Metal beams, sometimes called rolled steel joists (RSJ), provide structure, strength, and rigidity in buildings and structures, but different applications and static loads require different types of beams. Knowing which beam to choose is critical to the integrity and safety of the finished building.
Two common beam types are I-beams and wide flange, or W-beams. These two configurations are similar in shape (i.e., both have cross-sections that resemble a capital letter I or H), and both consist of a long, flat central member called the web, which is centered on a flange on each long side. The width of the web and flanges is variable, as is the thickness and shape, or taper, of the flanges. These differences in design affect how they are used. Here we’ll take a closer look at I-beams and W-beams, and compare how their differences make them suitable for different applications.
Understanding I-Beams
I-beams are widely used for framing buildings in both vertical and horizontal directions, as studs or joists. They are commonly made from structural steel, though 6061 aluminum can also be used for some applications.
These beams typically have flanges that are tapered, with a thicker portion on the end that attaches to the web and a thinner portion at the outer edge. As a result, the flanges are not quite parallel to each other and not quite perpendicular to the web.
Generally, I-beams work best for lower-weight applications compared to W-beams. I-beams are generally suitable for supporting spans from 30 to 100 ft, and are generally available in lengths up to 60 ft. Some common applications include:
Bridges
Hospitals
Parking garages
Skyscrapers
Understanding W-Beams
W-beams, or wide flange beams, often have a much wider web or flanges than I-beams. Their flanges are also a uniform thickness and not tapered. As a result, the flanges are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the web. Like I-beams, W-beams come in a variety of widths and thicknesses of webs and flanges. While W-beams can be used for spans up to 300 ft., though they are generally manufactured in 70-ft. lengths to limit waste.
The wider web and flanges allow these beams to support more weight, and they are often used in large-scale structures and equipment, including:
Bridges
Large buildings
Trailers, flatbed hauling vehicles, and material handling equipment
I-Beams vs. W-Beams: A Comparison
Both of these beams are widely used in construction and heavy equipment projects because their design carries heavy loads reliably. Generally speaking, I-beams are lighter weight and may be easier to transport, handle, and move; however, they have a lower overall span and support capacity. Here’s a breakdown of how these two types of beams compare.
Shape and Design
Both I-beams and W-beams have the same basic design; however, I-beams tend to have a web that is wider than the flanges, and the flanges are tapered. W-Beams often have wider flanges and may have a wider web as well. W-beam flanges are not tapered.
Weight
Steel W-beams generally weigh more than I-beams because they use wider flanges and, sometimes, are longer. Depending on the application, I-beams can be made from aluminum instead of steel, making them even lighter.
Span
I-beams generally support loads across shorter spans than W-beams. Depending on their dimensions and configuration, I-beams can be used for spans of 30-100 ft., where W-beams are more flexible and can be used for spans up to 300 ft.
Strength
W-beams tend to have higher overall strength because of their web-to-flange ratio, thickness, and welded construction. As a result, they can support heavier loads across longer spans without reinforcement. In contrast, I-beams can carry heavier loads compared to their smaller size, and may be able to resist buckling better than W-beams.
Bend Resistance
Because of their wide flanges, W-beams tend to have higher resistance to bending forces than I-beams. Flange width is the major factor in the ability to resist bending.
Learn More With Delta Steel
Choosing the right beams for every construction application is critical to the stability, longevity, and safety of the completed structure. At Delta Steel, we’re committed to delivering high-quality steel beams for a range of industry applications, and we maintain locations and distribution centers across the US to accomplish it.
Contact us to learn more about our I-beam and W-beam selection, or request a quote to get your project started.
Steel is a high-strength material comprised of carbon and iron. This metal alloy has several key properties that differentiate it from other types of metal materials, such as:
High melting point at or above 2500 degrees F.
An average density of around 7.85kg/m-3, in which this value is a widely accepted standard for various types of steel used in structural engineering.
Easy deformation with increased shape memory, depending on the alloy.
