Sustainable development of bridge industry with the new generation of high performance steel materials

The development of transportation infrastructures is one of the main indicators of advancement and welfare of communities. Bridges are essential to road and railway networks as transport links. Thus, extending the life cycle and sustainable development of bridges can increase the quality of human life. Steel is reputed as one of the most sustainable construction materials for its unique characteristic of recyclability without losing qualities. In the past few decades, significant improvements in rolling and heat treatment processes and metallurgical advances have made it possible to produce a new generation of constructional steel material designated as the High Performance Steel (HPS). Higher performance in weldability and toughness of HPS steels compared to conventional high strength steels has increased the cost efficiency, safety and life cycle of bridges. This paper reviews the prospects of the world steel industry and introduces the outstanding steelmaking technologies in leading countries and their impacts on the bridge industry.

Keywords:

High performance steel , Transportation infrastructure , Bridge industry , Sustainable development