6 Types of Steel used in Construction

Steel has become such an integral part of the construction industry, that one cannot imagine one without the other.

But did you know that there are different types of steel used in construction?

Steel is known for its incomparable strength and durability characteristics. Below, we have something on “different types of steel used in construction,” to second this very fact. Steel: It is simply an alloy of iron, carbon, and various other materials. They have unique properties of high tensile strength and structural integrity. It is one of the core materials needed for the construction of a house.

About the list of countries in order based on mass steel production (According to the data from the World Steel Association, 2018), India is positioned as the second-largest producer, with the People’s Republic of China leading ( with a difference of about 880.3 million metric tons of crude steel). This detail in itself brings to the forefront of how vitally steel production is catered in our country. Some of the leading steel companies in India have tirelessly helped India in achieving this position in the steel Industry.

The main reason why steel reinforcement is of utmost importance in building construction is because of its feature of bonding well with concrete. With the increasing wants and needs of the ever-increasing population and skyscrapers springing out of the blue like mushrooms, the potential rise of the affordable housing sector, and the high steel demand is, without a doubt, a reasonable one.

The application is numerous from steel sheet products reinforcing bars, and internal fixtures to structural and non-structural sections in buildings. Pre-stressed steel and Prefabricated steel are also having high markets.

Types of steel used in construction

• Light Gauge Steel

• Structural Steel

• Mild Steel

• Rebar Steel

Let's explore these types of steel used in construction in detail!

1. Light Gauge Steel

• Made from thin sheets based on specific standards.

• Easily workable to make a steel frame system with cold deformed steel (Steel shaped by a cold working process).

• Light gauge steel joists and studs are readily available in shops.

• It is flexible and safe.

• One of the different types of steel used in construction is popular in flooring.

Pro tip: Using light gauge steel in facades, composite panels, and different cladding solutions is remarkable. Also, it can be used for load-bearing walls in addition to purlins and side rails.

2. Structural Steel

Structural Steel is yet another one of the popular types of steel used in construction which is used mainly to give a base or structure to the building. This is one of the most popular types of steel available.

• Used for developing the structure
• Available in different specifications & shapes like – T shaped, Channel Sections, I-Beams, Plate type, bar or rod-type, etc.
• Corrosion check (When iron oxides to form rust).

Pro tip: Protective coatings like aerosol sprays can help prevent corrosion. Also, galvanization ( Zinc coated on steel) helps. Structural steel is a more environmentally friendly recyclable option, easily workable with a variety of designs.

For example, in steel beams and columns. Used even for bridges and transmission towers. India has ample buildings that have scooped national recognition and awards for best steel structures as in Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat.

For heavy construction projects, we use iron rods. Wrought iron, which is easy to handle is one of the major types of iron rod used in construction and mild steel and deformed bars, are significantly important.

3. Mild Steel

• Plain carbon steel.
• Known for its strength.
• The most commonly used steel for construction.
• Used for both conventional and modern bolted pre-engineered buildings.

Pro tip: Crack-resistant to a greater extent. Great weldability and hence can serve the purpose very well. More easily available, considering all the other options.

4. Rebar Steel

• Reinforcing steel reinforces the structure affixing well with concrete.
• Also used in the form of a mesh of steel wires for building purposes.
• Hot-rolled round carbon steel bars are mainly used.
• Improves tensile strength.
• It can be manufactured to very long lengths.

Deformed bars which are hot rolled are commonly used in RCC (Reinforced Concrete) structures. Apart from RCC, this is yet another one of the major types of steel used in construction in the Indian Subcontinent, especially in Pre Cast Construction Technology. Indian Standard IS 1069 is used as a reference for grading mild steel based on tensile properties.

5. High-Strength Steel

High-strength steel isn't just one type, but rather a group of steels engineered to have high strength-to-weight ratios. This results in lightweight but very strong structures. These steels are the preferred material for large-scale construction projects such as long-span bridges and skyscrapers. They also play a crucial role in areas prone to earthquakes, where their strength helps structures withstand seismic activity.

• Withstands significantly higher loads than standard steel.

• Enables lighter building designs compared to traditional steel.

• Offers a degree of flexibility to absorb impact and resist cracking.

• Allows for efficient and secure joining of steel components.