Steel comes in different grades, with each offering varying elasticity, hardness, ductility, and strength based on the kind of treatment applied during fabrication. Below, learn about the key role steel plays in bridge construction and how it can enhance the overall durability, longevity, and sustainability of various projects.
Why Use Steel for Bridge Construction?
The following are some of the main advantages that make steel a preferred material choice for bridge construction projects:
Superior Strength
Steel structure bridges frequently use this material for its high strength-to-weight ratio. Steel bridges can span long distances and resist physical impacts or disturbances, making them a go-to choice for areas prone to extreme conditions or weather events. Additionally, steel components can withstand heavier loads without contributing large amounts of weight to the overall structure. As a result, bridges benefit from lower construction expenses and increased sustainability in their installation and transportation.
High Longevity and Durability
Steel also provides optimal durability, which is critical for building long-lasting structures. Bridges that utilize these materials can hold up better under exposure to heavy traffic, seasonal changes, and other anticipated conditions. With regular maintenance, they can last for decades following initial construction, making them more cost-effective compared to structures constructed with less reliable materials.
Innovative Designs
Steel’s versatility and weldability allow engineers to develop bridge designs that are both visually appealing and innovative. For example, the material’s superior malleability makes it suitable for forming nearly any shape, leading to structures that complement the surrounding architecture and landscape while providing the necessary support.
Sustainability Matters
Environmental impact is an increasingly critical consideration in the construction of bridges. This need is another reason why steel is such a popular material in these applications; its durability decreases overall impact and reduces the need for raw materials, making for a more environmentally friendly solution compared to other materials. Further, steel bridges can be constructed with recycled steel and can also be adapted over time, ensuring they serve future generations.
Local Impact
Local communities benefit from the use of steel structure bridges in a number of ways. For example, steel bridge construction creates job openings in fabrication, manufacturing, and construction. Subsequently, communities can see more economic growth when erecting these structures. The final construction also facilitates ease of transportation, smoother traffic, and increased accessibility to improve the lives of the general populace.
Steel for Bridge Construction at Delta Steel
If you’re looking for high-quality steel materials for building steel bridges or other types of infrastructure, Delta Steel is here to help. We have a long history as a leading provider of structural steel materials, beginning in 1963. Since then, we’ve served customers across a range of industries both nationally and internationally, with strategically located facilities that help us manage all of our operations in-house. Our many products include steel tubes, plates, wide flange beams, bars, channels, angles, and more.
Request a quote from us today to discover how our products and services can help you develop durable, lasting structures.
Material choice is a major factor in the construction industry, as this can significantly impact the sustainability, longevity, and success of your project. Two commonly used materials in modern building construction and infrastructure work are structural steel and reinforced concrete, which provide reliable strength in various settings. However, if you’re looking to build the strongest, safest, and most sustainable structure, consider working with structural steel, which offers unmatched durability and longevity. Keep reading to learn about a few of the advantages of using structural steel in construction work.
Strength and Load-Bearing Capacity
Perhaps the biggest advantage of structural steel is its strength. This material can support extremely heavy loads, with a yield stress of 50,000 pounds per square inch in both tension and compression. Additionally, while 36,000-50,000 psi is considered ordinary tensile strength for structural steel, it can reach up to 58,000-70,000 psi. This makes it ideal for large-scale construction projects like:
Skyscrapers
Bridges
Stadiums
Overpasses
In fact, structural steel’s high strength-to-weight ratio has made it a top material in building construction and infrastructure work.
Durability and Longevity
Structural steel is also known for its longevity. Unlike other construction materials, structural steel won’t shrink, rot, or succumb to damage from pests. This makes it a superior option for various building projects.
Structural steel is also an extremely durable material. It can maintain its strength in heavy rains and harsh winds without cracking, shrinking, or warping. Thanks to its excellent ductility, structural steel can even withstand extreme weather events such as earthquakes, fires, and other natural disasters, ensuring structures remain secure and stable.
