Cite this article Research Article Keywords: buildings, structures &

Ban H and Shi G (2018) Paper 1600197 design/composite structures/

A review of research on high-strength steel structures. Received 09/10/2016; steel structures
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Structures and Buildings 171(8): 625–641, Accepted 15/08/2017;
https://doi.org/10.1680/jstbu.16.00197 Published online 02/10/2017

ICE Publishing: All rights reserved

Structures and Buildings

A review of research on high-strength

steel structures
&
1 Huiyong Ban BEng, PhD, MASCE &
2 Gang Shi BEng, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University,
University, Beijing, PR China (Orcid:0000-0003-2649-8970) Beijing, PR China (corresponding author: shigang@tsinghua.edu.cn)

1 2

Structures made using high-strength steel (HSS) offer numerous benefits in terms of mechanical performance,
economy and sustainability. With such structures increasingly being used in practice, academia in civil engineering is
progressively focusing on HSS structures through experimental, numerical and theoretical investigations. This paper
reviews research advances in HSS structures at the level of material properties, the behaviour of component members
and connections and the performance of frame structures, and the corresponding findings are summarised and
discussed. The literature indicates that, compared with structures made with conventional mild steel, HSS structures
exhibit new features in terms of mechanical performance. It is hoped that this review will be helpful in providing a
better understanding of the mechanism of HSS structures subjected to static or cyclic loading and promoting their
practical application.

Notation improved and have gained increasing acceptance in construc-

A elongation after fracture tion (Bjorhovde, 2004; IABSE, 2005; Pocock, 2006; Shi, 2012).
E modulus of elasticity
fh average stress of yield strength and ultimate tensile Appropriate use of HSSs in structural engineering offers
stress numerous benefits in terms of mechanical performance,
fu ultimate tensile stress economy and sustainability. Due to their significantly higher
fy yield strength yield strengths compared with conventional mild steels
f0 0·85 f0·2 (CMSs), members fabricated from HSSs can resist much
f0·2 proof strength at 0·2% plastic strain higher loading without increasing the amount of steel. Given
N number of cycles at fatigue failure identical design conditions, the use of HSSs may markedly
S stress range reduce the cross-section dimensions of component members
Y/T ratio of yield strength to tensile strength and, as a consequence, the self-weight of the structure; this is
ε strain beneficial for diminishing earthquake responses and reducing
εh strain corresponding to fh construction costs. In addition, HSS is an efficient material
εst strain at the onset of strain hardening and its use may reduce the consumption of non-renewable
εu strain at the ultimate tensile strength resources and provide sustainable design solutions (Günther
εy yield strain and Raoul, 2005). HSSs therefore have great potential for prac-
ε0 strain corresponding to f0 tical use in construction. Figure 1 shows some typical building
ε0·2 strain corresponding to f0·2 and bridge structures (Collin and Johansson, 2005; IABSE,
σ stress 2005; Pocock, 2006; Shi, 2012; Shi et al., 2014a) that have suc-
cessfully applied HSSs while meeting certain design require-
1. Introduction ments such as sufficient resistance, minimal self-weight, good
High-strength steels (HSSs) are advanced structural steels with economy and so on.
nominal yield strengths of 460 MPa or greater and possessing
satisfactory ductility for either conventional plastic design or Some national standards for the design of steel structures (e.g.
performance-based design, toughness and weldability for prac- ANSI/AISC 360-16 (AISC, 2016) and EN 1993-1-1:2005 (BSI,
tical use in civil engineering. HSSs have been available in the 2005a)) incorporate HSSs with nominal yield strengths no less
steel markets for several decades and are covered by national than 460 MPa, but no specific new design provisions for the
standards. Accordingly, their properties have been progressively use of HSSs are provided. Although EN 1993-1-12:2007

625
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
 Structures and Buildings A review of research on high-strength
Volume 171 Issue SB8 steel structures
Ban and Shi

Landmark
Tower, Yokohama
1989
(600 MPa)

A hybrid bridge,
Mittådalen
1995
(690 MPa)
Star City,
Sydney
1997
(650, 690 MPa)

Nesenbachtal
Brücke, Stuttgart

(690 MPa) 2000

Sony Centre,
Rhine Bridge, Berlin
Dusseldorf– (460, 690 MPa)
Ilverich
2002
(460 MPa)
Millau Bridge,
Millau–Creissels
2004
(460 MPa)
Latitude
Building, Sydney
2005
(690 MPa)

National Stadium,
Beijing
2007
(460 MPa)

2010
Shenzhen Bay
Sports Centre,
Shenzhen
(460 MPa)

2012 Phoenix
CCTV International
Headquarters, Media Centre,
Beijing Beijing (460 MPa)
(460 MPa)

2015 Yangzhou Sports

Park Stadium,
SNU Kwanjeong
Yangzhou
Library, Seoul
(460 MPa)
(800 MPa)

2016
Lotte World
Tower, Seoul
(800 MPa)

Figure 1. Typical engineering applications of HSSs

626
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
 Structures and Buildings
Volume 171 Issue SB8
(BSI, 2007) briefly introduces some limited additional design
rules for HSSs of grade up to S700, they are mainly based on
research on CMSs, and their reasonability and accuracy are
questionable due to limited experimental and analytical
research data (Ban et al., 2012b; Shi et al., 2014a). Generally,
it is unreasonable to directly apply conventional design
methods to HSS structures because these advanced steels
exhibit different material properties compared with CMSs, in
particular beyond their yield points, such as lower ductility
(but acceptable for plastic or performance-based design),
higher yield-to-tensile strength (Y/T) ratios, higher impact
energy, different fracture toughness and lower ratios between
residual compressive stresses and yield strengths of the steel. In
addition, there is no visible yield plateau for steels of nominal
yield strength >500 MPa. These new features bring new chal-
lenges in the design of HSS structures as they may affect
inelastic mechanical properties of such structures in terms of
static strengths, buckling behaviour, seismic responses and so
on, which have not been understood very well by either acade-
mia or the engineering community hitherto due to a lack of
research and practical applications. With respect to design
methods, major national standards worldwide for steel struc-
tures provide few new approaches applied to HSS structures,
despite some of them incorporating HSSs. More importantly,
new design theories developed for HSS structures may need to
balance load-carrying capacities and ductility.
This paper reviews advances in research on HSS structures at
the level of materials, component members, connections and
frame systems. The aim of this review is to provide a better
understanding of the mechanical properties of advanced steel
structures and thus help to avoid unsafe or uneconomical
design solutions as a result of following conventional design
methods. It should also be helpful for promoting engineering
applications of HSS structures.
2. Materials
2.1 HSS grades
With the development of metallurgy and steel production pro-
cesses, HSSs of various grades are now covered in national
Table 1. Typical HSS grades
National standard HSS gradea
EN 10025-6: 2004 (BSI, 2004a) S460, S500, S550, S620, S690, S890, S960
ASTM A514/A514M-14 (ASTM, 2014) A514/A514M (690 MPa)
ASTM A709/A709M-16 (ASTM, 2016) HPS 70 W (485 MPa), HPS 100 W (690 MPa)
ASTM A913/A913M-15 (ASTM, 2015) 70 (485 MPa)
GB/T 1591-2008 (CNS, 2009) Q460, Q500, Q550, Q620, Q690
GB/T 19879-2015 (CNS, 2015) Q460GJ, Q500GJ, Q550GJ, Q620GJ, Q690GJ
JIS G 3106: 2015(E) (JSA, 2015) SM570 (460 MPa)
JIS G 3128: 2009(E) (JSA, 2009) SHY685
JIS G 3140: 2011(E) (JSA, 2011) SBHS500, SBHS700
KS D 5994: 2011 (KSA, 2011) HSA800 (650 MPa)
a
Values in parentheses represent nominal yield strengths
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
A review of research on high-strength
steel structures
Ban and Shi
standards. Table 1 lists some of the major HSS grades with
nominal yield strengths no less than 460 MPa. In Table 1, for
the HSS grades prescribed in the three ASTM standards
(ASTM, 2014, 2015, 2016), JIS G 3106: 2015(E) (JSA, 2015)
and KS D 5994: 2011 (KSA, 2011), their nominal yield
strengths are given in parentheses; for all the other HSS
grades, the number stated in the grade indicates the corre-
sponding nominal yield strength. The quality class given in
Table 1 is determined by the impact toughness of the HSS at
different temperatures. The nominal yield strengths of struc-
tural steels available in British and Australian standards are up
to 450 MPa (BSI, 1990; SA, 2016).
In accordance with these material standards as well as with
design standards for structures, the limit requirements for the
material properties of HSSs are prescribed in detail, and these
have been reviewed and compared previously by the authors
(Ban et al., 2011). It was demonstrated that most of the design
standards require Y/T ratios of structural steels of no more
than 0·85 and elongation percentage after fracture no less than
20% for plastic design purposes, and most of the available
HSSs do not meet these requirements. This implies that, on the
one hand, it is still necessary to continuously improve the
mechanical properties of HSSs by means of better metallurgy
and production technologies, while, on the other, the develop-
ment of more adequate and robust design theories for HSS
structures is equally essential.
2.2 Material properties under monotonic loading
HSSs generally exhibit different material properties beyond the
yield point. Figure 2 shows a comparison of typical stress–
strain curves for various steel grades, which were obtained
from standard tension coupon tests. The figure indicates that,
with an increase in the steel yield strength, the yield plateau
becomes shorter, and normally disappears when the yield
strength is no less than 500 MPa. In addition, the strains cor-
responding to ultimate tensile strengths are lower for steels
with higher yield strengths, which implies worse ductility.
An extensive body of data from HSS material tests reported in
the literature is summarised in Figure 3 (Ban et al., 2011; Beg
Quality class
Q, QL, QL1
—
Zone 1, zone 2, zone 3
—
C, D, E
C, D, E
—
N, NS
—
—
627
 Structures and Buildings A review of research on high-strength
Volume 171 Issue SB8 steel structures
Ban and Shi

1200 σ σ
fu
fu
1000 960 MPa fy
fy

690 MPa
800 E E
Stress, σ : MPa

460 MPa 1 ε 1 ε
600
εy εst εu εy εu
345 MPa (a) (b)
400
σ σ
fu fu
Yield point fh
200
f0·2 f0·2
Peak point
f0
0
0 0·05 0·10 0·15 0·20 E E
Strain, ε 1 ε 1 ε
ε0·2 εu ε0 ε0·2 εh εu
Figure 2. Comparison of stress–strain curves for various (c) (d)
steel grades
Figure 4. Simplified stress–strain relations for HSSs:
(a) multi-linear model I; (b) multi-linear model II; (c) non-linear
model; (d) revised multi-linear model
1·0 100
Elongation after fracture, A: %

0·9 80
Y/ T A, 460 MPa HSSs were generally lower than that of the CMS, which
0·8 Y/ T A, 500 MPa 60 implies that their toughness is surprisingly better. One of the
Y/ T ratio

Y/ T A, 550 MPa main reasons for this is that most HSSs available in practice
Y/ T A, 690 MPa are fine-grained steels. Although the outcome of this compari-
0·7 40
Y/ T A, 890 MPa son may not be extended to apply to all HSSs, it does indicate
Y/ T A, 960 MPa great potential for producing HSSs with both higher yield
0·6 20 strengths and better toughness.

