Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Steel in Construction Sector

In this article, we have described the advantages and disadvantages of using steel in construction sector. Continue to know that.

Steel is a prominent material widely used in construction sector. Also construction sector is the biggest consumer of steel products. There are many advantages and disadvantages of using steel in construction sector, which you should know.

Advantages of Using Steel in Construction Sector

Below are some of the main advantages of using steel in construction sector:

1. High Strength

Steel has a combination of high tensile strength and compressive strength that improves the overall strength the structure.

2. High Elasticity and Ductility

Mild Steel is a highly elastic and ductile material, which means it can deform into any shape without breaking when subjected to stress. This property makes it resistant to natural calamity like earthquake, wind loads and other dynamic forces.

3. Lesser Construction Time / Greater Erection Speed

Steel is a highly bendable and light weight material. So it can be easily bend and formed into different sizes and shapes. It is easy to install. Thus, steel makes the progress of the work fast, less the construction time and reduces the labour cost and therefore makes project economical also.

4. Reliability

The high tensile strength, resistance to corrosion and fire as well as earthquake, high durability, high elasticity and so on properties of steel makes it a reliable product. With this reliability, steel has been used in our country for centuries. The Iron Pillar of Delhi (India) is a direct example of this.

5. Durability

Steel is highly durable because of it is resistant to corrosion. If steel is properly maintained by painting, etc. it's properties will not change appreciably with time.

6. Uniformity

Steel is a very homogeneous and uniform material. Hence, it satisfies the basic assumptions of most of the analysis and design formulas.

7. Safety

The high tensile strength, high corrosion resistance and fire resistance as well as earthquake resistance provide the safety of constructional projects.

8. Eco-friendly

Steel can be 100% recycled. So it is a eco-friendly material causes less harm to nature.

Disadvantages of Using Steel in Construction Sector

Like other materials, steel has also some disadvantages. Below are some of the main disadvantages of using steel in construction sector:

1. Buckling

Buckling is a type of collapse of the structure due to sudden large bending caused by a sudden applied load. Under compression, steel is subjected to buckling. For much longer than wide structure (e.g., column), the chances of buckling increase under compression.

2. High Maintenance Costs

Most types of steel are susceptible to rust when exposed to moist air and therefore must be periodically painted. It requires additional cost and special care which increases the maintenance cost of steel.

3. Fireproofing Costs

Steel is a good conductor of heat. It can transmit enough heat from a burning compartment to other parts of the building to start fire. Hence the building requires to be properly fireproof which requires additional cost.

4. Availability

Steel may not be readily available everywhere. The long distances of steel products source (shop or manufacturing site) to the construction point causes too much transportation cost and the final price. In some countries, steel is not available in abundance which affects the price of steel products there and hence their initial cost is very high.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using steel in construction?

Like other materials, there are many advantages and some disadvantages to using steel in construction.

The advantages and disadvantages of using steel in construction sector are:

Final Words

In conclusion, steel offers numerous advantages in construction, including strength, reliability, and eco-friendliness. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as buckling and high maintenance costs. Steel remains one of the most widely used materials in the construction industry, which is its main consumer.

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