Cost-Effectiveness
While numerous factors can influence the overall cost of building or infrastructure projects, material costs are critical to consider. Structural steel is often built to exact specifications, which can save you money while minimizing material loss. Larger projects can often also realize economies of scale to lower the per-square-foot cost of materials.
In many cases, using structural steel can streamline construction projects. Components using this material allow for quick onsite assembly, which can help reduce labor requirements and associated costs.
Sustainability and Environmental Benefits
Structural steel buildings can meet energy efficiency and sustainability goals. With appropriate insulation, they can drastically lower heating and cooling expenses for a lower carbon footprint. Structural steel’s inherent durability and recyclability further its eco-friendly appeal. Nearly all steel can be recycled and reused in new steel materials and components, which helps minimize emissions and overall environmental impact.
For maximum benefit, you can incorporate 100% recycled structural steel into your project, reducing waste while lowering maintenance and operational costs.
Structural Steel at Delta Steel
Structural steel is a dependable option for commercial and residential structures due to the enhanced strength, durability, and sustainability it provides. If you’re starting a commercial building project and are considering making structural steel your building material of choice, consider partnering with Delta Steel. As a premier structural steel provider, we can provide all of the steel products you need for your project, including structural steel plates, channels, I-beams, and more. We are committed to delivering quality materials that meet your unique needs at a price you can afford.
Feel free to contact us today for more information about our structural steel capabilities as well as to request a quote for your project.
Steel is vital to modern construction, from multi-story buildings to public transportation infrastructure. The material can be 100% recycled repeatedly without losing its beneficial properties, contributing to resource conservation and global sustainability. Structural steel fabricators are responsible for transforming various structural steel profiles, each of which has unique applications.
Learn more about the main stages of the structural steel fabrication process, the different fabrication techniques, and their common applications.
Key Stages of Steel Fabrication
A structural steel fabricator is a company that specializes in turning raw steel into finished structural steel parts. Starting with raw steel beams, plates, or columns, fabricators transform them into specific sizes and shapes using various processing methods, such as welding, bending, cutting, and assembling. The required processing techniques depend on the construction project’s engineering specifications and drawings. Fabricators also ensure that all steel components meet strict safety and quality standards.
Here is an overview of the six key steps to structural steel fabrication:
Design and planning. The first stage is to develop engineering specifications and drawings outlining the exact dimensions and requirements of the structural steel parts. A bill of materials (BOM) is also created, listing all the steel components needed to complete the project. At the same time, the project plan budgets, schedules, and determines the required resources and equipment.
Material acquisition. Fabricators procure the necessary steel plates, columns, beams, and other raw materials from various suppliers.
Fabrication. Fabrication most commonly comprises cutting, drilling, bending, and welding. Using plasma cutters, circular saws, or other cutting equipment, structural steel fabricators cut the steel to specific sizes and shapes. Holes are drilled if the drawings call for bolts or other fasteners. Fabricators use plate bending and roll bending to bend steel to design specifications. Joining components together to create the final assembly, fabricators utilize robotic welding and assembly machinery.
Quality control. Verifying that the steel components meet the necessary specifications, fabricators perform visual inspections, dimensional inspections, and non-destructive testing (NDT) to identify hidden defects.
Finishing. The steel components are sandblasted to remove any surface impurities and prepare the parts for future processing. These finishing processes include painting or corrosion-resistant coating application.
Delivery and installation. Structural steel fabricators transport finished steel products for customers to use on various construction sites. There, the components are typically assembled using rivets or bolts.
The main factors that contribute to a successful fabrication project include:
Experienced, certified fabricators
Using advanced technology and equipment
Accurately interpreting engineering drawings
Strictly complying with quality standards
Advanced Steel Fabrication Techniques
Structural steel fabrication consists of many different forming techniques to create intricate three-dimensional products for virtually any application. These advanced techniques can add more value and long-term performance to structural steel components.
Cutting
Cutting tools cut steel sections, plates, and channels based on the thickness of the metal. Cutters can cut raw metal stock into the right dimensions for different projects. Some common types of cutting equipment are band saws, plasma cutters, and oxy-fuel cutters.
