Professional Documents
Culture Documents
and Footbridges
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is an alloy of steel, chromium and
eventually other elements such as nickel or
molybdenum. It is the chromium that renders the
steel stainless. In fact, by virtue of the chromium’s
reaction with oxygen, the surface of stainless steel
consists of a self-protecting passive layer that
automatically regenerates itself if damaged.
The other alloying elements (molybdenum in
particular) further enhance this corrosion resistance.
The building of bridges to cross a river or Steel is now in general use for bridge
a ravine, to join the two banks of a river, construction but the use of stainless steel
the two sides of a valley or even two districts is relatively recent, 10 to 15 years.
of the same town, goes back to very ancient Initially used principally for its anti-corrosion
times. The first were built using lianas, tree properties in safety components – guardrails,
trunks, stone slabs. Since ancient times, handrails… – stainless steel is now found
wooden bridges have enabled in structural components, whether in
experimentation with various designs and the deck – in the form of beams and welded
were followed by stone bridges, which have plate sections, tie-rods – or in the suspension
the advantage of better resistance to fire. systems – in the form of stays, cables and
In the industrial age, the use of iron and pylons. It is also present in concrete
then of steel gradually enabled the design reinforcement.
of bolder, more innovative crossings.
New techniques, such as suspension, were
developed.
Courtils footbridge over the Canal There is not one stainless steel but several for example, the greater must be the steel’s
d’Orléans at Chécy, France, 2004 categories of stainless steels, each of which corrosion resistance. The greater the bridge’s
■
IIII Arched footbridge, welded plate girder
comprises several grades. Each category has span, the more demanding the requirement
in 316L (1.4404) stainless steel its properties, and each grade has its specific in terms of mechanical performance.
■
IIII Reduced maintenance characteristics that must be taken into
account according to the type of structure, Stainless steels used for bridges and
The Courtils pedestrian footbridge
its design and the nature of the atmosphere. footbridges belong primarily to two
connecting the towpath to Chécy is in
reality two bridges: the one is a galvanised
categories of stainless: austenitics and
steel beam bridge, crosses the River Cens austeno-ferritics, also known as duplex,
and the other, in stainless steel, describes What grades for a bridge? which combine excellent corrosion resistance
an arch above the Canal d’Orléans. and elevated mechanical performance.
The second comprises two workshop- The choice of grade is influenced by the
prefabricated arches: U-shaped welded
degree of atmospheric corrosiveness and by More rarely, and for specific applications,
plate girders produced from 12 mm thick
316L (1.4404) stainless steel plate and
the mechanical properties – yield strength certain grades of ferritic stainless are
joined by welding. The arches are and tensile strength in particular. The more employed.
connected by triangular box girders corrosive the atmosphere, chloride-laden
in 3 mm thick plate onto which gratings
are secured. The use of stainless steel is
justified by the assurance of maintenance-
free operation.
Table of grades suited to bridge and footbridge applications,
Architects: Espace / Brigit de Kosmi classified according to their degree of corrosion resistance
Consulting engineers: Terrell Rooke associés /
Zbigniew Koszut ing.
Steel construction: OMS European standard US /ASTM standard Category Environmental resistance
Contracting authority: Communauté de communes
de l’agglomération orléanaise
1.4462 S32205 duplex highly corrosive
(marine and industrial)
1.4404 316L austenitic highly corrosive
1.4401 316 austenitic corrosive to highly corrosive
1.4362 S32304 duplex corrosive
1.4062 S32202 duplex corrosive to slightly corrosive
1.4307 304L austenitic slightly corrosive
1.4301 304 austenitic slightly corrosive
1.4618 17-4Mn austenitic slightly corrosive
1.4003 ferritic non-corrosive
1.4017 ferritic non-corrosive
2 /3
Waldeck-Rousseau Bridge beneath the road, whose dual curvature Austenitic stainless steels
at Saint-Brieuc, France, 1998 produces maximum inertia at the centre.
