The construction world out there does not use steel building pros enough. Builders abroad have already combined the reality of buildings with metal structures. The world of large structures like industrial, commercial buildings, sports centers, bridges, etc. are mainly making with metal frames. There is a real culture call civil structures like Houses, offices, schools, etc. also making with metal frames.
However, a force must use steel building pros for its superior mechanical resistance. In this short article, we will try to clarify why!
Features of steel building pros
There are numerous metal alloys used or usable in iron, copper, aluminum, or zinc-based construction. But, the most common iron/carbon alloy is carbon steel. In common language, we call it “iron” and from now on we will simply call it steel.
Steel building pros:-Experts characterize the alloys for construction by excellent mechanical strength, high flexibility, and ductility. Among the building materials, steel is certainly the most resistant. It allows the construction of the “lightest” structural elements with the same performance. Its flexibility makes it the ideal material for anti-seismic constructions.
However, in some cases, extreme flexibility can become a problem. So, one must compensate it with specific stiffening measures such as profile increase, bracing, composite profiles, collaborating elements, etc.
Typical characteristics of steel structures are:
- The lightness of the structures (five / six times less than the similar structure in reinforced concrete)
- Small footprint
- Possibility of reassembling
- Quick installation
- Possibility of reaching large spans and large changes without many economic costs
- Durability
- Possibility of increasing its resistance to corrosion or fire through the simple application of surface treatments
The artistic value of the material
Numerous designs currently exploit steel building pros not only for their technical qualities but for their aesthetic characteristics. This recalls technology, modernity, and industry. In ordinary construction methods, the costs of building a house with a metal structure are substantially similar to the cost of building a traditional brick structure.
However, when you want to create particularly open distribution solutions, large spans, or overhangs, the metal structures become significantly cheaper. This is because they adapt to more common and therefore less expensive partitioning and finishing solutions.
Particularly in renovations, the variation and layering of materials such as steel, wood, and brick, allows achieving artistic results. In the new structures, the combination with wood or plasterboard creates a strong relationship between modernity and tradition. This modernizes the spaces avoiding the coldness of some modern buildings.
Advantages of steel building pros
Let us further read the typical advantages of the highest quality metal structures. The following will give us an idea about five steel building pros:-
Resistance:
Metal structures are the most resistant. This makes them particularly suitable in situations where the work of the structural part is important. Buildings with large spans or extensions or in areas prone to earthquakes are some examples.
Also, with the same performance, steel structures are decidedly lighter than those in reinforced concrete or artifact. They are comparable to those in wood due to the best weight/strength ratio. This makes them excellent for building in seismic areas (less weight= less swinging force) and on low-bearing soils.
Durability:
When properly treated or protected, steel buildings are extremely strong and it retains its characteristics over time. We all know that ordinary structural advantage causes rust. However, the covering of the house protects it (or by treatments such as plating, if atmospheric agents affect it).
There are outdoor steel artifacts that are now over a hundred years old such as bridges, towers, etc. Not to mention steel building tools, elements, or similar alloys that are protected inside buildings have lasted for centuries.
Also, being mass-produced elements, they are pre-drilled and welded in the workshop. Therefore, they need:-
- few site operations such as lifting and bolting
- some personnel
- few types of equipment like lifting equipment and keys
- and a short time to assemble the house.
Certification and detectable:
The steel supply chain is subject to numerous verification’s and certifications as the suppliers rigidly trace it. Consequently, the mechanical performance of each element is safe and guaranteed. It does not present the typical risks of the elements produced on-site such as reinforced concrete.
Aesthetics:
There are many ways to enhance the metal structure so that it fully fits into the interiors of the house. This makes one enjoy steel building pros. It is possible to leave some elements or the whole structure exposed by correctly combining other materials of the house. Steel is also known for its skillfulness.
The metal element can adapt to any use by combining with other construction techniques such as workmanship, reinforced concrete, or wood.
Ductility:
It is a typical property or advantage of steel construction. It allows this material to absorb and scatter forces such as those of an earthquake within the structural elements. Thus making it the ideal material for constructions in areas prone to earthquakes.
Light profile structures
The same philosophy of traditional wooden frame structures design the light profile structures. Manufacturers make the base profiles with thin sheet metal. This is very similar to the material that they use for plasterboard steelworks strength systems.
Builders position the elements in all respects of typical wooden houses as it indicates an evolution of the same technique. This typology is widespread in northern European and Anglo-Saxon countries where the light frame house culture is still present.
The technique was probably born because the workers were already used to building with a hacksaw and screwdriver. Therefore, the modern market has decided to satisfy their needs. Thus proposing an alternative solution that would allow obtaining lighter, more durable, and resistant structures with the same ease of installation.
It is perhaps the least widespread of the techniques. It provides “dry” type finishes, i.e without the use of concrete, basin, plasterboard panels, wood, fiber cement, or synthetic materials.
UNI profile structures
The most common and mainly used structures are UNI profiles (the so-called “beams”). They are known as easy to find and work with very handy as they exist in a wide range of formats. They can therefore cover quite important lights without special processes or constructions.
These structures are even easy to weld. So, they lend themselves to the creation of bolted joints. This helps in a fast and sound installation of steel construction to exploit the benefits of steel.
The high welding ability of these profiles also allows the creation of special and exclusive pieces. These prices are customized for the structure without additional taxes. The thick structure does not require any special treatments if we protect it from humidity and heat.
It is possible that the structure has visible portions or there is a risk of stagnation of humidity due to exposure. In this case, the technician must evaluate the correct treatment of the surface. The treatment will depend on the exposure. He must look for conditions in which the elements are usually plated for the outside and painted for the inside.
In this case, the finish is completely free. The infills can be made both with the dry technique and wet like brick walls, gaston, or concrete.
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