Welding
Welding processes—such as MIG, TIG, and tungsten arc welding—can permanently join multiple steel pieces into a single unit.
Bending
Fabricators bend flat structural steel stock via roll bending, plate bending, section bending, or tube bending. These processes create angles or curves according to the component’s design specifications.
Forming
Similar to bending, forming uses press brakes and other machinery to change two-dimensional pieces of metal into three-dimensional forms without removing or adding material. Structural steel fabricators can use forming and welding together to create oversized steel sheets.
Machining
Machining processes are subtractive—they cut away or remove excess material to create a new shape. Examples of machining processes include drilling and grinding, which can be done with portable tools or at stationary CNC machining centers.
Coating
Structural steel fabrications benefit from protective coatings like primers or zinc galvanization to prevent corrosion. Fabricators can also apply specialty paints for aesthetics and protection from moisture.
Quality Check
This final process includes thorough inspections to guarantee product quality before the components go out to customers.
Applications of Steel Fabrication
Structural steel fabricators play a vital role in construction, supplying the frameworks and foundations for a variety of applications:
Infrastructure and road construction, including bridges and overpasses
Architectural facades
Energy and mining applications
Transportation, including trains and vehicles
Industrial and civil projects
Utilities
Distribution warehouses
Learn More About Steel Fabrication From Delta Steel
Structural steel fabrication is essential for everything from breaking ground on new infrastructure projects to creating structural components for cars and appliances. Partnering with a high-quality structural steel fabricator can make all the difference in your next industrial or construction project.
At Delta Steel, we’re committed to providing comprehensive structural steel fabrication products and services across the United States through our network of distribution centers. We have over 60 years of experience as a one-stop supplier, serving multiple major industries with innovative steel fabrication capabilities. Request a quote to get started on your project.
For years, you’ve relied on the expertise and quality of Infra-Metals, Delta Steel, and Sugar Steel – trusted names in the structural steel industry. Today, we’re excited to announce a unifying brand that brings these powerhouses together under one umbrella: THE INFRA GROUP.
Think of The Infra Group as the name that signifies the collective strength and reach of these established companies. It’s the mark of a powerful network, connecting Infra-Metals, Delta Steel, and Sugar Steel to offer an unparalleled level of service, inventory, and expertise, making The Infra Group your single-source solution for all your structural steel needs. Each company continues to operate with its own specialized knowledge and customer relationships, now enhanced by the resources and reach of the entire group.
What does this mean for you?
Simply put, it means more access, more resources, and more solutions. As The Infra Group, we offer:
Unmatched Inventory: With over 200,000 tons of steel readily available across our 14 locations spanning New England, the Mid-West, Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern, and Southwestern United States, we can fulfill your orders quickly and efficiently, minimizing downtime and keeping your projects on track.
Best-in-Class Processing: Our state-of-the-art, first-stage processing capabilities ensure that your steel is prepared to your exact specifications, saving you time and money.
Comprehensive Services: From Blast & Prime, Cambering, Drilling, Forming, Milling, Plate Burning, Robotic Coping, Saw Cutting and T-Splitting, The Infra Group offers a complete range of services to handle every aspect of your project.
Cutting-Edge Technology: We invest and leverage the latest technologies to optimize our processes, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and the highest quality results.
Next-Day Delivery: In many areas, our extensive network enables us to offer next-day delivery, getting the materials you need when you need them.
Unparalleled Expertise: Our combined team of industry veterans brings decades of experience to the table, providing expert guidance and support throughout your project.
Our Reach, Your Advantage:
Our strategically located facilities across the country mean we can serve you better than ever before. Whether your project is local or national, The Infra Group has the reach and resources to meet your demands.
Looking Ahead:
The formation of The Infra Group represents a significant investment in our future and, more importantly, in your success. We are committed to providing the highest quality products, exceptional service, and innovative solutions that you’ve come to expect, now all under one powerful brand.
