Concrete vs. steel
Concrete is a conventionally used material for construction while steel is now gaining momentum for its flexibility and reduced construction time. Both concrete and steel framed structures have environmental issues associated with their use, including a high embodied energy in their manufacture.
Concrete has some advantages; waste materials can be included within the mix, such as GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag) and PFA (Pulverised Fuel Ash). In addition, moves are being made to assess the potential of using recycled concrete, however, issues such as moisture content and material variability dictate that it is economically unviable.
Steel, while having a high lead time, is known for its fast erection on site. However, steel needs fire protection whereas within concrete this is inherent. Prefabrication of steel can allow thin film intumescent coatings to be applied offsite.
Efficiency within concrete construction is being improved by the adoption of hybrid solutions and innovations in formwork such as self-climbing forms. The use of precast concrete construction can also help to significantly reduce build time particularly where vertical elements are considered to be the main limitation.
Sacrificial probes can be integrated within concrete to provide strength determination at an early age and this is likely to help further improve construction methodologies.
Steel, being fast to erect, can allow the building to be occupied sooner. In addition, reduced labour costs are possible through dryness of form in comparison with concrete.
The construction of a steel framework is comparatively lightweight, as much as sixty percent lighter than a comparable reinforced concrete frame solution which might allow for a less expensive foundation system. In addition, modification to the building can sometimes be facilitated by simple removal of a structural steel member.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Architectural concrete.
- Concrete.
- Concrete frame.
- Concrete-steel composite structures.
- Galvanised steel.
- Glulam.
- Formwork.
- Intumescent coatings.
- Metal fabrication.
- Precast concrete.
- Prefabrication.
- Prestressed concrete.
- Rebar.
- Reinforced concrete.
- Stainless steel.
- Stainless steel vs. galvanised steel.
- Structural steelwork.
- Structural systems for offices.
- Sustainability.
- Thermal mass.
- Types of steel.
[edit] External references
- Steel Construction Institute; Steel Designers Manual 6th Edition 2003
- BRE - Innovation in concrete frame construction
- SCI publication 160 - Structural fire design: off-site applied thin film intumescent coatings 2nd edition
Featured articles and news
Specifying rendered external wall insulation for fire safety
How to interrogate the evidence provided to the specifier.
The benefits of writing articles for your organisation
How to create a profile for your organisation and publish for free.
No Falls Week. The importance of safe working at height
What to expect and what is on offer to avoid accidents.
Scottish Government action to reach net-zero targets
Retrofit expert group highlight critical actions needed.
A forward thinking, inclusive global community of members.
From engineered product life-spans, to their extension.
Circular economy in the built environment
A brief description from 2021. Where are we now?
Mental Health Awareness Week with ABS
Architects Benevolent Society programme of activity.
CLC publishes domestic retrofit competency framework
Roadmap of Skills for net zero.
May 13-19: Moving more for our mental health.
Understanding is key to conservation.
Open industry engagement survey seeks responses
Institutions and the importance of engagement.
National Retrofit Hub unveils new guide
Digital Building Logbooks and Retrofit: An Introduction.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Comments