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Steel frame construction is steadily increasing its market share in the construction and civil engineering sector. However, is steel framing an effective construction method compared to the alternatives? In this article we will weigh out the pros and cons of structural steel frame construction as a guide for developers and design engineers exploring different construction options.
Understanding Steel Frame Construction
Steel frame construction used to be primarily used for large, simple structures, such as garages, large agricultural buildings and warehouses &#; as well as high-rise buildings. This is how steel frame construction is still understood in popular belief, but it is now also used for a wide range of other types of development, including offices, factories, schools, public buildings and some residential dwellings.
Steel frame construction is a good option for a diversity of projects for many reasons, including:
- Durability
- Affordability
- Sustainability
Structural steel components can quickly be fabricated off-site and then transported to the construction site when needed, minimising onsite labour requirements and reducing the impact of variables that can delay a project, such as adverse weather.
This aside, there are several distinct advantages to steel frame construction from the point of view of fabrication, as well as a couple of disadvantages. These will be noted below:
Advantages of Steel Frame Construction
Steel frame constructions offer the following advantages compared to brick, concrete and wooden constructions.
1) Strength & Durability
Structural steel components are lighter and stronger than weight-bearing wood or concrete products. A typical weight-bearing steel fabrication is 30% to 50% lighter than a wooden equivalent. This makes steel frame construction far stronger and more durable than traditional wood framed alternatives.
2) Easy Fabrication In Different Sizes
Steel studs are available in a variety of sizes and can be fabricated order. This means they can be customised to bear specific loads in buildings of all different types and sizes.
3) Fire Resistance
Steel frame constructions are highly resistant to fire, reducing the fire risk to a building and retarding the spread of a fire should one occur. Special flame retardant coatings act to increase this property of structural steel.
4) Pest & Insect Resistant
Structural steel components are immune to the degrading effects of burrowing insects and mammals &#; which can cause a problem for wooden framework unless adequately treated.
5) Moisture & Weather Resistance
Structural steel can have good moisture resistant properties, depending on its carbon content. Hot zinc coating and extra powder treatments for enhanced rust resistance will make a structural steel component even more immune to the effects of water &#; an important consideration for components exposed to the weather.
The Disadvantages of Steel Frame Construction
Steel frame constructions do have a couple of disadvantages, the most regularly cited being:
1) Thermal Conductivity
Steel is not known for its warmth, due to its high efficiency in conducting heat. The insulation value of walls can be reduced by as much as half when heat is transferred away through steel studs, which is not good news for energy retention in a building. Where steel frame construction is used, insulation measures need to be put in place to counteract the thermal conductivity of steel.
2) Reduced Flexibility On Site
One of the benefits of using wooden structural components is the ability to adjust them on site. A component can be cut down to size, nails hammered in to strengthen the join and so on. This obviously can&#;t happen with steel. The measurements of steel need to be precisely calculated in advance, because a steel fabrication is delivered to site in its final form, ready to be slotted into the building. This is of course one of the big advantages of steel, but if the fabrication has resulted in an inaccurate component for whatever reason, the project may be held up while the framework is sent back to the workshop for adjustment. You can avoid this issue by working with a fabrication company such as GLW, where we take a consultative approach to accuracy and measurements from the very beginning, to avoid any unpleasant surprises on site.
3) Supporting Structures
Steel frame constructions rarely work on their own. They usually require drywall, sheathing, insulation and supplementary wooden components to bring a building together. In the opinion of some construction businesses, this longer construction time is an argument against steel frame constructions, although usually the time savings outweigh any adjustments that need to be made on site.
Steel Frame Constructions For Your Project?
If you are in the planning stages of a development and want help deciding whether steel frame construction is a good choice for you, please get in touch with one of our engineers today. We can talk you through your different fabrication options and explain how structural steel fabrications can increase the sturdiness of your building, reduce building costs and cut construction time.
For a guide to working with subcontractors on structural steel fabrication, please download our new guide: How To Ensure Quality, Compliance & Lead Time When Hiring Steel Fabrication Companies. With sections covering legal compliance, metal finishing, selecting a fabrication partner and common mistakes to avoid; a complimentary copy of the e-book can be accessed by clicking here.
What are the advantages of steel frame construction?
- Reliability
- Easy Fabrication
- Streamlined Construction and Erection
- Ideal Strength-to-Weight Ratio
- Elasticity
- Enhanced Resistance
- Additions To Existing Structures
- Possible Reuse or Scrap Value
- Capable of Long Span Construction
- Applicable For Water-Tight And Air-Tight Constructions
- Can Be Used For Temporary Construction
What are the disadvantages of steel frame construction?
- High Maintenance Costs
- Higher Initial Cost
- Thermal Conductivity
- Reduced Flexibility On-Site
- Supporting Structures
Steel frame construction is primarily used for large, simple structures. But nowadays, a wide range of buildings, such as offices, schools, public buildings, and even residential dwellings are made from steel.