The more exposed external plates are They contain nickel and/or manganese and/or
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IIII Urban road bridge, 316L (1.4404) in 316L (1.4404) stainless steel, while
and 304 (1.4301) stainless steel box the interior of the deck is in 304 (1.4301)
molybdenum. This is where one finds the
girder deck
stainless. All the steel components were alloys containing the most nickel (up to 13%),
■
IIII Reduced cost of maintenance, which enhances resistance to so-called
joined by welding.
corrosion resistance
Stainless steel’s corrosion resistance crevice corrosion and makes the stainless
was a determining factor in the choice steel more ductile. The most-used grades
It is one of the first road bridges, if not
of this material, as was the prospect of in the market segment in which we are
the first, to be built with a stainless steel
substantial maintenance savings.
structure. 18 m wide and with a 40 m span, interested here are 304 (1.4301) and 316L
it comprises a central stainless steel span Architects: Jean Guervilly (DGB) (1.4404) but 304L (1.4307) and 316
between two reinforced concrete spans Consulting engineers: Groupe Alto/Marc Malinowsky (1.4401) are also encountered.
and has an asphalt surface. The structure Steel construction: Saint-Malo Naval
is designed like a steel pillow, stretched Contracting authority: ville de Saint-Brieuc
Grade 17-4Mn (1.4618), a low-nickel
austenitic in ArcelorMittal’s “200 series”,
is also suited to a slightly corrosive
environment.
It is possible to combine these grades, While the processing of duplex appears more Piove di Sacco Bridge, Padua,
keeping the most corrosion resistant grade complicated than that of austenitic stainless, Italy, 2006
for those parts exposed to the open air and its mechanical qualities enable the use of ■
IIII Dual-arch road suspension bridge
a less resistant grade for the internal parts thinner plate thicknesses than those used in 2304 (1.4362) duplex stainless steel
of the structure. This is the solution adopted for other stainless steels. ■
IIII Durability and reduced maintenance
for the Waldeck-Rousseau bridge at Saint-
To span the 120 m distance, the deck
Brieuc, which combines 316L (1.4404) In terms of corrosion resistance, 2202
is supported by two 1300 mm diameter
stainless and 304 (1.4301) stainless. (1.4062) duplex is positioned between the arches made of 12 to 26 mm thick 2304
304 (1.4301) and 316L (1.4404) (1.4362) duplex stainless steel plate; this
austenitics, 2304 (1.4362) duplex is represents 110 tonnes of stainless steel.
Austeno-ferritic or duplex stainless steels equivalent to 316L (1.4404) and 2205 The deck beams are 1000 mm high
(1.4462) duplex, which contains 3% double-T welded plate beams in steel
grade S355 (250 t) in conjunction with a
Duplex stainless steels are characterised by molybdenum, has even greater performance.
composite deck and casing in 304 (1.4301)
a dual-phase austenite and ferrite structure. The choice between these grades is stainless steel.
Their low percentage nickel content makes influenced by the structure’s environment and
them a very competitive material. the construction methods employed in Architects: Progeest / Enzo Siviero
Design engineers: Provincia de Padova /
erecting the structure. Silvio Collazuol
ArcelorMittal advocates three grades Execution design engineer: TreEsse / C. Berto;
for bridges: Seteco ingeneria / Pierangelo Pistoletti
(structures)
– 2205 (1.4462) duplex – 22% Cr, 5% Ni; Ferritic stainless steels
Steel construction: Castaldo
– 2304 (1.4362) duplex – 23% Cr, 4% Ni; Contracting authority: province of Padua
– 2202 (1.4062) duplex – 22% Cr, 2% Ni. They correspond to ArcelorMittal’s Kara
range. Two grades – K03 (1.4003) and
These grades have the characteristic of K31 (1.4017) - are apt to be used in crossing
combining elevated mechanical properties structures. The tensile strengths (Rm) of
with corrosion resistance that is often similar K03 and K31 are 510 MPa and 650 MPa
or even superior to that of austenitics. respectively and their yield strength (Rp 0.2)
In terms of mechanical properties for is 370 MPa. Easily weldable, these stainless
flat products, tensile strengths (Rm) of steels are grades that can be used bare
840 MPa and yield strengths (Rp0.2) of (K31 in a non-corrosive atmosphere)
620 MPa are achieved on coils, or painted or coated to further enhance
and 650-750 MPa and 450-550 MPa their longevity (K03/K31). In certain
respectively on plates. carefully selected cases, this category
of stainless steel is very competitive.
