Teräspylväät

Teräspylväät, or steel columns, are vertical structural elements made of steel used to support loads in buildings and other constructions. They are a common and efficient choice for structural framing due to steel's high strength-to-weight ratio and its ability to withstand significant compressive forces.

The design of teräspylväät involves considering the type of load they will bear, the required height, and the potential for buckling, which is a critical factor in slender columns. Common steel shapes used for columns include I-beams (or H-beams), rectangular hollow sections (RHS), and circular hollow sections (CHS). The specific shape chosen depends on the structural requirements and aesthetic considerations of the project.

Steel columns can be manufactured with various grades of steel, each offering different tensile and yield strengths. They are often fabricated in workshops to precise specifications and then transported to the construction site for erection. Connections between teräspylväät and other structural members, such as beams and foundations, are typically made using welding or bolting.

The advantages of using teräspylväät include their speed of erection, uniformity of size and shape, and their ability to be recycled. They are widely employed in multi-story buildings, industrial structures, bridges, and various other infrastructure projects where robust vertical support is essential. Proper fireproofing is often applied to steel columns to enhance their performance in the event of a fire, as steel can lose its strength at high temperatures.