Basics of structural steel construction
In this exclusive civil engineering article, you will get vital information on Structural Steel Construction.
- Structural steel members are assembled, braced and tied jointly to develop a structural framework.
- In beam and column construction, beams and girders provide support to floor and roof loads and disperse the loads to the vertical column.
- In long span construction, long distance are spaced with erected structural steel girders and trusses.
- Pre-engineered metal buildings comprises of prefabricated structural steel members along with beams, columns, girts and trusses.
- Get vital information on structural steel construction from erection plans.
- Reference points on erection plans are obtain from a dimensioned grid of letters and numbers.
- The common types of steels are carbon steel, high strength steel, high strength low alloy steel, corrosion resistant high strength low alloy, quenched and tempered alloy.
Also read : STEEL REINFORCEMENT BARS PROPERTIES
- The grades of steel found in steel construction are grade-250, grade-415 and grade-500.
- Detail information necessary for the fabrication of structural steel members are obtained from shop drawings.
- Columns are generally constructed with M-, S- or wide-flange shapes.
- The positions of columns are demonstrated on erection plans with letter and number designations. Certain information on web depth and weight (in lb/ft) is given for each column.
- Wide-flange beams are detected on erection plans with letter "W" or "WF".
- Depending on the shop drawings, the structural steel beams are fabricated.
- Open web steel joists span among beams and girders. The standard designation for open web steel joists comprise of the nominal depth (in inches), span classification (K, LH or DLH) and chord diameter.
- Erection plans specify the structural steel joist spacing and installation information. Open web steel joists are fastened to beams or other supporting members with bolts or by welding.
- An extensive range of structural steel shapes are connected jointly to develop a truss. Common steel truss designs comprise of the bowstring, flat, howe, pratt, scissors and warren.
- Bridging and braces retain alignment among structural steel columns, beams and joists and enhance the resistance capacity against loads.
- Tie rods are applied to brace across long distances.
- Ribs bolts are utilized where steel members are drawn firmly together prior to fastening. High-strength hex head bolts are recognized with markings on the bolt head.
- Steel members are cut to length with an oxyacetylene cutting torch.