Structural Steel: Three Central Planning Tips for Durable Industrial Construction

28 September 2020
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog


The use of structural steel in industrial construction ensures exceptional strength and prolonged service life of the building. Therefore, if you are designing a new structure for your operations, you should think about incorporating this material. Still, it is important to note that the performance of a steel industrial building will depend on the construction choices. Consider these simple outlined tips when preparing for the construction work.

Compare Structural Steels There are different grades of structural steel to evaluate before choosing the perfect material for your industrial building. These alloys have different properties and the cost varies, so you should make a detailed comparison before selection. The most prevalent option is plain carbon steel. As implied, this is basic steel without additional alloying elements. It is an economical choice because of its simplicity. However, it is more vulnerable than alternatives to corrosion.

If you are looking for steel alloys which have better performance than standard carbon metal, you should inquire about alternative high-strength and low-alloy steel. This material is engineered to ensure that structural performance is exceptional. Moreover, there is better resistance to corrosion. You can also choose forged or tempered steels for core building applications. If you are not sure about material suitability, consult your contractor for guidance.

Consider Steel Sizing You should choose structural steel elements which are perfectly suited for the industrial construction work. The size of the members will determine the performance of the components and their durability. Under ideal circumstances, it is advisable to choose thicker metal bars and plates for construction. These are resilient and can support more weight. However, these tougher elements are more costly, so you will need to find a balance between price and performance. If you would like to minimise your expenses while building a reliable structure, you should always choose the standard steel provided by your specialist supplier.

Think about Connection Connection of structural steel components will be necessary during construction. It is important to think about the ease of integrating these elements into the building. If your installation plans are poor, the project will take longer and cost more. Under ideal circumstances, the industrial building should have few connection joints. Joints are points of weaknesses which make a structure more vulnerable to stress. Therefore, they should be minimised through the use of longer and larger beams, rods and plates. Where connections are necessary, you should favour welding over fittings such as bolts and nuts. Welding is more permanent and stable for good long-term structural performance. 

Reach out to a professional for more information about structural steel


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