0·5 0 Simplified stress–strain relations of materials are widely utilised

400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200
Yield strength, fy: MPa
Figure 3. Summary of tension coupon test results of HSSs
and Hladnik, 1996; McDermott, 1969; Nishino et al., 1967;
Rasmussen and Hancock, 1992, 1995; Shi et al., 2016b; Usami
and Fukumoto, 1982). The figure shows that, with an increase
in the yield strength of HSS, the Y/T ratio increases gradually;
for HSSs with yield strengths no less than 690 MPa, their Y/T
ratios are generally limited to the range 0·90–0·95. In addition,
a descending trend in the elongation after fracture is observed
with increasing yield strength; however, even for HSSs with
yield strengths >690 MPa, elongation after fracture can be
very close to or higher than 20%, which implies that it is poss-
ible to produce advanced structural steels with both high
strength and high ductility.
With respect to the toughness of HSSs, Langenberg
compared Charpy test results of three European HSS
(S460, S690 and S890) with that of one CMS (S355).
found that the ductile–brittle transition temperatures
in numerical analyses. For HSSs, several constitutive models
have been suggested in the literature, including multi-linear
models (Ban et al., 2011), a non-linear model based on the
Ramberg–Osgood model (Ramberg and Osgood, 1943; Shi
et al., 2016b) and a revised multi-linear model (Shi et al.,
2016b), as shown in Figure 4. The parameters of the models
may be determined in accordance with the literature (Ban
et al., 2011; Shi et al., 2016b). It should be noted that the
model in Figure 4(a) applies to HSSs with yield plateaus, while
the other models shown in Figure 4 may only be used for
HSSs without yield plateaus.
For the design of HSS structures, the partial factors and
design strength of HSSs are essential parameters. To determine
their values, Shi et al. (2016b) collected an extensive body of
material test data (over 10 000 samples) of HSSs produced in
China with nominal yield strengths of 500 MPa, 550 MPa and
690 MPa, and also carried out 46 independent tension coupon
tests. Based on the test results and numerical calculations, stat-
(2008) istical analyses were conducted and reliability parameters of
grades the material properties and the uncertainties in the resistance
It was models and geometry were determined. In accordance with
of the structural reliability theories, partial factors (1·094, 1·058,

628
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
 Structures and Buildings
Volume 171 Issue SB8
1·094 and 1·094 for Q500, Q550, Q620 and Q690 Chinese
HSSs, respectively) for the resistance of HSSs were eventually
proposed and the design strengths were obtained accordingly.
However, test data on HSS material properties are limited and
uncertainties in terms of manufacturing technologies, various
steel grades in different countries and so on may not be
reflected reasonably and thoroughly in existing research find-
ings. There is thus a need for more material tests on a
larger scale.
2.3 Material properties under cyclic loading
To better understand and evaluate the seismic performance of
HSS structures, it is fundamental to clarify the material prop-
erties of HSSs under cyclic loading. Shi et al. (2012c, 2013b)
tested 17 Q460D (460 MPa) HSS specimens and 16 Q460C
HSS specimens under different loading patterns. By analysing
their seismic properties (including stress–strain relations, failure
modes, ductility and hysteretic responses), constitutive models
for these HSSs subjected to uniaxial cyclic loading were devel-
oped and further implemented successfully using Abaqus for
non-linear time history analyses of frame structures. Wang
et al. (2015b) conducted a further six cyclic loading tests on
Q460C HSSs and developed a trilinear kinematic hardening
model with Bauschinger effect and cyclic strain hardening.
This model was demonstrated to be adequate for predicting
the seismic performance of HSS beam–columns.
Hu et al. (2016a) developed a new constitutive model for the
full-range of elasto-plastic behaviour of structural steels with
yield plateaus, which may be utilised in performance-based
design of HSS structures. In this model, the Bauschinger effect
was incorporated by means of non-linear kinematic hardening,
and cyclic softening and hardening were taken into account
through coupling non-linear isotropic hardening. The model
was successfully implemented in Abaqus and validated against
various independent test results (Hu et al., 2016b). The pro-
posed model may be applied to accurately evaluate the seismic
responses of steel structures even without corresponding
cyclic coupon test results, which provides an important basis
for further research on the seismic performance of HSS
structures.
2.4 Fatigue properties
Bergengren and Melander (1992) tested the fatigue strength of
680 MPa hot-dip galvanised HSSs and carried out finite-
element (FE) calculations. The fatigue lives of the coated steels
were found to range from 5  104 to 8  104 cycles, which were
below the fatigue limit for practical application, and the thick-
est coating resulted in the shortest life. Heinilä et al. (2008)
investigated experimentally and numerically the fatigue crack
paths of 650 MPa HSS cold-formed corners. They observed
various types of cracks and elucidated the effects of material
strength, the range of cyclic loading and multi-axial stress
states. de Jesus et al. (2012) compared the fatigue behaviour of
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
A review of research on high-strength
steel structures
Ban and Shi
S355 CMS and S690 HSS through fatigue tests on, respect-
ively, ten and 11 smooth specimens. They found that, com-
pared with the S355 steel, the S690 steel exhibited a higher
resistance to fatigue crack initiation and a lower resistance to
fatigue crack propagation, with the latter resistance normally
governing the fatigue life. Remes et al. (2013) conducted a
series of fatigue tests on 15 specimens of strength 460 MPa
and 30 specimens of strength 690 MPa in order to investigate
the effects of surface integrity on fatigue strength. They exam-
ined three types of surface treatments (i.e. untreated, ground
and sandblasted surfaces) and found that post-cutting surface
treatments may markedly increase the fatigue strength and
sandblasting after grinding may increase the surface roughness
with only a slight reduction in fatigue strength.
The authors’ group recently tested the fatigue strength of 21
smooth specimens of Q460C and Q460D HSSs. Their S–N
curves were obtained from the tests, and their fatigue strengths
were found to be a little higher than the limit value according
to the Chinese national standard (CNS, 2006). For example,
for Q460C, given the fatigue life of 2  106 cycles and a stress
ratio of 0·1, the maximum allowable stress was at least 3·8%
higher than the design value stated in the standard. This
implies that such HSSs possess acceptable fatigue performance
according to the current design equations. However, a more
extensive range of test data is required for further
confirmation.
Despite an extensive body of experimental investigations being
undertaken on the fatigue behaviour of HSS materials, the
research outcomes obtained may only apply to some specific
steel grades reported in the literature (Q460C, Q460D,
S460ML, S690QL etc.) and therefore more tests and corre-
sponding statistical analyses are needed for the development of
fatigue design formulae for both HSS materials and their
welding configurations.
2.5 Fire resistance
A large number of tests on HSSs either at elevated tempera-
tures or post-fire have been reported, as summarised in
Table 2. Based on the test results, material properties of differ-
ent HSSs under/post-fire conditions have been obtained in
terms of reduction factors of yield strength and elastic
modulus and compared with design results in accordance with
national standards. Generally, the mechanical performance of
HSSs at elevated temperatures or post-fire is different from
that of CMSs, and few current national standards give accurate
predictions of the material properties of HSSs exposed to fire.
Despite no uniform rules having been developed for predicting
the material properties of various HSSs, the reported research
provides an extensive body of test data fundamental for evalu-
ating the fire resistance of HSS structures.
Generally, extensive and solid research outcomes in terms of
HSS material properties are given in the available literature.
629
 Structures and Buildings A review of research on high-strength
Volume 171 Issue SB8 steel structures
Ban and Shi

Table 2. Summary of tests on material properties of HSSs at elevated temperatures/post-fire

Reference HSS grade Number of specimens Fire condition Temperature: °C

Chen et al. (2006) Bisplate 80 (690 MPa) 18 Steady state 22–940

16 Transient state Up to 1000
Qiang et al. (2012a) S460 12 Post-fire 20–1000
S690 14 Post-fire 20–1000
Qiang et al. (2012b) S690 18 Steady state 20–700
12 Transient state Up to 700
Qiang et al. (2012c, 2013a) S460 12 Steady state 20–700
Qiang et al. (2012d, 2013a) S460 14 Transient state Up to 700
Qiang et al. (2013b) S960 12 Post-fire 20–1000
Wang et al. (2013) Q460 100 Steady state 20–800
Chiew et al. (2014) S690 9 Steady state 25–800
6 Post-fire 25–1000
Wang et al. (2015a) Q460 48 Post-fire 20–900

However, partial factors of HSSs for practical design and
application still need to be extended to cover more steel grades
and steel products manufactured worldwide through further
experiments and statistical analyses.
3. Residual stresses
Welding-induced residual stresses are critical to the buckling
behaviour of compression members and the mechanical per-
formance of welded joints. It is therefore necessary to clarify,
both experimentally and numerically, the characteristics of
residual stresses within welded HSS members.
3.1 Welded cross-sections
Residual stresses within built-up cross-sections fabricated from
HSSs, in particular the longitudinal ones along the length of
members, have essential effects on the buckling behaviour of
HSS columns. In the very beginning, only limited tests were
undertaken for measuring the residual stresses of specific HSS
welded cross-sections and these were mainly used for analysing
the buckling strength of corresponding columns. Subsequently,
more experimental investigations on residual stresses were sys-
temically carried out, with more parameters such as geometry
and steel strength being involved. Table 3 provides a summary
of reported tests on the residual stresses in HSS welded cross-
sections and the geometries of the cross-sections involved are
illustrated in Figure 5. Figure 6 shows typical test results of
residual stresses within HSS welded cross-sections.
Based on these results, it has been observed that the distri-
bution pattern of the residual stresses within HSS welded sec-
tions was similar to that of CMS sections. With an increase in
the yield strength of the HSS, the ratios of magnitudes of both
tensile and compressive residual stresses to the yield strength
reduced. The magnitudes of compressive residual stresses were
found to be strongly related to the geometry of the cross-
section (e.g. the width-to-thickness ratios of component
plates). In addition, it was found that self-equilibrium could be
achieved separately within each component plate of welded
I-shaped and box-shaped cross-sections. In addition to the
development of models for evaluating the residual stresses of

