15 Apr Where is Structural Steel Used?
Uses for Structural Steel
Structural steel has many uses across a wide variety of industries. Due to steel’s immense strength to weight ratio, and its incredible resistance to damage, it is a perfect choice for the construction of large structures.
Structural steel fabricators like Baker Steel Trading can also create bespoke steel products which can be used across the building industry. Some conventional structural steel products include:
- Steel beams (such as I beams, otherwise known as universal beams)
- Steel frame buildings (which are very advantageous)
- Universal columns
- Lintel beams
- Parallel flange channels
- Flitch plates
- Steel railings
- Steel gates
- Staircases
As you can see, structural steel covers a wide range of products, many of which can be used in different industries. We have outlined some of the more specific applications of structural steel and how their properties help them in these applications.
Structural Steel Applications
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- Bridges – bridges are constructed in numerous different environments, and their configurations can vary depending on where they are built and what they need to accommodate. It will also depend on the type of bridge design. As such, certain grades of structural steel will be suitable for specific builds; each grade offers variations in tension, strength, compression and shear levels.Using structural steel is ideal for bridges due to its high yield strength.
Bridges need to withstand exceptionally heavy loads, and of course, this is why you should use structural steel. Not to mention the fact that steel has excellent resistance to corrosion thanks to various types of steel finishing, which is handy for bridges situated over water.
- Bridges – bridges are constructed in numerous different environments, and their configurations can vary depending on where they are built and what they need to accommodate. It will also depend on the type of bridge design. As such, certain grades of structural steel will be suitable for specific builds; each grade offers variations in tension, strength, compression and shear levels.Using structural steel is ideal for bridges due to its high yield strength.
- Transport – most vehicles contain a sizeable portion of structural steel parts. Steel could be used in many of the internal components or the exterior protective sheets which protect the engine. Steel is used to manufacture trains, rails, trucks, cars and aircraft, with structural steel proving exceptionally popular due to its elasticity, tensile strength, malleability and cost-effectiveness.
- Buildings – the vast range of structural steel grades and steel alloys allow it to be used for numerous different building applications. Whether high rise buildings or residential properties, there can always be a use for structural steel beams within a building. It’s particularly useful in the construction of buildings due to how wind-resistant it is, so when it is exposed to extreme conditions, it will only bend, but not snap. This is particularly beneficial for multi-storey buildings.
Structural steel has become the go-to product for the construction industry. If you are looking for a reliable, sturdy and cost-effective material to use as the framework for a commercial building, which is going to stand the test of time, steel is the one to use.
Structural Steel Fabricators in the UK
As said before, many steel fabrication companies can manufacture all types of structural steel to suit your needs. Baker Steel Trading are experienced, CE-marked, reliable steel fabricators based in Woking, who provide a wide range of steel fabrication services. These services are more than just fabricating steel beams and columns; we offer anything from a full steel fabrication drawing service to HIAB and crane hire.
We work with numerous types of steel, including stainless steel and aluminium (full details of these are to be announced), and of course, structural steel. Although the latter, you could say is our bread and butter, our team of skilled coded welders and fabricators can work with just about any steel you can think of.
Not only that, but Baker Steel Trading aren’t purely restricted to fabricating steel in-house, in our Woking factory. We can provide on-site steel fabrication services, including mobile welding, and surveying and measuring, depending on your chosen products, timescales and budget. We aim to make the entire process as stress-free and straightforward as possible for you.
Please give us a call to see how we can help you with your structural steel requirements today.