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Stainless Steel Reinforcing Bars
(Rebar)
ApplicationsA selection of international
applications of stainless steel reinforcing bars (rebar) are listed below; the total
number of stainless rebar projects (some planned or ongoing) in various parts of the world
extends well beyond this partial listing.
North America | Europe | Asia | Australia | Middle East | Africa
Projects are listed sequentially from earliest to more recent
applications (scroll down the page for latest projects listed).
North America:
- The marine pier in Progreso, Yucatan (Mexico), was built in 1937-1941.
A detailed account of the history and remarkable performance of this
pier has been provided by Torben Skovsgaard (ARMINOX) and Asger Knudsen (RAMBØLL) in the
August/September 1999 issue of Concrete Engineering International. According to this
publication, the 2.1 km long pier was constructed by a Danish contractor. Stainless
reinforcing bars (Type 304) were incorporated in view of the severely corrosive exposure
conditions and the relatively high porosity of the concrete.
Image courtesy of Arminox, Mønsted, Viborg, Denmark.
According to the Progreso Port Authority, no major repairs or
significant maintenance activities have taken place over the lifetime of this structure.
In contrast, severe degradation has occurred on an adjacent pier built much later, in the
1960's, with carbon steel reinforcement. The photograph below shows the destruction of the
conventional structure in the foreground, with the stainless steel reinforced pier in the
background.
Image courtesy of Arminox, Mønsted, Viborg, Denmark.
An excellent comprehensive report on the history, inspection and
condition of the Progreso pier has also recently been published by ARMINOX. This report
documents inspection work performed in December 1998 by RAMBØLL Consulting Engineers and
Planners on the initiative by ARMINOX.
Type 304 rebars (33 tons) in Interstate Highway I-696
bridge deck near Detroit, Michigan (1985).
Carbon steel rebars with external cladding of Type 304 as
reinforcing in I-295 bridge deck near Trenton, New Jersey (1985).
Both bridges experience de-icing salts each winter. Core samples taken after 9 years
exposure showed the stainless and stainless-clad bars to be in excellent condition.
Type 316LN stainless rebars (11 tons) in the bridge deck
for the new Highway 407, Toronto, Canada (1996).
More than 75 tons of Type 316LN stainless rebar were used
for the Brush Creek highway bridge in Oregon (1998).
Images courtesy of Emipre Specialty Steel Inc., Dunkirk, New York, USA.
165 tons of 2205 (duplex) stainless rebar were supplied
for the new ramp of the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey (1998).
 
Images courtesy of Acerinox USA, Inc., Hackensack, New Jersey, USA.
125 tons of Type 316LN rebars were supplied for the Smith River
Bridge project in Oregon (1998).
Church St. Bridge, Ajax, Ontario (Highway 401, East of
Toronto). Two phase project involving 150 tons of Type 316 LN stainless rebar in 16 mm to
30 mm sizes (second phase to be completed in Spring 1999).
Images courtesy of Empire Specialty Steel Inc., Dunkirk, New York, USA
and Ministry of Transportation Ontario, Canada respectively.
Other Ontario, Canada projects using stainless steel reinforcing as
of Year 2000:
From: B.H. Neuhart and V.J. Martin, "Stainless Steel Reinforcement in Bridge
Construction - Status Year 2000", 17th International Bridge Conference, Pittsburgh,
PA, June 2000.
- CNR Bridge over the Black River
- Highway 406, St. Catherines
- Highway 1 and Highway 141, Port Sydney
- Lincoln Alexander Parkway, Hamilton
- Highway 518 over Highway 11, Emsdale
- Burlington Skyway, Burlington
- Muskrat River Bridge, Carlton Place
- Boivarird Dr. Bridge, Brampton
- QEW Overpass, Erin Mills
- QEW Guelph Interchange
- Overpass, Welland
- Overpass, London
- QEW Overpass, Oakville
- Overpass, Thorold
- Garden City Skyway
- Highway 404/401
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Alberta, Canada projects using stainless steel reinforcing as of
Year 2000:
From: B.H. Neuhart and V.J. Martin, "Stainless Steel Reinforcement in Bridge
Construction - Status Year 2000", 17th International Bridge Conference, Pittsburgh,
PA, June 2000.
- Cadotte River Bridge, Peace River
- Marten River Bridge, Peace River
- Whitemud River Bridge/Hwy 35, Calgary
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Nearly 400 tons of duplex 2205 stainless steel rebar have been
supplied for the Haynes Inlet Slough Bridge, near the coastal town of Coos Bay, Oregon
(USA). Reportedly, this new bridge is using more stainless steel rebar than any North
American bridge application. The bridge is located in a corrosive marine environment and
completed by the end of 2003 at a cost of approximately $12 million.
Source: Roads & Bridges, May 2002, p.34-37.