Table 3. Summary of tests on residual stresses of HSS welded cross-sections

Reference HSS grade Shape Number of specimens Test method

Nishino et al. (1967) A514 (690 MPa) Box I 2 Sectioning

Usami and Fukumoto (1982, 1984) HT80 (690 MPa) Box II 3 Sectioning
SM58 (460 MPa) Box II 3 Sectioning
Rasmussen and Hancock (1992, 1995) Bisalloy 80 (690 MPa) I-shaped 4 Sectioning
Box III 4 Sectioning
Cruciform 3 Sectioning
Beg and Hladnik (1996) Nionicral 70 (700 MPa) I-shaped 2 Sectioning
Ban et al. (2013a, 2013c) Q460 I-shaped 8 Sectioning
Box I 6 Sectioning
Wang et al. (2012a, 2012b) Q460 I-shaped 3 Sectioning and hole drilling
Box I 3 Sectioning and hole drilling
Kim et al. (2014b) HSA800 (650 MPa) I-shaped 1 Instrumented indentation method
Li et al. (2015a) Q690 I-shaped 3 Sectioning
Box 3 Sectioning
Khan et al. (2016) 690 MPa Box III 6 Neutron diffraction method
Ban et al. (2013b) Q960 I-shaped 3 Sectioning
Box I 3 Sectioning

630
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
 Structures and Buildings A review of research on high-strength
Volume 171 Issue SB8 steel structures
Ban and Shi

B b b b B
tf
b
bf

b
t t t
h0

tw
t

I-shaped Box I Box II Box III Cruciform

Figure 5. Illustration of cross-sections for residual stress tests

MPa MPa
600 600
400
300
200
0 0
–200 –300

Test results

MPa
MPa
–300
–200
0
0
200 300
400 600
600
–2500 250 MPa 600 300 0 –300 MPa –300 0 300 600 MPa
(a) (b)

Figure 6. Typical test results of residual stresses within HSS welded cross-sections: (a) I-shaped; (b) box-shaped

specific HSS cross-sections from the aforementioned tests, Ban
et al. (2013b) proposed unified models applicable to various
grades of HSSs.
The residual stresses of hot-rolled angle sections and welded
circular tubes fabricated from 420 MPa steels have also been
measured (Ban et al., 2012a; Shi et al., 2013a). Distribution
patterns similar to those of corresponding CMS sections were
observed and the ratios of residual compressive stresses to the
yield strength of HSSs were also found to be lower.
3.2 Welded joints
Kim et al. (2012) experimentally investigated the residual stres-
ses in an HT780 HSS plate-to-plate joint welded by laser beam
welding and also conducted thermal elastic–plastic analyses.
They found that the phase transformation was helpful for
releasing the residual stresses. Lee et al. (2012a) concentrated
their research on residual stresses within load-carrying welded
plate-to-plate T- and Y-joints fabricated from RQT701 HSS
(690 MPa), with an experimental programme of 18 specimens
undertaken using the hole-drilling method. They subsequently
developed and validated two-dimensional (2D) and three-
dimensional (3D) sequentially coupled thermal-stress FE
models using Abaqus (Lee et al., 2012b, 2013b). Based on the
test and numerical results, they elucidated the effects of pre-
heating, the thickness of the plates and brace plate cutting on
the residual stresses. Tensile residual stresses up to one third of
the yield strength of the steel were indicated, and preheating
was found to be an efficient way of releasing the residual stres-
ses. Lee et al. (2013c, 2013d) also carried out similar research
experimentally and numerically on HSS box T-joints, while
Jiang et al. (2015) quantified residual stresses and stress con-
centration factors of HSS box T-joints subjected to various
loadings with the aim of evaluating the effects of residual stres-
ses on the fatigue performance of such joints.
Residual stresses within welded joints are commonly distribu-
ted in a typical 3D way and, consequently, it is quite difficult
to quantify the residual stresses through measuring tests.
Numerical simulation may provide a more efficient way for

631
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
 Structures and Buildings A review of research on high-strength
Volume 171 Issue SB8 steel structures
Ban and Shi

Table 4. Summary of HSS column tests

Reference HSS grade Shape Number of specimens Slenderness ratios

Usami and Fukumoto (1982) HT80 (690 MPa) Box 5 35, 50, 65
Rasmussen and Hancock (1995) Bisalloy 80 (690 MPa) I-shaped 5 30·6, 50·5, 90·2
Box 6 29·8, 50·5, 89·4
Ban et al. (2012b, 2013b) Q460C I-shaped 7 21·6, 28·6, 36·4, 42·3, 50·0, 56·7, 62·5
Box 5 18·7, 24·3, 34·6, 47·5, 60·7
Q960 I-shaped 3 37·4, 56·9, 86·3
Box 3 35·6, 54·9, 83·7
Shi et al. (2012a) S690 I-shaped 4 24·8, 48·2, 72·6, 84·8
S960 I-shaped 4 30·0, 48·6, 68·4, 87·3
Wang et al. (2012c, 2014b) Q460 I-shaped 6 40, 56, 80
Box 6 38, 55, 80

predicting the 3D residual stresses, but a more extensive range Table 5. Suggested column curves in accordance with EN
of validation is required. In addition, their distribution models 1993-1-1:2005 and EN 1993-1-12:2007 (BSI, 2005a, 2007)
also need to be developed. for designing overall buckling behaviour of HSS columns
Suggested column curves
Welding-induced residual stresses within HSS cross-sections
have been investigated both experimentally and numerically, I-shaped, I-shaped,
HSS grade: MPa major axis minor axis Box-shaped
with detailed models and equations being developed. In future
research, more FE simulations are suggested to improve the 460 b b b
models in terms of both the magnitudes of residual stresses 500 a b b
and their distribution patterns. 550 a b b
620 a b b
690 a a b
4. Columns 800 a a a
890 a a a
4.1 Overall buckling behaviour 960 a0 a a
The overall buckling behaviour of columns under compression
seems to be one of the earliest research topics on HSS struc-
tures. Since the 1980s, dozens of column tests have been under-
residual stresses within HSS welded I- and box-shaped sections
taken involving various cross-sections and HSS grades. These
as well as solid parametric analyses, while the design curves
studies are summarised in Table 4. Based on the extensive
are conservative as a result of limited research bases and exper-
body of test results and corresponding parametric analyses
imental evidence.
through non-linear FE models, it has been demonstrated that
the overall buckling strength of HSS columns was markedly
In addition to the aforementioned research, Spoorenberg et al.
improved compared with CMS columns on a non-dimensional
(2014) investigated the buckling strengths of HSS columns stat-
basis, resulting from the less severe effects of initial imperfec-
istically using FE analyses. As a result of these analyses, they
tions, in particular of cross-sectional residual stresses. This is
obtained partial factors and suggested column curves. Ban
because the ratios of the magnitudes of compressive residual
et al. (2013d) and Shi et al. (2014b) conducted column tests on
stresses within cross-sections to the yield strengths of HSSs are
other cross-sections (hot-rolled angles and welded circular
significantly lower compared with CMSs, which is the most
tubes fabricated from 420 MPa steels, respectively) and also
influential parameter on the overall buckling strength. Based
found that overall buckling strengths were markedly improved
on comparisons of experimental and numerical results with
compared with corresponding CMS columns on a non-dimen-
design solutions in accordance with national standards, it was
sional basis.
demonstrated that the design results were generally conserva-
tive. Based on an extensive body of experimental and numeri-
Based on the extensive research into the overall buckling be-
cal investigations, suggestions for choosing appropriate column
haviour of HSS columns, a uniform design curve with the
curves given in EN 1993-1-1:2005 and EN 1993-1-12:2007
effects of the steel grade being taken into account is probably
(BSI, 2005a, 2007) for designing the overall buckling behaviour
needed in a future research programme.
of HSS columns with various grades and welded cross-sections
are given in Table 5. These proposed design curves are a little
higher than those suggested in accordance with EN 1993-1- 4.2 Local buckling behaviour
12:2007 for some HSS grades. This is because the proposed Given their higher strengths compared with CMSs, HSSs are
curves are based on extensive measurements of welding normally utilised in structures with component plates with

