Structural steel is used in construction or building projects. In its most basic definition, structural steel is defined as steel formed for use in construction, but that doesn't give a very clear picture of what structural steel actually is. As your leading local structural steel company in Indiana, we wanted to help you better understand what differentiates structural steel from other forms of fabricated steel by covering its two main characteristics: composition and form.
Composition
Structural steel is a carbon steel, meaning it has a carbon content of up to 2.1 percent by weight. After iron, carbon is the most important element in carbon steel. The increase in the amount of carbon in the composition of steel gives rise to materials with high resistance and low ductility. The level or content of carbon will depend on the use made of the steel.
Low carbon steel, also known as mild steel, is the most widely used form of carbon steel and what is most commonly used for construction, so low carbon steel is what is most commonly thought of when referring to structural steel. . Low carbon steel typically contains between {{0}},04% and 0.30% carbon, making it stronger and more ductile than other forms of steel with higher carbon content. Although medium and high carbon steels (steels with a carbon content ranging from 0.31% to 1.50%) can also be considered structural steels, these are typically used for mechanical engineering purposes.
Shape
An overview of structural steel would not be complete without discussing its different forms. Going back to its basic definition, structural steel is simply steel designed for different uses in building construction.
A structural steel form is a formed profile with a specific cross section. Below are some common forms of structural steel:
I Beam: An I-shaped cross section with flanges on both sides.
Z Shape: Half of a flange that goes in opposite directions resembling a "Z"
Angle: L-shaped cross section
T: T-shaped cross section
Bar: Long piece of steel with a rectangular section
Bar: A long round or square piece of steel
Due to the ductility of structural steel, the variety of shapes, thicknesses and even sizes can be customized to meet specific construction needs. At Benchmark Fabricated Steel, your trusted structural steel company in Indiana, we design and fabricate structural steel to meet your project needs.
If you would like to know more about the quality and composition of our structural steel or the different designs and shapes we have available, give us a call today! Whether you are contemplating a small, personal project or a large-scale construction job, our team of steel fabrication experts and designers is ready to provide a quote for your project.
