s960 steel structures for bridges

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Lightweight Steel Solutions for Modern Cities

As cities accelerate urban renewal and sustainable infrastructure programs, pedestrian bridges are evolving from simple transport links into engineered landmarks.

Traditional bridge construction often involves heavy steel structures, long on-site welding cycles, and high carbon emissions. A proven alternative is emerging: ultra-high-strength steel fabrication combined with off-site precision manufacturing.

We are pleased to announce the successful shipment of S960 ultra-high-strength steel pedestrian bridge components, demonstrating a new benchmark in lightweight steel fabrication and advanced weldment execution.

2. Material Overview: What Is S960 Ultra-High-Strength Structural Steel?

S960 is a quenched and tempered structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 960 MPa, offering three to four times the strength of conventional structural steels such as ASTM A36 or S355.

This exceptional strength allows structural engineers to reduce plate thickness and member size without compromising load capacity, making S960 ideal for lightweight pedestrian bridges and high-performance steel weldments.

3. Manufacturing Challenges of S960 Steel

While S960 delivers outstanding structural performance, it presents serious fabrication challenges, including severe springback during forming, high welding crack sensitivity, and strict heat-affected zone (HAZ) control requirements.

Our team addressed these challenges through validated fabrication procedures and certified welding practices.

4. Precision Thermal Cutting & HAZ Control

S960 steel is highly sensitive to thermal input during cutting. Excessive heat can reduce edge strength and compromise weldment integrity.

We employed high-definition plasma cutting and multi-kilowatt fiber laser cutting systems, carefully optimizing cutting speed and parameters to minimize HAZ width and preserve mechanical properties.

5. Forming Accuracy & Springback Compensation

Due to its high yield strength, S960 exhibits significant springback during bending and rolling operations.

Using large-capacity CNC press brakes and proprietary springback compensation data, we achieved precise forming accuracy and consistent geometries for complex structural weldments.

6. Certified Welding Procedures for Ultra-High-Strength Steel

Welding S960 steel requires strict control to prevent hydrogen-induced cold cracking and heat-affected zone softening.

  • Ultra-low hydrogen welding consumables
  • Controlled preheat and interpass temperatures monitored by infrared thermography
  • Optimized heat input and t8/5 cooling time control
  • Symmetrical welding sequences and Ultrasonic Impact Treatment (UIT)

All welding was performed by AWS D1.1 / ISO 9606 certified welders, ensuring reliable, high-quality structural weldments.

7. Long-Term Corrosion Protection

To ensure long service life in outdoor environments, all components were abrasive blasted to Sa 2.5 / Sa 3.0 standard and coated with a high-performance system:

  • Zinc-rich primer
  • Epoxy intermediate coat
  • Polyurethane topcoat

8. Advanced Steel Fabrication Capabilities

This project reflects our integrated capabilities in heavy steel fabrication and complex weldment manufacturing:

  • CNC plasma and laser cutting
  • Heavy-duty press brake forming and plate rolling
  • Robotic and manual certified welding
  • Comprehensive NDT and mechanical testing

9. Project Results & Sustainability Impact

  • 40% reduction in on-site installation time
  • Over 90% of fabrication completed in controlled factory conditions
  • Approximately 35% reduction in on-site carbon emissions
  • 100% recyclable steel structure at end of life

10. Conclusion & Partner With Us

This S960 pedestrian bridge project demonstrates how ultra-high-strength steel, advanced fabrication, and certified welding can deliver lighter, stronger, and more sustainable infrastructure.

If you are looking for a reliable partner for high-strength steel fabrication and complex structural weldments, contact us now and we are ready to support your next project.

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