This growing use is largely due to the many benefits that structural steel provides. But as with anything else in the world, using steel to build has its downsides. In this article, we dive into the advantages and disadvantages of structural steel structures.
What Are The Advantages Of Steel Frame Construction?
Steel frame constructions offer the following benefits, which may put them above brick, concrete, and other construction materials:
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Reliability
Steel is a very homogeneous and uniform material. This means that steel products tend to be very reliable and predictable. As a result, there is better quality control and consistency in structural steel pieces. And, even when factoring in different specimens or grades of steel, variations for yield stress, strength, and elongation are much smaller than in other construction materials, like wood.
Easy Fabrication
Steel products are available in many forms and sizes, and can even be fabricated as a custom order. This means that structural steel can be made to bear specific loads in buildings of all shapes and sizes.
Streamlined Construction and Erection
Steel fabrication can be much easier and quicker than other kinds of construction materials. And, because work is fast, these structural steel pieces can be delivered and put to use much faster &#; making construction and erection more economical.
Ideal Strength-To-Weight Ratio
Structural steel has the ideal strength-to-weight ratio among all construction materials. Despite their incredible strength, they are much lighter than weight-bearing wood or concrete products by 30 to 50%. This makes steel a very advantageous material to use for building frames and platforms.
Enhanced Resistance
Steel has enhanced resistance &#; it&#;s especially resistant to fire and combustion. Using steel may reduce the fire risk of your building significantly. There are also special flame retardant coatings you can apply to steel to increase its resistance.
Aside from that, they are also pest and insect resistant. So, they are immune to the damaging effects of burrowing insects and animals, such as rats and termites.
Further, they are moderately weather resistant. Depending on the steel grade&#;s carbon content, coating, and powder treatment, it can reliably resist rust, high winds, and other effects of inclement weather.
Additions To Existing Structures
Additions to existing steel buildings are quite easy to make and attach. Connections between new and existing structures can be made quickly and erected effectively &#; it&#;s not uncommon to see entire floors or wings added to existing buildings. Another example is steel bridges, which are often widened with new steel platforms and lanes.
Possible Reuse or Scrap Value
In every construction project, there is the possibility of scrap components and faulty products. But, with structural steel, there is the possibility of recycling or recouping costs. Steel sections can be reused after a temporary or damaged structure has been disassembled. Other pieces will have scrap value, even with extensive damage.
Capable of Long Span Construction
If you&#;re planning to make a high-rise building or long-span structure, then structural steel is the material for you. Countless tall commercial buildings, long bridges, and more are made of structural steel. This is because structures are sturdy and reliable, and can be reinforced with steel plate girders or trusses.
Applicable For Water-Tight And Air-Tight Constructions
Steel products are also non-porous and can be fabricated into seamless products. This is ideal for applications that need impervious material. This is why steel is preferred for structures like water reservoirs, oil pipes, gas pipes, and the like.
Can Be Used For Temporary Construction
For temporary construction, steel is always the preferred material. This is because structures are easily assembled and disassembled through a few bolts. And, as mentioned, transport and erection are more economical when using steel pieces.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Steel Frame Construction?
Despite all the advantages that steel offers for construction, it comes with some disadvantages.
High Maintenance Costs
Steel is susceptible to corrosion, especially without protective paint, galvanization, or coating. So, they typically require regular maintenance and painting to reduce the risk of corrosion. If not properly maintained, steel structures can lose as much as 1 mm of their thickness to corrosion every year.
Higher Initial Cost
In most countries, steel is not a highly available material. As a result, their initial costs are higher when compared to other structural materials, which may be in abundance. Sourcing new steel for repairs or additions in this case can also be quite costly.
Thermal Conductivity
Steel is known for its high thermal conductivity. In some applications, this may be an advantage. But in most cases, this can cause the structure to be inefficient in energy consumption and insulation. You may end up spending more on your cooling systems to keep the inside of your building cool and comfortable and counteract the thermal conductivity of steel.
Reduced Flexibility On-Site
Because steel fabrication is precise, they are delivered on-site in their final form. While this is a good thing, it does pose a problem if measurements were off or sudden adjustments need to be made.
Steel is hard to alter when on-site. You can possibly cut them down to size or weld components together, but this is a time-consuming process that can only be done by experienced and licensed workers.
Supporting Structures
Steel structures are rarely finished on their own. These structures typically need other components, such as insulation, drywall, sheathing, and other supplementary components to complete a building. In some cases, the construction time and overall costs might outweigh the benefits of using such a material.
Key Takeaway
Taking in all the advantages and disadvantages of steel frame construction, it&#;s easy to see why this material is an increasingly popular one in the world of construction.
If you&#;re in the planning stages of your construction project and are unsure of whether steel is the right material for the job, get in touch with Regan Industrial Sales, Inc. today. Our team can talk you through our different steel products and fabrication services to help you make a better-informed decision.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of sheet metal type frame. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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