6. Alloy Steel

Carbon steel can have certain qualities improved by adding metals such as chromium, nickel, or molybdenum. Depending on the elements supplied, alloy steel can provide higher strength, corrosion resistance, or hardenability. It's used for critical applications like crankshafts, axles, and high-pressure vessels.

• Alloy steel retains its strength and stability at high temperatures, making it suitable for use in high-temperature environments.

• Certain alloying elements increase the steel's machinability, making it easier to cut and shape.

• Alloy steel can be welded effectively, allowing for strong and durable joints in construction and manufacturing.

• It has better resistance to fatigue, which is essential for components subjected to cyclic loading.

Types of Steel Gradation

Based on the physical properties and their composition, the four types of steel gradation are –

• Stainless steel ( Steel in combination with chromium)
• Carbon steel ( A combo of iron and carbon)
• Alloy steel (Carbon steel along with various other alloying elements)
• Tool steel (Carbon alloy steel well suited to manufacture tools).

Gradation of steel helps distinguish the different types of steel used in construction based on their distinctive properties like density, hardness, thermal conductivity, etc.

Bonus: The choice of steel also fits energy-efficient construction. Also, it helps resist a great deal of shaking during earthquakes due to its innate ductile properties!

In the ancient period, men made steel from raw ore. The process further transformed to reach the state it is in today, following the steps of Sir Henry Bessemer, inventor of the first manufacturing steel.

In India's sphere of construction technology steelmaking plays a huge role. Today, the steelmaking process is commercially practised by two important methods. Viz. Basic oxygen steelmaking and electric arc furnace steelmaking. Also, there is primary and secondary categorization for this steel-making process. Pig iron, Coke, and lime are the main aids for steel production.

Steel Bars used in India

On account of the functions of steel we are foreseeing in the context of a building site, the members are manufactured in a factory assembly. Rolled steel products serve different purposes. Some of the different types of steel bars used in construction or Rolled steel products are –

1. Rolled round bars and square bars – For windows and grill works.
2. TMT bars (ThermoMechanically Treated) – Excellent strength, shake – resistance, and quality.
3. Ribbed bars – These have High Yield Strength and are also called HYSD ( D for deformed as they are made by cold twisting). Also, there are ribbed mild steel bars. HYSD bars are used extensively for precast concrete works.
4. Angle and channel sections - Steel angles for communication towers, shelves, and bridges.

North American cities are known for their steel frame structures. India has also started rooting for this technique widely. The prefabricated steel building trade is on the rise these days commercially.

Advantages of steel framed construction: Can prevent water ingress to a great level and rotting and fungal attack is out of the question compared to a similar wooden framed structure.

Disadvantages of steel framed construction: Rusting of exposed surfaces. Fabrication errors can also cause lots of issues.

The steel industry is booming and the average minimum price range For TMT steel bars is widely used in buildings, with a diameter of 16 mm. The minimum price of TMT steel bars is Rs 30/Kg and the maximum is Rs 50/Kg according to market research. It is available in Fe – 500, Fe-500D, Fe-550, and Fe – 600 grades extensively.

The four main types of steel used in construction are:

• Stainless steel: A combination of steel and chromium
• Carbon steel: A combination of iron and carbon
• Alloy steel: Carbon steel with other alloying elements
• Tool steel: Carbon alloy steel that's good for making tools

Each type of steel has unique characteristics that make it suitable for different uses. For example, carbon steel is available in many forms and is resistant to corrosion, scaling, heat, and fire.

Types of Steel used in Construction - Bonus

Carbon Steel

A steel having carbon content from about 0.05% to 2.1% is what we call a carbon steel. The American Iron and Steel Institute states that, a carbon steel is among the types of steel that is not a stainless steel. There are different types of carbon steel, such as - low-carbon steel, medium carbon steel, high-carbon steel and ultra high-carbon steel. The process of manufacturing carbon steel includes the finest of the micro-structure making it one of the toughest types of steel used for construction.

Construction is one of the most important industries that uses steel. Steel is used in buildings, roofs, and exterior walls.

That was about different " types of steel used in construction,” We hope you had a fine read and do share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Want to Know About Modern Stainless Steel New Gate Design:

Let's start with a simple and sturdy stainless steel main gate design. Provide optimal safety and privacy to your abode with a simple and modern stainless steel iron gate. Without holding much importance to design and architecture, these main gate designs are commonly used in most Indian homes.

Reference Links:

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