632
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
 Structures and Buildings A review of research on high-strength
Volume 171 Issue SB8 steel structures
Ban and Shi

reduced thickness and therefore local buckling of the plates in
compression becomes more dominant for the design solutions
of HSS structures. The local buckling behaviour of HSS
columns has been extensively studied in terms of stub column
tests as well as FE modelling and analyses, as summarised in
Table 6. In addition, Hermann (2002), Tang and Mahendran
(2004) and Shi et al. (2016a) undertook FE modelling and
analyses of the local buckling behaviour of HSS stub columns,
while Shi et al. investigated experimentally (Shi et al., 2012b)
and numerically (Shi et al., 2014e) the local buckling behav-
iour of hot-rolled angle columns made from 420 MPa steel.
The outcomes of these studies indicated that the existing
design equations in accordance with national standards may
not accurately predict the local buckling strength of HSS stub
columns – the design solutions in accordance with some stan-
dards are conservative while others are not safe. Shi et al.
(2016a) developed new design methods in terms of equations
for both the local buckling strength and ultimate strength of
HSS stub columns of various grades, which may be utilised for
designing the plate buckling performance of HSSs.
4.3 Interactive buckling behaviour
With respect to the interactive local–overall buckling behaviour
of HSS columns, the experimental research reported in the lit-
erature seems to be limited to that carried out by Usami and
Fukumoto (1982, 1984), who tested both 460 MPa and
690 MPa HSS welded box section columns with slender com-
ponent plates. Based on the test results, theoretical models
based on the effective width concept were developed and
further validated against the test results. An empirical design
formula was proposed for predicting the interaction buckling
strength of HSS columns, and ways of proportioning the box
sections were discussed with economical aspects kept in mind.
In addition, Shen (2015) numerically investigated the perform-
ance of 460 MPa HSS beam–columns, with consideration of
interaction buckling; based on a large number of parametric
analyses, a steel yield strength modification factor was intro-
duced for evaluating the buckling strength of such beam–
columns.
However, more relevant research in terms of experimental pro-
grammes and parametric analyses is needed for the develop-
ment of robust and accurate design theories.
4.4 Seismic responses
Given the different material properties of HSSs compared with
CMSs beyond the yield strength, the responses of HSS
columns subjected to seismic loadings naturally exhibit differ-
ent characteristics. However, there is surprisingly limited
research on this topic. Seismic tests on Q460 HSS columns
and corresponding numerical analyses were conducted by the
current authors and colleagues, including five welded box
section columns (Shi et al., 2014c) and six welded I-shaped
section columns (Wang et al., 2014a). The tests results indi-
cated that these columns possessed excellent ductility and
energy dissipation ability, with plate buckling rather than
brittle fracture occurring. Suggestions for limits on the width-
to-thickness ratios of the component plates were given, which
were related to the axial compression ratio. Wang et al. (2014c)
tested eight 460 MPa HSS welded I-shaped and box-shaped

Table 6. Summary of HSS stub column tests

Reference HSS grade Shape Number of specimens Width-to-thickness ratios

Nishino et al. (1967) A514 (690 MPa) Box 4 26·2, 44

McDermott (1969) A514 (690 MPa) Cruciform 12 2·75, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10
Usami and Fukumoto (1982, 1984) HT80 (690 MPa) Box 8 22, 27, 33, 38, 44
SM58 (460 MPa) Box 6 29, 44, 58
Rasmussen and Hancock (1992) Bisalloy 80 (690 MPa) I-shaped 6 7·5, 9·17, 10·83 (flange)
20, 25, 30 (web)
Box 6 16, 22, 28
Cruciform 6 6·67, 9·17, 11·67
Clarin and Largerqvist (2005) Weldox 700 (700 MPa) Box 16 23·0, 28·0, 32·9, 49·4
Weldox 1100 (1100 MPa) Box 16 18·4, 22·3, 26·3, 39·4
Yoo et al. (2013) HSA800 (650 MPa) I-shaped 10 4, 6, 8, 10 (flange)
15, 20, 25 (web)
Box 5 8, 13, 18, 23, 28
Kim et al. (2014b) HSA800 (650 MPa) I-shaped 6 6·83, 7·5 (flange)
18·67, 23·33, 28 (web)
Box 1 13·3
Cruciform 3 4·83, 7·5, 10·17
Shi et al. (2014d, 2015) Q460 I-shaped 9 6·6–23 (flange)
19·6–67·5 (web)
Box 4 17, 32·1, 46·8, 61·4
Q960 I-shaped 4 7, 9·1, 11 (flange)
13·3, 17·1, 21·3 (web)
Box 4 8, 12·9, 27·7

633
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
 Structures and Buildings
Volume 171 Issue SB8
beam–columns subjected to seismic loadings and obtained
similar outcomes; a trilinear hysteretic model was also devel-
oped for predicting the moment–curvature relationship of such
members.
More research – in particular experimental research on the
seismic behaviour of HSS columns made from with higher
steel grades – is urgently needed in order to fully understand
their seismic performance and to develop more reasonable and
robust design methods.
5. Beams
Deflection responses and buckling behaviour are two of the
most important design parameters in practice for flexural
members, and research on HSS beams has been carried out.
The first beam tests available in the literature appear to be
those undertaken by Usami and Fukumoto (1984), in which
two bending beams were tested for primary analyses with an
effective width approach. Suzuki et al. (1994) tested five
simply-supported hybrid beams with HSS used for the web;
these tests demonstrated that such members may be effective in
carrying loads after local buckling of the flange. Beg and
Hladnik (1996) investigated, both experimentally and numeri-
cally, I-shaped HSS beams fabricated from Nionicral 70
(700 MPa) HSS based on four-point bending tests. They clari-
fied the effects of the width-to-thickness ratios of the flanges
and web on both bending capacity and buckling strength, and
derived analytical expressions. Ricles et al. (1998) discussed the
mechanical characteristics of HSS beams in terms of ductility
and energy dissipation capacities. They found that the Y/T
ratio of the steels was the most influential and that some
current compactness criteria in accordance with national stan-
dards were not safe. Earls (1999) studied the inelastic failure of
HSLA-80 (550 MPa) HSS I-shaped beams by means of FE
analyses and concluded that the effects of cross-section com-
pactness and bracing configuration were different from those
in CMS beams.
Green et al. (2002) tested ten welded I-shaped beams made of
HSLA-80 (550 MPa) to investigate their inelastic behaviour.
They considered the effects of material properties, cross-sec-
tional geometry and loading conditions in both the tests and
numerical analyses. The results were compared with design cri-
teria according to the AISC LRFD specifications and rec-
ommendations were proposed for revising the design methods.
Gao et al. (2008) conducted an experimental programme and
FE analyses on two HSS (745–800 MPa) four-point loaded
beams and elucidated the effects of the width-to-thickness
ratio of the component plates on the load-carrying capacity.
Shinohara et al. (2012) studied the elastic behaviour of HSS
(over 700 MPa) H-shaped beams under cyclic loading through
four beam tests and developed a new limiting value for the
plate slenderness ratio in view of seismic performance. Joo
et al. (2013) studied the rotational capacities of HSS I-girders
through a proposed theoretical model based on a flexural
634
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
A review of research on high-strength
steel structures
Ban and Shi
curvature distribution diagram that was further validated
against two beam tests; an optimum arrangement of bracing
points was suggested for maximising the rotational capacity.
Lee et al. (2013a) conducted 15 HSS (HSB800 and HSA800)
I-shaped beam tests to evaluate the effects of flange slender-
ness on the flexural strength and rotation capacity. These tests
demonstrated that the strength was satisfactory but the rotation
capacity was reduced for such members.
More recently, Bradford and Ban (2014) investigated, numeri-
cally and theoretically, the buckling behaviour of tapered half-
through girders fabricated from HSSs, and suggested primary
design guidance. Mela and Heinisuo (2014) compared the
bending and shear resistances of HSS (S500 and S700) beams
with S355 CMS beams and proposed a cost function with fab-
rication, transportation and erecting of the beams on site being
considered. The results indicated that hybrid cross-sections
were the most economical design solution. Shokouhian and
Shi (2014, 2015) investigated the ductility and flexural strength
of hybrid and HSS beams through four full-scale beams tests
as well as FE modelling and parametric analyses. They found
that Eurocode 3 (BSI, 2005a) may give more satisfactory pre-
dictions for such members, with an average deviation of the
standard’s results compared with all the FE analyses results of
16·8%, and also developed new equations. In some design
scenarios, hybrid cross-sections with only flanges fabricated
from HSSs are more beneficial for application in flexural
members because the flanges contribute the majority of the
bending moment resistance of the cross-section, which may
lead to a more economical design solution.
It is suggested that future research on HSS beams is concen-
trated on their ductility and potential for energy dissipation in
steel frames for earthquake design.
6. Connections
6.1 Welded connections
Rodrigues et al. (2004) investigated the overall strength and
ductility of HSS welded joints as well as the plastic behaviour
of the heat-affected zone through FE solutions. The effects of
material properties and plastic strain distribution were eluci-
dated in this study. Kuhlmann et al. (2008) carried out quasi-
static strength tests and numerical simulations on fillet-welded
connections including lap joints, cruciform joints and butt
joints fabricated from S460 and S690 HSSs. They found that
the existing design rules in accordance with Eurocode 3 (BSI,
2005b) were inadequate for such HSS connections and pro-
posed suggestions for updating the design rules. Günther et al.
(2012) investigated the strength, ductility and safety against
brittle fracture of S460 and S690 HSS welded connections, and
made recommendations for their design and practical use
based on testing and numerical results. Other studies have
focused on the fatigue of HSS welded connections, including
fatigue strength tests on spot-welded joints in HSS beams
 Structures and Buildings A review of research on high-strength
Volume 171 Issue SB8 steel structures
Ban and Shi

