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.