The great durability of steel makes it an exceptional material to use in erecting buildings. A building built using steel framing is structured very much like those that utilize wood in that they are both built by assembling various components. The most significant difference is that the pieces are made of steel instead of wood.
Steel framing is most often created in a rectangular grid to support the floors, roof, and walls attached to the frame. This technique is how skyscrapers are built. Industrial buildings and warehouses are two other types of structures that are typically framed with steel. Here are some others that utilize steel frame construction:
- Auto shops
- Aircraft hangers
- Breweries
- Car washes
Steel-Framed Studs
Steel-framed structures may be more expensive than wood frames, but they have many advantages that come with the price tag. For one, steel is durable and provides immense strength to any structure. It's also ductile, waterproof, and fire-resistant. Instead of cracking like glass, steel will bend its shape, making it an extremely ductile material.
While that can't always be said for the materials attached to it, a structure's steel skeleton will remain sturdy. Steel also weighs less than wood and takes less time to construct. Steel frames can either be cut to correct lengths and then welded together or assembled using prefabricated steel bolted together at the job site.
Regardless of which approach is used, the workers who make this all happen are called ironworkers. They are responsible for connecting steel columns, welding metal components, bolting steel frames together, and hoisting girders into place.