Construction is one of the most important steel-using industries, accounting for more than 50% of world steel production. Buildings – from houses to car-parks to schools and skyscrapers – rely on steel for their strength. Steel is also used on roofs and as cladding for exterior walls.

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The world’s population is projected to increase by slightly more than one billion people over the next 13 years, reaching 8.6 billion in , and to increase further to 9.8 billion in and 11.2 billion by (World Population Prospects the Revision, United Nations ). This will be accompanied by rapid urbanisation. As the need for buildings and infrastructure continues to grow worldwide, reducing consumption of natural resources and associated emissions is crucial for future sustainability.

Steelmakers around the world are increasingly providing construction solutions that enable energy-efficient and low-carbon-neutral buildings. These solutions reduce the environmental impact over the structures’ life cycle and help to extend their life span through design for disassembly and reuse.

Steel can provide the solutions to infrastructure and construction needs in developing countries and in climate resilient cities by enabling protective coastal and wind-resistant designs. While buildings currently account for about 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, they also present many opportunities for reducing emissions and mitigating climate change.

Not only is steel affordable, readily available and safer, its intrinsic properties, such as strength, versatility, durability and 100% recyclability allow for improved environmental performance across the entire life cycle of buildings.

The advanced high-strength steels used in steel-plate applications also find uses in a number of related industries. Offshore oil rigs, bridges, civil engineering and construction machines, rail carriages, tanks and pressure vessels, nuclear, thermal and hydroelectric plants – all these applications benefit from the attributes of modern steels.

How steel is used in buildings and infrastructure

The possibilities for using steel in buildings and infrastructure are limitless. The most common applications are listed below.

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For buildings

• Structural sections: these provide a strong, stiff frame for the building and make up 25% of the steel use in buildings.
• Reinforcing bars: these add tensile strength and stiffness to concrete and make up 44% of steel use in buildings. Steel is used because it binds well to concrete, has a similar thermal expansion coefficient and is strong and relatively cost-effective. Reinforced concrete is also used to provide deep foundations and basements and is currently the world’s primary building material.
• Sheet products: 31% is in sheet products such as roofing, purlins, internal walls, ceilings, cladding, and insulating panels for exterior walls.
• Non-structural steel: steel is also found in many non-structural applications in buildings, such as heating and cooling equipment and interior ducting.
• Internal fixtures and fittings such as rails, shelving and stairs are also made of steel.

For infrastructure

• Transport networks: steel is required for bridges, tunnels, rail track and in constructing buildings such as fueling stations, train stations, ports and airports. About 60% of steel use in this application is as rebar and the rest is sections, plates and rail track.
• Utilities (fuel, water, power): over 50% of the steel used for this application is in underground pipelines to distribute water to and from housing, and to distribute gas. The rest is mainly rebar for power stations and pumping houses.

The Pros and Cons of Steel Construction

Steel is one of the most common and important construction materials. This is evident in the current demand for steel today. The popularity of steel is largely due to the many benefits it brings to a structure. However, there are some disadvantages when it comes to using standard steel that make weathering steel an ideal choice for building material. 

The Pros of Steel Construction

You are probably familiar with the combination of properties that make steel an advantageous construction material relative to other building materials. First and foremost, steel is an extremely high-strength, durable and flexible material that is significantly lighter than other materials, such as concrete. These properties work together to increase the safety of the project, lower the costs of overall construction, and allow for faster construction. 

Another popular property of steel is its versatility. Not too many building materials are as versatile as steel. Steel can be cut and molded to fit different designs, which gives architects more creative freedom to accomplish their vision for the structure. 

The Cons of Steel Construction

While there are many advantages of steel construction, there are a few disadvantages to take into account. Unlike concrete and wood materials, steel is notorious for rusting in certain environments. Consequently, the costs of painting and maintaining a steel structure can be high. Steel can also be a conductor of heat, which means it needs to be adequately fireproofed. And lastly, steel can be susceptible to fatigue, fracture or buckling due to manufacturing inconsistencies. 

Weathering Steel is the Solution 

With weathering steel, you reap all the benefits of standard steel construction and more. Unlike standard steel, weathering steel can be used unpainted in structural and architectural applications, which eliminates painting and maintenance costs while reducing overall construction time in the short and long-term. 

While weathering steel is silver in its original state like standard steel, it develops a patina over time that serves as a protective, corrosion-resistant barrier. The naturally-developed patina regenerates continuously when exposed to weather and stops further access of oxygen, moisture and pollutants. This patina layer is not only practical, but its rustic, orange-brown color blends also well in many environments from natural areas and contemporary interior design. 

The corrosion-resistant and aesthetic benefits of weathering steel appeal to many, and weathering steels have increased in popularity over the years. Builders, architects and landscape designers utilize it for various applications in both commercial and residential projects. From roofing and siding to building facades and bridges, here are a few ways weathering steel is commonly used in construction. 

Contact Central Steel Service for Weathering Steel 

Established in as a high-strength, corrosion-resistant steel distributor, Central Steel Service specializes in the distribution of weathering steel across several categories to meet the needs of our customers. 

The company is the world’s best steel products for buildings and infrastructure solution supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.