Structural steel is widely used around the world for various construction purposes including bridges, from the very large to the the small ones. It is a versatile and an effective material that provides sustainable as well as efficient solutions. Structural steel has been long recognized as the economic and the strongest option for the construction of a range of bridges. For long span bridges, railway bridges, footbridges, and medium span highway bridges, structural steel has been dominating the markets.
The latest advances in automated fabrication and construction techniques has made the production of structural steel far more easier than it ever was. The modern steel bridges have been taking advantage of these advances in technology due to which the demands of safety, rapid construction, aesthetics, shallow construction depth, minimal maintenance and flexibility have been covered. Moreover, structural steel scores well on all the sustainability measures. Benefits of structural steel offer convenience addressing the economic, environmental and social priorities of the ‘triple bottom line’ of sustainability.
Here are a few qualities of structural steel that enable the bridges to be:
Light Yet Strong:
The high strength-to-weight ratio of steel minimizes the structural weight of superstructures. Low self-weight also plays an important role in the transportation and handling process. Steel is the most recycled construction material. Using structural steel bridges represents a sustainable management of natural resources. When the steel bridge reaches the end of its useful life, the girders can be cut into manageable sizes to facilitate demolition, and returned to steelworks for recycling. Around 99% of structural steel either finds its way back into the steel making process where it is used to create new steel products or is reused. Steel bridges can be made to look light or reassuringly solid as steel acquires broad architectural possibilities.
Versatile and Effective:
For the construction of bridges, steel is the most versatile and effective material. It can carry loads in tension, compression and shear. Structural steel work is used in the superstructures of bridges. For bridge designing engineers, there is a wide variety of structural forms available, however each essentially fall into one of the four groups - beam bridges, cable-stayed bridges, suspension bridges and arch bridges.
Durable and Adaptable:
Steel bridges are have a proven life span of over 100 years. The Forth Rail Bridge in Scotland, is a notable example. It was built in the year 1890. Its structure has stood the test of time, and its scale and size was a major achievement in construction engineering. Any signs of deterioration are readily apparent, as structural steel has a predictable fatigue life as the defaced elements are visible and accessible. Corrosion rarely compromises the structural integrity of a bridge, as it is a surface effect. Any problems related to structural steel can be swiftly addressed by repainting the affected areas. Furthermore, steel bridges are readily adaptable to changes in the road configuration and increased loading. They can also be easily and rapidly repaired in the event of accidents with well proven techniques such as heat straightening ensuring that the damaged structures are soon back in use.
Structural steel can be protected against corrosion with the use of paint coatings. Hence, steel is certainly the best material when it comes to construction of bridges. We have earned a strong reputation as an industry leader in the production of steel. We create different types and shapes of steel products that can be used in various construction projects.
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
