By far, steel is the most versatile and trusted material in construction. By nature, it is an alloy of iron combined with carbon and other elements (e.g., chromium and manganese). If the world were to move without steel, our skyscrapers would fall, cars would not exist, and refrigerators would not exist. What’s remarkable is that you can recycle steel repeatedly without fear of losing its original properties.
The famous Burj Khalifa located in Dubai attests to how structurally sound steel is. Known as the tallest building globally, the Middle East skyscraper taunts the sky, heralding the tourism industry that Dubai wants to corner. Quite frankly, steel is the only metal that made Burj Khalifa stand. To note, the 828-meter tower took six years to build. When it was done, about 39,000 tons of steel rebar were incorporated into the building.
Undoubtedly, many modern materials and technological advancements in construction and manufacturing are available today. So far, none can surpass the might of steel, making it the most commonly used forged metal. If, by any chance, you’re not convinced, here are a few takeaways to consider.
Superior Strength and Quality
Superman can’t be called “Man of Steel” for nothing. Steel is durable. You can determine the strength of the metal by looking at its four qualities. These include compressive strength (the ability to resist being squeezed tightly), tensile strength (the ability of a metal to resist being pulled apart), impact strength (the ability to withstand impact), and yield strength (the ability to resist bending/deformation).
Though steel does not top all these categories, it can compete with the industry’s most challenging metals.
Stainless steel has a yield strength of 1,560 Mpa, while its tensile strength can rise to 1,600 Mpa. That’s a lot, considering iron has 214 Mpa yield strength and 414 Mpa tensile strength.
Because of its superior durability, steel has become the most favored material in construction. Many of the world’s most iconic structures, from the Burj Khalifa to the Empire State Building, are made of steel.
One of a construction firm’s primary jobs is to get a steady supply of quality steel from a top-notch supplier. That way, construction projects are assured they’re not getting substandard steel materials.
Unlike wood, steel is mainly impervious to the ravages of the weather. Wood is easily vulnerable to combustion, corrosion, and termites. Once processed and coated, steel does not crack, split, warp, rot, or catch fire. That tells you where steel is used and provides a strong foundation.
Over-the-top Flexibility
A rigid, strong metal can break under pressure. Steel, however, is not only strong, but it’s also flexible. Since steel cannot be easily destroyed, it can also be used in many ways.
We’re talking about stamping, roll forming, painting, machining, and welding, and steel can provide it all. Steel’s flexibility allows flexibility in design, which is why it certainly deserves to be known as a “universal building product.”
Way Cheaper
When considering what materials to use, money is one factor to consider. Never fear, though. Steel is known for being cost-efficient, so you get more bang for your buck.
Why? Steel is not only affordable but also faster to use. Thus, using steel can make for speedy and cost-beneficial construction.
In addition, steel utilized in construction is less likely to be replaced for a long time. It is both flexible and adaptable, which means further adjustments are not that costly.
100% Recyclable
There seems to be no end to steel’s many applications. But did you know steel is durable, flexible, and 100% recyclable?
This is why steel is the most recycled material in the world. In recycling, steel retains its overall rate by 86 percent. That’s impressive.
Even scraps of steel can be recycled. For one, steel mills are committed to using scraps of steel materials. We’re talking about home scrap, obsolete scrap, and prompt scrap. As steel is highly recyclable, you need not fear having to throw the material.
This smart use of steel scraps is not only cost-efficient but also energy-efficient. Recycling steel alone saves energy for up to 18 million households annually.
Steel Offers Safety
In any building, more than anything, safety is a must. Using steel for construction offers safety by protecting occupants from emergency fire, heavy snow, high winds, and ice. Any condition that may cause a building to burn and collapse when made of wood or steel can provide safety from all of that.
That’s just telling you there’s no metal like steel. And no better time to use it than now.
