The decision you make now will affect the project long-term in terms of both cost and durability. The type of frame you choose will affect many different aspects of the building design and how well it performs.
When it comes to structural steel vs reinforced concrete, many organizations discover that steel is a more cost-effective option than concrete. However, the cost is not the only consideration when it comes to working on building or civil engineering projects. So in this post, we’ll look at them head-to-head on a variety of criteria including safety and strength to see which is the better option.
Cost of material
When it comes to price, structural steel holds a slight advantage over reinforced concrete. Structural steelwork makes up only 20% of the steelwork used in construction. This is why steelwork is much less expensive than reinforced concrete. The cost of construction materials has increased as a whole, but the price hike affects concrete more than steel.
Availability
There has been a problem with the availability of concrete materials, particularly cement, recently, because of delays in shipping and pressure on raw material imports. This trend has not yet extended to steel, which remains cheap and easy to acquire from Chinese manufacturers.
Time
If you’re trying to decide between structural steel vs reinforced concrete for your construction project, keep in mind that concrete takes slightly less time. Building with concrete can be up to twice as fast compared to a steel structure. However, there are a variety of arguments in favor of structural steel. Steel is popular among firms for its flexibility, strength, and simplicity of construction.
Durability
The two most important questions that need answers are: which is stronger, and which is safer? The general agreement in the industry is that concrete is safer. Many factors play into this. For example, in concrete construction, the centermost parts of buildings (the elevator, stairs, emergency escape, and power systems) are surrounded by concrete walls that are 2 feet thick. This aims to prevent fire or potential attack on the building.
Although steel is very fire resistant, one downside that experts point to is that it could potentially melt in the event of a large fire or explosion. However, the installation of fire protection insulation and spray applications with flame retardant coatings might help to protect steel from a fire or explosion.
Labour
Reinforced concrete structures go up faster and require less labor during construction. The steel frame may be built by the manufacturer. The fluid concrete mix is poured into the mold over the steel frame to create the structure. It makes construction faster, which in turn, saves you money on labor costs.
Conclusion
The steel in reinforced concrete works together with the concrete to resist various types of forces, such as tensile and compressive stress.
With our experience in the construction field, we can help you decide if steel or concrete is better for your specific needs. Call 07787 515204 to talk about your project with one of our experts.
