Steel Design Benefits

Comparing with other materials, steel has high compression stress and high tensile stress which is a
high quality, homogeneous, isotropic material that perfectly elastic to its yield point. Each structural
element can be considered with different grades for steel to minimise the cost of materials.
The high strength-to-weight ratio of steel minimises the structural self-weight of the superstructures
and minimises the costs of substructures. It is also particularly beneficial in poor ground conditions,
cost of transporting and handing components.
Steel superstructures can usually be designed with shallower depths than comparable concrete
superstructures. This is an important consideration when overhead clearances are involved. If the
height of water level of river is high. It would be one of benefits in construction.
Due to high technical skill of steel corrosion protection can be finished before arriving and to solve the
corrosion problems. It does not affect any construction stage.
Steel design is readily adaptable to change in road configuration and increased loading that would
render other types of structure obsolete ahead of their original design lives.
During construction, steel construction can be built under various weather conditions, unlike in-situ
reinforced concrete construction and pre-stressed concrete construction.; And no any waiting time such
as fresh concrete setting time. The construction cost can be minimised.
Comparing with reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete construction, there is no any honeycomb
in the concrete to affect the strength of the structural element. All the specific tests according to British
Standards or Europe Code of Practices can be finished before arriving. It is lesser on-site workmanship
inspection and monitoring which tend to less operations, minimise the construction time and cost.
Steel construction can be operated under various weather conditions. Unlike reinforced concrete
construction and pre-stressed concrete construction which may include the step of fresh concrete
pumping.
Steel is the most recycled construction material which represents a sustainable management of natural
resources. When the bridge reaches the end of its useful life, the steel structural elements can be cut
into small sizes to facilitate demolition and returned to steel work for recycling and reusing.
According to European Environmental Product Declaration based on the Module D approach from
BS EN 15804, there is only 0.84 tonnes of carbon dioxide per unit tonne of steel which is lesser air
pollution during construction comparing with other construction methods. Also there is no any air
pollution during transporting.
Less water using on-site minimise the water waste pollution during superstructure construction.
After structural elements of bridge are designed; and the steel details are sent to related industry, offsite
production with advanced software to minimise the waste pollution onsite.
For the future maintaining, steel is easier to repair which is quickly than in concrete. The repainting of
steelwork can change or refresh the appearance of the bridge in future.