The right choice of steel – according to the Eurocode - Economical Bridge Solutions based on Innovative Composite Dowels and Integrated Abutments - page 31

These effects give the most favourable results with the biggest economical advantages
for high loaded columns with usual buckling length of 3-4m (one storey floor to floor height).
For the above given example, globally 24% weight reduction for all columns are achieved
(“Fig. 26”).

Figure 26: Column weight comparison of S355 to HISTAR ® 460 for the Mapfre Tower

6. Summary

The European practice for the right choice of the steel grade is ruled in Eurocode EN1993-
1-1, which defines requirements on the mechanical material properties, ductility, toughness
properties and through-thickness properties. In this paper, the requirements have been de-
scribed and discussed. With reference to these requirements, modern hot-rolled structural
sections, which are produced by precise control of the temperature during the rolling process,
have been introduced. These steels, produced using thermo-mechanical rolling according to
EN 10025-4 (2004), feature improved toughness values which give lower carbon equivalent
values and a fine grained microstructure when compared with normalised steels. Further,
high performance steel grades are available, e.g. the HISTAR ® by ArcelorMittal. The high
yield strength, good toughness at low temperatures and excellent weldability of HISTAR ®
steels make them a cost-effective choice, in particular for the design of multi-storey build-
ings, large span trusses and heavily loaded industrial construction. Compared with basic
steels, these exceptional mechanical properties can reduce the construction weight by 25-50
%, depending on structural layout and can provide high strength and exceptional durability.