Structural steel is major part of construction. It is used to build many things from tall buildings to bridges. Structural steel has many properties that allow for it to be used in many construction projects. It is a material favored by many professionals due to its many favorable qualities. Its characteristics differ in various ways from the concrete used in day to day construction.
What Are The Characteristics of Structural Steel?
Structural steel has many characteristics that make it a favorable material for certain construction projects. One of these characteristics is its strength. Structural steel is very strong. Its toughness and its pliability makes it a material that is often used in tall building. Structural steels strength means that it is resistant to cracking when placed under a lot of stress. Steel is also hard, which means that it has the ability to resist friction and abrasion.
Another great characteristic that structural steel possesses is its ability to be turned into any shape desired. Structural steel is easily bolted or welded during the construction process and on site. This also makes structural steel a material that saves time. Unlike concrete, structural steel does not require any waiting time before construction can continue. Structural steel is welded or bolted on site and construction can continue that same day.
Structural steel is also fire resistant. Even though it’s a noncombustible material, with enough fire and heat applied to it, its strength will be hindered. This is why during construction, structural steel is usually surrounded by fire-resistant materials to avoid any damage to the steel. This may add additional cost for the construction of structures.
Steel can also corrode when it comes in contact with water. Corrosion makes the steel weak which in turn makes structures weak. During construction, professionals have to make sure that the steel is somewhat water resistant just in the case that water does get through.
Another characteristic that makes structural steel a great material for construction is that it very rarely allows for the growth of mold. Unlike materials like wood, steel does not provide a surface where mold can grow easily. This is good because mold can be devastating to structures because it eats away and weakens materials.
Where Does Steel Get Its Properties From?
Steel gets its properties from a combination of many different things. It gets its properties from chemical compositions, from heat applied to the steel, and the process used in the creation of steel by the manufacturer.
Steels main component is iron, but adding other elements to it during its creation can have varying affects on the steel. For example, by adding alloys, the strength of the steel is improved. However, adding too much of these alloys can also negatively impact things such as the steels ability to be welded, its toughness, or its pliability.
Since the properties of steel can be changed and improved depending on what the steel is needed for, manufacturers make steel carefully to make sure that the appropriate properties needed for a specific project are met.
Why Use Structural Steel?
There are many reasons why structural steel should be used. One of these reasons is that structural steel is a cost affective material. The cost of the material itself is cost affective but it also enables for projects to move on quicker than if using materials like concrete that takes time to dry. Steel is also light in weight yet strong so that enables for professionals to create bigger spaces with the use of less columns. Since steel is easily changed, it also enables professionals to modify any existing structure to meet any changing structure needs.
