7 reasons why Steel is a superior construction material


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Pragati Tiwari
23-5-2024

As the second-largest consumer of finished steel in the world, India's steel consumption is soaring due to government-led initiatives in the affordable housing and infrastructure sectors, as well as robust growth in automotive and capital goods. With the growing development need, there has been a rapid rise in the use of Steel as a building material for the construction business.

Steel's unique properties of high tensile strength and structural integrity make it a superior material to construct resilient structures. For example, the construction of the world's highest railway bridge in India is a testament to the strength of steel, as it is built to withstand extreme weather conditions. Steel offers better possibilities for decision-makers than conventional materials such as wood or concrete, making it an excellent choice for design freedom, safety requirements, and durability. As a result, steel is an increasingly popular material for a variety of uses, from residential construction to skyscrapers.

It also poses little to no threat to the environment, as our trees and forests don't need to be cut down to support it. Additionally, it is impervious to disasters such as fires, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Countless reasons have led to steel becoming the preferred building material for many large construction companies, and some of these are listed below:

Durability:

Steel is a highly durable and strong material with consistent and uniform features making it a perfect material for building and structural foundations. It has a better strength value and a longer life period than other materials. Modern technical advancements have enabled steel to provide precise design specifications, lowering the possibility of errors and harmful difficulties in construction projects.

When produced and constructed correctly, it is also weather-resistant, fire-resistant, and impervious to degradation. Steel helps optimize cost and time by speeding up the construction process, eliminating excessive costs connected with delays. Furthermore, steel may be produced to accurate measurements, lowering the overall time required to properly execute a construction project.

Recyclable:

Steel is completely recyclable, and it is one of the most recyclable materials in the world. It can be recycled or reused without further processing, reducing costs and waste. Furthermore, structural steel uses up the scrap yards, allowing assets for other uses. Steel utilization does not add to waste and prevents pollution of the environment without compromising its quality. To prevent increased costs, builders should employ steel roofs, windows, doors, and walls during construction which will also reduce demolition, labour costs, and product waste. Above that over time, the steel used in previous that turned into scrap can also be reused, saving vital resources.


Easily portable:

Steel can be rolled, stacked, and obtained in a variety of lengths, making it simple to carry. The steel frame is therefore an ideal option for projects at isolated locations. Additionally, structural steel is portable for on-site assembly because it is simple to cut and shape. The customizable material can be used to construct everything from bridges to buildings by cutting, shaping, and joining pieces together.

Safety:

The International Building Code necessitates that steel used in buildings be coated to be fire-resistant, even though steel is not a flammable material, because it threatens the integrity and strength of the building. A water-resistant coat application is also advised to protect steel from corrosion. Inside the steel, mould and mildew cannot flourish. Thus making it a great choice for construction.


Cost-effective:

Steel's use as a structural material is highly standardised and regulated. Steel building projects can thus be simply handled. Steel construction takes less time to complete than building using any other structural material and that means shorter building times, which means less disruption to the people who live nearby. There is no doubt that construction issues are usually inconvenient, and no one likes building sites to remain present for an extended period.

Apart from its features, there is a plus point of using steel as the cost of steel continues to fall daily as more advanced metallurgical processes are developed. Steel cost reductions make structural steel more worthy than ever, making it more accessible, logical, and useful. Steel also results in lower foundation costs, general expense savings, improved revenue due to the accelerated procedure, and future cost savings due to fewer modifications, low maintenance, and destructions.

Low maintenance:

Steel structures are regarded as cost-effective not just due to their low development costs but also due to their low maintenance and servicing costs. When the annual maintenance cost of steel structures is compared to that of block or wood constructions, steel structures are a lot more cost-effective than other materials because they have minimal alteration chances.

Versatile and adaptable

Steel is a highly adaptable material that can be used in construction to accomplish ambitious projects. It combines form and function, delivering slenderness and appearance while allowing for innovative thinking without sacrificing quality. Steel is ductile, which means it can also be easily rolled into any shape needed for a project.

Steel, when manufactured and fabricated under regulated conditions using quality assurance procedures, optimizes space efficiency and continues to bring new improvements for both steel and its applications. From insulated metal panels to solid doors and windows, builders can customize various aspects of a steel structure to their unique needs. Thus, because of the higher strength values of steel, strong steel beams carry the whole load of the building, giving architects more architectural freedom and creative comfort.

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