Stainless Steel in Bridges and Footbridges
Simone-de-Beauvoir Footbridge, Which products for which applications? Plates and welded plate sections
Paris, 2006
Stainless steel can be found in all or part of There is a great variety of bridges and
■
IIII Steel footbridge, with 316L (1.4404)
stainless steel guardrails a bridge or footbridge. It is commonly used footbridges; they represent a wide range
■
IIII Slenderness and strength in protection components – handrails and of constructional designs. However,
guardrails – as well as in the stays of the most-used stainless steel product in
The Simone-de-Beauvoir footbridge is a
suspension bridges, cables and tie-rods. It is the execution of these structures is plate.
new crossing in Paris, suspended above
the Seine between the French National
also advocated for the deck and anchorage Relatively easy to process, it enables the
Library and the Bercy gardens. The elegant components, particularly in the case of production of welded plate sections and box
footbridge undulates with a gentle rhythm. structures built in marine and polluted girders. Thus, plates welded together will
It is bordered by guardrails comprising atmospheres. It is produced in the form of take the form of a barrel arch here, of a
stainless steel mesh – visible and bars, wire, rod, sheet and plate, as well as pillow there, of a triangular box girder
reassuring but nevertheless transparent –
finished products such as tubes and concrete elsewhere, of a castellated beam or even
installed between the handrail and a
stainless steel tube near deck level. The
reinforcement. of a skin.
cable mesh stretches between two rails, The components are cut, bent, formed,
upper and lower, in the form of tube, welded, finished, largely in workshops using
all in 316L (1.4404) stainless steel. Tubes and grilles specialist tools and techniques. Plates are
Here, the stainless steel components generally arc-welded and the welds are
combine slenderness and strength.
Handrails and guardrails – made of tube, then cleaned and descaled. The formed
Architects: Dietmar Feichtinger sheet, expanded metal, perforated metal components are transported to the site
Consulting engineers: RFR, structural designer or woven wire – are very often produced in for assembly and erection.
Steel construction: Eiffel construction
stainless steel and the most commonly used
métallique, main contracter; Joseph-Paris
Contracting authority: mairie de Paris grade is 316L (1.4404) in the austenitic
category. For these applications, this grade Cables, stays and tie-rods
has the advantage of offering excellent
resistance to corrosion and other attacks, Suspension and load transfer components,
even in thin gauges of steel. Its uniform they also provide for the tensioning of the
appearance does not deteriorate, structure. As in the case of plate, stainless
it is smooth and soft to the touch. Lastly, steel’s corrosion resistance and its mechanical
it is simple to clean. performance are essential, particularly in
the case of structures in marine and polluted
atmospheres. The use of stainless steel also
enables construction using relatively thin
components.
6 /7
Perspective view
Stainless Steel in Bridges and Footbridges
High-performance design
and efficient execution
Pedro Arrupe Footbridge in Bilbao, Technical characteristics and aesthetic Speed of execution and economical
Spain, 2003 quality of structures construction
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IIII Box girder structure footbridge in 2304 Corrosion resistance, very good tensile To a great extent, stainless steel components
(1.4362) duplex stainless steel
■
IIII Corrosion resistance and aesthetic strength, high yield strength: the choice are prefabricated and assembled in
quality of stainless steel is a guarantee of quality workshops, then transported to the site for
with regard to bridge construction. erection in situ. They offer the advantage of
Located in Bilbao’s flagship district, close Its properties enable compliance with the precise execution, computer-controlled from
to the Guggenheim museum, the Pedro
most demanding technical requirements: the design of the component through to final
Arrupe Footbridge has the appearance
of being built entirely of stainless steel long span, lightweighting of structures, assembly, which shortens and simplifies the
as much in order to satisfy aesthetic seismic performance. It can be used bare, sitework phase and enables better control
considerations as to withstand the salinity even in very harsh environments such of the construction timetable.
of the Bay of Biscay. The deck is designed as coastal or industrial zones. Its Young’s The inconvenience caused by the
as an open box girder, constructed of modulus-to-density ratio makes it possible construction operation is reduced and there
20 mm thick 2304 (1.4362) duplex stainless
to combine lightness and rigidity and thus is less disruption to traffic.
steel plates bent into a “U” shape, inside
which the internal frame made of give birth to slim, slender structures. The erection of the Charvaux footbridge,
weathering steel is located. The The benefits arising from the use of this for example, lasted two weeks and was
combination of these two steels required material also frequently engender major performed alongside the old footbridge that
particular care. The transverse bracing savings that ultimately can be offset against it replaced. The crossing was kept open at
frames support the concrete slab poured its capital cost. all times and the disruption caused lasted only
into galvanised steel forms. The entire deck
a short time.
is clad with Lapacho, a Brazilian wood.
