Choosing steel for Construction

Steel offers architects more design freedom in colour, texture and shape. Its combination of strength, durability, beauty, precision and malleability gives architects broader parameters to explore ideas and develop fresh solutions. Steel’s long spanning ability gives rise to large open spaces, free of intermediate columns or load bearing walls. Its capacity to bend to a certain radius, creating segmented curves or free-form combinations for facades, arches or domes sets it apart.

In this article we will introspect the purpose of structural steel and its importance while building skyscrapers. Here are few points which one needs to evaluate while choosing steel for Construction purpose.

Examine the Grade and Diameter of the Structural Steel

General construction purposes use two types of steel including the mild and deformed steel bars. The mild steel bars which are used in reinforced cement concrete works are plain in surface and round in cross-section. Whereas the deformed ones have ribs or deformations on their surface. More commonly, steel bars of grades Fe 415 and Fe 500 are used for construction purposes.

The steel bars are available in different ranges of diameter from 6mm to 50mm.Steel bars having diameter from 6mm to 20mm are used for residential constructions.

Find out the weight of the steel

The formulae stated below calculates the weight of the steel.

For Example, if we have 8 mm diameter Steel bar and length is 12 mm.

Formulae to calculate the weight of the steel.

W = D2L/162
D= 8 mm
L=12 mm
w=(8X8X12)/162
=4.74 Kg
weight of the steel is 4.74 Kg

Inspect rust and Loose coating of the Steel

Steel’s slender framing creates buildings with a sense of openness. Before procuring the steel, bar examine the rust and Loose coating. If there is the presence of loose coating in the steel bar don’t buy those products.

Examine those cracks in the steel products

Good quality steel bars should be sound and free from surface flaws and cracks. They should not have rough, jagged and imperfect edges. A simple test called bend test conducted on site can assess the quality of steel. When you bend the steel rod to make an angle of 90 to 135 degrees and then bend it back straight, there should be no cracks on it. If the original shape is retained once it is straightened, you can assure that it is of best quality.

Guidelines for storage of steel products

Remember that a proper storage of steel bars on site is necessary.

1. Never store the steel products in direct contact with ground, and without any tarpaulin cover for longer period of exposure.
2. It is recommended that in case of longer storage, the steel bars should be stacked above ground level by at least 150mm.
3. They must be kept under shade in dry conditions to prevent rusting.

4. Ensure that they are not exposed outside for more than one month.
5. Wash them with cement slurry if they are exposed.
6. Clean the reinforcement bar that are already rested before usage.

Choosing steel for Construction