(Lindgren et al., 1996), comparisons of the fatigue strengths
between 900 MPa and 350 MPa steels (Martinez et al., 1997),
the effects of HSS plate thickness (Gustafsson, 2002), butt-
welded connections fabricated from S690 and S1100 HSSs
(Pijpers et al., 2007), out-of-plane gusset fillet-welded HSS
joints (Barsoum and Gustafsson, 2009), built-up box T-joints
(Chiew et al., 2015) and so on. Fatigue strengths were quanti-
tatively evaluated based on the test results.
The authors’ group investigated the ductile fracture behaviour
of Q460 HSS fillet-welded connections through an experimen-
tal programme of five joints along with numerical simulations.
Constitutive relationships of the welds and fracture parameters
were determined and calibrated through tension coupon tests.
The work indicated that the proposed numerical model may
evaluate the ductile fracture performance of such connections
well. More extensive experimental investigations on butt- and
fillet-welded connections fabricated from 460 MPa, 550 MPa
and 690 MPa HSSs are ongoing.
6.2 Bolted connections
HSS bolted connections have been investigated experimentally
and numerically in terms of bearing strength, block shear
strength, net cross-section strength as well as the effects of geo-
metry and material properties, and design suggestions for limit-
ing values of bolt spacing, edge distances and configuration
details have been proposed. Table 7 summarises the HSS
bolted connection tests available in literature.
The authors’ research group conducted tests on Q460 HSS
bolted shear connections (Chen et al., 2014), with design gui-
dance for bearing strength and slip coefficient being developed.
Ongoing research on both friction-type and bearing-type high-
strength bolted connections with 460 MPa and 890 MPa HSSs
is also being undertaken in the group; high-strength bolts of
grade 12·9 are being applied and arc aluminising after sand-
blasting is adopted, with a slip coefficient of 0·7 being
achieved.
6.3 Beam-to-column connections
Research on various beam-to-column connections, including
bolted and welded connections incorporating HSSs has been
reported for serval years. Girão Coelho and Bijlaard
conducted a series of investigations on the use of HSSs in
beam-to-column connections, including tests of 17 moment
connections with endplates made of S460, S690 and S960
(Girão Coelho and Bijlaard, 2007, 2010a) and 19 S690 and
S960 web shear panels utilised in beam-to-column joints
(Girão Coelho et al., 2009), as well as parametric analyses on
the strength performance of HSS column webs subjected to
transverse compression to simulate the web shear panels
through FE methods (Girão Coelho and Bijlaard, 2010b). The
research indicates that current design provisions in accordance
with EN 1993-1-8:2005 (BSI, 2005b) may give accurate predic-
tions of both the strength and stiffness of moment connections
with HSS endplates, and such joints may achieve reasonable
rotation demands. Regarding the web shear panels, their
strength and stiffness behaviour were evaluated experimentally
and numerically, and recommendations for revising the specifi-
cations were given.
Tanaka et al. (2009) tested five circular column-to-H-shaped-
beam connections fabricated from HSSs and conducted
analytical analyses. The results showed that the use of HSSs
may extend the elastic region by approximately 1% of storey
drift and that conventional calculation methods are adequate
for predicting their initial stiffness, yield strength and ultimate
strength. Lin et al. (2012, 2014) tested four novel beam-
to-column bolted connections for built-up columns made with
H-SA700 HSSs and investigated their performance under
quasi-static cyclic loadings. These connections exhibited excel-
lent energy dissipation (three times higher than conventional
connections) with local buckling being the dominant failure
mode and larger deformation achieved. Jordão et al. (2014)
tested two beam-to-column welded connections, representing
external and internal joints, fabricated from S690 HSS; based
on the experimental results and FE simulations, detailed rec-
ommendations for updating parameters in the Eurocode 3
(BSI, 2005b) formulation were proposed. AlHendi and Celikag
(2015) numerically investigated the moment–rotation responses
of reverse channel flush endplate connections subjected to
monotonic loadings in which the channel was made of HSS.
They found that the ratio of the wall thickness of the channel
to the thickness of the flush endplate was dominant in the
failure mode, and more detailed suggestions for the geometri-
cal configuration were given.

Table 7. Summary of HSS bolted connection tests

Reference HSS grade Connection type Number of specimens

Puthli and Fleischer (2001) S460 Shear connection 25

Može and Beg (2010, 2011, 2014); S690 Plates with holes 23
Može et al. (2007) Shear connection in double shear with one bolt 20
Shear connection in double shear with one or two bolts 38
Shear connection in double shear with three or four bolts 26
Dusicka and Lewis (2010) A709 (480 MPa) Shear connection with filler plates >50
Cruz et al. (2012) S690 Shear connection in double shear 15

