With its high strength, durability, and machinability, structural steel has become one of the most widely used materials in the construction industry. At this point, you may be wondering what structural steel actually is and why this type of steel has turned out to be the material of choice when it comes to commercial and industrial construction. This blog post will outline the different attributes of structural steel and the types of metal grades that go into structural steel buildings.
Structural Steel: Attributes and Building Applications
Structural steel is one of the most versatile types of steel. This is one of the reasons why it has become one of the favorite materials in building and construction.
Important Attributes of Structural Steel
Here is a list of the best attributes of structural steel that make them essential components in the list of building materials.
1 – Strength
Structural steel has extremely high yield strength and tensile strength. Structural steel is widely used in load-bearing columns and in other parts of the building that will require bent or folded steel.
2 – Ductility
Ductility refers to the ability of a material to be drawn or deformed without fracture. This is a relevant qualification that is essential for materials that are going to be used in the construction of buildings. Buildings that use ductile structural steel will be more resistant to earthquakes as these buildings will be able to withstand displacements caused by ground shaking.
3 – Sustainability
Many people are unaware that stell is one of the most recyclable materials in the world. Steel is a material that is continuously recyclable, meaning that it can be recycled again and again without compromising the quality of the product.
4 – Cost-Effective
This is one of the best benefits that steel may offer. It does not have high initial costs but will present fewer risks in comparison to other building materials.
Types of Structural Steel Used in Construction
There are different types of structural steel that have different metal grades that may be used in varying parts of construction. Here is a list of the most common types you may see on a construction site.
1 – A36
This is an extremely versatile low-carbon, low-cost steel that is known for its excellent machinability and yield strength. This type of structural steel is mostly used in columns, beams, decking, and finish elements of a building.
2 – A572
A572 is a high-strength low-alloy type of steel that is highly weldable. It has a similar yield and tensile strength to A36 steel and is a material usually seen in transmission towers, roller coasters, and bridges.
3 – A514
This is a quenched and tempered alloy steel that has a yield strength of 100,000 psi. Because of this, it is mostly used to support heavy loads and in load-bearing parts of a building.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you will not be aware of why structural steel is one of the main materials used in construction. To ensure that you are getting legitimate and high-quality products, it is vital that you only transact with a reliable steel supplier and distribution center.
If you are in search of a tried and tested steel distributor, KGS Steel, Inc. is here for you! We are a full-line structural steel and carbon steel service center warehouse that has been servicing the southeastern United States since 1985. Contact us for quotes today!
