Introduction to the SLiCE Method – A Strain‐Limited Design Approach for Plated Steel Sections

Abstract This paper introduces the SLiCE method, a novel strain‐based design approach for plated steel sections that unifies the strengths of existing code‐based methods while accounting for specifics of stress‐strain curves and buckling behaviour. Conventional design approaches, such as Eurocode 3, rely on rigid classification and do not fully exploit strain‐hardening in stocky or the spread of plasticity in more slender sections, leading to conservative design and material underutilization. The SLiCE method introduces a slenderness‐dependent strain limit combined with effective width modelling to calculate cross‐sectional resistance more accurately. This approach is motivated by evidence from full‐scale experimental testing and validated through a broad range of finite element simulations. The SLiCE method achieves significantly improved predictions of cross‐sectional capacity for plated steel sections across sectional slenderness ranges, particularly for modern high‐performance steels. It presents a practical, mechanics‐based framework that is compatible with existing Eurocode logic and methods, while addressing their limitations.