635
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
 Structures and Buildings
Volume 171 Issue SB8
With respect to the fire resistance of beam-to-column connec-
tions made with HSS, Qiang et al. (2014a, 2014b, 2015a,
2015b) tested four endplate connections under steady-state fire
conditions and four connections under post-fire conditions.
They also developed corresponding FE models that were
found to be adequate for simulating their behaviour. It was
demonstrated that the connections with thinner HSS endplates
were comparable to those using thicker CMS endplates in
terms of failure mode, residual loading capacities and rotation
capacities.
More experimental investigations on high-strength beam-to-
column connections are needed for a full understanding of
their seismic performance. In addition, few of the aforemen-
tioned research works incorporate fracture failure criteria,
which is one of the most essential parameters for designing
welded beam-to-column connections. To reduce the risk of
fracture failure in HSS beam-to-column connections, strength-
ening is suggested by, for example, using cover plates or wider
flanges near the beam end.
7. Frames
Research into structural systems using HSSs is limited in the
literature. Li et al. (2015b) developed a direct analysis method
for the design of HSS frames, allowing explicit modelling of
residual stresses with geometric imperfections also incorpor-
ated. Wang et al. (2016) tested a half-scale three-storey eccen-
trically braced frame subjected to constant vertical loading
and cyclic lateral loading in which the columns and beams
were fabricated from HSSs. Good plastic deformation behav-
iour was indicated, with a maximum storey drift ratio of 1/40
and a maximum ductility factor of 2·5 achieved. Ferrario et al.
(2016) carried out seismic loading tests on five substructures
(brace-beam-to-column joints) representing a concentric
braced frame with HSS used for the columns and subsequently
undertook numerical analyses of the global responses of the
frame. They concluded that performance-based design theory
may be reasonably extended to such frames with high-strength
tubular steel columns. The authors’ group (Hu et al., 2017)
recently tested five steel frames under seismic loadings with
only the columns or both the columns and beams being fabri-
cated from HSSs (Q460 and Q890). Good plastic deformation
capacity was observed, with a maximum storey drift ratio of
1/25 attained. In these frames, cover-plate strengthened connec-
tions between the beams and columns were adopted to relocate
the plastic hinge within the beam away from the face of the
column and to improve the resistance of the connections
to low-cyclic fatigue. As a result, the welds in the beam-
to-column connections exhibited satisfactory fracture resistance
due to lower stress levels.
The use of HSSs in frame structures may significantly improve
their loading capacities and, with appropriate design consider-
ations, their ductility and energy dissipation capacity may also
be acceptable for seismic design requirements. However, local
636
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
A review of research on high-strength
steel structures
Ban and Shi
buckling issues become more evident due to slender cross-sec-
tions being incorporated in columns with increased steel grade,
and these issues may lead to more severe damage to column
bases as well as strength degradation. A favourable design sol-
ution for HSS frames is to apply HSS mainly in the columns
and CMSs or HSSs of lower grade but excellent ductility per-
formance in the beams, with braces such as buckling-restrained
braces or shear panels made of low yield point steel utilised to
further improve their seismic behaviour. Furthermore, strength-
ened beam-to-column connections (e.g. cover-plate connec-
tions) are suggested. Research into HSS frames is fundamental
for developing robust and reasonable seismic design theories in
terms of balancing the design of loading capacities and duct-
ility requirements, and thus more relevant investigations are
required.
8. Composite structures
In addition to the aforementioned research on bare steel struc-
tures, investigations of composite structures incorporating
HSSs have also been reported in the literature because the
higher strength of HSSs may be fully utilised in composite
structures. The relevant research is mainly concentrated on
concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns and steel–con-
crete composite beams.
Professor Uy’s group (Aslani et al., 2015; Mashiri et al., 2014;
Mursi and Uy, 2004, 2006a, 2006b; Uy, 2001a, 2001b, 2008)
carried out a series of investigations on CFST columns utilis-
ing HSSs, including stub columns, slender columns, columns
subjected to biaxial bending, and columns with HSS grades
over 1000 MPa and with compact plates. Experimental and
numerical research studies on strength, ductility and stability
aspects have been undertaken, and theoretical models have
been developed and design recommendations proposed. Kim
et al. (2014a) tested four CFST columns made from both HSS
and high-strength concrete subjected to eccentric axial load-
ings. They found that use of HSSs may successfully restrain
early concrete crushing and that the conventional plastic
design method was applicable to such columns. Hsiao et al.
(2015) experimentally investigated the seismic performance of
concrete-filled double-skin steel tubular columns with HSSs
subjected to combined axial and flexural cyclic loadings. They
found that their performance was comparable to that of a con-
ventional CFST column and proposed a simple formulation
for predicting their moment capacity. Richard Liew et al.
(2016) collected some 2030 test data available in the literature
on CFST columns made with normal- and high-strength
materials and developed design guidance based on Eurocode 4
(BSI, 2004b).
With respect to HSS–concrete composite beams, relevant
research is surprisingly limited. The only experimental investi-
gations seem to be those carried out by Uy and Sloane (1998)
and Zhao and Yuan (2010), with the use of two and four
beams, respectively. Their research focused on the strength of
 Structures and Buildings
Volume 171 Issue SB8
the members and the results indicated that conventional design
methods in accordance with national standards may give
unconservative predictions, which was confirmed by Ban and
Bradford (2013). Shim et al. (2011) introduced two concepts of
composite and hybrid bridges utilising HSB800 HSS, discussed
their effectiveness in new continuous bridges and gave design
recommendations. In addition, numerical models for evaluat-
ing the performance of HSS–concrete composite beams were
developed by Bradford and Pi (2012) and Ban and Bradford
(2015). Ban et al. (2016) also developed a formulation for pre-
dicting the available rotation capacities of composite beams
with high-strength materials based on an extensive body of
parametric analyses, which provides a basis for quantitative
analysis of the ductility of such members.
9. Concluding remarks
Structures made with HSS possess remarkable advantages in
terms of mechanical performance and social and economic
benefits. Given the different material properties beyond the
yield point, HSS structures exhibit naturally distinct features in
their responses and mechanisms under various loading con-
ditions. An extensive body of experimental, numerical and
theoretical investigations on HSS structures has been reviewed,
with performance at the levels of the material, members, con-
nections and structural systems introduced and discussed.
The use of HSS in steel structures offers a number of benefits
to mechanical performance in terms of higher loading
capacities as well as better buckling behaviour on a non-dimen-
sional basis and so on. However, despite these advantages,
there are still some challenges or limitations in the practical
application and design of HSS structures, such as stable
welding quality, fracture resistance under low-cycle fatigue
loadings, stiffness-controlled design conditions and so on.
However, HSS may not be treated as a perfect structural
material adequate for various design scenarios and require-
ments, and it has to be applied in the right place. With reason-
able design considerations, HSSs may result in favourable
design solutions with high performance in terms of not only
high strength, but also high ductility, high energy dissipation
capacity and eventually high robustness, particularly when they
are utilised in combination with other advanced materials such
as low yield point steel in braces, innovative configurations
such as strengthened beam-to-column connections and
improved design policy such as performance-based design
theory.
Despite the large quantity of research outcomes reported,
further work is still required to develop systematic and com-
plete design theories for advanced steel structures, including
partial factors of HSSs with more general significance and
extent, more accurate residual stress models, fracture mech-
anics-based design approaches for welded connections and
joints, innovative structural systems with buckling-restrained
braces or shear panels, and performance-based design systems,
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
A review of research on high-strength
steel structures
Ban and Shi
all of which would be helpful for promoting practical appli-
cations of HSS structures.
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the
National Natural Science Foundation of China (51478244 and
51608300) and the Excellent Young Scientist Programme of
the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51522806)
awarded to the second author.
REFERENCES
AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) (2016) ANSI/AISC
360-16: Specification for structural steel buildings. AISC,
Chicago, IL, USA.
AlHendi H and Celikag M (2015) Behavior of reverse-channel and
double-reverse-channel connections to tubular columns with HSS.
Journal of Constructional Steel Research 112: 271–281, https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2015.05.017.
Aslani F, Uy B, Tao Z and Mashiri F (2015) Behaviour and design of
composite columns incorporating compact high-strength steel
plates. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 107: 94–110,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2015.01.005.
ASTM (2014) ASTM A514/A514M-14: Standard specification for
high-yield-strength, quenched and tempered alloy steel plate,
suitable for welding. ASTM International, West Conshohocken,
PA, USA.
ASTM (2015) ASTM A913/A913M-15: Standard specification for
high-strength low-alloy steel shapes of structural quality, produced
by Quenching and self-tempering process (QST). ASTM
International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA.
ASTM (2016) ASTM A709/A709M-16: Standard specification for
structural steel for bridges. ASTM International, West
Conshohocken, PA, USA.
Ban HY and Bradford MA (2013) Flexural behaviour of composite
beams with high strength steel. Engineering Structures
56: 1130–1141, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2013.06.040.
Ban HY and Bradford MA (2015) Elastoplastic cross-sectional behavior
of composite beams with high-strength steel: analytical modeling.
Journal of Structural Engineering ASCE 141(10): 04014236.
Ban HY, Shi G, Shi YJ and Wang YQ (2011) Research progress on the
mechanical property of high strength structural steels. Advanced
Materials Research 250–253(1–4): 640–648.
Ban HY, Shi G, Shi YJ and Wang YQ (2012a) Residual stress tests of
high-strength steel equal angles. Journal of Structural Engineering
138(12): 1446–1454.
Ban HY, Shi G, Shi YJ and Wang YQ (2012b) Overall buckling behavior
of 460 MPa high strength steel columns: experimental
investigation and design method. Journal of Constructional Steel
Research 74: 140–150.
Ban HY, Shi G, Bai Y, Shi YJ and Wang YQ (2013a) Residual stress of
460 MPa high strength steel welded I section: experimental
investigation and modelling. International Journal of Steel
Structures 13(4): 691–705.
Ban HY, Shi G, Shi YJ and Bradford MA (2013b) Experimental
investigation of the overall buckling behaviour of 960 MPa high
strength steel columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research
88: 256–266, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2013.05.015.
Ban HY, Shi G, Shi YJ and Wang YQ (2013c) Residual stress of 460 MPa
high strength steel welded box section: experimental investigation
and modelling. Thin-Walled Structures 64: 73–82, https://doi.org/
10.1016/j.tws.2012.12.007.
637
 Structures and Buildings
Volume 171 Issue SB8
Ban HY, Shi G, Shi YJ and Wang YQ (2013d) Column buckling tests of
420 MPa high strength steel single equal angles. International
Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics 13(2): 1250069.
Ban HY, Bradford MA, Uy B and Liu XP (2016) Available rotation
capacity of composite beams with high-strength materials under
sagging moment. Journal of Constructional Steel Research
118: 156–168, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2015.11.008.
Barsoum Z and Gustafsson M (2009) Fatigue of high strength steel joints
welded with low temperature transformation consumables.
Engineering Failure Analysis 16(7): 2186–2194.
Beg D and Hladnik L (1996) Slenderness limit of class 3 I cross-sections
made of high strength steel. Journal of Constructional Steel
Research 38(8): 201–207.
Bergengren Y and Melander A (1992) An experimental and theoretical
study of the fatigue properties of hot-dip-galvanized high-strength
sheet steel. International Journal of Fatigue 14(3): 154–162.
Bjorhovde R (2004) Development and use of high performance steel.
Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60(3): 393–400.
Bradford MA and Ban HY (2014) Stability of tapered half-through girder
high strength steel railway bridges. Proceedings of the 2nd
International Conference on Railway Technology: Research,
Development and Maintenance, Ajaccio, Corsica, France (Pombo J.
(ed.)). Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, UK, paper 72, http://dx.doi.
org/10.4203/ccp.104.72
Bradford MA and Pi YL (2012) Nonlinear elastic-plastic analysis of
composite members of high-strength steel and geopolymer
concrete. Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences 89(5):
