The BD Division organised the captioned seminar on 4 November 2024. We were privileged to have Ir Prof K F Chung, Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Founding Director of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre (CNERC) for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, share his insights into the advantages of utilising high-strength Chinese S690 steel in buildings and civil engineering projects.
The seminar commenced with an overview of high-strength steel production in the global market, with particular emphasis on developments in China. Ir Prof Chung then illustrated the potential of high-strength S690 Chinese steel to enhance structural efficiency and reduce construction costs.
Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the applications, benefits, and limitations of S690 steel. The high-strength material offers significant advantages, such as reduced steel usage, lighter structures and lower construction costs. However, the challenge of adopting these high-strength steels includes concerns about their structural behaviour, particularly in relation to welding processes that can affect their mechanical properties. In view of this, Ir Prof Chung and his team employed a robotic welding system at CNERC to improve welding quality and repeatability to establish suitable welding procedures.
Ir Prof Chung and his team also shared their extensive experience from the construction of the double-arch steel bridge for the Cross Bay Link in Tseung Kwan O, as well as their consultation work on the application of high-strength S690 steel in the Fourth Macau-Taipa Bridge.
The insights they presented during the seminar inspired the participants to explore innovative strategies for incorporating S690 steel into their projects. Participants expressed their enthusiasm about the potential of S690 steel to improve construction efficiency and sustainability, which may facilitate future collaborations and advancements within the industry.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the BD Division for organising this informative seminar and to Ir Prof Chung for his engaging presentation.