Key achievements of CNERC on effective use of high strength S690 steel in construction include:
a) development of an innovative construction technology using S690 steel with proven structural efficiency;
b) development of effective welding on 10 to 70 mm thick S690 steel plates through the use of a robotic welding system which ensures little reduction in mechanical properties of these plates after welding;
c) rationalised methods for structural design of welded sections, connections and joints of S690 steel members; these methods are in line with current engineering practice in Hong Kong;
d) innovative applications of S690 steel in building and civil engineering projects;
e) compiling Technical Guide “Effective Design and Construction to Structural Eurocodes: EN 1993-1-1 Design of Steel Structures” (Second Edition); this Guide was published by the Construction Industry Council in 2021, and it covered structural design to S690 steel in civil engineering structures; and
f) updating the Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Steel of the Buildings Department to facilitate effective use of S690 steel in private building structures; this upgraded edition was published in 2023, and it included a comprehensive set of technical guidance and design rules together with design parameters and tables of 60 pages.
Our innovation enables a modern construction technology using the high strength S690 steel to achieve significant savings in construction materials, manpower demand, and carbon footprints. Typical applications include long span roof structures and footbridges, large scale noise closure, piles supporting heavily loaded structures and buildings, and supporting members in road bridges.
