Stahlbauten

Stahlbauten refers to buildings whose primary structural system is steel. In such constructions, steel members form frames, portals, or space trusses, while walls are often non-load-bearing or serve as cladding. The method contrasts with masonry or concrete bearing walls and is widely used for industrial, commercial, and increasingly, mixed-use buildings.

Construction and materials: Steel elements are produced off-site in profiles such as I-beams, hollow sections, or tubes and assembled on-site by bolting or welding. Floors may use steel decking with concrete, or composite metal floors. Joints are designed for shear and moment transfer, and fire protection is provided by coatings, infill panels, or enclosed cores. Corrosion protection includes painting and galvanizing.

Advantages and applications: Steel structures enable long spans, large clearances, rapid erection, and easy future modification. They are common for warehouses, factories, hangars, sports facilities, and many office or retail buildings. Prefabrication and modular options reduce on-site work and enable scalable expansion.

Design considerations: Fire resistance, thermal performance, and protection against corrosion are important. Steel's cost is sensitive to price fluctuations; maintenance affects lifecycle costs. Steel is highly recyclable, and many modern Stahlbauten emphasize sustainability through efficient detailing and reuse.

History: The use of steel frames emerged in the 19th century and expanded with industrialization. In the 20th century, steel construction became widespread worldwide, leading to standardized systems and prefabricated components that influenced contemporary building practice.