However, the material itself must also be able to handle tension, be easy to work with, ductile and, of course, be affordable too. Structural steel possesses all of these qualities so you can see how it has become a popular material choice for structures of all kinds.
Another important quality of structural steel is machinability.

You may be wondering what this means? Well, machinability is defined as “the ease with which a metal can be cut (machined) permitting the removal of the material with a satisfactory finish at low cost.”
This quality is important because it allows for structural steel to be made into many unique shapes.

Side note- Do you guys remember Henry Bessemer from history class? He’s the guy who created the blast furnace sometime in the mid 1850s. Neat, huh?

At this point the material will contain too much carbon for the product to be considered steel. It’s the reduction of carbon that helps to provide the material with strength. So, the mixture will be heated and cooled strategically until the carbon content is less than 2.1% of the product’s weight. Structural steel must have a carbon content between 0.05-0.25%.

Structural steel has a carbon content between 0.05-0.25%. This is what makes it stand out among other types of steel.  

Keep in mind, there are many varying compositions in steel, all designed for specific purposes. It just so happens that low carbon steel is the best for construction (and known as structural steel) because it has sufficient strength but is also more malleable than high carbon steel would be.
Is anyone interested in hearing about the other way to make structural steel from recycled material?
If not, just skip over this part.

This is where certain alloys may be added to the metal in order to obtain various grades of steel.

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. 

 

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.