We’re excited about this new chapter and look forward to continuing to serve you as The Infra Group – your partner in structural steel solutions.
Returns this year to Louisville, KY April 2-4 at the Kentucky International Convention Center. The Steel Conference is the premier event for steel industry professionals seeking actionable insights and game-changing innovations.
It’s a unique opportunity to connect with peers and explore the latest advancements impacting the design and construction landscape. This dynamic event offers a comprehensive experience, including:
Extensive Technical Sessions: With over 270 sessions, attendees gain valuable knowledge and practical skills. In-person participants can earn up to 16 Professional Development Hours (PDHs), with the potential to earn an additional 4 PDHs by attending a specialized short course on Tuesday.
The Exhibition Hall: Discover cutting-edge products and services from over 300 exhibitors. This vibrant showcase provides a firsthand look at technologies and solutions empowering better steel design and construction practices.
Unparalleled Networking Opportunities: Connect with more than 6,000 industry leaders, including top designers, leading fabricators, and renowned researchers at the forefront of steel innovation. This is a prime opportunity to build valuable relationships and foster collaboration.
This year’s conference also features several co-located events, further enriching the experience:
World Steel Bridge Symposium
QualityCon
NISD Detailing Conference
SafetyCon
Architecture in Steel
SSRC’s Annual Stability Conference
This integrated approach provides attendees with unparalleled access to a diverse range of expertise and perspectives within the steel industry.
Be Our Guest
Download a complimentary VIP exhibit hall pass! Connect with us at Booth #801. The pass allows free entrance to the exhibit hall on Thursday, April 3, and Friday, April 4.
Delta Steel is one of the largest service centers in the Southwest, actively supporting the structural steel supply chain for over 60 years. We offer a vast inventory of structural steel components and deep expertise to help customers find structural steel products that will best benefit their specific application.
Read on to learn about each critical step in the structural steel supply chain, from the steel mills that produce the steel components to the contractors who oversee projects from start to finish.
Steel Mills (Producers)
Steel mills are foundational to the structural steel supply chain. As the producers, they transform raw materials into the necessary building blocks for construction projects. Producers play the following roles in structural steel supply:
Steelmaking. Steel mills use iron ore as the base material to produce steel and incorporate elements like manganese and carbon to realize the intended properties. The steel mills create molten steel from the raw materials through melting and refining processes.
Shaping the Steel. Steel mills then cast molten steel into shapes like plates, channels, angles, columns, and beams. The casting is standardized to meet all industry specifications and ensure quality for easy integration into various construction projects.
Large-scale Production. Many steel mills can operate at scale, using powerful equipment and technology to realize massive production capacities. They leverage this capacity to meet the growing demand for structural steel in construction applications.
Types of Producers
Integrated mills are large-scale producers in the structural steel industry. These larger mills use basic oxygen furnaces (BOF) to manage high volumes of material during production. Integrated mills maintain complete control over the steelmaking process, from iron ore mining to producing finished products.
Mini mills are smaller-scale producers that use electric arc furnaces (EAF) to produce new components and products from scrap steel. These more specialized producers are more flexible and can often provide faster turnaround times.
Service Centers
Service centers are a critical part of the structural steel supply chain. They maintain the storage, processing, and distribution of structural steel products. Service centers can also assist in increasing schedule speeds and reducing costs to meet the demands of the industry.
Service centers have warehouses with preprocessing capabilities to deliver structural steel ready for fabrication. They typically carry several months of inventory and supply most of the structural steel used in construction applications, including fabrication projects requiring just-in-time delivery.
Fabricators
Structural steel fabricators are typically located near service centers or construction sites. The fabricators receive steel from service centers and customize it per the engineers’ specifications. They use detailed shop drawings to create the structural steel components required. This can include welding, cutting, and assembly of everything from columns to beams.
Erectors
Erectors use fabricated structural steel pieces to produce a frame, welding and bolting the components onsite based on the existing construction documents.
