Frame; Steel in Architecture

Steel in Architecture, Building and Construction

Steel is a commonly used material in architecture, building and construction and has been used for almost a century. While this is not a new material each year the amount of steel being used rises and it is being used in a wider array of projects than ever before. Steel is both aesthetic and functional and here you can learn about the different advantages of using steel.

How Sustainable is Steel?

Sustainability is increasingly becoming a big influence in the architectural design, construction and product manufacturing of buildings. Steel is one of the most environmentally friendly materials that can be used in today’s society and it contributes to a sustainable world in a range of different ways.

With the construction of many new steel buildings, a Life Cycle Assessment needs to be completed. In this assessment, the environmental impact of your building, its service life and project life will all be taken into consideration. The document encourages all new buildings to have a minimum service life of 75 years and this is one of the reasons why steel has become so incredibly popular over the years. Steel as a material is 100% recyclable and there is no down-cycling. It can be recycled over and over again, making it an extremely sustainable material to use. In a recent study, it was found that a massive 92% of stainless steel was collected for recycling at the end of its life. Stainless steel does not contribute to landfill waste and if the building is designed well, then you can even reduce your heating and air-conditioning costs by using thinner stainless steel panels.

For the average consumer, steel is also a fantastic option to go with if you are looking to have a cost-effective and eco-friendly out of house storage space or garage. You can purchase a steel building online thanks to providers such as Armstrong Steel, choose the design and have it delivered to your door. It can then be erected within a few hours. If you decide you no longer need your steel building, it can easily be recycled reducing your environmental footprint.

Steel in Structural Design

As steel has fantastic characteristics, it is very well suited to structural architectural applications and many engineering and design challenges have been overcome. Steel is becoming an incredibly popular choice for anywhere that has demoing conditions as it can withstand many conditions far better than other materials. When using stainless steel, it is able to withstand salt, wind, pollution and water to give you hundreds of years of service. What’s more, it is strong, durable and can resist corrosion. It is ideal for any structural sections that are in corrosive environments and you can use uncoated steel for many aesthetic structural applications. It has a far better impact resistance compared to carbon steel at ambient temperatures and while carbon steel can become brittle at lower temperatures, this is not the case with steel.