, and seismic applications where higher fracture toughness is needed.

What Charpy quality should I specify for a steel building in London?

For a steel building in London (minimum outdoor temperature approximately -5ÃÂÃÂ°C to -10ÃÂÃÂ°C), specify S355J2 as the minimum quality for all primary structural members. J2 provides 27 J at -20ÃÂÃÂ°C, giving adequate margin above the design minimum temperature. For heavily loaded tension members or welded connections in plates over 25 mm, consider S355K2 or S460K2.

Is Charpy testing required for bolts per Eurocode 3?

Yes. EN 1993-1-8 requires bolts to meet Charpy impact requirements per EN 1993-1-10. Property class 8.8 and 10.9 bolts typically meet 27 J at -20ÃÂÃÂ°C (J2 equivalent) as standard. For temperatures below -20ÃÂÃÂ°C, consult EN 1993-1-10 Annex C for bolt grade selection.

European Steel Grades — Full EN 10025-2 grade property guide
European Steel Properties — Yield and tensile strength tables
European Beam Sizes — IPE, HEA, HEB, HEM dimensions
All European References

Educational reference only. Charpy impact values per EN 10025-2:2019. Thickness-temperature limits per EN 1993-1-10:2005. Verify material toughness against mill certificates and project specification requirements. For fracture-critical applications, consult EN 1993-1-10 Annex C for detailed acceptance criteria. Results are PRELIMINARY — NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION without independent verification.

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