Future Steel Buildings
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of construction is used for both office and residential buildings.
Tall buildings due to their height are affected by lateral forces of strong winds and earthquakes. Structural design should be such that it resists these forces.
Design requirements of a building can be divided in to 3 classes:
1.Serviceability
2.Resistance to damage
3.Prevention of collapse
Ancient tall buildings used wood, concrete and bricks. Drawbacks associated with these materials led to the use of wrought iron and subsequently steel.
Steel frames are faster to erect compared to other materials. This gives economic advantages. In addition to cost savings, steel frames if used in tall buildings are lighter and result in considerably reduced loads on the foundation. Multiple storey buildings occupy less floor area.
Framed tube structures consist of closely spaced columns joined by deep girders. Resistance to lateral forces is provided by stiff frames that form a tube around the perimeter of the building.
Joints in framed tube structures are welded for providing rigidity and stability. The internal core of the building has concentrated facilities including elevators and stairs.
The use of a prefabricated framed tube system made construction more practical and efficient. All welding requirements can be done in a horizontal position.
The bundled tube was developed by variation in the tubular structure. It was based on bundling of smaller sized tubes. Each tube rises to a different height. Tubes can be used to create different shapes. Triangular and hexagonal shapes have been used for a few buildings.
For very high buildings super frames and super trussed tubes have been developed. In super frames, structural efficiency is obtained from the concentration of material close to the corners. Super trussed tubes have the advantage that they do not require closely spaced columns of a framed tube.
8 | Conclusion
Steel used in modern construction is completely recyclable. Recycling steel saves natural resources and landfill space. When a steel framed building is no longer needed, it can be recycled into new steel.
As the steel frames and bars are made according to the dimensions desired, there is minimum wastage of construction material. Effective recycling procedures guarantee saving the world’s natural resources and are a positive step towards saving the environment.
Green steel homes as they are called are environment friendly. In addition these are resistant to fire, hurricanes, storms, mold and termites. Quick construction saves time and maintenance costs are lower.
These engineered homes are professionally designed and constructed. They have complete wiring and plumbing systems.
Construction has come a long way from its early days. Now humans rely on tougher and more durable steel to construct buildings. With the rate of advancement we are going through currently, the future has a lot more in store in terms of the construction of steel buildings.
About The Author
Lisa Rogers is an independent writer who specializes in academic reports on emergent business industries, such as Future Steel Buildings. Please contact her via e-mail if you have any inquiries on her analysis.