With regards to its properties and chemical composition, structural steel is considered to be heavy steel which is formed into construction components like I-beams, H-beams and T-beams. People who make these sturdy and unique steel structures are called structural steel fabricators. The structural steel components are incorporated into different structural frames as load bearing members for heavy and building construction projects. Additionally, the size, tensile strength, shape, integrity, composition as well as other elements of structural steel forms is regulated, standardized and controlled.
Benefits of Structural Steel Fabricators
Structural steel is typically used for columns, beams and in building as well as bridge skeletons. It is also the material of choice since it has a number of construction efficiency, durability, safety and overall cost benefits.
- Productivity/Constructability. Structural steel is inspected, fabricated and tested off-site in order to confirm to standard specifications. The materials are delivered to project sites for the purpose of immediate use. This process supports the schedule of construction and improves the overall construction productivity. The components of structural steel are welded, bolted or tied together in construction.
- Strength. Structural steel is considered to be one of the most commonly used material in commercial as well as industrial construction since it has relatively high strength-to-weight, robustness, stiffness and ductile properties. There are other materials that fail to meet the strength in structural steel even if they are already reinforced. Take for example structural steel which has yielded stress of about 50,000 psi pr pounds per square inch in both tension and compression, compared to the strength of concrete which has a compressive yield stress of about 12 to 15 ksi.
- Sustainability. Structural steel can be recycled fully as well as reused without further processing it. The only water that is used when producing structural steel is make-up water which is added to a closed loop recycling process. No amount of water is used in discharge or fabrication in the environment.
- Fire resistant. Structural steel is considered to be noncombustible. However, when they are used in high-rise construction in accordance with the International Building Code (IBC), the steel should be enveloped with materials that are fire-resistant. Fire resistant materials are typically water resistant.
- Anti-corrosive. Structural steel also tends to corrode every time it is in contact with water. The result is a loss of structural integrity as well as potentially dangerous structure. In order to reduce the potential for corrosion and its adverse effects, structural steel fabricators usually blast, prime and then paint the material.
- Mold and mildew proof. Structural steel is mainly used in porous and moist environments wherein mildew and mold typically propagate and takes place usually in residential buildings. The steel studs are determined to minimize the infestations.
- Cost efficiency. The structural steel remains to be the most cost efficient material compared to other similar framing and support system. For example, the structural steel framing system costs about 7 percent less than a concrete framing system. You can save when you opt for the structural steel.