Structural steel – efficient material for bridge construction

Did you know that structural steel is a very efficient material for building bridges? A steel bridge is four times lighter than a concrete one. In modern society, steel bridges play an essential role in the infrastructure of a country.

Steel bridges are classified according to:

– the type of traffic supported;

– the type of the main structural system;

– the position of the carriageway in relation to the main structural system.

The advantages of steel bridges

– they can support heavy loads on large openings, while requiring relatively small foundations;

– steel has an advantage for structures where construction speed is vital, because as many elements as possible can be prefabricated and assembled on site;

– in the urban environment, where the traffic is congested and the working space is limited, steel bridges can be built with minimal disturbances for the community;

– a greater efficiency is achieved than for concrete structures when resistance to seismic forces and those produced by wind gusts is taken into account;

– the life span of steel bridges is longer than that of concrete bridges;

– due to the small construction depth, metal bridges offer a slender appearance, which makes them attractive from an aesthetic point of view, the reduced depth also contributes to the low cost of the piers.

The engineers who design the bridges must take into account the distance to be covered, as well as the type of traffic for which it is built. A bridge for cars and trains must be more resistant than a simple pedestrian bridge.

Structural steel – efficient material

The main advantages of structural steel compared to other construction materials are its strength and ductility. The rigidity of steel in relation to its weight is much higher than that of concrete.  This material was a natural solution for the construction of bridges with large spans. As early as 1890, the Firth of Forth Bridge, the largest steel bridge at that time, was completed.

Steel is indeed suitable for most of the range of openings, but especially for larger openings.

H Metal sells metallurgical products made of structural steel of very good quality.

For a concrete offer of steel products, please contact us at office@h-metal.ro.