The Civil Engineering and Development Department is committed to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the works in the North District and making the district a sustainable community. Thus, the CEDD has collaborated with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), to jointly develop a brand new bridge design and construction technique using sustainable construction material, ultra-high strength S960 steel for the construction of two footbridges, which is the world's first application of S960 steel in bridge construction.
Steel structure experts from Tsinghua University were also invited to provide professional advice on key technologies in the bridge design and welding process of ultra-high strength S960 steel.
Project Milestones
The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 27 June 2023 to deepen their collaboration on development and promotion of effective use of ultra-high strength S960 steel for facilitating the innovative application of ultra-high strength S960 steel in bridge construction projects and formulating relevant technical guidelines and specification for its future use. The MoU was signed by the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, and the Director of Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) (CNERC) of PolyU, Professor Chung Kwok-fai.
The CEDD pioneered the application of ultra-high strength S960 steel in the footbridge construction under their project, Fanling North New Development Area, Phase 1 – Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (Shek Wu San Tsuen North to Lung Yeuk Tau). This is the world's first application of S960 steel in civil bridge construction. The innovative application of ultra-high strength S960 steel in bridge construction can lay the technical foundation for the use of this material in the future and serve as a demonstration. The adoption of ultra-high strength S960 steel can reduce the weight of the footbridges and the number of piles, which is conducive in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the sustainability of the project. In addition, the components of ultra-high strength S960 steel can be prefabricated in factories, which can significantly reduce the procedures required to be carried out on site and enhance speed, quality, efficiency and quantity of the project, brining benefits to society.
The CEDD is honoured to have the assistance of steel structure experts from Tsinghua University to provide professional advice on key technologies in the bridge design and welding process of ultra-high strength S960 steel. The first joint meeting of experts was held in 7 June 2023 among CEDD, the PolyU and steel structure experts from Tsinghua University, the engineering consultants, AECOM Asia Company Limited, the contractor, Daewoo - Chun Wo - Kwan Lee Joint Venture, the contractor's design consultant, YWL Engineering Pte Limited, taking the debut crucial step for implementing the project.
Ceremony for S960
Ultra-high
Strength Steel Footbridge F6
–
4-Span Lifting of Circular Deck
First section of ultra-high strength S960 steel footbridge assembly ceremony
A ceremony on the tightening of the connection bolts was held on 18 July 2024, attended by the Director of CEDD, Michael Fong, JP, Ms Pecvin Yong, Deputy Director of Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office of Development Bureau, Mr. Joseph Lo, JP, Head of Project Strategy and Governance Office of Development Bureau, Professor Chung Kwok-fai, Director of the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Steel Construction (Hong Kong Branch) of PolyU and Professor Ho On-sing, Chairman of Construction industry Council, together with other representatives from the Government, academia and the industry, signifying the milestone achievement of the project.
During the ceremony, the Director of CEDD. Mr Michael Fong, JP said that this was the first-ever use of ultra-high strength S960 steel in the construction of a pedestrian footbridge, and that the Government was determined to bring the construction standard to the forefront of the world.
Benefits in using ultra-high strength S960 steel
- Higher tensile strength than normal strength steel, which effectively reduces steel consumption, improves resistance to deformation and fatigue strength to reduce construction cost.
- Can reduce the weight of the bridge deck and make the bridge structure slimmer, which can effectively reduce the number of piles.
- Streamlined appearance
- Enable the use of smaller lifting equipment to reduce safety risks
- Reduce carbon emission
- Enhance construction efficiency and shorten construction period