Structural steel is a category of steel used for construction purposes, known for its strength and durability. It's often used in the construction of buildings, bridges, and other large structures due to its ability to support heavy loads. The properties of structural steel can be customized through heat treatment and alloying, allowing it to meet specific engineering requirements.
Structural steel is a carbon based metal, available in many grades, that is used all over the world in the construction industry. To be considered structural steel in South Africa, the product must meet industry standards set forth.
So, how is structural steel different from non-structural steel? Well, it comes down to the composition of the product. And, to understand this, we must first understand what steel itself is.
Steel is an alloy made out of iron and carbon. Most of us are familiar with these elements, but may not have known that it’s rare to find them existing in their pure forms.
So, how is steel made and how is it different from structural steel? Let’s jump to the next section to find out.
Structural steel is used in a wide range of applications, including:
Building frames and structures, Bridges, High-rise buildings, Warehouses, Airplane hangars, Educational facilities, Stadiums, Roads and highways.
Conclusion
In summary, structural steel is a versatile and widely used material in the construction industry. Its unique combination of strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance makes it an ideal choice for a variety of applications. Understanding the composition, types, and properties of structural steel is essential for architects, engineers, and builders to design and construct safe, durable, and efficient structures.
What is structural steel used for?
Structural steel is primarily used for construction purposes, but it can also be found throughout the automobile & energy infrastructure industries. There may even be instances where structural steel is used to build various machinery, equipment storage tanks, tools, household appliances & for food and beverage packaging.
How is structural steel made and how is it different than regular steel?
Before we get into the specifics of structural steel, let’s just discuss how steel in general is made. There are two ways that steel can be made a) working with raw materials or b) recycling used materials.