The debate of steel vs concrete is a big one in the construction industry. Both can be used for underlying structure, and both have their pros and cons. The choice of which to use is a personal choice based on the project itself. But let’s take a look at each option.
Construction With Concrete
Concrete is the second most used material in construction. The first is water! Concrete offers a versatile medium that is durable and makes for easy fabrication. It can also be molded into any shape which is a huge benefit.
There are three different types of concrete when it comes to construction. These are plain cement concrete, reinforced concrete, and prestress concrete
Plain Cement Concrete
Made with a combination of cement, gravel, sand, and water, structures made with cement concrete have comprehensive strength but no tensile strength. It is most commonly used in roads and concrete wall blocks that come under comprehensive loads.
Reinforced Concrete
Reinforced steel is simply concrete with steel bars to create additional strength. This is the most common way concrete is used in construction.
Prestress Concrete
Prestressed concrete is concrete that has been preloaded before it be is subject to any load. The compression improves its performance.
Construction With Steel
Steel is a bit simpler. There is only one option, and it is classified into mild, medium, or high carbon steel depending on the make-up. Structural steel is the most commonly used in constructions, and as its name suggests it is used mostly in building structures. Most common are elongated steel beams with specific cross-sections.
The Final Word
There is not much argument between steel vs concrete. Both have their pros and cons and it is dependant entirely on what you are wanting to achieve with your project. You can’t go wrong with either option.
If you have any questions about steel vs concrete and their benefits, give Steelmor a call on 011 747 5700 or visit www.steelmor.co.za
