STEEL AND CONSTRUCTION IN FRANCE

Steel is a very common material, used anywhere for construction : buil dings (offices on housing), civil works (bridges). However, it appears chat in France, concrete has a very strong leadership position, and t hat steel practice and use is relatively weak in comparison with other equivalent countries. It is shown that the use of steel in constructi on depends widely upon the kind of construction (housing, schools, off ices, industrial, storages...), and also upon the required function (s tructure, facade, roof floors...). As it is known, steels are improvin g. Several new products from steel-producers will find new technologic al development and application in the field of construction : use of h igh stress yield steel, plates with varying thickness, elliptical holl ow sections, composite floors, flat coated products, stainless steel, fire resistance. It is a great chance, and a great responsibility for steel industry to promote and stimulate the knowledge and promotion of these new products. Even if; at least, the quantities are less, it is important to improve the serviceability of steel components in constr uction.