structuralsteel

Structural steel refers to a category of steel shapes and products designed for load-bearing structures in construction. It combines iron with controlled amounts of carbon and other elements to achieve high strength, ductility, and toughness while remaining relatively economical.

It is produced via standard steelmaking routes (blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace or electric arc furnace), refined, and rolled or formed into shapes such as wide-flange beams, I-beams, channels, angles, and hollow sections. Hot-rolled products are common for structural frames; cold-formed sections are used where tighter tolerances are required.

Common grades and standards include US A36, AISI, ASTM A992 for structural shapes, ASTM A500 for hollow structural sections; European equivalents include EN 10025 grades like S235, S275, S355. Properties vary; typical yield strengths range from 250 to 690 MPa depending on grade. Design codes specify allowable stresses, load combinations, and connection details, with welding and bolting as primary methods of fabrication.

Applications include load-bearing frames for office buildings and high-rises, bridges, towers, and cranes, often used in combination with concrete (composite construction) or masonry. Structural steel is valued for high strength-to-weight, constructability, prefabrication potential, and recyclability.

Limitations and considerations include susceptibility to corrosion requiring coatings or galvanization, ductile failure mechanisms at high temperatures; fire protection, seismic design, and quality control in fabrication. The environmental footprint varies with production route, and steel is highly recyclable.