Lecture 01
Introduction To Steel Structures
CEN 487
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Introduction to Steel Structures
• Steel structures are assembly of structural
steel shapes joined together by means of
riveted / bolted or welded connections according
to specification/standard.
Bolted Connection Welded Connection
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Structural System
• Steel construction is being used for almost
every type of structure including multi-
storey buildings, bridges, industrial
buildings, towers, etc.
• There are two main categories of steel
structures:-
1. Framework or Skeletal System
2. Shell System
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Steel Structures
Typical Steel Structure (Building)
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Shell System
• The main load carrying elements in this category of
structures are plates and sheets besides some skeletal
members.
▫ Examples are:-
Gas tanks for the storage and distribution of gases.
Tanks and reservoirs for the storage of liquids.
Bins and bunkers for the storage of loose material.
Special structures such as blast furnaces, air heaters, etc.
Large diameter pipes.
All other plate and shell structures.
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Advantages of Steel in Construction
• Great strength
•Light weight
•Ease of use
•Freedom of Expression
•Long Span
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Merits of Steel Construction
1. Reliable in Character
• The reliability of steel construction are due to
its consistency in properties.
• Better quality control because of its factory
made structure shapes. e.g. if different
samples are taken from the same type of steel
and tested in the laboratory for its yield
stress, ultimate stress and elongation, the
variation is quite less as compared to the
concrete & wooden samples where the stress
variation is quite enormous.
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Merits of Steel Construction
2. Industrial in Behavior
• Rolled steel shapes are obtained from Rolling
Mills and due to their fabrication in the
industries their properties in construction will
not much differ.
• There is less manual error as the members are
fabricated & cut in the factories and then
assembled at site; there is not much variation
in behavior.
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Merits of Steel Construction
3. Quick in Construction
• Rolled steel as well as cold formed section are
available in the market.
• The cutting of member section are done in
factories and assembling is partially made in
the factory and partially at site by rivets, bolts
or welds, as the case may be.
• The construction time of the steel building is
comparatively much less as compared to
concrete structure whose construction is
made in site or by prefabricated units.
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Merits of Steel Construction
4. High Strength and Light Weight Nature
• High strength of steel /unit weight (e.g.
77kN/m3 & conc. 23.6 kN/in) will mean that
dead load will become lesser. These loads are
the bigger part of the total load of the
structure. This is experienced in large span
bridges & tall buildings and structure having
poor foundation conditions.
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Contd …High Strength and Light Weight Nature
• If a factor ‘C’ defined as ratio of density to the
stress is calculated for different construction
materials, steel will show the lowest:-
• Material C = /f (m-1)
• Al 1.1 10-4
• Steel 3.2 10-4
• Wood 4.5 10-4
• Concrete 24 10-4
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Merits of Steel Construction
5. Uniformity, Durability and Performance
• Durability means long life of a structure.
• Steel is a very homogeneous and uniform material.
• It satisfies the basic assumptions of most of the
analysis and design formulas.
• If properly maintained by painting, etc., the
properties of steel do not change appreciably with
time.
• Hence, steel structures are more durable.
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Merits of Steel Construction
6. Elasticity
• Steel behaves closer to design assumptions than most
of the other materials because it follows Hooke’s law
up to fairly high stresses.
• The stress produced remains proportional to the
strain applied or the stress-strain diagram remains a
straight line.
• The steel sections do not crack or tear before ultimate
load and hence the moments of inertia of a steel
structure can be definitely calculated.
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Merits of Steel Construction
7. Ductility and Warning before Failure
• The property of a material by which it can
withstand extensive deformation without failure
under high tensile stresses is said to be its ductility.
• Mild steel is a very ductile material. The percentage
elongation of a standard tension test specimen after
fracture can be as high as 25 to 30%.
• This gives visible deflections or evidence of
impending failure in case of overloads.
• The extra loads may be removed from the structure
to prevent collapse.
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Merits of Steel Construction
Contd … Ductility and Warning before Failure
• Even if collapse does occur, time is available for
occupants to vacate the building.
• In structural members under normal loads, high
stress concentrations develop at various points.
• The ductile nature of the usual structural steels
enable them to yield locally at those points, thus
redistributing the stresses and preventing premature
failure.
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Merits of Steel Construction
8. Addition to Existing Structures
• Additions to existing steel structures are very easy to
be made.
• Connections between new and existing structures can
be employed very effectively.
• New bays or even entire new wings of buildings can be
added to existing steel frame buildings, and steel
bridges may often be widened.
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Merits of Steel Construction
9. Possible Reuse
• Steel sections can be reused after a structure is
disassembled.
10. Water Tight and Air Tight Construction
Steel structures provide completely impervious
construction.
Structures like reservoirs, oil pipes, gas pipes, etc.,
are preferably made from structural steel.
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Merits of Steel Construction
11. Long Span Construction
• High-rise buildings, long span bridges and tall
transmission towers are made up of structural steel.
• Industrial buildings up to a span of 90 m can be
designed by plate girders or trusses.
• Bridge spans up to 260 m are made with plate
girders.
• For through truss bridges, spans of 300 m have
been used.
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Merits of Steel Construction
12. Temporary Construction
• For temporary structures, steel construction is
always preferred.
• Army constructions during war are mostly made
out of structural steel.
• The structures may be disassembled by opening
few bolts, component parts are carried to new
places and the structure is easily reassembled.
