Definition & Scope
- A structure which is made from organised combination of structural steel members designed to carry loads and provide adequate rigidity.
- Steel structures involve sub-structure or members in a building made from structural steel.
- Structural member is physically distinguishable part of structure with independent structural function, e.g. member, element, cable and their combination.
Advantages of Steel Structure
- High strength.
- The high ratio of strength to weight (the strength per unit weight).
- Excellent ductility and seismic resistance.
- Withstand extensive deformation without failure even under high tensile stress.
- Elasticity, uniformity of material.
- Predictability of properties, close to design assumption.
- Ease of fabrication and speed of erection.
- Susceptibility to corrosion.
- Maintenance costs / thin-walled structure.
- Loss of strength at elevated temperature.
- Fireproofing costs.
- Susceptibility to buckling.
- Slender member in compression.
- Fatigue and brittle fracture.
Where & when use steel structures
- Long-span structures
- Multi-storey & high-rise buildings
- Buildings of heavy duty plants
- Tower & mast structures
- Portal frames
- Bridges
- Infrastructures
- Deployable structures
- Generalized structures: mechanical
It was interesting to learn that structural steel has high strength and withstands corrosion well. I imagine you’d need to invest in structural steel from a supplier with many years in the industry. That way, you can trust that they know what they’re doing and will provide the best quality products.