Why Are Steel Frames Used In Construction
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- 27-07-2022

Why are steel frames used in construction? Find out more about the types of steel frame construction and the benefits of using steel in construction.
Types of Steel Frame Construction
Conventional Steel Fabrication
Conventional steel fabrication is an approach that involves ensuring steel members are each cut and welded together to the correct length and structure. Compared to other processes, such construction can be completed on-site; however, this requires immense manpower.
Suppose you're looking to reduce as much work-time as possible and provide ideal working conditions for your builders. In that case, you can still have conventional steel fabricated in workshops and delivered to construction sites to quicken the pace of the project.
Bolted Steel Construction
All steel members must be thoroughly painted and fabricated offsite in utilising such steel frame construction techniques. They can then be bolted into place when delivered to the project or construction site. Each steel member's size is often fabricated and controlled by the size of the trailer or truck used to complete components deliveries.
Typically, 6m is the maximum length, suitable for all normal-sized trucks and the max for an extended trailer is usually 12m. Bolted steel is a construction that can be done substantially quickly, as all your professionals need to do is simply lift the steel into place and bolt them together so that they do not move.
It's a highly preferred construction method because it can be curated in sufficient workshops with the proper lighting, work conditions, equipment and machinery.
Light Gauge Steel Construction
Light gauge steel is known as a 1-3mm thin sheet that has the capacity to bend into different shapes and form Z-sections or C-sections to accommodate different loads. It is a vastly common material and utilised to construct a whole host of residential and small buildings, as it has many benefits.
Its advantages include being incredibly easy to remodel, fast construction that doesn't compromise quality, lightweight mass strength, and excellent design flexibility! It's also recyclable and low maintenance, as professionals can use it repeatedly for different properties and building projects.
Advantages of Steel Frame Structural Construction
Many positives of the steel frame construction make the building process far more straightforward for yourself, those builders and architects working on the project and those that will later inhabit the property.
Its most significant advantages include:
Incredibly Versatile
Environmentally Friendly
Sustainable
Affordable
Durable
Erect Quickly And Easily
High Strength
Relatively Low Weight
Ability To Span Large Distances
Adaptability To Any Shape
Ductility
Reasons Why Structural Steel Frames Are Advantageous For Building Projects
There are many reasons why structural steel frames are incredibly beneficial to any building project, including the following:
Steel has exceptionally high density compared to concrete or timber, meaning it will be heavier even when presented in the exact dimensions. You'll be interested to find out that a 50mm by 100mm steel member or component can carry more weight than timber components of the same measurements.
Typically, you can use fewer materials, which offers significant advantages for you and your business. You'll successfully reduce the material's shipping costs and labour costs.
Steel tends to last far longer than concrete or timber materials; however, whilst low maintenance, you must ensure they are well maintained to last for so long. Timber can creep, crack or split over time; however, steel does not perform in such ways.
Steel is free from pest risks and insect attacks whilst lacking porosity, making it impossible for mildew or mould to grow. Often when there is an increase in moisture or dampness in the air, timber can rot, warp or expand, yet with steel, you can avoid this issue as long as you aim to prevent corrosion.
When working with steel frame constructions, you want to ask professionals to add a water-resistant and fire-resistant hot zinc coating to protect it; this will help prevent steel from rusting and losing its strength or structural integrity.
Structural steel has immense versatility as professional manufacturers can cleverly fabricate it into a broad range of designs and shapes with enough flexibility to maintain its strength.
Architects can create a host of intricate and unique designs for small or large-span buildings, for example, domestic residences, aircraft hangars, indoor arenas, bridges, skyscrapers, and plenty more public or commercial applications.
Steel frames can be future-proof due to their conductive nature, making them susceptible to additions or modifications over the years, for example, extensions or renovations of existing buildings.
The computer modelling process before fabrication helps decrease the scrap steel produced otherwise, making it more sustainable. Any scrap produced in construction can be thoroughly recycled and used for a completely different project.
Steel can be repeatedly recycled, as it doesn't lose any of its strength or other properties, even when recast or melted down. While you can reuse common construction materials like timber to create various other products like chairs or tables, you'll eventually find it will wither down or become too challenging to work overtime.
The only way that concrete can be reused for other works and projects is when it is broken down to fill or produce pavements.
The steel frame constructions have an immense tensile strength that ensures they perform excellently under a wide range of natural elements and weather conditions, including seismic activity, hurricanes and snow loads.
As your project plan's steel structure or height increases, such natural phenomena become more dangerous, so it's best to remember that steel performs more efficiently when in contact with significant impacts, explosions, and other man-made emergencies.
When it comes to lower structures, like timber, they can offer flexibility; yet, there are worries about safety and protection, as you are in trouble should your building experience any fire risks. Steel isn't combustible, making for a better material if you're looking to avoid fire risk; however, its strength becomes weakened when in contact with extreme temperatures and climates.
Many have to reinforce concrete with steel because it does not possess the flexibility of steel for the correct amount of tensile strength.
Steel frame construction makes the entire building and production process far faster overall as regulatory policies and manufacturers have ensured that these components are reliable and easy to erect.
Many computer-assisted manufacturing systems and methods that curate standardised bolted connections and floor plates are responsible for making steel frames simple to deliver to a construction or project site after they are skillfully prefabricated offsite.
After being sent out, they are ready for professionals to assemble and weld the pieces together. Instead of in-situ concrete, you must take time out and let each section cure before continuing, lengthening the whole process.
As they are fabricated offsite, you can reduce the on-site labour costs by 10-20%; it also means you don't need to employ as many workers, which will create more space in your budget and prevent multiple accidents.
You'll have fewer financing costs and interest payments to add up, meaning your property building will be utilised or rented as quickly as possible with a faster payback approach. Steel is also an incredibly durable maintenance material, so you won't have to worry about paying high prices for replacements or repairs.
Check with your manufacturers and insurance companies, as many can offer premium insurance at far cheaper costs when your protective structures are constructed with steel. The reason for this is that steel can withstand natural disasters, pests, and decay.
The bays created within the bounds of steel frames can often be spaced further apart because they are much more substantial. A more expansive bay will allow you more space for flexible floor designs and materials that grant you more room.
Whilst concrete is solid, it offers a relatively limited floor-to-floor height during construction and far fewer spanning opportunities. The use of steel in housing can ultimately reduce any need for load-bearing posts made of timber, which helps garner more floor space, which is helpful for a market where property prices are inclining.
Steel frames have a whole host of benefits. They are easy to maintain, cost-effective, adaptable to any property design changes and can be constructed in virtually any weather.
Applications of Steel Frame Structure
Steel frame structures are ideal for constructing a wide range of skyscrapers and other buildings. Its immense low weight yet vast strength and construction speed make it best for these applications and environments.
New build projects are costly to complete and time-consuming, so anything you can do to minimise the time spent on the project and the overall labour costs is essential and worth investing in. Steel frame structures can be skilfully used to create and uphold a vast number of structures, including the following:
- High Rise Buildings
- Industrial Buildings
- Warehouse Buildings
- Residential Buildings
- Temporary Structures
Are you looking for professional steel fabricators in the UK? If you require bespoke steel fabrication for your project contact our specialists today.
Follow the link below for Steel Fabrications in Essex, London and throughout the southeast.