Specifying stainless steel can save money throughout the useful life of the structure without need for expensive maintenance and the consequent traffic disruption costs.

The detrimental effect on the environment due to the increased traffic pollution caused by the inevitable delays is a source of growing concern to society.

Problems and solutions

In recent years, a large number of reinforced structures have shown early signs of deterioration. In the last 40 years, emphasis on optimisation of concrete in terms of cover and quality has led to increased corrosion related problems. For example, highway bridges corroding early from exposure to de-icing salts, and coastal projects failing through direct contact with or atmospheric transfer of, salt water. Typically, spalling and delamination result due to the explosive effects of the corroding carbon steel reinforcement.

The stainless steel reinforcing bar produced by ASR Rod Mill is highly resistant to chloride- induced corrosion, offering designers the assurance of corrosion free reinforcement for the useful life of the structure. This is particularly important given design managers’ requirements for increased design life to 200 years in certain European countries.

What’s more; stainless steel is inherently maintenance-free: for life. No repairs and no refurbishment mean avoiding the damaging environmental and economic effects of traffic disruption.

For new-build and remedial works, the selective use of stainless steel in place of carbon steel reinforcement makes perfect sense.

When stainless is used only on those elements of a structure that are most at risk of corrosion, the overall increase in material cost is negligible.