The structure is 142 m long between
abutments and comprises a central span
and four pairs of ramps.
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IIII Single-arch suspended footbridge in 316
(1.4401) stainless steel
■
IIII Maintenance savings, longevity and
uniform appearance
An economic
solution
Stonecutters Bridge, Hong Kong, the tower (below deck level) the concrete
China, 2010 reinforcements are in 304 (1.4301) stainless
steel. The skin is structural, since it
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IIII Cable stayed highway bridge using contributes to the distribution of loadings
stainless steel on the towers. Below between the masts and the foundations.
deck level outer layer of concrete The choice of 2205 (1.4462) duplex
reinforcement is 304 stainless steel
stainless steel to clad the masts satisfies a
(1.4301). The upper part of the tower
is a composite structural section using dual technical and economic requirement:
an inner concrete core and an outer built for a service life of at least 120 years,
2205 duplex stainless steel skin a material that is both long-lasting and
(1.4462). maintenance-free was essential. This skin
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IIII Reduced maintenance, corrosion must withstand particularly high loads
resistance, economical principally due to winds because the
structure is in a typhoon belt. The polluted
This highway bridge due for completion marine atmosphere called for a highly
in 2010 forms part of the route connecting corrosion resistant stainless steel. Finally,
Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan. It is a the uniform matt finish specified is obtained
cable-stayed bridge employing a semi-fan by beadblasting the plate.
cable configuration, it extends for a length To date, it is the world’s largest use of
of 1596 m with a 1018 m main span stainless steel for this type of structure.
between two immense masts that rise
296 m above sea level, of which more Design: Dissing+Weitling arkitektfirma a/s, Flint
than 200 m is above deck level. & Neill Partnership, Halcrow Group, Shanghai
The upper 120 m of these conical masts construction engineering group
is a composite structural section of an inner Detailed structural design: Arup
Contracting authority: Hong Kong Department
reinforced concrete core and an outer skin
of Highways
of 20 to 25 mm thick 2205 (1.4462) duplex
stainless steel plates. In the lower part of
Stainless Steel in Bridges and Footbridges
Environmental
considerations
Suransuns Footbridge
Suransuns Footbridge, Switzerland, Environmental issues now constitute some Environmentally friendly
1999 of the parameters that must be considered in
■
IIII Stress ribbon footbridge in 2205
any construction project, including bridges. Stainless steel is an environmentally inert
(1.4462) duplex stainless steel and material: in particular, it does not release
316L (1.4404) stainless steel any element that could harm its environment.
■
IIII Corrosion resistance, slenderness Reduced consumption of materials Being rust-resistant, it does not require any
and simplicity
special maintenance, unlike a painted material,
The Suransuns footbridge provides The method of designing and manufacturing which must regularly be stripped and
a continuation of the ancient Roman Via steel components – computer-aided design repainted: two operations that are liable to
Mala in the form of a flexible, slender and workshop prefabrication – optimises pollute the rivers being crossed or the
ribbon, connecting the two sides of
the quantity of material used and generates surrounding air.
the gorge at the bottom of which flows
the Hinter Rhine: 40 m span. It consists of
a minimum of waste which, moreover,
four 2205 (1.4462) duplex stainless steel is recovered and recycled. The high
ribbons, joined in pairs by means of straps performance afforded by stainless steel’s Recyclable and recycled
in the same steel. A guardrail post, mechanical properties renders it a graceful,
a 16 mm diameter 316L (1.4404) stainless lightweight solution. All ArcelorMittal stainless steels are produced
steel tube that also secures the natural
through the electric-arc process, 100%
stone decking through which it passes,
is bolted to each strap; a flat welded to the
from recycled scrap. A material that is totally
upper end of the tubes forms the handrail. recyclable at the end of its life, it is
Concrete abutments on each side of extensively recycled. All ArcelorMittal
the gorge provide for anchorage and Stainless Steel Europe, ArcelorMittal Industeel
tensioning of the structure by means of and ArcelorMittal Stainless Tubes Europe
tension rods. The stainless steel grades
production plants operate under the ISO
selected withstand salt spray from the
nearby main road. The steel, stone and
14001 standard.
concrete harmonise with the landscape.
Architectural
freedom