Ferritic stainless steels in structural applications

• Recent research into the use of ferritic stainless steel in structural engineering applications.
• A recent European project (SAFSS) on ferritics.
• Laboratory experiments both at ambient and elevated temperature.
• Numerical analysis in order to study a wide range of parameters.
• The proposed design guidance.

Ferritic stainless steels are low cost, price-stable, corrosion-resistant materials. Although widely used in the automotive and domestic appliance sectors, structural applications are scarce owing to a dearth of performance data and design guidance. The characteristics of ferritics make them appropriate for structures requiring strong and moderately durable structural elements with attractive metallic surface finishes. The present paper provides an overview of the structural behaviour of ferritic stainless steels, including a summary of the findings of a recent European project (SAFSS) on ferritics. Laboratory experiments have been completed including material tests as well as structural member tests, both at ambient and elevated temperatures. The experimental data is supplemented by numerical analysis in order to study a wide range of parameters. The findings of this work have enabled design guidance to be proposed, as discussed herein.