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BENEFITS OF STEEL STRUCTURE
Steel structure is a construction method in which steel columns and beams are assembled to create a support for floors, roofs, cladding, internal fixtures, finishing and occupants. This article will look at the advantages of steel structures over other construction materials and why they are a common choice in modern buildings.
HIGHER STRENGTH
Steel has a higher density than timber or concrete which means that for the same dimensions, steel will be heavier. However, a length of 50mm x 100mm steel will be able to carry more load than the same length of 50mm x 100mm timber. In practice, this means that less steel is necessary to provide the same amount of support.
The consequences of this decrease in material use are reduced material shipping costs, reduced labour and simplified design of foundations and other structural supports.
LONGEVITY
Steel can last longer than timber or concrete, assuming that all three are properly maintained.
Unlike timber, steel does not split, crack, or creep as it ages. It is not vulnerable to insect attack and lacks porosity, so mould and mildew cannot grow. It does not warp, rot, or expand when there is an increase in moisture. However, contact with water must be prevented as corrosion may result.
To protect the steel, a coating of fire-resistant and water-resistant material must be applied. The fire-resistant material prevents the steel from losing its strength and integrity in a fire while the water-resistant material prevents rusting.
VERSATILITY
Structural steel can be fabricated into different shapes while still maintaining its strength. The use of steel allows for creative and innovative designs. Architects and other designers use this capability to create structures that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally sound.
Structural steel also allows for the creation of large-span buildings such as indoor arenas and aircraft hangars, as well as the capability to build very high skyscrapers, bridges and other structures.
It is also easy to future-proof steel structures because they are more conducive to structural addition or modification, such as renovations or expanding the size of an existing building.
SUSTAINABILITY
The use of computer modelling before fabrication reduces the amount of scrap steel produced.
Any scrap that is produced can be recycled for use in other projects. Steel is endlessly recyclable because it does not lose any inherent properties such as strength when it is melted down and recast.
It is possible to reuse timber by transforming it into other things, such as tables or chairs, but there will come a time when the scrap wood is too small or the shape is too awkward to work with. Concrete can also be broken down for use in future mixes, but is only successfully used for works such as pavements.
SAFETY
The tensile strength of steel structures allows them to perform well under a range of natural phenomena such as hurricanes, seismic activity and snow loads.
These phenomena become more problematic as the structure becomes higher. Steel also performs better in man-made emergencies such as explosions and impact.
On lower structures, timber offers enough flexibility but there will also be a fire risk. Steel is non-combustible so it is not a fire risk but, unlike concrete, its strength becomes compromised when subject to extreme temperatures. However, concrete in itself is not very flexible so its tensile strength must be increased by reinforcing it with steel.
FASTER BUILD-TIMES
Computer-assisted manufacturing of standardised bolted connections and repetitive floor plates make production faster while standardisation and regulatory policies have made structural steel components dependable and easy to erect.
The steel structures are prefabricated offsite to fit a certain specification before being sent to the construction site. After they are sent out, they are immediately ready to be assembled by bolting or welding the pieces together, unlike in-situ concrete, where it is necessary to wait for a section to cure before continuing the construction.
There is also no need for temporary formwork which needs to be assembled and then dismantled afterward, delaying the construction as well as producing waste.
COST-EFFECTIVE
Since steel structures are fabricated off-site, on-site labour can be reduced by 10%-20%. Fewer workers also mean fewer accidents.
Shorter construction times result in less financing costs, fewer interest payments, and means that the building can be used or rented as soon as possible for faster payback.
Steel is durable so maintenance costs in terms of repairs and replacements can be lower. Insurance companies may also offer cheaper premium insurance for structures that are constructed with steel because of their ability to withstand decay, pests, and natural disasters.
SPACE MAXIMISATION
By being stronger, bays within steel structures can be spaced wider apart, which also creates wider bays. The wider available space allows for more flexible floor designs that can maximise the available space. Although concrete is also strong, it has a more limited floor-to-floor construction height as well as inferior spanning.
In housing, the use of steel can reduce the need for load-bearing timber posts, thereby maximising floor space in an age of sky-rocketing property prices.