387–414.
BSI (1990) BS 4360:1990: Weldable structural steels. BSI, London, UK.
BSI (2004a) EN 10025-6: Hot rolled products of structural steels –
Part 6: Technical delivery conditions for flat products of high yield
strength structural steels in the quenched and tempered condition.
BSI, London, UK.
BSI (2004b) BS EN 1994-1-1: 2004 Eurocode 4: Design of Composite
Steel and Concrete Structures Part 1-1: General rules and rules for
buildings. BSI, London, UK.
BSI (2005a) EN 1993-1-1:2005: Eurocode 3: Design of steel
structures Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings. BSI,
London, UK.
BSI (2005b) EN 1993-1-8:2005: Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures
Part 1-8: Design of joints. BSI, London, UK.
BSI (2007) EN 1993-1-12:2007: Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures
Part 1-12: Additional rules for the extension of EN 1993 up to
steel grades S700. BSI, London, UK.
Chen J, Young B and Uy B (2006) Behavior of high strength structural
steel at elevated temperatures. Journal of Structural Engineering
132(12): 1948–1954.
Chen YF, Shi YJ, Shi G, Ban HY and Pan B (2014) Experiment
research on slip coefficient of Q460 high strength steel bolted
connections. Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium
on Structural Engineering (ISSE-13), Hefei, China (Wang Z,
Ren W and Ru J (eds)). Science Press, Beijing, China, vol. 1,
pp. 88–95.
Chiew SP, Zhao MS and Lee CK (2014) Mechanical properties of
heat-treated high strength steel under fire/post-fire conditions.
Journal of Constructional Steel Research 98: 12–19, https://doi.org/
10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.02.003.
Chiew SP, Zhao MS and Lee CK (2015) Fatigue performance of high
strength steel built-up box T-joints. Journal of Constructional Steel
Research 106: 296–310, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.12.018.
Clarin M and Largerqvist O (2005) Plate buckling of high strength steel
– experimental investigation of welded box sections under
compressions. Proceedings of 4th European Conference on Steel
and Composite Structures, Maastricht, The Netherlands
(Hoffmeister B and Hechler O (eds)). pp. 207–214.
638
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
A review of research on high-strength
steel structures
Ban and Shi
CNS (Chinese National Standards) (2006) GB50017-2003: Code for
design of steel structures. China Architecture & Building Press,
Beijing, China.
CNS (2009) GB/T 1591-2008: High strength low alloy structural steel.
China Standards Press, Beijing, China (in Chinese).
CNS (2015) GB/T 19879-2015: Steel plate for building structures. China
Standards Press, Beijing, China (in Chinese).
Collin P and Johansson B (2005) Bridges in high strength steel.
In IABSE Symposium Report. IABSE, Zurich, Switzerland,
vol. 92, pp. 1–9.
Cruz A, Simões R and Alves R (2012) Slip factor in slip resistant joints
with high strength steel. Journal of Constructional Steel Research
70: 280–288, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2011.11.001.
de Jesus AMP, Matos R, Fontoura BFC et al. (2012) A comparison of the
fatigue behavior between S355 and S690 steel grades. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 79: 140–150, https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.jcsr.2012.07.021.
Dusicka P and Lewis G (2010) High strength steel bolted connections with
filler plates. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 66(1): 75–84.
Earls CJ (1999) On the inelastic failure of high strength steel I-shaped
beams. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 49(1): 1–24.
Ferrario F, Iori F, Pucinotti R and Zandonini R (2016) Seismic performance
assessment of concentrically braced steel frame buildings with high
strength tubular steel columns. Journal of Constructional Steel
Research 121: 427–440, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2016.03.009.
Gao L, Sun HC, Jiang KB and Xu GY (2008) Load-carrying capacity of
the high-strength steel thin-walled box-section beam. Proceedings
of the 10th International Symposium on Structural Engineering
for Young Experts, Changsha, China (Xu B, Xiao Y, Ru JP and
Ren W (eds)). Science Press, Beijing, China, pp. 877–882.
Girão Coelho AM and Bijlaard FSK (2007) Experimental behaviour of
high strength steel end-plate connections. Journal of Constructional
Steel Research 63(9): 1228–1240.
Girão Coelho AM and Bijlaard FSK (2010a) High strength steel in
buildings and civil engineering structures: design of connections.
Advances in Structural Engineering 13(3): 413–429.
Girão Coelho AM and Bijlaard FSK (2010b) Finite element evaluation of
the strength behaviour of high-strength steel column web in
transverse compression. Steel and Composite Structures 10(5):
385–414.
Girão Coelho AM, Bijlaard FSK and Kolstein H (2009) Experimental
behaviour of high-strength steel web shear panels. Engineering
Structures 31(7): 1543–1555.
Green PS, Sause R and Ricles JM (2002) Strength and ductility of HPS
flexural members. Journal of Constructional Steel Research
58(5–8): 907–941.
Günther HP and Raoul J (2005) Use and Application of High-
Performance Steels for Steel Structures. International Association
for Bridge and Structural Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland.
Günther HP, Hildebrand J, Rasche C et al. (2012) Welded connections of
high strength steels for the building industry. Welding in the World
56(5–6): 86–106.
Gustafsson M (2002) Thickness effect in fatigue of welded extra high
strength steel joints. In Design and Analysis of Welded High
Strength Steel Structures: Proceedings of the 8th International
Fatigue Congress (Blom AF (ed.)). EMAS Publishing, Stockholm,
Sweden, pp. 205–224.
Heinilä S, Marquis GB and Björk T (2008) Observations on fatigue crack
paths in the corners of cold-formed high-strength steel tubes.
Engineering Fracture Mechanics 75(3–4): 833–844.
Hermann SD (2002) On the local stability interaction effect of high
strength steel columns. Proceedings of the 3rd European Conference
on Steel Structures (Lamas A and da Silva L (eds)), pp. 353–360.
Hsiao PC, Hayashi KK, Nishi R, Lin XC and Nakashima M (2015)
Investigation of concrete-filled double-skin steel tubular columns
 Structures and Buildings
Volume 171 Issue SB8
with ultrahigh-strength steel. Journal of Structural Engineering
141(7): 04014166.
Hu FX, Shi G and Shi YJ (2016a) Constitutive model for full-range
elasto-plastic behavior of structural steels with yield plateau:
formulation and implementation. Engineering Structures, http://
dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.02.037.
Hu FX, Shi G and Shi YJ (2016b) Constitutive model for full-range
elasto-plastic behavior of structural steels with yield plateau:
calibration and validation. Engineering Structures 118: 210–227,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.03.060.
Hu FX, Shi G and Shi YJ (2017) Experimental study on seismic behavior
of high strength steel frames: global response. Engineering Structures
131: 163–179, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.11.013.
IABSE (International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering)
(2005) Use and Application of High-Performance Steels for Steel
Structures. IABSE, Zürich, Switzerland.
Jiang J, Lee CK and Chiew SP (2015) Residual stress and stress
concentration effect of high strength steel built-up box T-joints.
Journal of Constructional Steel Research 105: 164–173, https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.11.008.
Joo HS, Moon J, Choi BH and Lee HE (2013) Rotational capacity and
optimum bracing point of high strength steel I-girders. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 88: 79–89, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jcsr.2013.05.008.
Jordão S, da Silva LS and Simões R (2014) Design formulation analysis
for high strength steel welded beam-to-column joints. Engineering
Structures 70: 63–81, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.02.028.
JSA (Japanese Standards Association) (2009) JIS G 3128: 2009(E): High
yield strength steel plates for welded structure. JSA, Tokyo, Japan.
JSA (2011) JIS G 3140: 2011(E): Higher yield strength steel plates for
bridges. JSA, Tokyo, Japan.
JSA (2015) JIS G 3106: 2015(E): Rolled steels for welded structure.
JSA, Tokyo, Japan.
Khan M, Paradowska A, Uy B, Mashiri F and Tao Z (2016) Residual
stresses in high strength steel welded box sections. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 116: 55–64, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jcsr.2015.08.033.
Kim CS, Park HG, Chung KS and Choi IR (2014a) Eccentric axial load
capacity of high-strength steel–concrete composite columns of
various sectional shapes. Journal of Structural Engineering 140(4):
04013091.
Kim DK, Lee CK, Han KH et al. (2014b) Strength and residual
stress evaluation of stub columns fabricated from 800 MPa
high-strength steel. Journal of Constructional Steel Research
102: 111–120, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.07.007.
Kim YC, Hirohata M and Inose K (2012) Effects of phase transformation
on distortion and residual stress generated by laser beam welding
on high-strength steel. Welding in the World 56(3): 64–70.
KSA (Korean Standards Association) (2011) KS D 5994: 2011:
High-performance rolled steel for building structures. KSA,
Seoul, Korea.
Kuhlmann U, Günther HP and Rasche C (2008) High-strength steel fillet
welded connections. Steel Construction 1(1): 77–84.
Langenberg P (2008) Relation between design safety and Y/T ratio in
application of welded high strength structural steels. Proceedings of
International Symposium on Applications of High Strength Steels in
Modern Constructions and Bridges: Relationship of Design
Specifications, Safety and Y/T Ratio, Beijing, China, pp. 28–46.
Lee CH, Han KH, Uang CM et al. (2013a) Flexural strength and rotation
capacity of I-shaped beams fabricated from 800-MPa steel. Journal
of Structural Engineering 139(6): 1043–1058.
Lee CK, Chiew SP and Jiang J (2012a) Residual stress study of welded
high strength steel thin-walled plate-to-plate joints, Part 1:
experimental study. Thin-Walled Structures 56: 103–112, https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2012.03.015.
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
A review of research on high-strength
steel structures
Ban and Shi
Lee CK, Chiew SP and Jiang J (2012b) Residual stress study of welded
high strength steel thin-walled plate-to-plate joints part 2:
numerical modeling. Thin-Walled Structures 59: 120–131, https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2012.04.001.
Lee CK, Chiew SP and Jiang J (2013b) 3D residual stress modelling of
welded high strength steel plate-to-plate joints. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 84: 94–104, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jcsr.2013.02.007.
Lee CK, Chiew SP and Jiang J (2013c) Residual stress of high strength
steel box T-joints Part 1: experimental study. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 93: 20–31, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jcsr.2013.10.003.
Lee CK, Chiew SP and Jiang J (2013d) Residual stress of high strength
steel box T-joints Part 2: numerical study. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 98: 73–87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jcsr.2014.02.010.
Li TJ, Li GQ and Wang YB (2015a) Residual stress tests of welded Q690
high-strength steel box- and H-sections. Journal of Constructional
Steel Research 115: 283–289, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2015.08.
040.
Li TJ, Liu SW and Chan SL (2015b) Direct analysis for high-strength steel
frames with explicit-model of residual stresses. Engineering
Structures 100: 342–355, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.
06.008.
Lin X, Chung Y, Okazaki T and Nakashima M (2012) Beam-to-column
connection for built-up column using ultra-high-strength steel.
In Proceedings of Stessa 2012 (Mazzolani F and Herrera R (eds)).
Taylor & Francis, London, UK, pp. 187–193.
Lin X, Okazaki T and Nakashima M (2014) Bolted beam-to-column
connections for built-up columns constructed of H-SA700 steel.
Journal of Constructional Steel Research 101: 469–481, https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.05.018.
Lindgren C, Sperle JO and Jonsson M (1996) Fatigue strength of spot
welded beams in high strength steel. Welding in the World 37(1):
90–104.
Martinez LL, Blom AF, Trogen H and Dahle T (1997) Fatigue behaviour of
steels with strength levels between 350 and 900 MPa influence of
post weld treatment under spectrum loading. In Proceedings of the
North European Engineering and Science Conference (Blom AF
(ed.)). EMAS Publishing, London, UK, pp. 361–376.
Mashiri FR, Uy B, Tao Z and Wang ZB (2014) Concrete-filled
VHS-to-steel fabricated section stub columns subjected to axial
compression. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 95:
141–161, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2013.11.022.
McDermott JF (1969) Local plastic buckling of A514 steel
members. Journal of the Structural Division ASCE 95(ST9):
1837–1850.
Mela K and Heinisuo M (2014) Weight and cost optimization of welded
high strength steel beams. Engineering Structures 79: 354–364,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.08.028.
Može P and Beg D (2010) High strength steel tension splices with one
or two bolts. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 66(8–9):
1000–1010.
Može P and Beg D (2011) Investigation of high strength steel
connections with several bolts in double shear. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 67(3): 333–347.
Može P and Beg D (2014) A complete study of bearing stress in single
bolt connections. Journal of Constructional Steel Research
95: 126–140, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2013.12.002.
Može P, Beg D and Lopatič J (2007) Net cross-section design resistance
and local ductility of elements made of high strength steel.
Journal of Constructional Steel Research 63(11): 1431–1441.
Mursi M and Uy B (2004) Strength of slender concrete filled high
strength steel box columns. Journal of Constructional Steel
Research 60(12): 1825–1848.
639
 Structures and Buildings
Volume 171 Issue SB8
Mursi M and Uy B (2006a) Behaviour and design of fabricated high
strength steel columns subjected to biaxial bending, Part 1:
