4. Developments in manufacturing and calculation techniques and resources

4.1 Materials

The framework of a steel structure generally consists of an assembly of columns and beams stabilized by a bracing system. These elements are manufactured from welded merchant rolled or reconstituted sections, sheets, tubes or flats in structural steel . They are usually welded together in the workshop and bolted together on site. In addition to steel products, steel construction is a major consumer of welding and bolting products.

As a result of technological progress and industrial competition, the quality and performance of all the basic elements that contribute to the strength of structures have steadily increased in recent years. Their minimum guaranteed characteristics on delivery, which are the basis for calculation standards,...