Using S690 steel in construction has several significant advantages:
High intensityBearing capacity: S690 steel has a minimum yield strength of 690 MPa and is able to effectively support heavy loads, making it an ideal choice for high-rise buildings and large structures.
Weight efficiencyMaterial savings: A high strength-to-weight ratio allows the use of thinner sections, reducing overall material consumption and cost while maintaining structural integrity.
Enhanced durabilityResistant to environmental factors: S690 steel is designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including corrosion and wear, helping to extend the life of the structure.
WeldabilityEase of fabrication: S690 steel is known for its good weldability, facilitating complex fabrication processes and enabling efficient on-site assembly.
VersatilityWide range of applications: Suitable for a variety of construction applications including bridges, industrial buildings and high-rise structures, providing design and engineering flexibility.
Seismic and wind resistantStructural stability: S690 steel has excellent resistance to lateral forces and is suitable for areas prone to seismic activity or strong winds.
Cost-EffectivenessLong-term savings: While the initial cost may be higher, reduced material use, reduced maintenance requirements, and extended service life can lead to overall cost savings.
PersistenceEco-friendly construction: The effective use of high-strength materials contributes to sustainable building practices by minimizing waste and reducing carbon footprint.
Design FlexibilityArchitectural freedom: The ability to use slimmer profiles allows architects to create innovative designs that enhance aesthetic appeal without compromising structural performance.
Comply with standardsCompliance with regulations: S690 steel complies with international standards and local building codes, ensuring the safety and reliability of construction projects.
S690 steel offers numerous structural advantages, from high strength and weight efficiency to durability and sustainability. Its properties make it an excellent choice for modern construction needs, especially in demanding environments.
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High strength S690 to S960 steel
With an ever-increasing demand for infrastructure development in the world, engineers are regularly tasked to design and construct multi-storey buildings and long span bridges with reduced materials, time and money. In general, high strength constructional materials offer very attractive solutions with direct savings in reduced quantities of materials used.
In the 1990s, high strength S690 to S960 steels were produced in a number of countries with advanced steel-making technology, such as Germany and Japan. These high strength steels are manufactured as engineering steel plates with typical thicknesses ranging from 6 mm to 30 mm. They are commonly used as key members in large lifting equipment and machinery in ports and mines. Table 1 summarises key mechanical properties given in the European steel materials specification EN 10025 Part 6 1. For many years, these high strength steels cost at least 1.7 to 2.5 times that of S355 steel, and their use has become prohibitively expensive in construction when large quantities are used.
With advances made in steel-making technology in China during the 2010s, a number of leading Chinese steel producers now regularly produce high strength S690 to S960 steel plates with thicknesses ranging from 6 mm to 80 mm. Table 2 summarises key mechanical properties given in the Chinese steel materials specification GB/T 1591 2. It is clear that both the chemical compositions and the mechanical properties stipulated in EN 10025 and GB/T 1591 are highly compatible and consistent. In general, these high strength Chinese steels are manufactured with specific compositions of special metallic elements through well-controlled heat treatments. As well, they possess excellent mechanical properties, in particular strength and ductility, as shown in Figure 2. Many modern steel producers in China have been accredited to produce high strength S690 steel to EN 10025 and GB/T 1591 with full certification of their quality assurance systems. Therefore, many produce Class 1 materials with cM at 1.0 under the Code of Practice of the Structural Use of Steel of the Buildings Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR 3.
Structural and cost efficiency
In recent years, the unit cost of high quality Chinese S690 steel materials has been typically 1.25 to 1.35 times that of normal strength S355 steel despite a 100% increase in strength. Thus, for a given structure under strength design, only one-half of the steel quantity is needed at Grade S690 compared to that of Grade S355. Hence, the total cost of the S690 steel materials is only about 1.3 x 0.5 or 0.65 that of the S355 steel materials, giving a direct saving on material costs of about 35%. Associated savings on fabrication also exist, notably on reduced materials, effort and time for welding. Other direct savings include reduced costs for handling, transportation and erection as well as reduced loads on supporting structures and foundations.
Similarly, the unit cost of high quality Chinese S960 steel materials is about 1.7 times that of normal strength S355 steel despite an increase of about 200% in strength. Therefore, the total cost of the S960 steel materials is only about 1.7 x 0.3 or 0.51 that of the S355 steel materials, giving a direct saving on material costs of about 49%.
Consequently, many engineers are eager to exploit the effective use of high strength S690 to S960 steel in construction because of excellent strength-to-self-weight ratios as well as cost benefits. However, with lack of scientific understanding on their mechanical properties and structural behaviour, the potential benefits of these high strength steels in construction have not readily materialised so far.