The SCI (Steel Construction Institute) colour books are a well-known series of publications offering trusted guidance for the design of structural steelwork in the UK and Europe.
Each colour corresponds to a different thematic focus within structural steelwork design. Below is a rewritten overview of the principal SCI colour books, including their official publication numbers and a brief description of each.
Red Book
Steel Building Design: Design Data
SCI Publication Number: P363
This is a comprehensive reference for the design of steel structures to Eurocode 3. It includes section properties, member resistances, and useful data for manual design. It is widely used for quick reference and verification during design processes.
Green Book
Steel Building Design: Concise Eurocodes
SCI Publication Number: P362
This book provides concise guidance on designing steel structures to Eurocode 3, incorporating UK National Annexes. It includes simplified rules, worked examples, and practical design aids.
Grey Book
Concise Eurocode 3 for the Design of Steel Buildings in the United Kingdom
SCI Publication Number: P213
A streamlined guide for the UK context, this book helps designers interpret Eurocode 3 provisions efficiently for building structures, with an emphasis on practicality and UK practice.
As well as Red, Green and Grey, there’s also…
Blue Book
Steel Building Design: Data Sheets and Section Properties
SCI Publication Number: P363
This publication contains extensive data sheets with section properties and design resistances for common steel sections. Though the title overlaps with the Red Book, the Blue Book is generally recognised as the source of practical member design data and tables.
Yellow Book
Steel Building Design: Stability of Steel Structures
SCI Publication Number: P364
Focused on stability, this guide explains how to address buckling, lateral-torsional buckling, frame stability, and effective lengths. It aids in selecting appropriate stability checks for different structural arrangements.
Orange Book
Elastic Design of Single-Span Steel Portal Frame Buildings to Eurocode 3
SCI Publication Number: P397
A practical design guide for one of the most common forms of industrial and warehouse construction. It includes guidance on geometry, loading, frame design, bracing, baseplates, and construction stages.
Purple Book
Structural Robustness of Steel Framed Buildings
SCI Publication Number: P391
This publication covers robustness and disproportionate collapse, in accordance with UK Building Regulations. It explains tying forces, alternate load paths, and measures to improve structural resilience.
Silver Book
Design of Steel Bridges to Eurocodes
SCI Publication Number: P385
A detailed guide to the design of highway and railway bridges using Eurocodes. Topics include load combinations, fatigue, durability, detailing, and design methodologies for different bridge types.
Brown Book
Joints in Steel Construction: Simple Connections to Eurocode 3
SCI Publication Number: P358
This guide provides authoritative design advice for bolted and welded simple connections, including shear and moment-resisting joints. It is one of a series of SCI connection design guides.
Pink Book
Fire Resistant Design of Steel Structures: A Handbook to BS 5950-8
SCI Publication Number: P080
Although based on BS 5950-8 rather than Eurocode 3-1-2, this book offers practical advice on designing steelwork to achieve the required fire resistance, including thermal effects and protective systems.
These colour-coded guides are widely respected within the UK engineering community and are used in both practice and education for steelwork design and specification.