Structural Steel Work: 5 Things You Should Know
23 January 2023
Steel is arguably one of the most vital building materials in the modern world. Steel can be found in any industrial sector, from bridges and buildings to automobiles and electronics.
One of the most commonly produced forms of steel is structural steel. This is because of its dependability as a structural material.
1. What is Structural Steel?
Structural steel is steel which has been specifically fabricated and shaped to serve a purpose within the construction industry. Structural steel relies on being easy to work with whilst also retaining the robust and strong steel properties that make it great for use in buildings.
The ductility and strength of steel are what make it such a great material to work with. Structural steel is malleable enough to be formed into whatever shape is needed whilst retaining the excellent strength needed to withstand heavy loads. Choosing structural steel for your project is a great way to ensure you work with suitable materials.
2. How Is Structural Steel Made?
Steel is an alloy consisting primarily of iron and carbon. Different amounts of carbon are used depending on the desired outcome, with structural steel typically being a medium-carbon form of steel.
The amount of carbon in structural steel can depend on the exact intention of the steel. The more carbon is added, the more malleable and workable the steel is, helping it to bend into different shapes if needed. However, this also makes the steel less hard.
3. What is Structural Steel Fabrication?
Once the steel has been made, it’s sent to a fabricator to be turned into a usable product. The steel fabricators that Buy A Beam partners with specialise in creating high-quality structural steel for various implementations.
The structural steel produced by the expert fabricators that we work with comes in the shape of steel beams, columns, steel bars and steel pipes. The excellent-grade structural steel our partners can supply is ready to help turn your construction projects into a success.
4. Which Sectors Benefit from Structural Steel?
As mentioned above, structural steel is a hugely important material with many uses and implementations. Some sectors that benefit from steel are:
- Construction: Structural steel is found most commonly in the construction industry, from beams, columns and steel bars. Structural steel is a staple of construction.
- Manufacturing: Structural-grade steel is used frequently in the manufacturing industry. From the creation of steel ladders, stairs and handrails, the ductility of structural steel makes it an irreplaceable choice.
- Energy: The energy industry benefits significantly from structural steel through its use in turbines, pipelines and transmission towers. It’s also a vital material in the construction of drilling rigs.
- Mining: Just as structural steel relies on mining, mining relies on structural steel for the fittings, pipes, beams and rails used in extracting and processing raw materials.
- Ship construction: Boats such as yachts and ships often rely on structural steel to make them strong enough to withstand the pressures needed as a sea-faring vessel.
5. Why is Steel So Important?
Steel gives us a hard yet malleable material, giving plenty of needed strength for thousands of uses while remaining easy to shape and work with. Due to this, as well as its ability to be finished to withstand the elements, steel is a vital material for keeping things running smoothly.
Find Steel From Local Fabricators on Buy A Beam
Buy A Beam can help connect you with local steel fabricators that provide you with excellent-quality structural steel components. Our online shopping platform is excellent for locating steel fabrication near you and ordering steel online. With delivery and add-ons such as finishes available along the way.