The ability to gauge costs is critical at this stage; one cannot assume that less weight will lead to lower overall costs. In reality, material costs typically account for 25% to 30% of the total project cost, with fabrication and erection making up the majority of the total budget.
Contractors
Contractors oversee the project, coordinating each level of the supply chain in a project management role. Building off of the steel fabricator’s quality control processes, contractors implement thorough inspections before accepting the components to confirm that they meet the required specifications.
Design engineers work alongside the contractors and fabricators to guide the design process and integrate the components into a functional, well-supported structure.
Structural Steel Supply Chain From Delta Steel
The structural steel supply chain connects the producers who work with raw materials to the service centers that prepare and distribute the structural steel to fabricators. Contractors and designers work within this supply chain to realize functional designs and meet project specifications.
For over 60 years, Delta Steel has played a pivotal role in the United States structural supply chain. We are one of the largest structural steel service centers in the southwestern United States and have supported countless construction projects.
Browse our locations and speak with a specialist to see how our solutions can support your structural steel needs.
Delta Steel is a structural steel service center that has been delivering steel components to a wide variety of industries since 1963. We are a leader in structural steel distribution in the Southeast U.S., with state-of-the-art equipment, a vast inventory, and just-in-time delivery capabilities. Structural steel is critical to many industries and applications, offering several advantages over traditional building materials. Here, we’ll discuss these key applications and benefits in more detail.
The Fabrication Process
Structural steel fabrication involves a multi-step process that turns raw steel into final building components for the construction industry. Structural steel fabrication typically follows these primary steps:
Design and Engineering: Fabrication begins with a design or blueprint from engineers. They consider several factors, including local building codes, load capacity, and weight distribution.
Material Selection: Selecting the right steel grade is critical. Structural steel comes in several grades and thicknesses, depending on the project specifications, and engineers select a steel type that ensures optimal performance and strength.
Cutting and Shaping: Raw steel sections are cut using high-precision techniques, such as sawing, oxy-fuel cutting, or plasma cutting. Clean, precise cuts prepare the steel parts for future shaping and forming processes.
Bending and Forming: Forming and bending techniques shape the component into its intended form. Metal fabricators use rolling mills, press brakes, and other advanced machinery for this step of the process.
Welding and Assembly: Metal fabricators join steel pieces with precise welding techniques that create high-strength bonds, resulting in reliable structures.
Quality Control: Strict quality control measures are implemented throughout the fabrication process, ensuring adherence to client specifications, weld integrity, and dimensional accuracy.
Painting and Protection: Fabricated structural steel components gain improved corrosion resistance and durability from protective coatings or paint before delivery to the project site.
Steel erection: Steel erectors and iron workers use the fabricated material and erect the building.
The Advantages of Structural Steel for Fabrication
Structural steel is ideal for construction projects. Builders, engineers, and architects prefer structural steel for the following advantages:
Strength and Durability: Steel offers an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It allows fabricators to produce strong and lightweight structural components that can withstand high loads.
Versatility and Design Flexibility: Steel is a versatile material that can be formed into various component shapes and sizes, making it easier for architects to meet their design specifications.
Sustainability: Steel is an environmentally sustainable and recyclable material. Structural steel buildings last longer, reducing resource consumption over time.
Faster Construction: Prefabricated structural steel components can be rapidly assembled onsite compared to conventional building methods. Thus, projects can be completed in significantly less time.
Cost-Effectiveness: Structural steel has a higher initial cost than other common building materials. However, it offers efficient construction, reduced maintenance requirements, and durability that can deliver long-term savings.
Applications of Structural Steel Fabrication
Various construction applications rely on structural steel fabrication, including:
High-Rise Buildings: Tall buildings, such as skyscrapers, rely on structural steel as their backbone. Architects can create efficient load-bearing designs using structural steel’s exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Trusses, beams, and columns made from structural steel provide the flexibility and stability tall structures require.
