The Evolution Of Steel Buildings
The Evolution Of Steel Buildings
Despite being the third-largest producer of steel in the world, steel structures are mostly built for industrial purposes in India. Earlier largely used as a raw material in construction, prefabricated buildings are taking over the construction industry with their application expanding beyond industrial construction. Due to a shift in the lifestyle and infrastructural development of modern India, steel has emerged as the chosen solution for design and construction.
Evolution of steel-based construction in India
Ever since the introduction of steel into the world of construction in the 1920s, it has witnessed organic growth with new areas of application and utilization. Not only does steel provide practical and functional benefits, but it also enhances the aesthetic value of the building. Fast-paced vertical construction is the result of space shortage in urban areas. Constructing a superstructure requires superior quality, lightweight materials. With steel, constructing lightweight structures becomes easily possible by virtue of their high strength. Prefabricated structures have diversified the range of constructional forms. Braced frames and resistant frames are ideal for higher structures since they meet all the required specifications. Taller structures are at a higher risk of wind load, and steel backs the building in diverting the wind force easily.
Comparison between steel and RCC construction
If compared to concrete-type construction, prefabricated construction is about 40-50% more expensive, however, the cost comes down with efficient design interventions in the layout. A well-planned execution cuts down the cost of building, reducing the difference in construction cost by 20-25%. PEB manufacturers in India like Pinax have been thoroughly involved in the construction of optimum quality steel structures. From planning to final installation, we are always on the lookout for a breakthrough to upgrade our products and services. With a dedicated research and development team such as ours, no company can beat our prefabricated buildings in terms of creativity, adaptability, and overall return on investment.
In addition to its load-bearing capacity, steel can also hold lighter sections. This allows for increased floor space up to 1.5 times with the same external building height. The reduction in column sizes can also result in a larger carpet area when compared to concrete. Since steel frames weigh less than concrete, the load on a foundation is reduced. Keeping in mind that any high-rise building is usually built on piles and piers buried in the ground, it makes sense to build its foundation on this type of infrastructure. Furthermore, steel frames can be significantly altered or strengthened more easily than concrete frames.
Benefits of steel structures in construction
Steel structures aka prefabricated buildings offer uncountable benefits. To name a few, they provide a higher strength-to-weight ratio, quick construction, and allow for lighter foundations as compared to RCC. This results in long-term cost savings over traditional construction while at the same time occupying less space resulting in larger floor spans making way for immense open coverage. This was true in the case of Jaiswal Bottling for whom we constructed an IMFL Bottling Plant with a carpet area of 20,000 sq ft and a mezzanine structure of 3200 sq ft in West Bengal.
The advantages of steel
With its high elastic limit, structural strength, and versatility, steel can be combined with a wide range of materials such as glass, cold-rolled, and galvanized flat products. There is comparatively less labor involved in steel manufacturing in India; besides most of the steel used in construction is 100% recyclable. Pinax Steel, a manufacturer and supplier of PEB in India that uses steel to build most of its products, has noted that steel’s endurance, versatility, and sustainability make it ideal for construction applications. With the development of advanced technology, the industry has seen the adoption of modular steel frame systems on construction sites. In addition to its suitability for modular construction, steel is further bolstered by new technological advances. As cities continue to expand and the population grows, this demand will only increase.
As a steel company, Pinax offers end-to-end construction solutions in India, especially in terms of pre-engineered buildings. Our scope of services begins with planning and ends with the final installation of the building. The entire construction process is undertaken as per the specifications laid down by the client. For more information, check out our website or contact us.