Successful applications of high strength steel in Australia and design using high strength steel

High strength quenched and tempered structural steel whilst having quite significant benefits for strength is essentially only economical for niche applications to solve uniquely specific structural problems. More importantly, whilst the term "high strength" is used, "high performance" steels is the term becoming more widely utilised and accepted as a method of identifying the material. High performance includes improved strength, durability, fire resistance as well as other improved physical and chemical properties. This paper initially provides a summary of the successful applications of high strength steel in Australia and includes a review of the use in seven buildings in Australia. The paper then outlines all the previous research carried out on high strength strucutral steel beams and columns. Particular emphasis in this paper is placed on the behaviour of composite steel-concrete beams and columns, as composite construction applications allow the relaxation of many of the cross-section and member classifications which relate to both local and member stability criteria. Design approaches for the various assemblies are outlined and further research is also discussed.