SSAB Weathering steel for structure and bridges
SSAB Weathering steel for structure and bridges

SSAB Weathering steel for outlasting bridges and structures

SSAB Weathering is a corrosion-resistant steel that saves costs from day one. This makes it an ideal building material for bridges and other structures that need to be corrosion resistant.

Calculate your CO2 savings Contact us

Lighter and stronger structures

To cope with the elements and the constant strains put on bridges, structural materials have to be extremely strong and durable.

SSAB Weathering steels are available in yield strength levels from 355–960 MPa. This allows for sophisticated design of lighter and stronger structures, easier to erect and reducing transportation movements.

Regardless of the decision for a painted or unpainted bridge structure, SSAB Weathering steel offers either less maintenance repainting or minimal maintenance altogether.

SSAB Weathering for structures and bridges

New design guide for weathering steel in bridge construction

Deeper insights into weathering steel, numerous examples from working practice and recommendations based on international experience. Don't miss the new edition of the European Design Guide for the use of weathering steel in bridge construction. The guide is published by ECCS, the European Convention for constructional steelwork, to which SSAB is also a contributor.

SSAB Weathering steel for bridge construction – built to last

Don't miss out on SSAB’s comprehensive steel solution for bridges. SSAB offers steel products both for superstructure (girders, trapezoidal profiles) and substructure (LSAW tubes, piles for foundation).

Main girder

Plates for I beam / girder

  • Strength level from 355, 420, 460 in Weathering steel and SSAB Domex
  • Excellent weldability; No need to preheat with TM rolled material
  • Excellent toughness both in base metal and welded joints
  • Prefabricated plates – shot blasted, weld beveled, plasma cut

SSAB Weathering 355ML, 420ML and 460ML and SSAB Domex 420ML, 460ML and 500ML.

Cross members

Plates for Cross members

  • Strength level from 355, 420, 460 in Weathering steel and SSAB Domex
  • Excellent weldability ; No need to preheat with TM rolled material
  • Excellent toughness both in base metal and welded joints
  • Prefabricated plates – shot blasted, weld beveled, plasma cut

SSAB Weathering 355ML, 420ML and 460ML and SSAB Domex 420ML, 460ML and 500ML.

Trapezoidal sections

Trapezoidal sections / VU sections for orthotropic steel decks

  • Length up to 21 Meters
  • Cross section accuracy
  • Both roll formed & press bent trapezoidal sections (bigger & smaller lots)
  • Possible also in Weathering grades

Trapezoidal sections.

LSAW tubes

Hollow sections for Guard rails

  • Length up to 26 meters
  • Strength level from 355, 420, 460, 500, 550 in Weathering steel
  • Large dimensional range, good weldability
  • Good impact values in low temperatures

Hollow sections.

Piers

Plates for Piers

  • Strength level from 355, 420, 460 in Weathering steel and SSAB Domex
  • Excellent weldability ; No need to preheat with TM rolled material
  • Excellent toughness both in base metal and welded joints
  • Prefabricated plates – shot blasted, weld beveled, plasma cut

SSAB Weathering 355ML, 420ML and 460ML and SSAB Domex 420ML, 460ML and 500ML.

LSAW tubes

LSAW tubes for circular piers

  • Precise dimensions for project needs
  • Tailor made shapes
  • Short delivery time and on-site deliveries
  • Guaranteed weld quality
  • From small to big diameters

LSAW for piers.

Foundation piles

Steel piles for foundation

  • Pile sizes up to 1220x23 and steel grade up to S550J2H
  • Mechanical splices up to diameter 323.9 mm
  • Versatile value-adding and outfitting, such as rocks shoes and shear rings, of piles according to the requirements of EN1090
  • Wide range of design tools available

Piles.

Calculate to make the right decision

How much corrosion can weathering steel resist? All steels oxidize after some time, but some more than others. When choosing the thickness of the steel, you should take corrosion levels into account.

If you choose to use weathering steel without painting it, you will save dioxide emissions. If painting, you still have reduced CO2 emissions because you would not have to repaint the steel as often as with a regular carbon steel.

Maintained by rust

The oxide layer that transforms into patina behaves as if it was a paint coating. It seals-off the steel surface from the atmosphere and prevents corrosion. This allows for applications in non-painted condition, leading to considerable maintenance cost savings. The oxide-to-patina process takes place under normal atmospheric conditions, with rainy, snowy and sunny days. No anti-corrosion treatment is needed, which lowers overall costs.

SSAB Weathering steel environmentally friendly

Environmentally friendly steel

SSAB Weathering steel has a much smaller environmental footprint than non-weathering steels. Emissions and pollution to the structure’s surrounding, caused by painting and stripping before re-painting, can be avoided when used in unpainted condition. A steel bridge made of SSAB Weathering steel is 100% recyclable at the end of its service life. This is a key selling point for many large scale infrastructure projects today.

SSAB Weathering landscape friendly

A landscape-friendly material

The appearance of a structure is an important consideration for any infrastructure project, particularly large-scale structures such as bridges or towers. The patina of SSAB Weathering steel is renowned for the way it blends in with its surroundings, particularly in the countryside. For example, a weathering steel bridge made from SSAB Weathering steel can provide a softening tone when used in conjunction with concrete or other structural materials that can be overbearing on their own.

If only Gustave Eiffel had waited for SSAB Weathering steel

Back in 1889, construction was completed on one of the world’s most iconic structures – the Eiffel Tower. At a total height of 324 meters and a weight of 7,300 tons, it was an architectural and engineering masterpiece. Gustave Eiffel’s material of choice was wrought steel. But what would have happened if the Eiffel Tower had been made of SSAB Weathering steel?

Well, if they hadn’t painted it, they would have saved 8.6 tons of paint a year and all the man-hours that it entails. That is a staggering 1,092 tons of paint, which is shocking when you consider that rust would work just as well with a similar look.

Eiffel tower

Download our recommendations for bridge builders

Related content