Standing the test of time

Stainless steel reinforcement (rebar) is increasingly being specified for its excellent corrosion resistance, long-term performance and economic benefits.

There are many advantages to using stainless steel rebar:

• Excellent durability, fire resistance and structural performance.
• Exceptional corrosion resistance in harsh marine environments, resisting chlorides and pitting corrosion.
• Extended service life and reduced life cycle costs.
• Minimal maintenance costs and therefore less disruption of service for refurbishment or replacement.
• Easy to cut and bend, good weldability.
• Cathodic protection is not required.
• Reduced concrete cover, minimising costs and delivering a more lightweight, higher tensile structure. Cracks are less

Stainless steel mesh has combined form and function in a patient-centred design to deliver a safe, outdoor sanctuary for recovering mental health patients.

Ancient civilisations understood the critical importance of daylight associated with human health, happiness, and wellbeing. Today, there is increased interest in green architecture, with natural light and air becoming a significant design consideration. Studies suggest that light and nature should be strongly considered when building new medical facilities, because of their positive effects on recovery.

Austin Hospital in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburb of Heidelberg is a leading healthcare, teaching and research facility renowned for its specialist services in

Australian innovation driving sustainability

For over 30 years ASSDA Member Stormtech has been at the forefront of Australian innovation delivering stainless steel linear drainage solutions for the local and global architecture and design industries.

Stormtech is an Australian family business that began operations in 1989 and was established on the invention of a special drainage grate. Founder John Creighton was approached by an architect to help design a hobless shower for a wheelchair-bound client wishing to shower independently. Creative thinking and innovative engineering led to the birth of a unique stainless steel drainage design that delivered excellent surface water removal

The seaside town of Terrigal on the New South Wales’ Central Coast has welcomed a new addition to its foreshore with a scenic walkway using stainless steel.

The long-awaited Terrigal Boardwalk connects the existing pedestrian networks of the Terrigal Beach promenade and The Haven, providing a safe and accessible route around the headland. The new attraction provides social, health and economic benefits for the local community, allowing visitors and tourists to enjoy the public space and ocean front area.

The project was jointly funded by the Central Coast Council ($2.9M) and the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Regional Growth Environment and

Stainless steel is used for a wide range of structural applications including:

• Beams, columns, platforms and supports in processing plant for the water treatment, pulp and paper, nuclear, biomass, chemical, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage industries;

• Primary beams and columns, pins, barriers, railings, cable sheathing and expansion joints in bridges;

• Entrance structures, canopies, cladding and support systems for masonry;

• Security barriers, blast walls, hand railing and coastal structures. 

Case studies of a range of structural applications are available at the case studies section of  www.teamstainless.org/resources/information-center-for-stainless-steel-in-construction.

This introduction to structural design in stainless steel aims to highlight differences between the

Stainless steel lanterns now adorn the streets of Melbourne’s Chinatown, celebrating the cultural character of the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the western world.

Chinese lanterns are a symbol of Chinese culture worldwide, initially used to provide light and later adopted for religious worship, decoration and celebration. Traditionally made from silk or paper, the City of Melbourne recently evolved the Chinese hanging lanterns featured on Little Bourke Street from cloth to stainless steel.

In extensive consultation with the Chinatown Precinct Association, the City of Melbourne and GHD (Structural Engineers) reimagined the classic lantern with a detailed design that preserved the

ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator Southern Stainless have taken outdoor entertaining to a new level with their custom-designed and Australian made stainless steel gas fire pit.

Alfresco living is a strong part of Australian culture, and Gold Coast based Southern Stainless saw an opportunity to bring warmth and elegance to the outdoor space with the use of stainless steel. Starting the design process in 2015 and with over 18 months of research and development, a stainless steel gas fire pit was born, meeting both Australian Standards and gas regulations. 

Elegant and simplistic in its design, Australia’s harsh coastal conditions

With a striking and innovative design evoking visions of the Singapore based Helix Bridge, stainless steel has formed an integral part in creating one of Sydney’s most exciting new structures.

Commissioned by Landcom as part of the Lachlan Line Precinct development project in North West Sydney’s Macquarie Park, the yet to be officially named cyclist bridge provides visual flair, safe accessibility, and excitement to the area. In an area with typically heavy traffic congestion, the project’s promotion of reduced car dependency creates a significant positive impact to the surrounding environment.

The design is the first of its kind in Australia,

When comparing hot and cold formed stainless steel, the first question you would ask yourself is: are there any chemical differences between the two? ASSDA has previously published articles on the various surface finishes including the few hot and multiple cold finished processes, however this article concentrates on the differences. 

Since the 1970s, most stainless steel is produced by melting in an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and then the molten stainless steel is transferred to an Argon Oxygen Decarburisation (AOD) vessel or, less commonly, a Vacuum Oxygen Decarburisation (VOD) vessel. These processes control impurities such as carbon, sulphur, nitrogen, hydrogen

World-class processing systems demand high quality products, innovative features, and long-term yield increase, all of which have been delivered through superior workmanship, engineering, and the use of stainless steel.

ASSDA Member, INOX Australia, was engaged by a Melbourne based stock and soup manufacturer to design the integral process, fabricate, install, and commission a beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetable stock processing system. The processing system is entirely fabricated in stainless steel as it has been essential to the project design and fabrication, being the material of choice in demanding hygienic environments that involve high heat. 

Exceeding their client’s expectations, INOX

A mainstay in the processing of sewage water in water recycling applications, stainless steel once again plays a critical part in working towards a sustainable future.

Western Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), south of Werribee in Melbourne’s Western District, is a critical asset responsible for processing around half of the city’s total sewage. The process requires a massive footprint, where a series of large lagoons use anaerobic (without oxygen) and aerobic (with oxygen) bacteria to sequentially break down and clean the feed water of solids and gases. The resultant recycled water is used for multiple non-drinking purposes, including irrigation and firefighting. 

Australian Stainless is a leading industry magazine devoted to showcasing the unique diversity and durability of stainless steel. Since its inception in 1993, Australian Stainless has assisted and encouraged specifiers and end users of stainless steel, with a focus on local fabrication.

For 17 years, Australian Stainless has been enjoyed by more than 8,000 readers across the country. In October 2009, Australian Stainless Online was launched to provide a readily available live news feed to a wider audience around the world. Australian Stainless is published by the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA), a non-profit industry