Structural Steel

About Structural Steel

Steel is one of the most used construction materials worldwide. Its unique properties make it highly applicable in different areas of structural and framing operations.

Durable, stable, resistant to corrosion (when adequately coated), with an excellent strength to weight ratio, structural steel is the metal of choice of many engineers, architects, and designers. Being also affordable and cost-effective in the long run adds to its range of advantages as a structural component in high-rise structures, bridges, and similar, substantial investments. 

Steel comes in different grades and shapes. Its most basic form is an alloy composed of iron and a minuscule amount of carbon, while other elements can be added to improve specific properties. Several production methods apply microstructure change and necessary heat treatments to solidsolid-state-state make it more tensile resistant and corrosion-free. 

Structural Steel Applications

Construction

About a quarter of the entire structural steel production ends up in construction. The broad field of applications include skyscrapers, hangars, bridges, and various industrial places.

• Steel frames - they form the skeleton of a structure, providing the support and shape for buildings. The frames are designed to handle the vertical and horizontal loads of the building and provide resistance to natural forces.
• Beams and columns - Beams provide support for the floors and roof, while columns are the vertical members that transmit the load of the structure to the foundations. They work in unison to create a stable framework.
• Bars - Steel bars can be used as reinforcing bars (rebar) in concrete to increase tensile strength. They can also serve as components in trusses or other structural elements.
• Girders - Typically large beams, especially those that span large distances or support exceptionally heavy loads. They often form the main horizontal supports in structures and can be distinguished by their size and load-bearing capabilities.
• Plates - Steel plates are used in construction for joining sections, as base plates under columns or beams, and for creating strong, flat surfaces or as walls in buildings and other structures.

Mining

Mining is another industry with substantial application of structural steel, particularly for reinforcing the shafts. Besides strength and durability, the key advantage of structural steel here is the smooth surface, easy to clean and maintain.

• Reinforcement of Shafts: Structural steel reinforces mining shafts, offering the strength needed to counteract underground pressures and maintain miner safety.
• Offices: On-site mining offices utilize structural steel for rapid assembly and resilience against tough conditions.
• Mining Screens: Steel is critical in crafting durable mining screens for mineral sorting and separation.
• Fluidised Bed Boilers: Structural steel underpins the construction of fluidised bed boilers in mineral processing for its robustness against heat and weight.
• Various Buildings: Workshops, storage, and processing plants in mines rely on structural steel for their flexible and sturdy frameworks.

Energy

Steel is used in industrial buildings in renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

• Transmission Towers: Steel forms the backbone of transmission towers, enabling the high-altitude transport of electrical energy over long distances.
• Pipelines: Steel pipelines are the arteries of the energy sector, transporting oil, gas, and biofuels across continents.
• Wind Turbines: High-strength steel is critical to the structure and durability of wind turbines, from towers to the internal mechanisms.
• Electromagnets: Steel alloys are key in constructing electromagnets used in various energy applications due to their magnetic properties.
• Transformer Cores: Silicon steel is used in transformer cores to enhance their efficiency in electricity transmission and distribution.
• Oil and Gas Wells: Steel casings reinforce oil and gas wells, ensuring their integrity and performance in extreme subsurface conditions.

Advantages of Structural Steel

• High strength to weight ratio: In this category, structural steel is far superior to its conventional counterparts, such as timber or cement. High strength to weight ratio means that the structure made of steel will hold better against substandard foundations.  
• Safety: Steel is non-combustible, resistant to mould or mildew, and doesn't splinter or shatter during extreme movement.
• Affordability: Lower projects costs, reduced construction timeline and labour.
• Adaptability: Steel frames and structures are highly adaptable and expanded easily.
• Ductility: Due to its elastic nature, steel can withstand substantial loads without collapsing. It typically returns to its natural shape after twisting or flexing.
• Toughness: Superior toughness values make it very suitable for all applications requiring pliable yet robust material able to carry higher loads.
• Architectural variety: Due to its properties, steel allows for the creation of unique designs.
• Space-savvy: Steel can perform with equal efficiency while taking half or less of available space compared to reinforced concrete and other more massive materials. 
• Sustainability: Some alloys contain over 90 per cent recycled material. Structural steel is 100 per cent recyclable without losing its properties. 

Types of Structural Steel

Different shapes and grades directly affect the alloy's performance. For that reason, standard steel types are determined by their most common applications.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel alloy contains copper in no more than 0.4%, with no other alloying element added to the formula. Carbon content further determines the categories as low-carbon (less than 0.3%), medium-carbon, high carbon, and ultrahigh carbon (up to 2%). It's best suited for applications such as piping and tubing. 

High Strength Low Alloy 

This type has advanced mechanical properties, such as high resistance to atmospheric corrosion, making them more suited for use in structural shapes and plates than carbon steels. The manganese content typically doesn't exceed 2.0%, while other elements such as nickel, chromium, or titanium can be added to amplify some properties.

Forged Steel

Shaping the metal in its solid state produces a uniform grain structure, eliminating issues such as removing voids or gas bubbles that may occur as side-effects of other methods. Forging increases the overall strength of the alloy. 

Quenched and Tempered Alloys

This type is commonly found in building constructions. As the name indicates, such steel has been subjected to treatments that enhance its corrosion resistance and its general behaviour.  

Things to Consider Before Buying Structural Steel

The application determines what alloy is best to use - even similar buildings of different sizes may require different types of steel.

It's also important to check local regulations regarding the use of structural steel. 

The quality of the alloy is one of the crucial factors to consider before purchasing. Regardless of the application, a poorly-made material will lead to unwanted issues sooner or later. It's best to choose a reputable supplier and ensure that the composition is suited to the purpose. 

The same applies to durability - a good alloy will not require frequent repairs or replacements. In addition, if anti-corrosive properties are important, it's strongly recommended to opt for galvanised steel with a protective zinc coating.

To enhance your house framing and structure, you can add other structural elements like:

Several additional elements can enhance a house: roof frames and trusses which offer structural support for spacious interiors and protect against environmental stresses, structural flooring which ensures even weight distribution and provides a stable foundation for interior finishes, structural wall panelling which enhances support, insulation, and aesthetic appeal, boosting energy efficiency and appearance, wall framing which maintains wall integrity and streamlines the installation of internal systems and finishes and masonry blocks which provide durability, and temperature regulation, resulting in a stable and efficient home.