experiments. International Journal of Advanced Steel Construction
2(4): 286–315.
Mursi M and Uy B (2006b) Behaviour and design of fabricated high
strength steel columns subjected to biaxial bending, Part 2:
analysis and design codes. International Journal of Advanced Steel
Construction 2(4): 316–354.
Nishino F, Ueda Y and Tall L (1967) Experimental Investigation of the
Buckling of Plates with Residual Stresses. Test Methods for
Compression Members. American Society for Testing and
Materials, Philadelphia, PA, USA, ASTM Special Technical
Publication 419.
Pijpers RJM, Kolstein MH, Romeijn A and Bijlaard FSK (2007) The fatigue
strength of butt welds made of S690 and S1100. In Proceedings of
the 3rd International Conference on Steel and Composite Structures
(Choi CK and Wang Y (eds)). Taylor & Francis, London, UK,
pp. 901–908.
Pocock G (2006) High strength steel use in Australia, Japan and the
US. The Structural Engineer 84(21): 27–30.
Puthli R and Fleischer O (2001) Investigations on bolted connections for
high strength steel members. Journal of Constructional Steel
Research 57(3): 313–326.
Qiang X, Bijlaard FSK and Kolstein H (2012a) Post-fire mechanical
properties of high strength structural steels S460 and S690.
Engineering Structures 35: 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.
2011.11.005.
Qiang X, Bijlaard FSK and Kolstein H (2012b) Dependence of mechanical
properties of high strength steel S690 on elevated temperatures.
Construction and Building Materials 30: 73–79, https://doi.org/10.
1016/j.conbuildmat.2011.12.018.
Qiang X, Bijlaard FSK and Kolstein H (2012c) Deterioration of
mechanical properties of high strength structural steel S460N
under steady state fire condition. Materials and Design
36: 438–442, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2011.11.069.
Qiang X, Bijlaard FSK and Kolstein H (2012d) Deterioration of
mechanical properties of high strength structural steel S460N
under transient state fire condition. Materials and Design
40: 521–527, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2012.04.028.
Qiang X, Bijlaard FSK and Kolstein H (2013a) Elevated-temperature
mechanical properties of high strength structural steel S460N:
experimental study and recommendations for fire-resistance design.
Fire Safety Journal 55: 15–21, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2012.
10.008.
Qiang X, Bijlaard FSK and Kolstein H (2013b) Post-fire performance
of very high strength steel S960. Journal of Constructional
Steel Research 80: 235–242, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2012.
09.002.
Qiang XH, Bijlaard FSK, Kolstein H and Jiang X (2014a) Behaviour
of beam-to-column high strength steel endplate connections
under fire conditions – Part 1: experimental study. Engineering
Structures 64: 23–38, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.
01.028.
Qiang XH, Bijlaard FSK, Kolstein H and Jiang X (2014b) Behaviour of
beam-to-column high strength steel endplate connections under
fire conditions – Part 2: numerical study. Engineering Structures
64: 39–51, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.01.034.
Qiang XH, Jiang X, Bijlaard FSK, Kolstein H and Luo YF (2015a) Post-fire
behaviour of high strength steel endplate connections – Part 1:
experimental study. Journal of Constructional Steel Research
108: 82–93, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.10.028.
Qiang XH, Jiang X, Bijlaard FSK, Kolstein H and Luo YF (2015b) Post-fire
behaviour of high strength steel endplate connections – Part 2:
numerical study. Journal of Constructional Steel Research
108: 94–102, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.10.027.
640
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
A review of research on high-strength
steel structures
Ban and Shi
Ramberg W and Osgood WR (1943) Description of Stress–Strain Curves
by Three Parameters. 902 National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics, Washington, DC, USA.
Rasmussen KJR and Hancock GJ (1992) Plate slenderness limits for high
strength steel sections. Journal of Constructional Steel Research
23(1–3): 73–96.
Rasmussen KJR and Hancock GJ (1995) Tests of high strength steel
columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 34(1): 27–52.
Remes H, Korhonen E, Lehto P et al. (2013) Influence of surface
integrity on the fatigue strength of high-strength steels. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 89: 21–29, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jcsr.2013.06.003.
Richard Liew JY, Xiong M and Xiong D (2016) Design of concrete filled
tubular beam-columns with high strength steel and concrete.
Structures 8: 213–226, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2016.05.005.
Ricles JM, Sause R and Green PS (1998) High-strength steel: implications
of material and geometric characteristics on inelastic flexural
behavior. Engineering Structures 20(4–5): 323–335.
Rodrigues DM, Menezes LF, Loureiro A and Fernandes JV (2004)
Numerical study of the plastic behaviour in tension of welds
in high strength steels. International Journal of Plasticity
20(1): 1–18.
SA (Standards Australia) (2016) AS/NZS 3678:2016: Structural
steel – hot-rolled plates, floorplates and slabs. SA, Sydney,
Australia.
Shen HX (2015) Behavior of high-strength steel welded rectangular
section beam–columns with slender webs. Thin-Walled Structures
88: 16–27, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2014.11.019.
Shi G, Ban HY and Bijlaard FSK (2012a) Tests and numerical study of
ultra-high strength steel columns with end restraints. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 70: 236–247, https://doi.org/10.1016/
j.jcsr.2011.10.027.
Shi G, Liu Z, Ban HY et al. (2012b) Tests and finite element analysis
on the local buckling of 420 MPa steel equal angle columns
under axial compression. Steel and Composite Structures 12(1):
31–51.
Shi G, Wang M, Bai Y et al. (2012c) Experimental and modeling study of
high-strength structural steel under cyclic loading. Engineering
Structures 37: 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2011.12.
018.
Shi G, Jiang X, Zhou WJ, Chan TM and Zhang Y (2013a) Experimental
investigation and modelling on residual stress of welded steel
circular tubes. International Journal of Steel Structures 13(3):
495–508.
Shi G, Wang M, Wang YQ and Wang F (2013b) Cyclic behavior of
460 MPa high strength structural steel and welded connection
under earthquake loading. Advances in Structural Engineering
16(3): 451–466.
Shi G, Hu FX and Shi YJ (2014a) Recent research advances of high
strength steel structures and codification of design specification in
China. International Journal of Steel Structures 14(4): 873–887.
Shi G, Jiang X, Zhou WJ, Chan TM and Zhang Y (2014b) Experimental
study on column buckling of 420 MPa high strength steel welded
circular tubes. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 100: 71–81,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.04.028.
Shi G, Wang JJ, Bai Y and Shi YJ (2014c) Experimental study on seismic
behavior of 460 MPa high strength steel box-section columns.
Advances in Structural Engineering 17(7): 1045–1059.
Shi G, Zhou WJ, Bai Y and Lin CC (2014d) Local buckling of 460 MPa
high strength steel welded section stub columns under axial
compression. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 100: 60–70,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.04.027.
Shi G, Zhou WJ, Bai Y and Liu Z (2014e) Local buckling of steel equal
angle members with normal and high strengths. International
Journal of Steel Structures 14(3): 447–455.
 Structures and Buildings
Volume 171 Issue SB8
Shi G, Zhou WJ and Lin CC (2015) Experimental investigation on the
local buckling behavior of 960 MPa high strength steel welded
section stub columns. Advances in Structural Engineering 18(3):
423–437.
Shi G, Xu KL, Ban HY and Lin CC (2016a) Local buckling behavior of
welded stub columns with normal and high strength steels.
Journal of Constructional Steel Research 119: 144–153, https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2015.12.020.
Shi G, Zhu X and Ban HY (2016b) Material properties and partial
factors for resistance of high-strength steels in China. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 121: 65–79, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jcsr.2016.01.012.
Shi YJ (2012) Recent developments on high performance steel for
buildings. Advances in Structural Engineering 15(9): 1617–1622.
Shim CS, Whang JW, Chung CH and Lee PG (2011) Design of double
composite bridges using high strength steel. Procedia Engineering
14: 1825–1829, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2011.07.229.
Shinohara T, Suekuni R and Lkarashi K (2012) Cyclic behavior of high
strength steel H-shaped beam. Applied Mechanics and Materials
174–177: 159–165.
Shokouhian M and Shi YJ (2014) Investigation of ductility in hybrid and
high strength steel beams. International Journal of Steel Structures
14(2): 265–279.
Shokouhian M and Shi YJ (2015) Flexural strength of hybrid
steel I-beams based on slenderness. Engineering Structures
93: 114–128, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.03.029.
Spoorenberg RC, Snijder HH, Cajot LG and Popa N (2014) Buckling
curves for heavy wide flange QST columns based on statistical
evaluation. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 101: 280–289,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.05.017.
Suzuki T, Ogawa T and Ikarashi K (1994) A study on local buckling
behavior of hybrid beams. Thin-Walled Structures 19(2–4):
337–351.
Tanaka N, Kaneko T, Takenaka H and Sasaki S (2009) Elasto-plastic
behavior of circular column-to-H-shaped-beam connections
employing 1000 N/mm2-class super-high-strength steel. In Tubular
Structures XII (Chen YY, Shen ZY and Zhao XZ (eds)). Taylor &
Francis Group, London, UK, pp. 249–257.
Tang LRB and Mahendran M (2004) Behavior of high strength steel
compression members. In Proceedings of the 10th Nordic Steel
Construction Conference. Danish Steel Institute, Lillerød,
Denmark, pp. 53–64.
Usami T and Fukumoto Y (1982) Local and overall buckling of welded
box columns. Journal of the Structural Division ASCE 108(ST3):
525–542.
Usami T and Fukumoto Y (1984) Welded box compression members.
Journal of Structural Engineering 110(10): 2457–2470.
Uy B (2001a) Axial compressive strength of short steel and composite
columns fabricated with high strength steel plate. Steel and
Composite Structures 1(2): 171–185.
Uy B (2001b) Strength of short concrete filled high strength steel
box columns. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 57(2):
113–134.
Uy B (2008) Stability and ductility of high performance steel sections
with concrete infill. Journal of Constructional Steel Research
64(7–8): 748–754.
Uy B and Sloane RJ (1998) Behaviour of composite tee beams
constructed with high strength steel. Journal of Constructional
Steel Research 46(1): 203–204.
Wang F, Su MZ, Hong M, Guo YR and Li SH (2016) Cyclic behaviour
of Y-shaped eccentrically braced frames fabricated with
high-strength steel composite. Journal of Constructional
Steel Research 120: 176–187, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2016.
01.007.
Wang JJ, Shi G and Shi YJ (2014a) Experimental research on behavior of
460 MPa high strength steel I-section columns under cyclic
Downloaded by [ University of Southern Queensland] on [14/05/24]. Copyright © ICE Publishing, all rights reserved.
A review of research on high-strength
steel structures
Ban and Shi
loading. Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration
13(4): 611–622.
Wang W, Liu B and Kodur V (2013) Effect of temperature on strength
and elastic modulus of high-strength steel. Journal of Materials in
Civil Engineering 25(2): 174–182.
Wang W, Liu T and Liu J (2015a) Experimental study on post-fire
mechanical properties of high strength Q460 steel. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 114: 100–109, https://doi.org/10.
1016/j.jcsr.2015.07.019.
Wang YB, Li GQ and Chen SW (2012a) Residual stresses in welded
flame-cut high strength steel H-sections. Journal of Constructional
Steel Research 79: 159–165, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2012.07.
014.
Wang YB, Li GQ and Chen SW (2012b) The assessment of residual
stresses in welded high strength steel box sections. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 76: 93–99, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jcsr.2012.03.025.
Wang YB, Li GQ, Chen SW and Sun FF (2012c) Experimental and
numerical study on the behavior of axially compressed high
strength steel columns with H-section. Engineering Structures
43: 149–159, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2012.05.018.
Wang YB, Li GQ, Chen SW and Sun FF (2014b) Experimental and
numerical study on the behavior of axially compressed high
strength steel box-columns. Engineering Structures 58: 79–91,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2013.10.013.
Wang YB, Li GQ, Cui W and Chen SW (2014c) Seismic behavior of high
strength steel welded beam–column members. Journal of
Constructional Steel Research 102: 245–255, https://doi.org/10.
1016/j.jcsr.2014.07.015.
Wang YB, Li GQ, Cui W, Chen SW and Sun FF (2015b) Experimental
investigation and modeling of cyclic behavior of high strength
steel. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 104: 37–48, https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2014.09.009.
Yoo JH, Kim JW, Yang JG, Kang JW and Lee MJ (2013) Local buckling in
the stub columns fabricated with HSA800 of high performance
steel. International Journal of Steel Structures 13(3): 445–458.
Zhao HL and Yuan Y (2010) Experimental studies on composite beams
with high-strength steel and concrete. Steel and Composite
Structures 10(5): 373–383.
How can you contribute?
To discuss this paper, please email up to 500 words to the
editor at journals@ice.org.uk. Your contribution will be
forwarded to the author(s) for a reply and, if considered
appropriate by the editorial board, it will be published as
discussion in a future issue of the journal.
Proceedings journals rely entirely on contributions from the
civil engineering profession (and allied disciplines).
Information about how to submit your paper online
is available at www.icevirtuallibrary.com/page/authors,
where you will also find detailed author guidelines.
641