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

Abstract

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