Commercial/Residential Buildings: Structural steel is ideal for building manufacturing facilities and warehouses. The material is capable of bearing the dynamic loads of vehicles and heavy machinery while withstanding harsh environmental conditions. Architects rely on structural steel’s versatility to achieve open layouts and clear spans. Structural steel can also be used for building condominiums, apartment complexes, and other residential structures.
Bridges: The ductility of structural steel makes it ideal for cable-stayed designs and graceful arches in bridges, railways, and highways. Steel cables, trusses, and girders offer robust stability and strength.
Oil and Gas Infrastructure: Structural steel is ideal for building oil rig structures, including riser handling systems, platforms, derrick legs, and pipelines.
Renewable Energy Structures: Structural steel is suitable for building hydroelectric power structures, solar plants, and wind turbines for renewable energy applications.
Structural Steel Fabrication From Delta Steel
Structural steel is essential to many building applications, providing significant benefits over conventional building materials. At Delta Steel, we are a leader in structural steel with over 60 years of experience in the industry. Our capabilities and locations throughout the United States allow us to build long-term relationships with clients in diverse industries. See our locations to contact the Delta Steel distribution center closest to your project site.
Utility structures like transmission and lighting poles are essential constructions throughout the country. They support hardware for electrical power, telephones, and other utilities above the ground. Using the right materials for power transmission poles makes all the difference in each structure’s cost, longevity, and installation and maintenance needs.
Learn more about the benefits of choosing structural steel over other materials to build power transmission poles, as well as the different types of structural steel available from Delta Steel.
Benefits of Structural Steel for Utility Structures
By using structural steel instead of concrete or treated wood, utility power transmission pole builders and communities benefit in the following ways:
Increased Longevity: Structural steel configurations can last for decades with minimal maintenance.
Design Flexibility: Structural steel is stronger than wood while remaining lightweight enough to accommodate various designs, such as those that can handle larger, heavier loads and longer spans. In addition to reducing the total number of poles that need to be purchased and installed, structural steel can also be pre-drilled according to custom framing and hardware requirements.
Aesthetics: Steel transmission poles resist corrosion and only require periodic cleaning and inspection to maintain their pristine appearance.
Environmental Friendliness: Utility poles made of structural steel won’t be damaged by animals, fire, or rot. As a result, they lead to far fewer catastrophic failures compared to wood poles. On top of this, most structural steel utility poles are made from recycled steel and can be recycled at the end of their useful life.
Cost-Effectiveness: Due to the longer lifespan, lower maintenance demands, and fewer replacement costs over time, structural steel transmission poles are more cost-effective over the material’s entire life cycle than alternative materials.
Popular Grades of Structural Steel for Utility Structures
Delta Steel offers four main types of structural steel materials for transmission poles. They are categorized as follows according to their ASTM compliance.
ASTM A572 Structural Steel
ASTM A572 is a very commonly used structural steel. It’s a strong, low-alloy columbium-vanadium metal that can be used in a wide array of general construction applications. Builders can choose between five different yield strength grades: 42, 50, 55, 60, or 65 ksi (kilopounds per square inch).
ASTM A871-65 Structural Steel
ASTM A871-65 structural steel is another popular high-strength, low-alloy option. The material has good resistance to atmospheric corrosion. Both sheets and plates are commonly used to build transmission and lighting poles.
ASTM A588 Structural Steel
ASTM A588 offers excellent weathering ability even without painting, as it has an inbuilt corrosion resistance that gets stronger over time. It offers the same degree of strength as carbon steel but weighs significantly less.
ASTM A709 Structural Steel
ASTM A709 structural steel is composed of iron, carbon, manganese, and other elements. Its makeup gives it excellent resistance to environmental conditions, a great strength-to-weight ratio, and excellent weldability. In addition to steel transmission poles, ASTM A709 steel is frequently used to construct bridges.
Structural Steel Supply by Delta Steel
Sturdy, reliable, and low-maintenance power transmission poles are essential to keeping customers connected. By building them from high-quality ASTM structural steel grades, companies can install extremely durable poles that don’t have a high maintenance cost, stay functional for decades, and enable easy utility expansion.
