Mild steel is an exceedingly strong material and a majority of steel construction is done with it. A first-time foray into the steel building venture requires that you have a flawless design drawing. It may appear more like a complicated code that calls for expert decoders to the layman.
However, if you know your way around the steel building industry, you can decipher the drawings fairly easily.
If you have a steel building project, you are best advised to work with the experts to be assured that it is going to come out right. A visit to the Smart Space Website will quickly assure you that you are in the right place.
Features of Steel
Aside from strength, steel framing is very malleable. It does not break when bent which makes it an excellent choice for locations that are prone to strong winds or earthquakes. Important features of steel therefore include the following:
- Strength
- Malleability
- Ductility
The last feature means that should steel be hit with a great force, it will not suddenly crack. It slowly loses its shape thus giving you time to clear out. Steel will also suddenly crumble to the ground. It is the most preferred material for construction in earthquake-prone areas because it is pretty durable and will not just topple over without warning.
However, steel is not very good in a fire. Its strength wanes fast and must therefore be protected by wrapping it with boards or fire protection (spray-on material).
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Where to Use Frame Structures
You will find steel structures mostly used in the following:
- Industrial Buildings: Steel is able to create large span spaces without costing too much.
- High Rise structures: This is because of three main qualities: relatively low weight, strength and fast to construct.
- Residential Buildings: They are used in houses and flats in a technique that is known as ‘light gauge steel construction’.
- Warehouses: Warehouses need large span spaces which, as discussed earlier, steel is loved for.
- Temporary Buildings: They are as quick to install as they are to dismantle.
Kinds of Steel Fabrication
The following are the types of steel building construction:
- Bolted Steel Construction
Finished and painted steel components are produced by steel constructors. They are then transported to the construction site and installed.
- Conventional Steel Construction
Groups of steel fabricators cut pieces of steel to the required lengths, and then they join the pieces together for the final structure.
- Light Gauge Steel Construction
It looks a lot like wood framed construction but with steel instead of wood. The steel is in thin sheets and bent to form C or Z shapes.
Weight
Compared to other structures such as concrete ones, steel structures weigh significantly less. In fact, a single-storey concrete building can weigh as much as twelve times heavier than a steel one. The difference is not as much in multi-storey structures since concrete must be used to build the slabs to cut down costs.
Conclusion
Steel buildings are quick to put up, flexible and malleable as they can be bent into your shape of choice. However, they are vulnerable to extremely high temperatures and must be protected. They also do not do well in humidity.