Approximately 16 tons of Type 316LN stainless steel rebar (in
various sizes) was used to repair a road bridge in Chautauga County, NY. The rebar was
specified for the bridge deck rehabilitation project on the King Road in the town of
French Creek.
Sources:
The Observer, Dunkirk, New York, October 19, 2003.
G. Zaffalon (private communication).
Belt Parkway Bridge, Brooklyn, New York
The New York City Department of Transportation's Belt Parkway Bridge is constructed
with stainless steel reinforcing bars of the 2205 (UNS S31803) variety. It is exposed to a
marine environment (close to the Atlantic Ocean) and deicing salt applications in winter.
This new bridge replaces a nearby 45-year-old-bridge. Life cycle costing featured
prominently in the selection of the stainless steel reinforcing bars, with only an
approximately 1% increase in total cost associated with these bars, and an estimated
doubling of projected service life combined with reduced maintenance costs (compared with
the use of "black" carbon steel rebars). Some 400,000 lb. of stainless steel
rebar were reportedly supplied for this project.
Sources:
Materials Performance, October 2004, p.11.
Carpenter Technology Corp. news item, published at www.cartech.com (August 2004).
Driscoll Bridge, New Jersey
A total of 1300 tons of stainless rebar (Type 2205 and 316LN) has reportedly been
specified for expanding and rehabilitating this bridge, spanning the Raritan River in New
Jersey.
Reference: R. Trate: "Choosing Stainless Steel Rebar", Wire
Forming Technology International, Winter 2004, pp.18-19.
Wisconsin Avenue Bridge, Washington, DC
Stainless steel reinforcing rods were used to strengthen and extend the life of this
historic (oldest in Washington, DC) stone bridge over the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The
stainless reinforcing rods were installed in drilled holes, and surrounded by grout filled
"fabric" sleeves.
Further details are available at: http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/05mar/07.htm
Reference: C. Darden and T.J. Scott: "Strengthening from Within", Public Roads,
March/April 2005.
Type 2205 stainless steel rebar used in replacement bridge across
the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in Flathead County, Montana (USA). Design for
uninterrupted long-term service, with bridge falling under (complex) multiple
jurisdictions.
Reference: W.H. Hartt, R.G. Powers, Y.P. Virmani: "Job Site Evaluation of Corrosion
Resistant Alloys for Use as Reinforcement in Concrete - Innovative Bridge Construction
Program, Concrete Bridge Conference, 7-10 May 2006, Reno, Nevada, USA.
Woodrow Wilson Bridge, linking Virginia with Maryland over Potomac
River (projected completion in 2007)
About 1000 tons of stainless rebar (Type 2205 and 316LN) specified for bridge decks.
Reference: R. Trate: "Choosing Stainless Steel Rebar", Wire
Forming Technology International, Winter 2004, pp.18-19.
Europe:
Stainless steel rebars were used in a sea-front building
restoration in Scarborough, UK (early 1980's). They were selected for stabilization of the
sea wall, in-situ concrete on the promenade, and pre-cast units around the main entrance.
Type 316 stainless steel rebar was utilized immediately adjacent to the sea, while Type
304 stainless reinforcing was applied further inshore. Conventional rebar was used well
back from the sea front.
Click on image to enlarge
(Photo courtesy of Mr. J.M. Haynes, Civil Engineered Products Ltd., Rotherham, UK)
Image courtesy of Ancon CCL Limited, Sheffield, U.K.
Five bridges on the M4 motorway in the UK required
reconstruction because of carbon steel rebar corrosion concerns (1996). Selective use of
Type 304 stainless steel rebar (27 tons) for safety parapets and tying these into the main
structure.
The Guildhall Yard East project in London, England (1996)
utilized over 140 tons of Type 304 rebar. Although the new structures will not be exposed
to de-icing salts or a marine environment, the design engineers were looking for a very
long design life, in keeping with the famous historic buildings on the site.
Photo kindly provided by Fixing Centre Ltd., Chertsey,
Surrey, U.K.
46 tons of austentic stainless rebar were used in a new
laboratory building of the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, United Kingdom. The
austenitic grade reportedly used was 316S33 ribbed bar, in accordance with BS 6744. Sizes
ranged from 8 to 40 mm diameter, with a dominant size range of 10 to 12 mm diameter.
(Project details kindly provided by Mr. Colin Abbott of Fixing
Centre Ltd., Chertsey, Surrey, U.K.)
 
Click on images to enlarge
Photos kindly provided by Fixing Centre Ltd., Chertsey,
Surrey, U.K.
The Schaffhausen Bridge in Switzerland, across the Rhine
River, contains Type 304 austenitic and 2205 duplex stainless rebar in critical parts of
the structure (1995). An important consideration in selecting stainless steel rebars in
areas affected by de-icing salts was the minimization of repair and disruption costs. More
than 13 tons of stainless rebar (304 and 2205 combined) were used.
