What is the steel structure?
The steel structure is a metal structure which is made of structural steel* components connect with each other to carry loads and provide full rigidity. Because of the high strength grade of steel, this structure is reliable and requires less raw materials than other types of structure like concrete structure and timber structure.
In modern construction, the steel structure is used for almost every type of structure including heavy industrial building, high-rise building, equipment support system, infrastructure, bridge, tower, an airport terminal, heavy industrial plant, pipe rack, etc. Structural steel is steel construction material which fabricated with a specific shape and chemical composition to suit a project’s applicable specifications.
Depending on each project’s applicable specifications, the steel sections might have various shapes, sizes and gauges made by hot or cold rolling, others are made by welding together flat or bent plates. Common shapes include the I-beam, HSS, Channels, Angles and Plate.
Main structural types
- Frame structures: Beams and columns
- Grids structures: latticed structure or dome
- Prestressed structures
- Truss structures: Bar or truss members
- Arch structure
- Arch bridge
- Beam bridge
- Cable-stayed bridge
- Suspension bridge
- Truss bridge: truss members
Advantages of Structural Steel Structures
1- Steel is tensile. It has a high strength to weight ratio which means it has high strength per unit mass. So no matter how large the overall structure is, the steel sections will be small and lightweight, unlike other building materials.
2- Steel can be easily fabricated and produced massively. Steel sections can be produced off-site at shop floors and then assembled onsite. This saves time and increases the efficiency of the overall construction process.
3- Structural steel is very flexible. You can mould it into any shape, without changing its properties. You can convert it into sheets or turn it into wires as per the design.
4- Structural steel is relatively cheap compared to other building materials.
5- It is very durable. Structural steel structures can withstand external pressures such as earthquakes, thunderstorms, and cyclones. A well-built steel structure can last up to 30 years if maintained well.
Disadvantages of Structural Steel Structures
1- Steel is an alloy of iron. This makes it susceptible to corrosion. This problem can be solved to some extent using anti-corrosion applications.
2- It has high maintenance costs as it has to be painted to make it corrosion-resistant
3- There are extensive fireproofing costs involved as steel is not fireproof. In high temperatures, steel loses its properties.
4- Buckling is an issue with steel structures. As the length of the steel column increases the chances of buckling also increases.
5- Steel has a high expansion rate with changing temperatures. This can be detrimental to the overall structure.
