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WHAT IS STEEL? (Part 3)
Classification of Steel By Use and Application
According to the use, the classification of steel can be divided into:
§ Structural steel
§ Tool steel
§ Die steel
§ Spring steel
§ Bearing steel
§ Abrasion resistant steel (Wear-resistant steel)
§ Valve steel
§ Cold heading steel
§ Free cutting steel
§ Bridge steel
§ Marine steel
§ Boiler steel
§ Pressure vessel steel
§ Electrical steel, etc.
USES FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL
Structural steel has many uses across a wide variety of industries. Because of its immense strength to weight ratio, and its incredible resistance to damage, it is a perfect choice for the construction of large structures.
Structural steel fabricators can also create bespoke steel products which can be used across the building industry. Some conventional structural steel products include:
§ Steel beams (such as I-beams, otherwise known as universal beams)
§ Steel frame buildings (which are very advantageous)
§ Universal columns
§ Lintel beams
§ Parallel flange channels
§ Flitch plates
§ Steel railings
§ Steel gates
§ Staircases
As you can see, structural steel covers a wide range of products, many of which can be used in different industries. We have outlined some of the more specific applications of structural steel and how their properties help them in these applications.
STRUCTURAL STEEL APPLICATIONS
1. BRIDGES – bridges are constructed in numerous different environments, and their configurations can vary depending on where they are built and what they need to accommodate. It will also depend on the type of bridge design.
As such, certain grades of structural steel will be suitable for specific builds; each grade offers variations in tension, strength, compression, and shear levels. Using structural steel is ideal for bridges due to its high yield strength.
Bridges need to withstand exceptionally heavy loads, and of course, this is why you should use structural steel. Not to mention the fact that steel has excellent resistance to corrosion thanks to various types of steel finishing, which is handy for bridges situated over water.
2. TRANSPORT – most vehicles contain a sizeable portion of structural steel parts. Steel could be used in many of the internal components or the exterior protective sheets which protect the engine. Steel is used to manufacture trains, rails, trucks, cars, and aircraft, with structural steel proving exceptionally popular due to its elasticity, tensile strength, malleability and cost-effectiveness.
3. BUILDINGS – the vast range of structural steel grades and steel alloys allow it to be used for numerous different building applications. Whether high rise buildings or residential properties, there can always be a use for structural steel beams within a building.
It is particularly useful in the construction of buildings due to how wind-resistant it is, so when it is exposed to extreme conditions, it will only bend, but not snap. This is particularly beneficial for multi-storey buildings.
