Briefing: More from less – greater materials efficiency using high-strength steels

The use of high-strength steels (HSS) enables members to have smaller cross-sections or to be lighter, or both. The extent of the weight savings depends on the type of member and the mode of loading. Lighter sections lead to reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and, usually, lower material costs. The reduction in weight can also lead to cost savings in the foundations, welding, fabrication, transportation and erection. As a result of these benefits, steels of higher strength are being increasingly used in a range of construction applications, but particularly for heavy columns, transfer beams, trusses and bridge girders. Certain aspects of the design and fabrication of HSS require special attention in order to exploit fully the benefits of the high strength. In 2018, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) awarded a grant from the ICE Research and Development Enabling Fund to the Steel Construction Institute (SCI) to write a guide covering both the design and execution of HSS of yield strength 420–700 MPa, giving ‘holistic’ guidance covering strength, stability, serviceability and fabrication. The SCI High Strength Steel Design and Execution Guide was written in collaboration with experts in the steel construction supply chain and published in 2020.