This　paper　presents　a　numerical　investigation　on　the　flexural　buckling　design　of　fabricated　austenitic　and　duplex　stainless　steel　columns.Complementary　experimental　investigation　was　conducted　and　the　numerical　modelling　methodology　was　validated　against　the　complementary　experimental　database.The　target　parametric　study　was　carried　out　to　assess　the　influence　of　initial　geometric　imperfections,　residual　stress　patterns,　mechanical　properties,　local　cross-section　slenderness　and　global　slenderness　on　the　structural　behaviour.　A　total　of　968　FEA　results　were　developed　which　included　301　welded　box-section　and　667　welded　I-section　columns.　The　resulting　structural　performance　data　were　collated　to　assess　the　reliability　of　the　current　design　provisions　-　EN　1993-1-4　and　ASCE　8-02.　Results　indicate　the　conservatism　on　current　practices　Improved　design　provisions　were　proposed　based　on　the　Direct　Strength　Method,　ASCE　8-02　and　Perry　formulae.