Seven additional applications of stainless reinforcing in
Switzerland have been described in a recent comprehensive report by Dr. F. Hunkeler (see Publications Section).
Type 316 rebars (11 tons) were used during the
refurbishment of the A48 Highnam Bridge in the U.K. The project, completed in late 1998,
involved a combination of stainless steel and carbon steel reinforcement. Type 316 was
used in four link beams in the center of the bridge, where there was no water membrane.
These beams were then linked to the main parapet beams running across the structure. 16 mm
and 32 mm diameter rebars were used in this project.
Click on image to enlarge
Photo kindly provided by Fixing Centre Ltd., Chertsey, Surrey, U.K.
Further information is available in Concrete
Engineering International, May 1999 (see the Publications
Section).
Other European stainless steel rebar applications
include:
- Restoration of the North Wing of John Nash's Cambridge Park Terrace
at Regent's Park, London;
- The British Library, London;
- The Ilfracombe Pavilion, North Devon (4.8 tonnes);
- Knucklas Viaduct, North Wales (9 tonnes).
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Further details on these projects are available in the
recent report by the Concrete Society (see the Publications Section).
A bridge project with austenitic Type 316 reinforcing
bars was carried out by the Danish Road Directorate. The concrete bridge deck concerned
was reinforced with a combination of Type 316 stainless and conventional carbon steel
reinforcement in one half, and CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) reinforcing in the
other half.
An interesting life cycle cost analysis, comparing Type 316
stainless steel, CFRP and conventional carbon steel reinforcement was performed. When
considering constructions costs, maintenance/repair costs and traffic disturbance costs in
the context of Danish bridge projects, the lowest overall costs were associated with the
stainless steel reinforced deck.
Reference: Concrete Engineering International, June 2000 - see the Publications
Section.
Duplex stainless steel rebars were utilized in the rehabilitation
of St Brandon's Church (Durham, England) and also in other European churches.
Reference: Concrete Engineering, Vol.6, No.2. Summer 2002, pp.64-67.
Broadmeadow Bridge (near town of Swords, Ireland, opened in 2003) -
186 tons of Type 316 stainless rebars utilized in support piers for long term durability.
The bridge on the M1 Northern Motorway spans an ecologically sensitive estuary (saline,
marine environment). This construction project was the overall winner of the 2003 Concrete
Design Award from the Irish Concrete Society.
References: Plan Magazine, June 2004. Nickel Magazine, Vol.20, No.2, March 2005.
Asia:
Stonecutters Bridge (Hong Kong, April 2004-2008)
Stainless steel reinforcing bars (~3000 tons), Type 304, have been selected for
concrete piers and major tower splash zones. This structure will be a 1.6 km long cable
stayed bridge, with a main span of 1018 metres. It is part of Route 8 between Tsing Yi and
Cheung Sha Wan, at the entrance to the busy Kwai Chung Container port and at the Eastern
side on Stonecutters Island.
More background information at: http://www.hyd.gov.hk/eng/major/majorworks/sb/index.htm
Australia:
Image courtesy of Ancon CCL Limited, Sheffield, U.K.
Type 316 stainless steel reinforcement (4 mm and 6 mm)
has been utilized in the construction of concrete whale and fish sculptures for the Cook
and Phillip Park Aquatic Center in Sydney, Australia. The sculptures are of a large size,
with an average mass around 5 tons. Stainless steel was selected in this application in
view of the concrete sculptures' exposure to a corrosive marine environment. The total
length of stainless reinforcing amounted to 1.5 kilometers.
Brisbane River Walk (a floating walkway, opened in
December 2003) - 140 tons of stainless steel rebar (in
10 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm diameters) utilized in the 850 metre-long, 5.4 metre-wide pontoon
system, connecting the city of Brisbane to the inner suburb of New Farm. The pontoon
structure, located some 35 metres from the river bank, has been designed for a 100 year
service life and a special "walking on the water" experience. The use
of stainless steel reinforcing reportedly facilitated lighter, enhanced buoyancy pontoons
(through reduced concrete cover thickness) and contributed to overall cost savings.
Reference: Australian Stainless Steel Development Association article
"Brisbane Riverwalk: Floating on Stainless", 2004.
Middle East:
- 25 tons of Type 316 rebars were used as reinforcement in bollards at
harbor facilities in U.A.E. and Qatar (1998).
- The use of stainless steel reinforcement has been reported in roof
structures (A. Knudsen and T. Skovsgaard, 2001 - see publications
section)
Africa:
- Stainless reinforcing steel and stainless steel tie wire have been used
in a Kwazulu Natal coastal railway project in South Africa. This application involved the
replacement of conventional reinforced concrete in a coastal (marine) environment and was
driven by life-cycle cost benefits.
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