At Delta Steel, we supply our clients with multiple steel alloy grades for power transmission poles and other projects. Depending on your specific needs, our team provides high-quality plate burning, drilling, cutting, forming, and other fabrication services. We carry an extensive inventory of beams, plates, angles, bars, pipes, and sheets made from a range of metals.
The demand for structural steel is rising in several major areas of the oil and gas industry. Structural steel is critical for the development of many oil and gas applications, including oil rigs and platforms, pipelines, and a variety of equipment.
Delta Steel is a structural steel service center that has served clients in Texas for over 60 years. We work continuously to supply structural steel products and value-added services for oil and gas applications. Learn more about the variety of structural steel shapes we offer, as well as the benefits of choosing structural steel.
Benefits of Structural Steel For Oil and Gas
Structural steel delivers several benefits to the oil and gas industry. It reduces the cost and time associated with on-site construction and provides a high-quality product. Structural steel offers the following advantages:
Enhanced Productivity. Structural steel is fabricated off-site while the foundation and site are prepared, accelerating the production timeline. We carry a vast hot rolled carbon structural steel inventory and offer order flexibility so there are no additional delays or backups in production.
Superior Workmanship and Final Product. Structural steel is made to tight tolerances and consistent strength levels, complementing established design processes well. We work with experienced teams across the production cycle to provide American-made structural steel products, value-added services, and just-in-time delivery keeping projects on schedule.
Cost Efficiency. Structural steel is a cost-effective and efficient solution for the oil and gas industry. Steel frames are easily adaptable, making required modifications to existing structures possible.
Types of Structural Steel for Oil and Gas Applications
The oil and gas industry utilizes a range of structural steel products in construction and various industrial applications. Structures like oil platforms, offshore oil rigs, pipelines, and various oil and gas equipment can all benefit from steel’s tensile strength and durability.
Relevant structural steel shapes we offer include:
Wide Flange Beams. Wide flange beams are used in structural applications like constructing buildings and bridges. These beams have a nearly perpendicular flange to the web of material. We offer wide flange beams in numerous sizes, lengths, and specifications for oil rigs and oil platforms.
I-Beams. Various construction projects utilize special columns and beams. I-beams have horizontal flanges in an “I” shape that add structural integrity. At Delta Steel, we offer I-beams in numerous lengths, sizes, and specifications for oil and gas applications.
Structural Steel Channels. Various industrial applications rely on structural steel channels, including vehicle frames, tractor-trailer components, and buildings. We offer structural steel channels in many specifications, lengths, and sizes at Delta Steel, including those for oil and gas equipment.
Carbon Structural Steel Plates. Delta Steel is one of the largest carbon structural steel plate suppliers in the Southwest United States. Carbon steel’s ability to resist deterioration makes it especially useful in pipelines, oil platforms, and equipment commonly used in oil and gas applications. We can customize carbon steel products to meet your specific needs.
Why Delta Steel
When you partner with Delta Steel for your structural steel supply in the oil and gas industry, you get the following benefits:
One-Stop Shop. We stock a wide range of structural steel products to deliver a seamless solution to our customers.
Integrated Team Approach. Our collaborative effort ensures our client’s needs are met with timely, satisfactory solutions.
Just-In-Time Delivery. Holding the largest structural steel inventory in North America, we employ we provide just-in-time delivery, reducing your onsite inventory.
Going the Distance. We offer rapid solutions, ranging from our value-added services to efficient project tracking tools, in order to meet your unique project needs.
Structured Steel Oil and Gas Services by Delta Steel
Structural steel offers several advantages, including cost-efficiency, rapid construction, and superior quality. We serve the oil and gas industry with beams, channels, and steel plates for use in vital pipeline structures.
With over six decades in the business, Delta Steel is your one-stop shop for seamless solutions. We are a leading provider of structural steel throughout the Southwest with a growing number of clients in major industries.
Request a quote to speak with a team member about structural steel products and value-added services for oil and gas applications.
